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[Piggus]

Honestly - I think guns are rarely necessary- but if you ARENT buying them for some necessary purpose, I think thats even worse tbh.

Why is that? There are lot of dangerous things people buy that aren't necessary. Why buy a motorcycle rather than a car for example? It all depends on how you use it and how responsible you are.

 

[benjipwns]

Yes? Why not?

Probably a semi-automatic with a shoulder thing that goes up.

 

[Marvel]

I'd like to collect blades, Knives are cooler.

Swords too, though I do not know the legalities involved in the EU regarding owning a collection and displaying them.

 

[DrGonzo615]

Honestly - I think guns are rarely necessary- but if you ARENT buying them for some necessary purpose, I think thats even worse tbh.

care to explain why?

 

[soulassssns]

no one in a civilised society should really need a gun

SHow me a truly "civilised society" first. Also, who says all gun owners have them strictly because they need them for self defense?

 

[LookAtMeGo]

Mine is locked away incase I ever need one. Id rather have access to one if needed than not. I hope I never need it for anything. I dont have kids or anything so I dont have that to worry sbout.

I also have swords. I love swords.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Seriously. I'm tall and black. Nerdy or not, I'd be giving them a reason to blast me. Not even in a rural area.

I put alot of thought into that before I purchased mine. As a Black male I sure am dreading the moment when I'm coming to or from the range and I disclose that I have a firearm in the car.

I remember a story in Maryland where cops were waiting outside of gun stores/gun ranges and SPECIFICALLY targeting Black men they saw. But I can't let shit like that stop me anymore than I'll let racist cops stop me from driving my car or walking through NYPD.

I have these rights and I wish to utilize them for my benefit.

 

[LT Snoshado]

Uhhh thats a huge fucking if though.

Maybe if your roommate is a complete idiot, sure.

I can't imagine storing a loaded gun or even having ammo in a gun unless I'm at the range. Maybe you'd feel safer if you had someone as safe (paranoid) as me as your roommate lol

 

[PBY]

Why is that? There are lot of dangerous things people buy that aren't necessary. Why buy a motorcycle rather than a car for example? It all depends on how you use it and how responsible you are.

Well- outside of the fact that a motorcycle actually serves a legitimate purpose (transportation), choosing a bike over a car really only makes it more dangerous to the owner him/herself; a gun makes it more dangerous for everyone around that person.

 

[Newt]

I don't want to kill anything, so no.

 

[SneakyStephan]

Nope.
I don't hunt and am not scared enough of my fellow human beings to think i'll want to murder one in self defense or something one day.

 

[PBY]

Maybe if your roommate is a complete idiot, sure.

I can't imagine storing a loaded gun or even having ammo in a gun unless I'm at the range. Maybe you'd feel safer if you had someone as safe (paranoid) as me as your roommate lol

Here's the thing right- you say "complete idiot" but its the kind of thing that its easy to get right, until you dont. You read so many tragic stories that end up in horrible endings just because of basic shit like this. And I don't care how paranoid you are, there is always some small risk you'll forget that one time- and one time is all it takes. Its a minute risk, sure, but the potential fallout is so significant that I can't even imagine undertaking it.

 

[stufte]

I don't want to kill anything, so no.

But what if there was something that wanted to kill you, what then?

 

[DrGonzo615]

Well- outside of the fact that a motorcycle actually serves a legitimate purpose (transportation), choosing a bike over a car really only makes it more dangerous to the owner him/herself; a gun makes it more dangerous for everyone around that person.

Yes, because we all conceal carry our guns wherever we go.

I also have knives in my kitchen, which makes it more dangerous for everybody around me as well. I guess I better get rid of those too.

 

[PBY]

care to explain why?

Sure. I think its shitty to endanger all those around you for the sake of just "fun" or some frivolous purpose. Unlike a knife for example- where you accept the risk because it has some legitimate utility, a gun will never serve some purpose that mitigates the potential fallout from an accident. Its a tool which has the purpose of destruction, and nothing else.

