Do you own a gun?

[sophie]

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.

This is essentially my position, though I'm actually quite close to an SRA chapter.

 

[shadowplay]

I have no interest in owning a gun, but I would love to try shooting a long gun at a range to see if my accuracy is any good.

 

[amadeus]

I have no interest in owning a gun, but I would love to try shooting a long gun at a range to see if my accuracy is any good.

Now that I think about it, guns are just archery with little explosions.

 

[Phrossack]

This is essentially my position, though I'm actually quite close to an SRA chapter.

I figure that while a nationwide militia is necessary, keeping weapons there would be just asking for police to seize them on some excuse or other.

Otherwise I would prefer it too. I don't have a car at the moment, so getting to a range and an SRA chapter would be tricky, but otherwise I see guns as an unfortunate necessity.

 

[Arwon]

Nah. I'm not a farmer, hunter, security guard, sport shooter or similar, so I don't meet the first of the license criteria:

• provide genuine reasons for having a firearms licence
• be aged 18 years or over
• be judged to be a fit and proper person by the firearms registrar
• be able to prove his or her identity through a system similar to the criteria for opening a bank account or applying for a passport
• provide copies of a birth certificate and/or other documentation
• meet secure home storage and safety requirements for their firearm(s)
• be a resident of the ACT as evidenced by.a recent rates notice, telephone or electricity account, a lease agreement, a copy of business registration, or a letter from an employer.

I dunno that this is "strict" gun control since anyone interested in shooting can get one, so I didn't vote.

 

[Hygro]

Guns are sick, super fun. I encourage everyone to go to the range and rent a handgun and a rifle and have some fun. You will be surprised how much fun you will have. It seems pretty boring conceptually, but the experience is very hard to describe other than it's quite enlivening.

I think it is very responsible to own a carbine with standard ammo, like the current AR-15, and then locking it away. Accessible enough to take it to the range a few times a year, and no more. We don't need them for home defense. We don't need them to hunt (get a bow), but you could I guess. Handguns are fun, good to have too, but are much much riskier. Rifles are best for maximizing power while minimizing risk of accidents and incidents.

It's our civic responsibility to defend democracy by owning the means of power. The other side knows that if they bend us to the breaking point, they will beat us in war. So they abuse us, and have been since anti-gun culture and associated gun control became a top priority of progressives. But we have the numbers so let's keep them humble. We don't have to flex, we just have to let it exist.

 

[tuckerkao]

Guns are sick, super fun. I encourage everyone to go to the range and rent a handgun and a rifle and have some fun. You will be surprised how much fun you will have. It seems pretty boring conceptually, but the experience is very hard to describe other than it's quite enlivening.

As long as the gun buyer is not a criminal, it should be okay for the outdoor recreations. Every device has its own place for the righteous functions.

 

[Hygro]

Every device has its own place for the righteous functions.

Lit.

 

[Gori the Grey]

I'm thinkin' I should probably pick one up in the next month.

 

[Spidernova]

I have a bolt-action and a couple revolvers. I just want to make holes in paper a long way away.

 

[uppi]

Guns are sick, super fun. I encourage everyone to go to the range and rent a handgun and a rifle and have some fun. You will be surprised how much fun you will have. It seems pretty boring conceptually, but the experience is very hard to describe other than it's quite enlivening.

Eh, not really. Mildly interesting at first, gets boring fast.

 

[Manfred Belheim]

I voted "No, local gun control strict", but now wish I hadn't and I don't seem able to remove it.

I just assumed you were American (I mean who else would even think about asking this question really) and therefore interpreted "strict" to mean relative to American standards. But now I see you're in Japan so don't know if you are, so... not sure I'd call the regulation "strict" in any sense.

Plus I agree with Gorbles that the complete lack of interest or desire is the deciding factor, not the regulation, so I don't really feel like picking an option where that is part of the answer anyway.

 

[amadeus]

I voted "No, local gun control strict", but now wish I hadn't and I don't seem able to remove it.

