Do you own a gun?

[amadeus]

There’s already a thread on debating gun control, but I wanted to post a poll on OT’ers actual ownership.

Rather than yes or no, I’ve split it across different legal standards in I suppose what could be taken as a rather broad characterization. I hope the poll answers I’ve given are sufficient.

 

[Lexicus]

I live in a state with very strict gun control, I would vaguely like a gun but not too much because I don't really trust myself with one. Unfortunately I also live pretty far from any chapters of the Socialist Rifle Association.

My preference would be sort of to "have" a gun, but not actually own it myself, it would be "issued" to me by some (leftist) militia which would also take care of training etc. Because I really don't trust myself to have it at home.

 

[Gorbles]

Really need a "no and don't care about how hard it is to get one", or similar option. Not trying to be picky, but the poll options come across as twinning the state of ownership with the level of gun controls.

I'm a Brit, and we don't have a real thing about them. They're often used for hunting, which is something I have no interest in. I wouldn't want to one about either, unless I was able to do a lot of training with it. I wouldn't ever want it as a go-to option morally, either.

 

[Snerk]

I own a couple. Gun control here is kinda strict but not that strict. Depends on how you look at it. You can buy weapons for hunting (rifle/shotgun) if you take a course and pass an exam on the subject of hunting, gun laws and whatnot. If you're an active member for a sport shooting club of some kind you can also apply for gun ownership, including handguns but I'm not completely sure how the rules are on that. All guns has to be stored in a gun safe. Buying any gun for the stated purpose of self protection is never accepted. Assault rifles or any fully automatic guns are illegal. There are also lots of rules on magasin size and the likes.

 

[amadeus]

Really need a "no and don't care about how hard it is to get one"

That would just be "No, local gun control strict"

I guess I was also trying to add in people who would own one but don't have the legal means to do so. For example, if I wanted to buy a handgun here in Japan I'm SOL because of the laws.

 

[Phrossack]

None yet, but may be into changing that.

 

[MaryKB]

If I had my way, all guns except hunting rifles would be banned and destroyed.

I will never, ever own a death stick.

 

[EnglishEdward]

No, don't want one, wouldn't mind a taser stick to wear with the union jacket.

 

[EgonSpengler]

I don't own a gun. I have no idea whether the laws around here could be characterized as strict in a global context, but they're definitely not "minimal" either. So I'm not sure which option to pick.

 

[AmazonQueen]

No, don't want one, don't want other people to have easy access to them.

 

[Gorbles]

That would just be "No, local gun control strict"

I guess I was also trying to add in people who would own one but don't have the legal means to do so. For example, if I wanted to buy a handgun here in Japan I'm SOL because of the laws.

Eh? It's not particularly hard to get one in England as far I'm aware. Apart from handguns, of course. You can get some pretty potent shotguns and rifles though.

What counts as strict? How do we define this, especially if we remove the US from the list of comparisons?

 

[El_Machinae]

Never needed one. Both friends and family have spares if we ever go out shooting for fun or hunting. I just have alternative uses for those dollars. Canada makes it pretty easy to get/transport a rifle. A bit tougher for non-rifles.

 

[uppi]

What would I even want a gun for?

 

[Cutlass]

Several. And what they state don't know they can't bug me about.

 

[warpus]

I don't hunt or collect antiques, so do not own any guns

 

[Valka D'Ur]

I own three guns: a large glue gun, a small glue gun, and a heat gun. All are used for craft projects, though you can give a person a painful burn if you touch them with the business end (most glue gun owners have accidentally done this to themselves at least once).

For guns that go "BANG!" and kill people, I don't own any. Ditto guns that go "BANG" and kill animals.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Yes an 1842 Springfield musket converted from flintlock to percussion cap, used in the civil War but can't be fired safely anymore.

 

[Zardnaar]

No and there's strict gun control.

More just no desire to own one although target shooting could be fun.

If I really wanted one it's not that hard to get a licence.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Shooting at targets reminds me of my years in the SCA. Several of us formed the Household of the Black Bow, which was dedicated to archery (a household is a subgroup within the canton, shire, or barony, usually has people who share a particular common interest; some people belong to multiple households). I'm actually the only person in the household who did not take up archery (our other common interest was board gaming, emphasis on the Avalon Hill Civilization and the Mayfair rail games). The fact is, my eyesight is so bad I wouldn't dare trust myself with any projectile weapon that could hurt anyone if they were hit.

 

[amadeus]

So I'm not sure which option to pick.

What counts as strict?

It’s subjective; if you think laws are strict, then that’s the option.

What would I even want a gun for?

Hunting, sport shooting, personal defense, collecting. I’m not advocating gun ownership, those are just some of the reasons why some people do want them.

I personally have never felt the need or desire to own one, and I think it would be dangerous to have. If it were something like a non-functioning collectors item, then maybe I could find some use for it but it really wouldn’t match anything in my apartment. I guess I’d sooner spend the money on a lamp or a rug.