 

[Mr.Swag]

Pretty sure I'm not a cop

Why would I need a gun?

Chances of me using it in self defense are a lot lower than the chances of an accidental misfire.

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

no, I'm against guns in general.

 

[ScatheZombie]

AR-15 does not = Assault Rifle.

This cannot be overstated enough. The AR in AR-15 is referring the original designer/manufacturer - ArmaLite Rifle, not "Assault Rifle". Civilians cannot own true 'assault rifles' anywhere in the US. They are military grade weapons. Whereas an AR-15 is a glorified hunting rifle.

 

[Bold One]

SHow me a truly "civilised society" first. Also, who says all gun owners have them strictly because they need them for self defense?

I never mentioned self-defence, do you own a gun? if so, why?

 

[iMax]

no such thing as an "assault" rifle. It's a political term.

Assault Rifle Vs. Semi-Automatic

AR-15 does not = Assault Rifle.

Again, semantics.

Because I can.

Well that's just great.

I can understand why someone might want a sidearm for home defence or a shotgun for hunting. I fail to understand, however, why someone needs to possess an assault class rifle, semi-automatic or otherwise. Just "because I can" is, frankly, setting a worrying precedent.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

A few years ago I went a bit gun crazy so I have 6 guns, but they're just for going to the range and plinking. I know a few people that were really nervous around guns but once I took them to the range they had a blast with them. The nervousness is kind of a good thing though, you have to treat guns with respect, they arent toys to be fooled around with but they can be quite fun.

I was the same way prior to firing my first gun. They should be treated with a bit of respect in terms of what they're designed to do and what they're capable of.

 

[LT Snoshado]

Here's the thing right- you say "complete idiot" but its the kind of thing that its easy to get right, until you dont. You read so many tragic stories that end up in horrible endings just because of basic shit like this. And I don't care how paranoid you are, there is always some small risk you'll forget that one time- and one time is all it takes. Its a minute risk, sure, but the potential fallout is so significant that I can't even imagine undertaking it.

I'm not going to argue with that - because you're right - but I will say this: If everyone practiced proper gun safety, there would never be mistakes. Namely, if nobody ever pointed a gun in a direction that they weren't prepared to shoot, we'd all live happily ever after (mostly). Regardless, I definitely see where you're coming from and respect your views and concerns

 

[Azzurri]

Don't really care for them.

But my friend buys a new gun every month, I think he has close to 15 now, and there not those small hand guns; eventhough, he does have some. He has a bunch of AR-15, Tech Nine, some semi automatic shot gun that looks like it's from halo or something. He's probably spent close to 30-40k on em

 

[Piggus]

Well- outside of the fact that a motorcycle actually serves a legitimate purpose (transportation), choosing a bike over a car really only makes it more dangerous to the owner him/herself; a gun makes it more dangerous for everyone around that person.

Again, that depends on how the gun is used. I'm pretty sure my guns, locked in a safe with no ammo, are not a danger to others. Either way gun accidents are incredibly rare compared to most other incidents (such as crime or suicide) involving guns. The point is responsibility is key, and it's not really that hard to avoid accidents.

 

[Ray Wonder]

I do have two. I like having them. It's just a sort of feeling of safety. When I didn't have one, it was just an unsettling feeling. A feeling of "what if something happened, and I wasn't prepared". I would rather be the guy with the gun, than not. Even if it's paranoia, if a black out happens, or some natural disaster that sparks off a bunch of crime. I want to have protection.

 

[RangerX]

Nope, never. I don't need one for protection and I have no interest in them as a hobby. Gun culture doesn't exist in my country.

 

[soulassssns]

Here's the thing right- you say "complete idiot" but its the kind of thing that its easy to get right, until you dont. You read so many tragic stories that end up in horrible endings just because of basic shit like this. And I don't care how paranoid you are, there is always some small risk you'll forget that one time- and one time is all it takes. Its a minute risk, sure, but the potential fallout is so significant that I can't even imagine undertaking it.

