Have you ever been called crazy insane or paranoid because you like/own guns

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I am known as the local gun nut around here.:) That said if there is anything to be shot at they always ask me to come over to do the honors.:D I can always use/enjoy the target practice. So afterwards I always invite them to the range for a plinking session to make them comfortable around firearms. I have converted a bunch of my neighbors into firearms owners as a result.:cool:
 
horsemen61 said:
Ok guys has this ever happened to you it has happened to me by some of my close friends and I wanted to know how you dealt with it
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My close friends would know better than to accuse me of being crazy, insane or paranoid based upon something trivial.


Seriously, grow up and find some more mature, real friends.
 
I usually respond to this sort of thing with a series of questions and scenarios. For example:

1. Someone has broken into your home. You're locked in the bedroom with your spouse and child(ren). While you're waiting for the police with 911 on the line and someone starts trying to kick in your door, do you want to be armed or unarmed?

2. Regarding carrying, you might review the testimony of Suzanna Hupp available online. She's specifically talking about the AWB, but her personal experience was in regard to carrying (or rather not carrying.)

There's nothing crazy or paranoid about wanting to be able to defend yourself or your loved ones. Most people can understand this. Some won't even consider the scenarios because they're not willing to consider any information that might erode their position. Others live in a state of blissful ignorance regarding the nature of the world around them and, short of witnessing some act of violence personally, they will not consider the possibility they themselves may ever fall victim to any violent crime.
 
I have friends outside of the States, and it blows their mind that I can legally carry a pistol with me wherever I decide to go (well as long as the state i'm in recognizes my permit:D). I tell them that it is the least likely piece of life insurance I will probably never ever need, but I prefer to have the option if there is ever bad trouble.

It blows my mind when they say, "I would just call a policeman!" It just strikes me as odd that people have something so drilled into their brain that they can't do the basic math of the time it would take for an officer to get there IF they could even make the call.

My wife used to be wary, but over the last couple of years she's grown to be comforted that I am almost always armed. When we walk downtown for dinner we usually have to pass by a few shady alleys.
"You packin'?" as she reaches around and feels my hip.
"Don't I always?"
"Good."

Even my mother in law sees merit in it now. She's widowed and lives in a nice patio home community. Her neighbors house was broken into in broad daylight while the lady was at her husband's FUNERAL:fire: Last weekend while we visited for the night, a police chopper was hovering overhead spotlighting the backyards of various houses looking for someone for a good 20 minutes. And this is in a nice area:confused:
She didn't give me a moments pause when I told her to close the blinds, make sure the doors were locked, and set the alarm. I didn't want anyone to see that there were two women, a toddler, and one man in the house. She also didn't mind that I stayed up a bit later with my .45 keeping me company;)
 
Well, in a sort of passive way. Folks I work with always say that when SHTF happens, they will all come down to my "compound" so that they can be protected by my "arsenal". I just tell them that they had better come visit often and help with the moat I'm building or I won't allow them to visit later.
 
I've been called "a real gun nut" more than once because of my large collection of firearms. If they are truly anti gun I usually humor them by stating what a comedian stated quite a few years ago; "guns don't kill people, people kill people, and anybody don't believe that ought to be shot". Usually that will put an end to any further nonsense.:cool:
 
Of course.

Most people call those who prepare more than themselves paranoid.

You can even see it among gun owners. Those who prep more are considered paranoid. If you don't believe me ask about wearing concealable body armour (bullet resistant vest) as part of your 'daily carry' as a regular run of the mill citizen. Or ask about carrying multiple guns with multiple spare magazines. Somewhere in the thread, a person who carries a gun themselves will call you paranoid.
 
FROGO207 said:
I am known as the local gun nut around here.:) That said if there is anything to be shot at they always ask me to come over to do the honors.:D I can always use/enjoy the target practice. So afterwards I always invite them to the range for a plinking session to make them comfortable around firearms. I have converted a bunch of my neighbors into firearms owners as a result.:cool:
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Yep, I know what you mean, I am known as the guy with all the dogs & all the guns................
 
A boyfriend of a sister inlaw commented once that it must be difficult to be so scared all the time after he found out I carry.

I told him I carry in case, not because I am scared. You don't carry a spare tire in your car because you are terrified of nails.

He had never shot a gun before his visit and upon return home he bought a Glock to keep in the house.
 
Yes but it really doesn't bother me much. I avoid most people I work with since I am who I am.

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Nope, but then I don't come off as monomaniacal or have them as my only topic of conversation.

I'm a respected professional who is a recognized safety expert and a pretty casual friendly person. It would be difficult to characterize me as any sort of "nut", except about safety.
 
25cschaefer said:
A boyfriend of a sister inlaw commented once that it must be difficult to be so scared all the time after he found out I carry.

I told him I carry in case, not because I am scared. You don't carry a spare tire in your car because you are terrified of nails.

He had never shot a gun before his visit and upon return home he bought a Glock to keep in the house.
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A boyfriend of a sister In law ?
 
Being bitten by the gun bug really late in life, probably so, but not to my face.

During the LA race riots, did anti-gun neighbors of Charlton Heston actually ring his bell and ask to borrow a gun or two?
From what I remember reading, he said no.
 
If you care about their opinion, have a rational conversation with them and find out why they feel the way they do about guns. Also offer to take them to the range with you.
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This is what I do, if I can. Sometimes it works, and leads to intelligent discourse. Some of 'em actually make good, and go to the range. Sometimes it leads to much amusing smack-talk. (I am a cranky wiseacre what manages a bar, at least for the next two and a half months)

Sometimes, if they disagree, I just shrug it off and we understand that everyone has differing opinions on certain subjects, diff'rent strokes. Some of these people I call friends.

Occasionally, someone seems a bit indignant that I choose to live my life the way I do. Usually, these are friends or co-workers of people that I know who are aware of my hobby, and feel the need to bring it up. A memorable fellow that used to live here would joke to said folks not to cross me, or I might shoot them. He has been informed why this is not something to say casually.

It usually doesn't go much beyond this. If it does, hey, it's my party and we don't have to be friends if you don't want to. I can still serve you and take yer dough. Even be civil, long as you can be.

Then I'll go home to my mostly understanding wife and my mostly happy life will continue. The cats like me most of the time, too.

If you feel warm and fuzzy thinking that I am insane or paranoid, and really feel the need to tell me so, more power to you. Don't bother me at all. (Looks around wildly, mumbles randomly to self) :neener:
 
Called that by close friends? Nope. My friends know about my interests, not just firearms, and most likely share them.

Acquaintences, especially from work, may have thought it but never said it to my face. But I was always glad to discuss firearms if they had questions and explain the many ways people are interested: history, technology, recreation, hunting, SD, etc. I also offered to take them to the range. My wife and I have converted over twenty people that way.

The real, irrational anti-types I just ignore. And since we are retired, we no longer have to deal with the retarded attitudes so prevalent in DC and the suburbs. Living outside the Beltway has its advantages.

Jeff
 
Once.. He was an Indian (India) and I worked with him in Dubai. He said he was scared of me, because I looked and talked about guns all day.

I just chalked it up to different cultures.
 
Seems to me the "likes guns and is crazy" attitude was much more prevalent in the 80s and 90s. Today everyone seems to own a gun and a CCW license. Especially here in Florida.
 
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