Guns

[hugnluvable]

Hi there, I was watching Bowling For Columbine last night and disturbed by the mass ownership of handguns and the promotion of owning guns by the NRA. In the UK it is illegal to own a handgun and there are many laws to uphold to own a gun for hunting, yet in the US you can buy bullets from Wal-Mart.

Now please forgive me, if the statement that I said up there was untrue. But I was just wondering if it really is like it in America - that there are so many people who own guns? And why? I mean are christian people really seriously going to want to be responsible to shoot someone down for trespassing on their land?

Do you have a gun in your home? I know that sounds like a really horrible question - but I just want to have it straight in my head that America really isnt as trigger happy as Michael Moore portrays

Love and hugs
Erica
xxx

 

[plum]

This is a good question to ask. And everyone's experience wil be different.
For instance, the gun issue has a lot to do with where in this country (the USA) you're from and how you were brought up. I was brought up in a hyper-liberal anti-gun city. The only people I knew who owned guns were people who hunted. And those were VERY few and far between because there aren't many places nearby that are legal for hunting. Very little "nature" is found around a city like mine anyway. I'm blessed to live on 2.5 acres with deer and groundhogs, rabbits, etc... but hunting and killing is just not really done around me.

I hate guns. I hate that people can get them so easily. I hate the idea of killing another living being, much less a living human being. I will never, ever own a gun. I will never allow a gun into my household at any time. I recognize the danger there is in this society where someone can pull a gun on me in my own home or threaten my family. But I have made a personal decision not to put the power of life and death into my own hands. I pray God keeps me and my loved ones safe.

 

[Singing Bush]

Well to be perfectly honest I cannot provide you any demographic information, but I can say with a fair amount of confidence, and support, that much, if not all, of what Michael Moore produces is propaganda and so the video should not be viewed as a documentary. This isn't to say that everything he states is an out right lie, simply that he twists and distorts things to appear not as they really were/are.

If you really want to get a good understanding of firearms in the US I'd recommend you do further research from less biased resources. And here's a start!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_the_United_States

Doesn't give a whole lot of statistical information or anything, but provides plenty of links for further investigation.

Since you were asking us all individually though, I'll go ahead and answer from my own experience (though I highly doubt CFers form a group comparable to the rest of the US population.) I don't own a gun. I've known a few people who hunt and thus own rifles and one grandfather and one uncle have owned handguns. One friend that I know of currently owns a handgun as he seems to enjoy shooting at paper targets with it (curiously he spent a majority of his life in France.) I don't feel like I need one as I live in a pretty prissy area and probably wouldn't get one even if I lived in a rougher neighborhood, though I of course can't say that for sure.

 

[handmaiden97]

guns dont kill people, people do!!!! Guns when handled responsibly are tools to protect, feed, and enjoy. Around here (Wyoming) most everyone owns guns, for hunting and target practice, protection from grizzly bears or other dangerous critters and intruders.

At my home, we have guns in the truck, in the bedroom (not mine but all my brothers) ln fact one of them hangs a hand gun on his bed post! We have guns in the the tack shed. they are used to kill predators. and to provide meat. Also would be used to protect themselves and their family property etc. if/when the need arises. Last fall we had guns kept in our upstairs kitchen cause we had deer in the field and durring hunting season. meat for the freezer was shot off the deck

Even children are taught to use guns responsibly, it is a way of life here....guns are a tool, not anything evil. Besides Michal Moore is throwing out propaganda he is very anti- ameircan, conservative values etc. not exactyly the man I would take advice from.

In my fam a boy/girl (but mainly the boys had the intrest) of about 6 gets his first bb gun. By 8-10 he has a 22 depending on how responsible he was with the bb and his toy guns (never point at people.windows etc. -even for toy cap guns!!!) Never to early to learn good habits. After passes hunter safty he can get a gun needed to kill the game he is hunting.

the guys are extremly careful with their guns!!!!!! They understand the responsibily using a gun takes and do not take it lightly. They hold each other accountable for that too.....guns are tools, no more dangerous then a knife or a hammer.

I am all for the NRA, As americans it is our right to bear arms acordign to the second ammendment of the constition....sure criminals use them for wrong purposes, but even in countries that dont allow their people to own guns the bad gusy find ways to get ahold of them....the real crim is when the gevernment makes it impossible for good men and women to protect themselves....we dont have a lot of crime in Wyoming...people are honest and hard working and you think twice about breaking into a home around here cause in all likely hood the home owner has a gun and can protect himself!

