Joe Gun-user

[derferin]

New to this forum, interested in the topic.

I would like to express my views with you good people and ask you what you think the general gun owner is like? If you had to round up all gun owners in America into a single human being what would he/she be like? I realize that this may seem quite impossible but I would like to hear your views on this.

thanks,

-derferin

 

[lee n. field]

There have been numerous polls here on various demographic questions.

The usual gunowner is male, but everything else is up for grabs. Age, income, education, religion, etc. is all over the map.

 

[LiquidTension]

Members of the "gun culture" tend to be above average intelligence, above average education, and above average income, and in my case above average looks

This probably stems from the fact that shooting is an expensive hobby, so mainly higher income people can afford it. Higher income often stems from more education, and intelligence is *sometimes* related to educational attainment.

The average gun owner, on the other hand, is a typical American. Of course, this is just personal observations and is in no way scientific or even a representation of what may be the truth

 

[Dave R]

As lee n. field says, we're a diverse bunch, other than being mostly male.

I think the things that tie us together are cultural.

-Belief in freedom
-Belief is self-reliance
-Belief in personal responsibility
-A resistance to depencency

Serious shooters I have known tend to be pretty intelligent. I think they were to begin with, but to be a serious shooter, you have to learn a little about a lot of things:

-Physics (ballistics, barrel harmonics, sectional density)
-Chemistry (powders, burn rates, core/jacket materials, etc.)
-Mechanical engineering (firearm design and capability)
-Aerodynamics (ballistic coefficient)

I didn't know what most of those terms meant before I started shooting regularly. And I do not consider myself a serious shooter.

 

[duckfoot]

I'll give you what I have seen.

Male, hardworking, responsible, and honorable.

Female, hardworking, responsible, and caring.

Other than this, shooters come from all walks of life.

 

[cslinger]

Members of the "gun culture" tend to be above average intelligence, above average education, and above average income, and in my case above average looks

.....and of course we are a modest bunch as well.

Just kidding.

Chris

 

[Don Gwinn]

"Impossible" sums it up nicely.

Perhaps you could be more specific about what it is you'd like us to tell you. We do try to be accommodating.

 

[Justin]

Gun owners, as a group, are just a diverse as the general population.

 

[EghtySx]

I have been around trapshooting mostly my whole life as my grandparents (both of em) shot trap before I was born even. They said to me on more than one occasion and I have seen many many time since that shooters are some of the nicest and most honest people you will ever meet. At trapshoots you can go shoot, when you are done just leave your gun in the rack and go do whatever you need/want to do and have no fear at all of your gun being stolen.

When I go to the rifle range people talk to each other and are always more than happy to let pretty much anyone who wants to shoot their guns and answer any questions they can.

In my experience you just can't meet a nicer group of folks than shooters.

 

[El Tejon]

Welcome to THR!

Your average gun owner? Look in the mirror, my friend, or at your neighbor.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Why it's called a long gun

And, contrary to the beliefs of the antis, I'm not using a gun to compensate for anything.

 

[Moparmike]

This average gun owner is endeavoring to make Burt Gummer (Tremors ) look like a rank amateur.


Like others have said, we are all over the map.

Male, 20, Just got into firearms about 10mos ago (along with all the legal environment's variable surrounding guns), College Student, agnostic, American by birth, Southern by the Grace of God! (odd coming from an agnostic too... )

 

[cracked butt]

Hmm. can't speak for everyone, but here's my profile

my profile:

Married, with kids
early 30's
have 2 BS degrees
employed as management in a very technical field (chemistry related)
collect WWII era rifles as a hobby
Religeous


My wife's background is fairly similar- especially the married/ kids part.

 

[Taipei Personality]

One stereotype that is not true, in my experience, is that most cops are members of the "gun culture." Whenever I mention to someone that I shoot IDPA and explain what it is I invariably get the comment, "You must shoot with a lot of cops." The matches that I shoot include few police officers. That seems to be the norm from other people to whom I've spoken.

 

[Zach S]

Good point. I've asked a few LEOs in my area if they ever shot IDPA and several replied with blank stares or "No, just my issue glock."

