Guns

[GreenMunchkin]

Have wanted to ask about this for a long time, actually, but the post below galvanised me into actually having at it, really. I didn't want to derail the thread so have started a new one

This is why I like the Conservative forum, because there are a bunch of Hellraising, Politically incorrect, Jesus and gun loving, and Freedom loving Protestants here. I have few complaints here.

Correct me if am wrong, but this implies that conservative Christianity is syonymous with loving guns and I'd like to find out why.

Guns seem very American to me, and they seem like a political issue, but am confused as to why there's so much cross-over. It may be down to culture, and culture alone. We don't have them here, and a huge majority of Brits want it staying that way.

But so I'd like to find out why conservative Christians in America seem to have this relationship with guns. It's always made me deeply uncomfortable, - wary, even - so I'd like to understand

Thank you for any thoughts.

(Have added a poll to get an overview, but actual discussion is better )

 

[synger]

I used to have a strict no-guns-in-our-family rule, although I've shot handguns, rifles, and black-powder guns in the past. I'm very concerned about home safety of firearms.

However this past year, my husband really wanted to get a gun and begin shooting, for target practice and perhaps hunting. He firmly believes that Americans have the right to keep and bear arms. He also firmly believes in training, practice, and safety.

When I was growing up in Michigan, where there's lots of water, it was just part of our school curriculum that we took a boater safety class. Many of us never went on boats. But enough of us did that it was important to make sure everyone had the training.

I think this is similar to countries that require military service of all its citizens. If there is a need, I'd rather have knowledgeable, safety-oriented people than not.

Long story short, my husband and I joined the Izaak Walton League, and he bought a shotgun. He shoots at the League every other week or so (and I've learned how to fish, and am enjoying the hiking). We talked a great deal about how to store the firearms in the house, and we've been very careful to teach basic firearms safety to our 7-yo daughter. And we do NOT have a handgun (and I still don't want one).

So I voted "meh". I'm not excited to have a gun in the house, but I'm no longer dead set against it.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I do like guns, but that doesn't have any direct connection with my Christian faith. Philosophically, it's probably more connected to my libertarian-right politics (cf. Barry Goldwater and Robert A. Heinlein, two of my heroes), which became part of me before I was a Christian.

 

[synger]

Heinlein is definitely one of my influences, too. *grins*

 

[Simon_Templar]

I would guess that this is probably one of those things that is somewhat unique to Americans. The right to bear arms (ie own weapons/guns) is one of the most basic rights of our constitution. Out of the top ten things our founders thought to be most important to a free society, it is #2.

Thus to a lot of Americans, primarily of the conservative bent, the right to own guns is emblematic of our liberty. Our freedom to live as we see fit without the interference of the government.

Guns in particular are often identified with patriotic spirit and liberty because our liberty was won through a war in which our army was composed primarily of citizen soldiers who supplied their own weapons etc.

It is also true that for many conservative American Christians our faith, and our patriotic spirit are closely related.

Conversely, the effort to restrict, or outright remove the ability to own guns is very frequently found to go hand in hand with the social reconstructionist tendancies that also try to reconstruct christianity to be more politically correct and more in line with the normative force of the current secular culture. Thus there is a lot of cross over.

 

[desmalia]

Hm, I'm not sure what to vote for. I'm somewhere in between answer one and answer two. I don't have a gun and don't particularly plan to own one. But I strongly support a right to bear arms. And the "shooting" games on Rayman Raving Rabbids are my favouite! Does that count? lol

 

[MrJim]

 

[MrJim]

There is something to the expression "It's an American thing"~~I didn't grow up around them; dad had an old 16 ga bolt-action shotgun in the closet. When I got into the USMC, saw that I had something of some skill shooting, I got more interested in them. I don't own any long guns anymore, but someday maybe again.

There was a time when I sold my last one~shortly after my conversion. Fatherhood and living in an iffy neighborhood and next thing ya know I'm armed again. Prefer carrying a knife but I do have a license to carry a gun

Simon pretty much sums up my thoughts..

 

[Lady Bug]

I voted meh.

 

[katholikos]

I didn't like the choices, so I voted "Meh..".

I think they should be legal, and I think that people should be allowed to carry them. But I'm not a gun "lover" - more like a gun "liker."

 

[Zecryphon]

I voted for "hearts them." I own amd carry a .40 caliber Glock 23. Here's a picture of one below:


Arizona is what is known as an open carry state. That means that to carry a gun legally, you just need to be able to purchase one legally. You can't have any prior criminal comvictions and you can't have ever been admitted to a mental hospital. You can carry a firearm as long as it's not concealed. I obtained my CCW permit last year. I took an eight hour course that included safe handling instruction, a demonstration of firing range skills and an all day lecture that ended with a written test. If we passed all of this we were then fingerprinted and our gun permits were linked with our drivers licenses. I found that out when I got pulled over and the officer asked me if I had my gun on me. That day I didn't.

 

[GQ Chris]

I've trained with guns, highly familiar with them (former active duty USMC). And if used properly, a great defensive weapon. I don't want to have to shoot anyone, but I will to protect my life or the lives of people that I love or other innocents.

I also like knives, and also boxing/muay thai and other martial arts.

 

[Floatingaxe]

I voted that I hate them. They have no purpose other than to kill, which is not something we need to do. It's not something God really likes, eh?

You can't do anything with a gun but destroy...can't even make a lamp out of one. So, no, I hate them...

For someone to actually LIKE weapons...well, I can't comprehend a mind like that...

 

[Atlantians]

I voted that I hate them. They have no purpose other than to kill, which is not something we need to do. It's not something God really likes, eh?

You can't do anything with a gun but destroy...can't even make a lamp out of one. So, no, I hate them...

For someone to actually LIKE weapons...well, I can't comprehend a mind like that...

Two words:
Target shooting.

 

[Floatingaxe]

Two words:
Target shooting.

Why? What's the purpose of the bullet, really? Target shooting is an offshoot of their real purpose.

 

[Atlantians]

Why? What's the purpose of the bullet, really? Target shooting is an offshoot of their real purpose.

Two Words:
Dart Boards.

 

[Floatingaxe]

Two Words:
Dart Boards.

Hahaha!

Here, kitty...

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I voted that I hate them. They have no purpose other than to kill, which is not something we need to do. It's not something God really likes, eh?

You can't do anything with a gun but destroy...can't even make a lamp out of one. So, no, I hate them...

For someone to actually LIKE weapons...well, I can't comprehend a mind like that...

Well, what can you do with a battle axe? They're aren't exactly designed for chopping wood.

 

[Floatingaxe]

Well, what can you do with a battle axe? They're aren't exactly designed for chopping wood.

Haha! I know, wrong type of axe...

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I voted that I hate them. They have no purpose other than to kill, which is not something we need to do. It's not something God really likes, eh?

You can't do anything with a gun but destroy...can't even make a lamp out of one. So, no, I hate them...

Yeppers. Those are my thoughts, too. Because, I might be wrong in assuming this but, someone who likes guns and has guns is willing to take a life. Sure, under special circumstances, but willing to take a life nonetheless, and I don't understand how that can be reconciled with Christ's teachings.

The idea of liking knives is... am surprised by that. Same purpose, but more brutal. Am just very confused.