 

[fishstix]

In my area, many people own guns, predominantly rifles and shotguns. Likely most households own a gun. That includes Christian households. The guns are used for hunting and for pest control (eg - skunks). Guns are just like any other tool - knives, cars, chainsaws, etc. They can be used either responsibly or irresponsibly. They can be used for good purposes or for evil purposes. They can be used in a way that is safe or a way that is dangerous. Guns themselves are not the problem. It is certain people who are the problem.

Firearm safety courses begin here at age 12. They are optional - but most people in this area, both male and female, choose to take them, whether or not they intend to ever own a firearm themselves. You do have to pass the course to legally use/possess a firearm. These courses include not only the safe use of a firearm but also safe storage of a firearm. Firearm safety training goes a long way in preventing firearm accidents.

 

[benedictine]

We are legally allowed to own a gun, by the Constuitution. And, changing that is hard. You need about 300 members of the House of Representatives, 75 Senators, and 38 State Legislatures to agree on changing the Constitution. The process generally takes many years. In almost 300 years, it's only happened 22 (?) times, and the first ten happened at the same time.

 

[DailyBlessings]

We are legally allowed to own a gun, by the Constuitution. And, changing that is hard. You need about 300 members of the House of Representatives, 75 Senators, and 38 State Legislatures to agree on changing the Constitution. The process generally takes many years. In almost 300 years, it's only happened 22 (?) times, and the first ten happened at the same time.

And one of those first ten was the one that secured the right to gun ownership in the first place!

I agree that it is unlikely to change. The original reason for the ammendment remains intact- that people would be able to defend themselves (even and especially against their own government, should it become corrupt or undemocratic) so there is no reason for it to change in terms of constitutionality. Indeed, I would view it as a bad sign if it did, despite my own negative views on gun ownership. Convincing people to stop owning guns and actually removing their right to do so are two different things.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

I never liked guns growing up either... but that was until two things happened... 1) my brother became a police officer, and 2) I met my girlfriends father. lol

My brother has instructed me how to fire and operate certain weapons and other devices that he has access too. For him it is obviously protection.

Guns aren't only owned for protection or hunting. My girlfriends father LOVES guns. He has a rather large collection from 22's to olympic level pellet guns, and even an antique buffalo rifle.

He is a member of a shooting league and competes for fun. He is extremely responsable with his weapons, and uses them to teach others how to properly, and safely handle firearms. He also shows you how to know when someone else is improperly handling them. For him it's a sport, not something for protection. Although, if something ever happened, I certainly wouldn't wanna be the guy to break in to that house! He could shoot a quarter out of someones hand 300 feet away with his eyes closed! lol But, I very highly doubt he would ever actually shoot anyone unless they were actually hurting another person. He has a very cool, and calm personality.

Also, he has an extremely secure way of storing, and transporting his weapons so that nobody else can either find them, or use them.

Even with this, I still do not like handling guns, but will not go so far as to never have one in my house. In this day and age, you simply never know when you may need it. But, between the experience and training my girlfriend (especially) and I have with them, I know they would be in good hands.


Now my grandfather.. he was a real cowboy, in every sense of the word. When I was young, he would always warn me and my siblings to never, EVER touch a gun around his house as they were all loaded. As he put it, "guns are useless if they don't have anything in them." We were all scared of him, let alone a gun! that was the least of our worries! lol And we're only talking about 4 guns at the most. In fact, he wanted me to get his two six-shooters. That's another story another time though.

 

[handmaiden97]

I had to laugh at this, one of the my brothers, sister and I were attending a dinner where we all dressed up western. My sister and I noticed that he was wearing his six shooter, so we thought it would be funny to lure him into an imaginary gun battle. She and I had a toy cap gun.....well we called him out and bro simply would not cooperate, he jockingly challenged us to relax and we would talk things out. (mind you we are doing this infront of an audience, and although us girls had a plan, Bro was complelty clueless....the whole thing was ad libbed and others even joined in the game spontaneoulsy...sis told him to slap leather and we'd solve this by shooting it out....eventually he grabbed a stick and shot with that......later he lectured us on the fact that guns are of no use unless they have something in them and as a rule he keeps all his guns loaded and always treats every gun as if it is loaded, so never under any circumstances would he have ever pulled the gun out in play and never pretend to shoot at anyone and we should of known better...etc...etc...."There is only one reason to unholster your pistol, and that is to unload it." Either by shooting it or takign the bullets out. A lesson well remembered and a joke often laughed over!!!!

