Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The Lone Ranger · 09-04-2002, 07:30 PM

I was taught to hunt and to target shoot as a kid, but it has been years since I've fired a gun. I've never owned one, though, and probably never will. If I ever buy one, it will be a hunting rifle for procuring venison.

I would never willingly live anywhere where I thought that I'd be at all likely to use a gun in self-defense.

On the other hand, I have a nice, sharp katana, and I'm trained in how to use it. I also have several nice, sharp knives. (Someone pounded on my door at a ridiculous hour one morning, sounding rather belligerent. I met him with sword in hand. He quickly became extremely polite. It turned out to be a misunderstanding on his part, fueled by liberal amounts of ethanol.)

Anyone who tries to attack me with bare hands or a knife is likely to quickly receive several broken bones. If anyone ever points a gun at me, having a gun of my own isn't likely to help much.

Cheers,

Michael

CaptainDave · 09-04-2002, 08:24 PM

No gun, but I do have a taser.

Godless Dave · 09-05-2002, 05:33 AM

I don't own one currently. I'd like to own a handgun and know how to use it, but every time I think about buying one I find I have another use for two or three hundred dollars.

abe smith · 09-05-2002, 05:59 AM

Never had any gun; never will...>>> I don't think, now. ( During ww2 I machined the Garand M1 rifle receiver bolt-slot.= as close as I've ever come to firearms.) If I think about self-defence, I usually think >> large pipe wrench; or chunk of lead pipe, e.g. to carry in hand sack. If I ever were moved to interpersonal violence (probably never in actuality) a classic "blunt instrument" wd likely be it for me; or a wellsharpened plain & simple knife as for filleting fish. ATConsidered, deeply longing for my own end as I do (way back in there, far under all the cheery hodiernal), I wd probably greet any serious-minded assailant w/ a smile of welcome..... By now, "at my age", ummm,
I probably envy the dead. many of whom are my friends....

Cappy · 09-05-2002, 06:25 AM

1Time:

You were forced to let the military open your juvenile records??? They have no rights to it. The Army tried to get mine and I refused to let them, and I still was able to join. Or did you have a security clearance? I believe the only agencies that can look are top government agencies (FBI, CIA) for hiring purposes only. I don't think I would have been approved based on my juvi record either (I was a rebellious little shit!).

Walter_Mitty · 09-05-2002, 05:57 PM

One handgun, several pepper sprays/foams, and a few batons. Used to work with inmates so old habbits die hard.

Sadly, I have not reached Bertrand Russell's level of pacifism or non-violence. I am torn between detesting violence and yet feeling the need to protect the ones I love.

OrderedChaos · 09-06-2002, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by QueenofSwords:
<strong>
Edited to add : I have a sword, though - a lovely sharp replica of Sting from Fellowship of the Ring.

[ September 03, 2002: Message edited by: QueenofSwords ]</strong>

Anyone else interested in a Lord of the Rings replica should go to <a href="http://www.medievalweaponart.com/store.asp?cat=19&subcat=Y" target="_blank">this website</a>. Carries several weapons from the movie, and more will be added soon. From what I have heard, upcoming additions will include Arogon's ranger sword, Arywen's sword, and the fighting Urak-Hai scimitar (even though to me they looked like nothing more then slabs of metal with a big spike on the end). I would personally love to own Glamdring (Gandolf's sword), but alas, I am too poor.

As far as the orginal question goes, I do not own a gun, but I have two swords and two daggers, although none of them are sharp.

[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: OrderedChaos ]</p>

Kinross · 09-06-2002, 04:31 AM

I own and carry a Glock 29 <a href="http://www.glock.com/g29.htm" target="_blank">http://www.glock.com/g29.htm</a>

and my wife owns and carries a Glock 26
<a href="http://www.glock.com/g26.htm" target="_blank">http://www.glock.com/g26.htm</a>

I have no problem pulling the trigger. If you own a gun and are afraid to pull the trigger then it is more dangerous for you to own it.

Some info on owning a gun:
Never draw your weapon unless you intend to use it.

Never put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to fire.

In most states you can not shoot someone while they are robbing you. You will go to jail for murder.

The only time you can shoot someone is if your life is in immediate danger. ie they are coming at you with a gun, knife, ect. Unless you see that they are armed you can not legally fire.

I do not consider myself a violent person. I have never hit anyone without being hit first. In fact in some cases I have been hit without stiking back at all.

I tend to be cool and rational in stressful situations.

Kinross · 09-06-2002, 04:38 AM

After letting your question sink in more, I havn't had my coffee yet so I'm slow, I got a little disturbed.

You corrolate violence/non-violence to gun ownership/non-ownership. Without sending this to politics, or rants I have to disagree.

Owning a gun in no way predicts violence. A violent person is a violent person, he could use any tool to inflict his violence.

Before you make this corrolation you better provide some supporting data.

