Why do gun owners like stupid women?

[NoahFN]

Honestly, I haven't dated a stupid woman. My girlfriend, who I've been with for over a year, is brilliant. Her memory is like a steel trap (it's a bear trap, I've nearly lost my leg in a few times). Her interests, however, don't lie in the realm of firearms and computers like mine do. I know computers and guns because I love them...she loves working with people, reading and writing. That's why she has a degree in communication, and mine is in computer science.

Her firearm knowledge is limited to that which she has absorbed by being around me, and the little teaching I have given her. She is considering concealed carry. I'll guide her towards what I feel would be a good firearm choice, but I'll let her pick what she likes, if she decides to get the training. I doubt she'll ever get to my level of firearm knowledge, not that I'm all knowing. In the end, I'll continue to ask her to revise and edit my writing, and I'll keep fixing her computer and giving her advice about firearms.

The bottom line is, if women were as interested in firearms as men were, I believe they would do the research and decide for themselves.

 

[Atticus]

I can't answer your question.........but out of the 20-30 women I know well, and nearly all of them smart, only one of them has any desire to learn about guns. We are going shooting soon.

 

[Control Group]

Failure to protect yourself, and lack of interest in the most efficient tools to protect yourself, is stupid at the most basic survival level. And even intelligent people can be pretty stupid at times.

Not necessarily. It could just be that the person - woman or man - in question considers the risk of needing a gun lower than the risk and/or hassle of having a gun.

I consider this analysis flawed, but that doesn't make the people who accept it stupid. Many people have a wildly inaccurate opinion of the risk presented by simply owning a firearm (which they have learned from Hollywood, the media, politicians, etc.), which will cause them to assess the risk/reward incorrectly. Others don't think the benefit of added security is worth the cost in money, legal hoops, and time of owning a firearm.

Or, to look at it another way, it's not a failure to protect yourself, it's a decision of what you're going to protect yourself against. If you can't afford a gun, it's wiser to protect yourself against starvation than against rapists. If you don't trust your children in a household with guns (that is, you don't trust yourself to instill the proper respect for them), it may be wiser to protect your children against mishaps than against the possibility of home invasion. If you live in a non-CCW state, you may be wiser in protecting yourself against a weapons conviction than against a mugger.

This is not the same as being completely oblivious to the threat you're talking about. If someone just has never thought about the fact that someone might attack them, I'll agree that they're stupid (at least in that regard). If, on the other hand, the decision to not own a gun or not take an interest in them is a considered one, I can't call it stupidity.

 

[Stickjockey]

My wife was very specific.

Me: "Bye Hun, Sam and I are going to the gun show. We'll be back later."

She: "Okay; Luvya. Oh, by the way: if you see a Makarov at a decent price, could you pick one up for me?"

Me: "Uh...say again?"

She: "I said, if you find a Makarov at a decent price, could you pick one up for me??"

Me: "Uh, sure."

 

[MaterDei]

Pax, since when does dependent = stupid?

As a general rule men are more knowledgeable about firearms than are women (yourself and many others here and elsewhere being obvious exceptions). For a woman to ask her husband to help her make a purchase of something that he is more knowledgeable = smart. It does not equal stupid or dependent.

On the flip side, my darling little bride, is a better speller than I am. Am I being stupid when I ask her to help me spell a word I'm not sure about? (like dependent )

 

[mr_dove]

My wife loves to shoot. She finally got her new CCW last week and I sent her off shooting by herself (i stayed home to watch the kids). She did well and had a great time.

As much as my wife loves to shoot, she simply will not do all gun related research required to make the choice.

I think I approached the situation correctly though. I did all of the research and presented my wife with the results. We spent time together handling possible candidates and eventually finding places where we could try out guns that she was interested in.

She held (and felt up) probably 30-40 different guns and shot about a dozen. (glock, Kahr, SA, HK, Kimber, Para, etc). There were plenty of guns that I suggested and she didn't like for one reason or another. She shot both small and big and different calibers. Despite some carry limitations she chose a mid-sized 1911 in 45acp. She didn't like the way any of the smaller guns fit her or how they shot for her.

So, in the end, she made her own decision with a little bit of guidance from me.

Now, the big project is to find a concealment method for her.

 

[Big_R]

I had to find a woman who was dumb enough to marry me and bear my children (I'm 6'8" and 270#, no chance the kids were coming out small).

On the other side, a woman that needs help picking out a gun, is no different than a man who needs help with fashion basics (shoes match belt, etc.). Both of these are important, both require wanting to learn about them, and both require swallowing pride to ask for help. Now, let's compare how many women ask for help with a gun vs. how many men ask for fashion help. Women don't seem to dumb.