Now my grandfather.. he was a real cowboy, in every sense of the word. As he put it, "guns are useless if they don't have anything in them." .

 

[shmody]

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed

I interpet this as saying that you're allowed to have a gun so that you can fight for the freedom of the country when necessary. And the militia (an army composed of ordinary citizens) should be well regulated. The process by which people can get guns and other armament, in my opinion, is not as stringent as it should be.

 

[Sketcher]

"Guns kill people like spoons made Rosie O' Donnell fat."

 

[born2run]

I have a Glock 17 (9mm) handgun in my bedroom. Right across the hall from me is a high powered deer rifle in my brother's room. He's a deer hunter, I am not. The handgun is in this home for self defense, nothing more, nothing less. I came pretty close to selling it recently, but then had to think about all the psychotic people running around this area. Sometimes I wonder if I trust God enough when it comes to this area, but I'll admit I feel safer knowing that I have it. From what I understand in the Bible (and I'm no expert), it's our God-given duty to defend our own lives, as well as our loved-ones. I feel quite strongly about this.

You start pulling guns from people, you start restricting the very freedom our forefathers fought and died for. I figure there should be a ban on automatic weapons, etc. This is based on the fact these types were specifically designed to kill people in mass numbers. But... it was quoted here, and I'll say it again. "Guns don't kill people, people kill people."

 

[dase305]

Thats America for ya

 

[Singing Bush]

I came pretty close to selling it recently, but then had to think about all the psychotic people running around this area. Sometimes I wonder if I trust God enough when it comes to this area, but I'll admit I feel safer knowing that I have it.

If you don't mind me asking, where do you live exactly? Your profile says Wisconsin. I haven't been there, but I've never thought of it being a very rough state...

From what I understand in the Bible (and I'm no expert), it's our God-given duty to defend our own lives, as well as our loved-ones.

What makes you say this? That it's our "duty?" Just out of curiosity. I aint baitin' you to attack.



Or am I?...

 

[hazeleyes80]

I have a Glock 17 (9mm) handgun in my bedroom. Right across the hall from me is a high powered deer rifle in my brother's room. He's a deer hunter, I am not. The handgun is in this home for self defense, nothing more, nothing less. I came pretty close to selling it recently, but then had to think about all the psychotic people running around this area. Sometimes I wonder if I trust God enough when it comes to this area, but I'll admit I feel safer knowing that I have it. From what I understand in the Bible (and I'm no expert), it's our God-given duty to defend our own lives, as well as our loved-ones. I feel quite strongly about this.

You start pulling guns from people, you start restricting the very freedom our forefathers fought and died for. I figure there should be a ban on automatic weapons, etc. This is based on the fact these types were specifically designed to kill people in mass numbers. But... it was quoted here, and I'll say it again. "Guns don't kill people, people kill people."

I think it's also worth mentioning (and I apologize if this has already been mentioned) that criminals won't care if owning a gun is illegal. If guns are outlawed (or tightly controlled), the criminals will still have them. If they're willing to murder/rape/burglarize, I doubt they'd care that the gun that they were carrying that they made, stole, smuggled into the country, etc. was illegal to own and/or carry. IMO, the only people that tighter gun control laws or making guns illegal would hurt are the good, law-abiding citizens that wish to protect themselves from criminals.

 

[born2run]

If you don't mind me asking, where do you live exactly? Your profile says Wisconsin. I haven't been there, but I've never thought of it being a very rough state...

What makes you say this? That it's our "duty?" Just out of curiosity. I aint baitin' you to attack.



Or am I?...

Hehe, maybe you are, but I love nothing more then a good debate. Yep, I live in Wisconsin. No, it isn't "rough" by any measure of the word, especially where I live. But we have our share of crooks.

