Do You Own a Gun?

[Radar]

I own a few, but I'm considering getting a lot more

[bluecuracao]

Just curious--why?

[Radar]

Originally Posted by bluecuracao

Just curious--why?

For the best reason of all for having guns... to defend against a tyrannical government and to overthrow it when it becomes necessary.

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by Radar

For the best reason of all for having guns... to defend against a tyrannical government and to overthrow it when it becomes necessary.

No offense on this comment or anything, but does anyone really buy this, anymore? The citizens of this country? Standing up against the government? People don't even protest, anymore, much less take action on anything. Tyranny would be introduced like boiling a frog and not so suddenly that would cause anyone to actually notice and take arms. Should the government ever get around to repealing the second amendment, we'll have lost so many other freedoms and be so brainwashed that we'll probably gladly hand them over when the knock comes at the door.

[Radar]

Originally Posted by Kitsune

No offense on this comment or anything, but does anyone really buy this, anymore? The citizens of this country? Standing up against the government? People don't even protest, anymore, much less take action on anything. Tyranny would be introduced like boiling a frog and not so suddenly that would cause anyone to actually notice and take arms. Should the government ever get around to repealing the second amendment, we'll have lost so many other freedoms and be so brainwashed that we'll probably gladly hand them over when the knock comes at the door.

The day they come for my guns, they will get them bullets first. That's a fact. Another fact is that all individuals are born with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and part of having a life is having the right to defend that life BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

We have the right to keep any number of any kind of guns we want without any government oversight or records. ALL gun control laws are unconstitutional.

I hear a lot of people saying things like, "I want to exercise my 2nd amendment right" or my "Constitutional right" to own a gun.

Our rights don't come from the Constitution or from government. We're born with rights and government at any level has no legitimate authority or power to violate them or even to limit them. I don't require any permission from the government to own any weapon I want with any kind of ammunition I want, without any serial numbers or records of purchase.

My right to own guns is not for others to decide how I will exercise, and is not up for debate. My right to own guns is not associated with being part of a militia. Also, the reasons I want to own a gun are completely irrelevant as long as I don't use them to violate the person, property, or rights of a non-consenting other who is not doing the same to me.

If I want to prop up a wobbly table leg with a gun, it's my right to do so. If I want to build a house with walls made entirely of loaded and working guns, I have the right to do so.

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by Radar

My right to own guns is not for others to decide how I will exercise, and is not up for debate.

Uh-huh, I'm not arguing that. What I was asking is if you really believe that firearms keep a tyrannical government at bay. Do you really think the population would rise up and overthrow the government should the need arise?

Honestly, I don't for one second. The small group that takes arms against the United States from within will be viewed as Waco-like extremists/terrorists, no matter what the reason for the revolt, and the complacent masses will back the ATF/FBI while watching the breaking news on CNN with little concern for anything more than the entertainment value of the spectacle.

What rights, besides the 2nd amendment, and how many do you think a tyrannical US government would have to take away in order to spark the masses to rebellion? I'll even go as far as to say it would be entirely possible to repeal the 2nd amendment, slowly, without violent reaction or much more than a strongly worded speech from the NRA. Handguns first, assault rifles next, then limit everyone to single shot bolt action rifles. Other governments have done it with ease. Run the proposals under the guise of safety, security, "terrorism", "for the children", and public benefit and the laws will pass.

People will continue to say that firearm ownership enables citizens to "overthrow the government when it becomes necessary" but it is little more than an outdated, fantastic dream that will never be lived no matter what atrocities the government imposes on the people. Fear of indefinite detentions and the force of organized armies in the present day always outweigh the fragmented will of armed individuals.

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by bluecuracao

Just curious--why?

Several reasons:

So, like Radar said, we can protect ourselves from our own government;
Just in case our government ever says we can't; and lastly,
If you were playing Dr. Evil and spinning the globe around deciding which country to invade, would you pick the United States?

Remember, my side-arm saved me from a charging, very large, wild boar. I also had a close-call with a, larger, wild sow... but I did not have to shoot her. However, I am VERY glad I had my gun with me. I have killed more than one rattle snake and cotton mouth that I could not have gotten away from (part of my job was crawling under the canopy of old growth orange trees (checking and repairing irrigation).
They close in behind you and you cannot see inside until your eyes adjust. You also cannot just run out, especially if the snake is in the tree over you or right in front/next of/to you.
Either your gun or machete are all you can use.
A sleeping, then, surprised pig is also a very bad deal.
Rats and large nests of bugs just suck.
One needs a large caliber, reliable, semi-automatic weapon.
Unless, you want to do the job without one? ... feel free.

[ROBB]

I've shot IPSC,PPC and Bowling Pin matches.
I rely anymore on old 870 for self protection.
I like my 22, but anymore my Daisy Match air
pistol gets the most exercise.

The sound of an 870 racking in in the dark will
cause people to reconsider their actions.
That is why they are used in prisons.

Tactical buckshot is just standard velocity
buckshot. Cop issue, its just easier to control.
like I said, its my old bird gun.
I can cary it disassembled and with the
magazine retaining nut in my posession,
no one can use it without a visit to a gunsmith.
This makes it kid resistant.

A thief was shot in the night.
Whose hand was on the bow ?
Robb.

[Hyoi]

Ruger Redhawk .44, Glock 21, .45 ACP. The former lies dormant mostly. Hand cannons aren't my bag. The latter is much more comfortable for range practice and more forgiving to reload errors. Hey......dat brass don't cheap, I'm toll'in' you, sha.

[Kitsune]

Handguns: .45, 9mm, .22
Rifles: .22 and 7.62x39 (a wonderfully clunky SKS)

[Spexxvet]

Do bb guns count? If they do, I have one. I've shot a .38 and .44 revolver.

My rifles are a .30-06, my favorite hunting & all around rifle, and some others and I have a sniper rifle, which I love. I say "mine" but they are company owned.
I can say, with all truth, with no bragging, that I am an outstanding sniper. Something I love and a grand hobby.
I have always hating hunting and never enjoyed killing. I have only done it for pay and, then, only when it was needed for population control. (though I can say that the meat is exquisite when cooked well and I can cook)

[BrianR]

I own multiple guns, don't shoot as often as I used to but would like to get back into practice.
I do not specify makes or calibres due to security regulations at Chez Robinson.

They may or may not make the trip to Texas with me. Still to be decided.

[SteveDallas]

I don't, though Mrs. Dallas has made noise about doing some kind of target shooting before. I'm tempted to buy her an air rifle of some sort for her birthday, but I don't know of anywhere that would be good to shoot it. (Our yard, being kind of postage-stamp sized, and irregularly shaped at that, doesn't seem like a good candidate.)