Ryan

 

[pax]

Now, the big project is to find a concealment method for her.

That's probably harder than just finding a gun.

"Honey, does this holster make me look fat?"



pax

Nearly every woman I've interviewed says finding a suitable holster falls somewhere between challenging and impossible. -- Gila Hayes

 

[CAS700850]

Big R has a point. The Mrs. picks out my suits and ties, I pick out her software. She does the finances, and I cook the meals. She keeps the schedule up to date, I keep the weapons ready. She's not dumb. She's a licensed attorney (here come the lawyer jokes!). We play to our strengths.

A co-worker (also a lawyer) has asked me to help her choose a CCW piece. Her full sized Wilson 1911 that she chose for herself is too big for her to carry. Not so dumb, in general or about guns.

 

[Old Dog]

My wife is very smart. She doesn't like Glocks at all.
In fact, she loves 1911s, especially the smaller ones ...
She's had a CPL for years now, shoots regularly (she now even wants her own AR-15) and doesn't depend on me for anything, especially what gun to carry ...

 

[Luchtaine]

Fashion help thats a good point.

I haven't bought new cloths really since my sister married and moved away... well maybe I am exaggerateing a bit. on the ohter hand I've gotten an m1 carbine, m1a, Enfield no4 mk1 or is it no1 mk4, I tend to reverse numbers, and a K98.

I certainly ask for help with things I don't know much about too I suppose, like cleaning after corrosive ammo...

 

[JohnBT]

What about the huge number of men on this site asking for advice about what to buy?

John

 

[1911 guy]

Since I voted on the poll...

I'll throw in my two cents. I'm gonna go with the same vein of thought that's been tossed around already. Most people I know, men and women, have a rather rose colored view of the world. They perceive no threat to themselves and therefore see no need to protect themselves against it. Maybe not stupidity, but certainly naivete' (sp?). So when a woman (or man) gaffs off the necessary research into firearm options available it's up to someone who cares about them to help with the decision making. The same thing goes with any personal security measures ranging from situational awareness at the ATM machine to installing deadbolt locks. Some folks just don't understand that they are vulnerable, not because of risky behavior, but by failure to understand that there are cretins out and about who will exploit any lapse in judgment. Then there's my wife who has the mentality of a pit bull. Too bad she has the stature of a chihuahua (sp?-again!) and it took me a while to convince her that she wasn't going to win a fist fight with a no-good.

 

[Kharn]

Justin:

I can't stand stupid women.
Which probably explains why I don't get a lot of dates. All the smart ones know to stay away.

+1, same boat I'm in.

Kharn

 

[birddog]

I didn't vote.

My wife, upon getting her carry permit, tried out several guns, and settled somewhat sheepishly on the most expensive one she tried; The Kimber Ultra CDP in 45acp. She loves it, is deadly accurate with it, and carries every day. I was only involved in that I went to the gun shop with her.

 

[Relayer]

If a woman is willing to cary a gun, then she's not that stupid, just inexperienced, maybe.

It's tired and true womanly attribute to let the man think he's making such important decisions (which is quite often our male perception only )

I love women and everything about 'em!

 

[RavenVT100]

I could also turn it around and ask why reasonably intelligent, thoughtful women end up falling for (and summarily putting up with) some of the most pinheaded, unintelligent men. And then of course having the gall to complain about it to their male friends.

I used to be friends with this girl (way back before I was married) who would basically use me as the sounding board for every complaint imaginable about her idiot boyfriend. The guy was a pathololgical liar, alcoholic, criminal, you name it. He had the maturity level of a fifth grader. Meanwhile, she was very well educated, mid-20s, could support herself, etc.

I eventually got sick of listening to it and cut her loose. She knew what the solution was, I mean, she had to.

 

[hso]

Pax,

I didn't look at who started the thread when I opened it and began reading the poll and starting to fume. (My whole life I've only associated with independent women and can't abide arm hanging show wife wannabes that expect to be kept) I was already mentally crafting a scathing reply when I saw that it was you and read the reasons you posted something so outrageous.

I think in many cases there's a question of relative knowledge. I ask my wife medical questions because her knowledge on the topic is broader and deeper than mine. I ask her about sewing for the same reason (I'm better at embroidery than she is though ). If I have a greenhouse/houseplant question, the same.

Her knowledge on firearms is fundamentaly sound, but my knowledge is broader and deeper and my interest goes beyond the basics (ok, approaching OCD). If she were ever to have an interest in my opinion (about anything) she would ask and expect me to examine the question and provide a detailed response. Not because she's not capable of researching it herself to her satisfaction, but because she knows I may have already done so or that I will enjoy finding out (and it saves her time).