Interesting; I had set the poll to allow users to change their vote. I've never tried unvoting, so I've never run across this as a problem.

I just assumed you were American (I mean who else would even think about asking this question really) and therefore interpreted "strict" to mean relative to American standards. But now I see you're in Japan so don't know if you are, so... not sure I'd call the regulation "strict" in any sense.

I am American. However, gun laws in the U.S. can also vary by state and some are stricter than others. "Strict" in this poll is defined subjectively: if you think the laws are strict, then they are. To reiterate, gun laws here are very strict compared to many other countries; rifle ownership is permitted only with permission, the guns need to be stored in a locked case, ammunition is counted and needs to be kept separate (somehow? I don't know all the laws) from the case, police can come by and do inspections... again, not being that interested in gun stuff to begin with my knowledge of the law is pretty limited.

Plus I agree with Gorbles that the complete lack of interest or desire is the deciding factor, not the regulation, so I don't really feel like picking an option where that is part of the answer anyway.

I have added an option that may be more suitable.

 

[Goodfella]

I am American. However, gun laws in the U.S. can also vary by state and some are stricter than others. "Strict" in this poll is defined subjectively: if you think the laws are strict, then they are. To reiterate, gun laws here are very strict compared to many other countries; rifle ownership is permitted only with permission, the guns need to be stored in a locked case, ammunition is counted and needs to be kept separate (somehow? I don't know all the laws) from the case, police can come by and do inspections... again, not being that interested in gun stuff to begin with my knowledge of the law is pretty limited.

I never owned a gun but always heard that California has the strictest gun laws in the country. However, I recently watched one of my friends accumulate 2 9mms, a shotgun, and an AR-15 within a few weeks. So now I'm confused about why California is considered strict when even here it's apparently extremely easy to acquire an arsenal.

 

[amadeus]

Beats me, @Goodfella.

I’m not a gun person. I just remember that when I tried to get a library card I was told I needed two forms of ID, but at that time you only needed one to buy a gun.

I guess the pen really is mightier than the sword, if we’re going by state licensing requirements.

 

[Bugfatty300]

I never owned a gun but always heard that California has the strictest gun laws in the country. However, I recently watched one of my friends accumulate 2 9mms, a shotgun, and an AR-15 within a few weeks. So now I'm confused about why California is considered strict when even here it's apparently extremely easy to acquire an arsenal.

California isn't even close to the strictest in the country. I'd put it somewhere in the middle.

 

[Moriarte]

It's our civic responsibility to defend democracy by owning the means of power.

I wouldn’t describe it as means of power, but rather as an object which can produce the illusion of safety. The real power today still lies in owning means of production, having a platform with million followers, holding the office of the president, etc. We defend democracy by improving our institutions, by enfranchising more people. Owning a gun is just one of these dangerous hobbies, that can potentially spell more trouble than enjoyment.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the shooting range when I was in school, it seemed cool to shoot pistols I saw in the movies. Then I found a new hobby and moved on. No desire to own one now.

 

[Grisu]

not since my army time was up. I could have kept my assault rifle for a minimal fee (I think 100 or 150 bucks), but I don't see the point in owning a gun, especially since I have kids.

 

[Manfred Belheim]

Interesting; I had set the poll to allow users to change their vote. I've never tried unvoting, so I've never run across this as a problem.

Yes I can change it, but can't remove it entirely.

Please tell me how I can inject more humour into my avatar for you, since that's obviously the main requirement of an avatar.

 

[Goodfella]

California isn't even close to the strictest in the country. I'd put it somewhere in the middle.

I originally had a sentence in that post citing some organizations that regard California's gun laws as strict. I deleted the sentence because I figured that statement wouldn't be controversial. Apparently it is, so here's a source that I'm not alone in that perception. I'll back away from the superlative (strictest) since I'm not able to defend that.

https://giffords.org/lawcenter/resources/scorecard/