Do you own a gun (legally)?

[Renew Deal]

Poll question: Do you own a gun (legally)?

Not bee bee guns.

[Military Brat]

1. But no ammunition

I know, it sounds strange, but I only buy bullets during my once a year trip to the shooting range. To be fair and balanced in my information, though, I live in a really peaceful area.

[slackmaster]

44. Do you have kids in the house?

Just curious. Is your non-storage of ammunition intended as a safety measure? If so I commend you. If not I commend you as well.

[Hep]

2. Yes

Lever Action 30-30.

[xJlM]

3. Sure

Two shotguns my dad left me, a little 9mm i bought from a private owner, and a Simonov SKS (pre-ban) I got from a pawnshop in Kentucky.

[Wellong]

28. Gun Show Loop Hole!

a little 9mm i bought from a private owner

Seems you are one of those criminals I always hear about exploiting the "Gun Show Loophole"

[NickB79]

81. Not illegal to buy guns from private owners

It is perfectly legal to purchase a gun from a private owner. Just read the classifieds section of your newspaper and you can find many people selling guns. I sold a hunting rifle before I went to college to get money for my books, just put an ad in the local paper and recieved several calls on it before it was sold. Yes, even handguns can be sold this way (at least here in MN).

Oh, and where did he say he bought it at a gun show?

[Wellong]

86. I was being sarcastic

and pointing out that there is no gun show loophole. The gun show loophole that people talk about is the perfectly legal purchase of firearms from private individuals who happen to be selling their firearms at a gun show.

On Edit: Check out my comment on gun shows in #43

[xJlM]

84. Probably so

I've never had to show an ID to buy a gun, and only had to register the SKS since it qualifies as an assault rifle. And supposedly, John Ashcroft destroyed that registration.

The SKS is probably not legal. I put a plastic stock on it and a laser scope, and with the common magazine removed it will accept thirty or forty round clips. That in itself makes it highly illegal in Ohio, but our gun laws here have been declared unconstitutional by the state Supreme court. So I'm sort of in limbo, with the ten round clip in place. But it only takes five minutes and a shell to remove it.

On edit: I've never been convicted of a felony, so even if I bought a gun at a gun show, it wouldn't make me a criminal.

[Wellong]

87. See my reply

#86

[Withergyld]

92. Did he buy it at a gunshow??

It is the "private sale" loophole.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=14309&mesg_id=14309

[Goldmund]

4. No

Guns give me the creeps.

[Mountainman]

5. Oh no, we are going to destroy one of the wingnuts favorite myths

The myth that Democrats are all anti gun people. Over half of those replies to this poll are gun owners and I think most of those are from Dems.

I have a 22 pistol for target practice. I don't think I will ever need a gun for self defence. I keep the gun in one place and the ammo far away in another place. It would take me a bit of time to get the two together.

[FunBobbyMucha]

9. No, but sometimes borrow

to go to shooting ranges. I have this whole Keanu Reeves in the tight grey tshirt in the rain on the shooting range/opening credits of POINT BLANK thing, though I usually miss even ten foot targets. Ha!

[slackmaster]

45. Unless you borrow it AT THE RANGE that would be illegal here in CA

A loan other than at the place where a gun is used would legally be a transfer in California and several other states.

[Wellong]

78. Evidence

that some gun laws are stupid, useless, and unneeded.

[slackmaster]

80. Agreed, and I admit I have violated that one myself

A good friend of mine had to send his only concealable handgun away for warranty repairs, so I loaned him a Glock G17 and a standard magazine loaded with genuine Black Talon ammo for three weeks. I'd rather risk prosecution for an illegal "transfer" of my gun than let my friend go defenseless. His job required him to respond to mechanical problems at his workplace 7/24. The workplace was in an isolated and crime-prone location.

[Spoonman]

46. Wingnuts favorite myths?

You might be suprised, but one trip to the gun dungeon and you'll be told that the vast majority of americans want to take your guns.
This accourding to some there that feel *they* are the only REAL Democrats, and that all REAL Democrats are in favor of strict gun control, or outright bans.

[Kolesar]

6. People who live in households with an unstable member should not own guns

I just thought I ought to throw that in. There are no depressed people in my household, nor are there any people with latent aggressive or violent fantasies. I have lived in households that would meet that description.

[slackmaster]

47. Amen

I know a man who got rid of his guns when he was diagnosed with major depression.

Sometimes when he's feeling off kilter he chooses road routes so as to avoid driving on bridges. That's pretty tough in the San Francisco Bay area.