If I don't know I ask here and other places.

I do think in many cases theres a "don't care" to the same level also. If a woman, or man, doesn't consider self defense to be a deadly serious issue they aren't going to be motivated to look into it in detail. Take someone that's marginally interested in self defense. Mate them with someone that's only marginally more interested (but enough so to want to ask) and you get questions like "what should I get...". A friend of mine's wife is this way. He's put thousands of rounds down range at my place. Has even completed the defensive handgun course I used to help teach. She, on the other hand, has a .25 auto and says that she's interested in protecting herself and the grandkids when they're over. The problem is that she isn't interested enough to listen when her husband says that it's better than no gun, but it's not as good as she can handle. She tunes him out when he suggest she come over to my range and try different autos and revolvers out. She has not interest in doing so. If she's not interested how will she be motivated to look into what gun is good for home use. If she doesn't look how will she ever find out that the little .25 isn't 'enough gun' or that practice is important.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I'll go with what several other posters have said: Gun savvy does not equal intelligence, nor the other way around.

My wife is intelligent, plus she has way more common sense than I do, even though my IQ may be higher than hers (nothing to do with male or female, just the way it is in our family).

She has no interest in the inner workings of guns. She likes "pretty" revolvers that fit her hands. She has yet to pick out her own gun in a shop, but she has confiscated at least one of mine that she liked. She likes shooting anything with reactive targets, silhouette, clay birds, steel etc.

Oh, and she loves cannons:

 

[RavenVT100]

Also, to add to what I wrote, I'll tell you who the real stupid men are.

The ones who get rid of the gun collection because their GF says it's the guns or her. Sorry, guys. You got punk'd.

Also: You people need to be checking option #2. And it better be that option, because otherwise your marathon video gaming career is going to end real soon.

 

[GregGry]

I voted for the last one, figuring my balls would be busted by everyone else. Then I found out most of everyone voted the same way I did, and I was relieved. Anyways, I will not date a stupid woman. I have dated some women that were against guns, but thoes didn't last long. My current g/f doesn't mind guns (she wants to try out my hk, and some other ones at the range next time we have the time). She is far from stupid as well, not just from the not hating gun standpoint. She can handle herself fine without me (I will thank kick boxing lessons, and self defense courses for that). Not to mention I know she can handle a rifle. Hell she is even a Member of Mensa. So much for the thinking women are stupid

 

[entropy]

I happen to like some women for some things, some for others. My ideal woman would be a redhead or blonde that knows her weapons as well as I do,and likes all things military to boot, but I'm married, and Tamara is in TN!

Seriously, everybody has their areas of interest, and they usually are knowledgeable about such areas. My wife, fer instance, knows tons about scrapbooking, one of her hobbies, and I know a bit about Military History, one of my hobbies, but we'll often watch DYI or The History Channel together, and learn a bit more about each other's interests. She's gone to gun shows with me, and I've gone to craft shows with her, and we both like antique shopping. We each have our own areas of 'expertise' (and I use the term lightly in my case) and interest.

I was lucky and married a smart woman who while not as enthusiastic about shooting and such as I am, will occasionally do it, and has learned the basics of self-defense/home defense. I do not think my wife is stupid, nor do I find stupid women attractive because of their stupidity.

 

[HankB]

Why do gun owners like stupid women?

Because too many of the smart women already have girlfriends?

Excuse me, I now have to dodge some . . . incoming!

 

[Double Maduro]

mr_dove,

Now, the big project is to find a concealment method for her.

A couple 0f books I can recommend.

"Armed and Female" by Paxton Quigly (sp) (No, this isn't our Pax, I asked her. )

and

"Hidden In Plain Sight" I can't remember the authors name.

Both have good ideas for concealed carry for women.

Hope this helps.

DM

 

[chaim]

I would never date a stupid woman (or at least once I found out she was stupid I'd let her go quick- in fact that happened once).

You see, if things should work out and we get married you got to think of the future kids. With me as one parent you have to consider the genetics and the kids will already have a disadvantage so I'd better marry a woman who is smart.

Seriously, I consider myself relatively intellectual and I couldn't be involved with someone with whom I could not have a decent conversation. She doesn't necessarily have to be smarter than me (though that wouldn't bother me), but she needs to be at least intelligent and preferably as smart as I am (I hope this doesn't sound too pompous).

That said, I do know someone who is a genius. Not like some people overuse the term "genius", I mean he is a card carrying member of mensa (his IQ is in the 170-180 range). He married a woman who is borderline MR (around 70-75 IQ). I really don't understand that, it tells me that something has to be wrong with the guy.