Never understood this mindset. Having worked with small arms/crew served weapons for the better part of the last 18 years of my life. You always treat a weapon as if it is loaded and never point it at another person.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

Civilians cannot own true 'assault rifles' anywhere in the US.

We can. It requires particular licenses that are difficult and often expensive to acquire. It may also be restricted to those born before a certain year I can't remember.

 

[Escape Goat]

If I was prepared to learn how to use and store it but thats not something I'm interested in doing right now. I guess I should before the guvment comes and takes my guns.

 

[Gnome Scat]

I'll probably pick up a handgun one day. Won't use it, but I like having a back up plan incase everything goes wrong.

 

[Akuun]

Probably would under extreme circumstances but other than that, no.

 

[DERF]

Of course, looking right now in fact.

 

[Shining Sunshine]

Living in the relative safety of Canada, I feel no need to own a gun.

But if I had a gun, I'd shoot a hole into the sun.

You're one of those people who don't understand gravity and end up killing someone. lol

 

[Norml]

I don't understand this. There is no shortage of any kind of food, especially in the US which has ridiculously high meat consumption rates. Why do you feel the need to blow the brains out of a deer, venison, Buffalo, whatever to get food, when it'll be easier and cheaper to go to your local supermarket and butcher and get whatever cut of meat you want?

You would be killing a wild animal that is part of the local ecosystem and is probably responsible for a pack or family. Whereas the cow that was slaughtered for your steak, was domestic livestock, bred and raised for the sole purpose of meat consumption. They are not part of the natural ecosystem of prey/predator etc.

Don't get me wrong, I know how brutal the meat industry is, and just what kind of conditions they live in. But you going and hunting a caribou to eat won't change anything except for the fact you just personally took out a caribou from the wild.

Edit: OP, where I live, we're starting to get a lot of shootings. Guns are being smuggled in from the US. I wouldn't want a gun, because there is no reason to own one. I don't want American gun culture taking hold here, which is what your post reads like. You dont need a gun but want one to display or so that it looks cool etc. I love the fact I can go into malls, theaters, schools, walk down the street comfortable in the knowledge that the other people around me aren't carrying guns either.

What is so hard to understand about a hundred pounds of the freshest meat you can get, for free?

 

[Siegcram]

No, I'm a civilian.

 

[ShadowSoldier89]

I enjoy recreational range shooting, but I dont own my own gun. If I ever get one it will be for that, for now I just use my friends.

 

[Hari Seldon]

We can. It requires particular licenses that are difficult and often expensive to acquire. It may also be restricted to those born before a certain year I can't remember.

It is restricted to guns in the US before 1986, not people born before a certain year. What that means is that anyone without a record can get the license, however only 1%ers have the money to actually purchase them, which means that they aren't really used for crimes since 1%ers can just shoot lawyers at you instead of bullets if they get pissed.

 

[CrimzonSamurai]

I've had a shotgun since I was a teenager, and I've only ever used it to shoot clays. It's a ton of fun.

I think people should be allowed to own a range of firearms, I just think when you get to a certain level of destructive potential you should have to go through a pretty stringent licensing process. But guns are fun and I support a happy balance of ownership rights and control.

 

[Chris R]

I used to be like this but then I realized that there is zero potential for an accident if there is no ammo in or around the gun. If there isn't ammo in the gun (which is how they should be stored), the worst accident I can think of is maybe dropping the gun on your foot or something and getting a bruise.

Just had a friend lose a family member to a gun accident when they picked up a gun they thought was unloaded. Turns out they didn't clear the chamber or something after taking it to the range a month earlier. It just takes a single bullet.

Granted, a few paper thin walls might not stop an errant bullet from hitting me.

 

[Deadbeat]

I can understand why someone might want a sidearm for home defence or a shotgun for hunting. I fail to understand, however, why someone needs to possess an assault class rifle, semi-automatic or otherwise. Just "because I can" is, frankly, setting a worrying precedent.