[not_in_my_name]

7. Don't own a gun, but

I have a dog. We live in a pretty remote area (Wild n' Wonderful WV) but I don't see the need for a gun, despite people telling us we should have one. Some republican asshole bought the property next to ours and he has guns - he even installed surveillance cameras on his property (he only comes out on weekends). Now I feel that I'm being "watched" every time I go outside. He's really creepy and the fact that he has guns scares me.

[lilymidnite]

10. No ammunition

I inherited a collector's item pistol. The one time I would've even thought of using it (intruder) was before I owned it. I've decided *not* to ever buy ammunition because I recall vividly what the adrenaline did to me that night -- I would've shot the guy.

[DBoon]

13. Like the dog

I never understood the gun for self protection thing.

A well trained German Shepard or Rottweiler is much more effective. Works even when you aren't home, or don't have the presence of mind to get the gun (e.g. you are deep asleep).

[not_in_my_name]

15. Agreed!

She lets us know if anyone or anything is anywhere near our house - and she especially doesn't like the creepy gun-toting jerk who owns the property next to ours.

[drdigi420]

34. You dont let it inside your house do you?

Dogs are nasty creatures, shouldnt be allowed inside a civilized person's home.

[Bandit]

53. Since when are Americans considered civilized?

Americans are (painting with wide brush here) ignorant, brutish, insensitive, and possibly the most violent people on earth. Other than that I guess having a dog in the house should be considered uncivilized. Homes for the elderly encourage bringing in pets because of such a soothing quality they have. I would venture to say those without pets (dog) are the ones less civilized.

[drdigi420]

63. a very broad brush indeed

Most Americans I know are well-educated, non-violent, very tolerant, and live in buildings that don't allow dogs.

Besides, cats make much better pets.

[Silverhair]

16. Burglars can easily take care of any dog.

Still a dog might help. At least there would be a bit of noise to wake you up.

[Champion Jack]

17. That's why you need 2 dogs

I have 2 Catahoula dogs who know how to work like a team.

[Champion Jack]

18. Where in WV are you

WV is my number one choice for a re-locate.
I'm currently looking around the New martinsville/Parkersburg area.

[not_in_my_name]

19. You couldn't relocate to a better place!

Kind of difficult to describe where I live - not in a town really. In the foothills in Hampshire County - in the panhandle of WV. My mail is delivered to a "real" town and it's mail carrier has agreed to deliver out here. If you ever saw the movie "Funny Farm" (with Chevy Chase), that's what my mailman is like. Is your job relocating you? Am not familiar with the Parkerburg area.

[Champion Jack]

23. sounds good

MY "job" has always been freelance, so I'll be winging it, but I have some ideas. Parkersburg is near the Ohio river (and near Marietta (sp) Ohio. New Martinsville is near Wheeling.
I'm looking for land. Right now I live in a giant Bar-b-q pit (socal) and I have had it.

[not_in_my_name]

27. Good move! Get out while you're still medium-rare!

Parkersburg is about 4 hours from where I live and Wheeling is about 3.5 hours. Have never been to either. Land is definitely the way to go - great for your dogs. Hope you've not lost anything to the fires!

[Champion Jack]

31. Thanks

>Hope you've not lost anything to the fires!<

Just some sleep! but I gained more Grey hair, so I guess it's a trade off.

[leanings]

67. Two or three more years

And I'll be findin' myself a holler in WV.

[Zhade]

70. My ex-wife grew up in a holler named after her family.

Now THAT'S rural! :D

[leanings]

74. I got that beat easy.

Two hollers in the Shenandoah National Park and a knob not far from there bear names of my kinfolk. Unfortunately the gubmint kicked us out of the Park back in the '30s when the land was nationalized.

[kodi]

8. you bet, i have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

9mm sig saur while on the road, loaded 12 gauge shotgun in the hall closet.

if i called 911 it would take them 45 minutes to get here, by then either i have had to use bad language to protect me or depend on buckshot.

[Township75]

11. I own...

a handgun and a sweet rifle. Pluas, I have a CCW. But I am still in college so I can't afford to buy all the guns I want.

Fortunately, I should be graduating in the summer of 2004, just a few months before the expiration of the Assualt Weapons Ban. That will make a hell of a graduation gift!

[eyesroll]

12. Technically, yes...

My husband's grandfather's service gun. It probably hasn't been fired in several decades. I don't even know if it's capable of being fired.

It's a really beautiful little weapon, too. Freaks my mom out that we even have it -- she raised me with almost a pathological fear of guns. She even made my friend Bjorn leave his toy guns at the door before coming in to play.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

14. 40 cal taurus (stainless)

i sold my mossberg 12 gauge, cause i thought that was a little right-wing for home protection.