As far as it being our "duty", I guess I've heard it explained this way, and it makes sense to me. That our very life is a gift from God, and by not defending it we are sneering (not quite the word I'm looking for, but oh well) at this gift. I grew up in a church that preached non-resistance as one of their base doctrines, but I could never accept it. It just never has made sense to me. If I'm wrong, then prove it to me...backed up by scripture.


I think it's also worth mentioning (and I apologize if this has already been mentioned) that criminals won't care if owning a gun is illegal. If guns are outlawed (or tightly controlled), the criminals will still have them. If they're willing to murder/rape/burglarize, I doubt they'd care that the gun that they were carrying that they made, stole, smuggled into the country, etc. was illegal to own and/or carry. IMO, the only people that tighter gun control laws or making guns illegal would hurt are the good, law-abiding citizens that wish to protect themselves from criminals.

I couldn't agree more. It's a known fact that criminals are deterred greatly (especially burglaries) when it's a strong possibility that the owner(s) or occupants are armed.

I do wish that the laws would be more stringent when it comes to purchasing guns at shows, etc. When I bought mine I had to sign my name over and over to papers I started not even paying attention to, then had to wait 48 hours to even bring it home. It isn't the case however at gun shows. Brady Law shouldn't apply ONLY to gun shops.

 

[Singing Bush]

As far as it being our "duty", I guess I've heard it explained this way, and it makes sense to me. That our very life is a gift from God, and by not defending it we are sneering (not quite the word I'm looking for, but oh well) at this gift.

Hmm... never thought of it that way. I like it.

But since we're being all thoughtful like...

You're obviously a Christian. I imagine anyone that would come at you with intentions to kill you would not be. Assuming you believe in the brand of Christianity where all good Christians go straight to heaven for ever and ever and all nonchristians go straight to hell, would you really want to put to an end someone's life knowing they're headed to eternal damnation?

 

[Singing Bush]

I think it's also worth mentioning (and I apologize if this has already been mentioned) that criminals won't care if owning a gun is illegal. If guns are outlawed (or tightly controlled), the criminals will still have them. If they're willing to murder/rape/burglarize, I doubt they'd care that the gun that they were carrying that they made, stole, smuggled into the country, etc. was illegal to own and/or carry.

Since this has evolved into a discussion about the pros and cons of gun laws, I feel inclined to point out that many killings, and I imagine a small portion of rapes though I'm only speculating here, aren't premeditated. Frequently they're simply impassioned people who for brief periods of time essentially lose their sanity and decide killing someone is the best way of solving their problem. In time, when cooler heads prevail, this desire for murder goes away. Thus not having instant access to a gun would cut down on homicides as, well, it aint quite as easy to kill someone with a knife, bat, or large rock.

 

[fishstix]

Hmm... never thought of it that way. I like it.

But since we're being all thoughtful like...

You're obviously a Christian. I imagine anyone that would come at you with intentions to kill you would not be. Assuming you believe in the brand of Christianity where all good Christians go straight to heaven for ever and ever and all nonchristians go straight to hell, would you really want to put to an end someone's life knowing they're headed to eternal damnation?

Remember that gunshots don't have to be fatal...

Around here though, firearms are mainly for animal pest control. Sure there are a few 'crazies' running around, but most people don't worry too much about that. Skunks are a much greater problem for the average person than are criminals.

Extra gun laws are silly though. All they do is treat all gun-owners as criminals and cost billions of dollars that could be better spent elsewhere. They do nothing to prevent crime. Adding more laws can't prevent crime, because criminals don't obey laws in the first place. A criminal isn't going to stop and think 'Oh wait, I need to go get a licence for this thing and register it before I use it to commit a crime...'

 

[hugnluvable]

Thanks guys for all the replies to this thread. Though, I wasnt asking for a debate on the pros and cons of having a gun. I was wanting some reassurace that Christian people in America do actually have some morals and believe that murder is wrong regardless whether or not it is in self defence. Its a commandment man!

When Jesus was attacked and arrested did He defend himself? When His friends were attacked and mocked did He defend them? No, He reassured them that they will be granted eternal life in paradise through their faith in Him alone.

Living in England where guns are criminalised I am now TERRIFIED that it is the criminals who now have the guns. I am now lying awake at night in great fear that someone may break into my house with or without a gun. How could I possibly defend myself and my family? It hasnt happened in the last 23 years of my life but who knows - what could happen in the next 23 minutes? And beyond?