 

[Diggler]

The average gunowners are above-average Americans.

Because they tend to provide for themselves and stand up for their constitutional rights more than other segments of society.

But if you really want to see what a gunowner looks like, keep an eye out the next time you're in public for the guy who keeps checking his untucked shirt on the right side of his body.

He's the new guy.

 

[lycanthrope]

[thread drift mode on]

We always offer the local police to shoot at our informal matches for free.

They never show. They don't like to compete with "civilians". The risk of embarrassment can be too high.....(as quoted by one old timer/ex LEO who now is our MD)

[Drift off]

I think your average gun owner, has a few guns and shoots infrequently or just uses them for hunting. Several keep them for defense, but go their entire lives without using them.

It depends on your focus. Your local PA deer hunter may shoot a few rounds around Thanksgiving and then go hunting for 2 days. Your local USPSA shooter may burn 1000+ rounds per week and spend an hour a day dry firing. Neither example is uncommon in their respective interests.

In any circle you will find those people who want every bit of knowledge and skill they can muster. I think you find more of that type of person here. This sight is a huge networking resource.

That being said:
Average guy of average height and weight
33, unmarried, but cohabitating
Masters Degree in Social Work/Psychotherapy

 

[TimRB]

"Your average gun owner? Look in the mirror, my friend, or at your neighbor."

Exactly. Roughly half of the households in America have a gun in them, so if it's not yours, it must be one of your next-door neighbors.

Tim

 

[Ky Larry]

I looked around the local shooting range parking lot last night.There was every kind of vehicle from a BMW to an old pickup. I know doctors,ministers, manual laborers, and students that shoot. I see men and women of all ages and races. The typical shooter is the typical American.

 

[MrAcheson]

Yup shooters come from all walks of life in all shape colors and creeds. I'm a 27 year-old skinny(but not as skinny as I used to be), single, WASP male with a two degrees in Mechanical Engineering. I shoot most often with my brother who is a 36, not skinny, WASP with a bachelors in English. One of my coworkers is a shooter and she is 23ish, in good shape, african american, religious, with a degree in math and is working on another in mechanical engineering.

 

[Diggler]

And, contrary to the beliefs of the antis, I'm not using a gun to compensate for anything.

No one buys guns to compensate for anything.

If they did, do you think there would be so many 2" snubnose revolvers sold?

 

[Hemicuda]

Male, mid-30's, responsible, Homeowner, self-reliant...

Started this hobby as a kid... Dad bought me a bb-gun and then a .22 in my EARLY years... (was about 4 when I got the bb-gun!) - still have it!

later on I got a single-shot .22 rifle from him (about 6 yrs old)... still have this too!

Bought my own .22 repeater at about 9... (sold it for a profit, made money for another one!) - this started the true collecting thing for me...

at 12 Dad got me a .12 Ga single shot (sold it to finance an 870!)

for my 14th B-day dad gave me a .30-30 deer rifle - it had survived a house fire mostly intact, but liked to break extractors, so dad helped me fine a 30-06 to trade it for...

at 18, for my B-day Dad got me a Ruger Mk-1 pistol - still got this one too!

Along the line, Dad taught me how to customize guns... (I have a nice selection of pattern-17 Enfields and Mausers all customized too!)

Been buying, trading, and building guns ever since... and it's all Dad's fault!

 

[Werewolf]

If you had to round up all gun owners in America into a single human being what would he/she be like?

Agent Schmukateli...

Hey Guy! Welcome back.

Long time no see! Say hi to the boys at F-Troop for us.

 

[Baba Louie]

what would he/she be like?

Wise and responsible. Average in all other aspects.

 

[derferin]

"Your average gun owner? Look in the mirror, my friend, or at your neighbor."

Exactly. Roughly half of the households in America have a gun in them, so if it's not yours, it must be one of your next-door neighbors.

Tim

Actually I live in Iceland and I sincerely doubt that anyone within say a 500meter radius has a gun at home. Several people might have rifles/shotguns up in cabins for hunting.

I consider myself very lucky to live in a safe society where neither I, nor any of my neighbours need a gun for personal protection.