[montanacowboy]

20. Yes

I have a .38 caliber - also two dogs who would preclude me from ever having to use it - but I do carry it on trips - I travel pretty remote roads that are heavy in deer populations and having hit one once and having to see it suffer has made me aware of my obligation to make sure no animal has to suffer on the roadside.

And that is why I support Dean and his gun control

[liberalcapitalist]

21. no, but I support gun rights

n/t

[Shylock]

22. several

some inherited, some I bought. even have a Mass. CCW to go with them. usually only leaves the house when going sharking on my boat.

[regularguy]

26. What he/she said.

.

[Superfly]

24. Yes, seven

I'm a one man arsenal.

[Wednesdays]

25. I don't have a gun

And I have no problem with any DUers having one, so long as they don't use it to commit murder.

[Terwilliger]

29. how about the "Never have / Never will" choice?

Take your guns and throw them in the smelter.

[Booger]

33. agreed

When you can guarentee me that I won't need to protect my family.
Idealism is all good and well. And I had it back in the 80's when I had nothing to lose.
Having built a family and a decent home, I'm going to protect it aggressively.

[Terwilliger]

60. then you don't agree

why would you say that if that was not your intent?

[lovedems]

66. That is the typical NRA response

I can't remember the last time (if ever) I heard a story on the news or read an article in the paper where my response was "Oh, thank God they had a gun in the house and killed/shot the trespasser or they would be toast!" I just don't think it happens as often as the NRA would like you to believe. I am guessing the chances are higher that someone will break into your home and steal your gun before you would have to use it to aggressively protect your family.

[Hammie]

75. Two reasons

Most criminals are evil, not stupid. They know that a large number of households contain guns. Therefore they go to great pains to only tresspass on unoccupied property. In the event that they err and are confronted by an armed occupant, they generally make the sensible choice and flee. As a rule, most criminals are driven off by the knowledge that their intended victim has the means and will to self defense, not by being shot.

Unless there is blood, the story will not end up in the newspaper.

[lovedems]

83. I am just not buying it, sorry. n/t

[DoNotRefill]

89. actually, there was a study done once among prison population...

looking at attitudes of the criminal mind. One of the more startling things it found was that criminals are much more afraid of running into an armed homeowner than running into and being caught by the police. The general jist of it was that a cop would arrest you and you'd do jail time (a risk of the occupation) but an armed homeowner would kill you. Therefore, the criminals almost all stated (92%, IIRC) that they'd go far out of their way to make sure they didn't go into an occupied house.

[Wellong]

35. How about the

"I'm not telling you" option. Thats what I would have picked. Because it is no ones business but mine and my families.

[Terwilliger]

61. what difference does it make?!?!

is telling a bunch of net folks anonymously whether you have a gun or not going to affect your daily life?

[Wellong]

79. If you can request

that another choice should have been included in the options then so can I.

Look forward to your responses to my posts to you on your bogus poll thread.

[Beaker]

30. maybe I do, maybe I don't...

you gonna take that chance?

[in_cog_ni_to]

32. No.. n/t

[Blue-Jay]

36. From seeing the replies on this thread, I think it's safe to say...

OH MY GOD!!! The Democrats want to take away your guns! It's true! It's true! If I keep repeating it, EVERYONE will believe it!!!

I own several guns, all legally obtained, and I'm an excellent shot. Why is it so difficult to break through the myth that Democrats hate guns? Most of us don't. That being said, if there was some magical way to get rid of all guns in the world, I'd gladly turn mine over. (I sure would miss blasting the shit out of targets, though.)

[Fleshdancer]

39. Good point Blue-Jay

My guess is if the pubs say it often enough, then it will be easier to pocket all the money from the NRA.

I certainly don't want to take away your guns...unless, of course you point them at me.

[Blue-Jay]

51. Don't worry about that.

I haven't pointed a gun at anyone since I was 8 and it fired nerf balls. I hope I never have to either. Actually, I doubt I'll even get a chance to point a gun at anyone. They're locked up tight and I only get one out if I'm going to the firing range.

I hope if my house ever gets invaded by an evildoer, he's polite enough to let me run down to the basement, move away some sheets of plywood, unlock three key-locks, one combination lock, run back upstairs, and threaten him with armed force! Either that, or I'll hit him with a frying pan instead.

[Fleshdancer]

37. Nope

I have a three year old child. The last thing I need is a gun in my home.

[Tracer]

38. No. Never.

What the hell do I need a gun for? I don't even lock my doors.

[slackmaster]

49. And your handle is Tracer???

OK.