So why cant I own a gun I dont need? Im not breaking the law.

 

[Piggus]

Living in the relative safety of Canada, I feel no need to own a gun.

But if I had a gun, I'd shoot a hole into the sun.

A lot of people in Canada own guns you know. Why does everyone think Americans only own guns for self defense? It's silly.

 

[DoktorEvil]

Yes. Not for personal defense, but for hunting. I've always wanted to get into hunting, mostly for food and not for trophy hunting.

.

That would be my primary reason. Secondary reason would be clay/target shooting.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

It is restricted to guns in the US before 1986, not people born before a certain year.

Oh, I remember it had to do with the age of something. Thanks for the correction.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

Again, semantics.



Well that's just great.

I can understand why someone might want a sidearm for home defence or a shotgun for hunting. I fail to understand, however, why someone needs to possess an assault class rifle, semi-automatic or otherwise. Just "because I can" is, frankly, setting a worrying precedent.

Many people use an AR for home/property defense or varmint hunting. But most for sporting purposes (Range Shooting/Competition)

Many people use a semi-auto shotgun for home defense because they don't want to have to work the pump action during a high-adrenaline low manual dexterity situation when they'd need it.

People can and do hunt with semi-auto rifles. Just nothing too large, I believe.

So why cant I own a gun I dont need? Im not breaking the law.

You should be!

 

[LT Snoshado]

I'll probably pick up a handgun one day. Won't use it, but I like having a back up plan incase everything goes wrong.

Please don't buy a gun if you don't plan to practice using it. That's like telling us you're going to buy a car without having ever driven one or knowing how to operate it safely.

 

[PBY]

So why cant I own a gun I dont need? Im not breaking the law.

You can- and I can think that its really dumb and foolhardy to place a destructive tool in your life for no reason.

 

[LookAtMeGo]

A lot of people in Canada own guns you know. Why does everyone think Americans only own guns for self defense? It's silly.

Yup. Im in Canada and outside of the city just about everyone has a gun.

 

[Zornack]

I can understand why someone might want a sidearm for home defence or a shotgun for hunting. I fail to understand, however, why someone needs to possess an assault class rifle, semi-automatic or otherwise. Just "because I can" is, frankly, setting a worrying precedent.

Why do people need sports cars? Hummers? Designer clothes? Why do I need a 1440p monitor and 2 GTX 980s instead of a 1080p monitor and one video card?

71% of gun homicides in America are done with a handgun. The fear of rifles is misplaced.

 

[Siegcram]

So why cant I own a gun I dont need? Im not breaking the law.

You can set bear traps throughout your house too. Question is why would you want to?

Owning guns for the fuck of it just needlessly endangers you and everyone in your house.

 

[FO-totality]

If you don't already do so anyway. What type of gun, and why? Why not?

I'm a bit torn. I'd love to get a gun, but I don't think I really need one. It'd be more for the cool factor than anything. Have a cool rifle on my wall or something.

I do already. All the men in my family own guns. My brother and I both own 12 gauge shotguns (my brother shot trap for his high school's competitive trap team with this really, really nice competitive grade break action and I have a sort beater, off-brand pump action for hunting/recreation that was a birthday gift for my 17th from my dad) and my dad own a semi-auto 12 gauge and a semi-auto 9mm handgun (just for recreational target shooting). While we live in a (small) city, my parents are grew up in rural farming families and so grew up around hunting and guns, which they wanted to pass down to us. I also shot guns while a Boy Scout too. I like target shooting and hunting, pretty enjoyable activities, but if you just want a cool gun on the wall, might as well get an antique you don't plan ever using. Or a prop or something. I've never liked putting guns on display anyways; it's not very safe at all. Guns shouldn't be toyed around with.

If I was to get another gun for myself, it's probably some sort of a rifle. I've always kinda like pistol/rifle target shooting over skeet/trap anyways, but a shotgun was the tool of choice for what we hunted.