Oresta · 09-06-2002, 05:13 AM

There is a hand gun in our house, but not by my choice. My husband bought it some years ago. It's never been loaded or been needed. It's a pain in the ass trying to figure out the safest place to keep it.
My husband, who like me is not violent, doesn't even know or care where it's hidden.
BTW, we are both "violently" opposed to the concealed hand gun law recently passed by the yahoos in our state legislature.

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09-04-2002, 07:30 PM	#51
The Lone Ranger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Eastern U.S. Posts: 1,230	I was taught to hunt and to target shoot as a kid, but it has been years since I've fired a gun. I've never owned one, though, and probably never will. If I ever buy one, it will be a hunting rifle for procuring venison. I would never willingly live anywhere where I thought that I'd be at all likely to use a gun in self-defense. On the other hand, I have a nice, sharp katana, and I'm trained in how to use it. I also have several nice, sharp knives. (Someone pounded on my door at a ridiculous hour one morning, sounding rather belligerent. I met him with sword in hand. He quickly became extremely polite. It turned out to be a misunderstanding on his part, fueled by liberal amounts of ethanol.) Anyone who tries to attack me with bare hands or a knife is likely to quickly receive several broken bones. If anyone ever points a gun at me, having a gun of my own isn't likely to help much. Cheers, Michael

09-04-2002, 08:24 PM	#52
CaptainDave Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 119	No gun, but I do have a taser.

09-05-2002, 05:33 AM	#53
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	I don't own one currently. I'd like to own a handgun and know how to use it, but every time I think about buying one I find I have another use for two or three hundred dollars.

09-05-2002, 05:59 AM	#54
abe smith Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: springfield, MA. USA Posts: 2,482	Never had any gun; never will...>>> I don't think, now. ( During ww2 I machined the Garand M1 rifle receiver bolt-slot.= as close as I've ever come to firearms.) If I think about self-defence, I usually think >> large pipe wrench; or chunk of lead pipe, e.g. to carry in hand sack. If I ever were moved to interpersonal violence (probably never in actuality) a classic "blunt instrument" wd likely be it for me; or a wellsharpened plain & simple knife as for filleting fish. ATConsidered, deeply longing for my own end as I do (way back in there, far under all the cheery hodiernal), I wd probably greet any serious-minded assailant w/ a smile of welcome..... By now, "at my age", ummm, I probably envy the dead. many of whom are my friends....

09-05-2002, 06:25 AM	#55
Cappy Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 39	1Time: You were forced to let the military open your juvenile records??? They have no rights to it. The Army tried to get mine and I refused to let them, and I still was able to join. Or did you have a security clearance? I believe the only agencies that can look are top government agencies (FBI, CIA) for hiring purposes only. I don't think I would have been approved based on my juvi record either (I was a rebellious little shit!).

09-05-2002, 05:57 PM	#56
Walter_Mitty Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: . Posts: 467	One handgun, several pepper sprays/foams, and a few batons. Used to work with inmates so old habbits die hard. Sadly, I have not reached Bertrand Russell's level of pacifism or non-violence. I am torn between detesting violence and yet feeling the need to protect the ones I love.

09-06-2002, 04:31 AM	#58
Kinross Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,281	I own and carry a Glock 29 <a href="http://www.glock.com/g29.htm" target="_blank">http://www.glock.com/g29.htm</a> and my wife owns and carries a Glock 26 <a href="http://www.glock.com/g26.htm" target="_blank">http://www.glock.com/g26.htm</a> I have no problem pulling the trigger. If you own a gun and are afraid to pull the trigger then it is more dangerous for you to own it. Some info on owning a gun: Never draw your weapon unless you intend to use it. Never put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to fire. In most states you can not shoot someone while they are robbing you. You will go to jail for murder. The only time you can shoot someone is if your life is in immediate danger. ie they are coming at you with a gun, knife, ect. Unless you see that they are armed you can not legally fire. I do not consider myself a violent person. I have never hit anyone without being hit first. In fact in some cases I have been hit without stiking back at all. I tend to be cool and rational in stressful situations.

09-06-2002, 04:38 AM	#59
Kinross Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,281	After letting your question sink in more, I havn't had my coffee yet so I'm slow, I got a little disturbed. You corrolate violence/non-violence to gun ownership/non-ownership. Without sending this to politics, or rants I have to disagree. Owning a gun in no way predicts violence. A violent person is a violent person, he could use any tool to inflict his violence. Before you make this corrolation you better provide some supporting data.

09-06-2002, 05:13 AM	#60
Oresta Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,107	There is a hand gun in our house, but not by my choice. My husband bought it some years ago. It's never been loaded or been needed. It's a pain in the ass trying to figure out the safest place to keep it. My husband, who like me is not violent, doesn't even know or care where it's hidden. BTW, we are both "violently" opposed to the concealed hand gun law recently passed by the yahoos in our state legislature.

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