I know someone who is known to his friends as "hollow-point", but please don't ask why. He doesn't own any guns either.

[DoNotRefill]

90. Maybe...

he told people he was an "inker" at one point...

"You trace things." (obscure Chasing Amy reference)

[ronzo]

94. Yeah!

"He's a tracer."

[Romulus]

40. maybe

Depends on who's asking . . . ;)

[Spoonman]

41. Yes

In all well over 30.

Most of which I inherited.

I have bought several, the last two were at gun shows, and yes contrary to popular belief, a “NICS” background check was conducted both times.
Hmmm, gun show loophole? I’ve never seen it.

[Wellong]

43. Gun Shows

the amount of myths, lies, distortions, and misrepresntations of what happens at gun shows is staggering.

I remember a couple of years ago either MMM or the Brady Campaign put out a statistic saying that X% of vendors at gun shows are not licensened. Can't remember the exact number. Well, their statistic was 100% correct. Problem was, they had to include FOOD VENDORS, Clothes vendors, and other vendors who were NOT selling firearms, ammunition, or anything that would required an FFL. So while their statistic was "accurate", it was a blatant attempt to mislead the public.

[Spoonman]

52. Misleading the public

in their stock and trade!

How about the 13 kids a day are killed one, they forgot to mention that 80% of their number were "kids" 18-24.
I wonder how many of those 18-24 "kids" were dealing on a corner, or shot by other criminals during the course of criminal activities?

They also forget to mention the real dangers

National Safety Council, Injury Facts:
Children Accidental Death Rates (Ages 0-14)

Motor-vehicle 2,900
Drowning 965
Fires, burns 676
Mechanical suffocation 474
Ingestion of food, object 185
Firearms 142
Doctor's negligence 43

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

42. Freepers be warned, Democrats are heavily armed!

50%? That put a smile on my face :)

[slackmaster]

48. Democrats are Americans too

No reason why Democrats should not be armed if they want to be armed.

[Renew Deal]

50. I am surprised by this too.

Why are dems so against guns if they like them? I am questioning my position on guns because of this. I am anti-gun but tolerant. Maybe I should just be tolerant. Hmm...

[Romulus]

54. no need to compromise *your* beliefs, B7

If you don't like firearms, that's your business and your right. :hi:

We firearms owners just want the demonization of us and our principles to stop.

[Blue-Jay]

55. It has nothing to do with being "against guns"

That's the exact simplified misdirection that the Republicans and the NRA are spinning. I'm not against guns at all. Rather, I'm FOR more strict controls on who can get them and how they're obtained.

To quote Homer Simpson when he was told that there's a three day wait before he can take a pistol home: "Three DAYS? But I'm mad NOW!"

[kodi]

56. in part it 's a rural versus urban schism

urban folks dont seem to understand the rural culture where many youngsters are given a rifle at the age of 12 and game hunting is not only a sport but a situation where game is killed to feed a family.

[Blue-Jay]

58. Also very true.

Dad's a country boy who grew up with rifles. They were dirt poor in Tenessee and if they didn't hunt, they didn't eat. Also, Step-dad is a retired police detective, so he made sure that I learned about guns and safety when I was growing up. He's very proud of the fact that, in 30 years of police work, he never had to fire a single shot at anyone.

[TimeLord]

65. Agreed Blue-Jay.

n/t

[Hammie]

76. Strict Controls? Too Right

The reason alot of people panic when "gun-grabbers" start talking about discriminating between people that should own guns and those that shouldn't is that they are pretty sure the shouldn't applies to them, and the should applies to some priviledged class that will include the gun grabbers.

Face it. Something is either a right, or it isn't. If you believe that owning personal arms is a human right (I do), then you will oppose any attemt to diminish that right.

It is no different from abortion. If you believe it to be a human right, then you oppose any restrictions. How many people were up in arms over partial birth abortion. What was the problem? Nobody needs a partial birth abortion (assault weapons). It isn't like we are going to turn around tomorrow and outlaw other abortions (your duck gun). Why the panic? As "we" keep trying to assure the right when we talk about regulating guns, the slippery slope argument is pure B.S. right? No one would use the precedent of unconstitutionally outlawing one kind of medical procedure to start outlawing more and more procedures, would they? Of course not, we can depend on the good will of our masters. They will only take away your rights in this little area, and you can keep them everywhere else.

As gun owners have been warning for years, it never stops. Once you allow an encroachment, you have conceded that it isn't a right at all but a priviledge enjoyed at the whim of government.

Sorry for the rant, but that is why gun control (regulation, whatever) is a losing proposition for us, just like abortion is a looser for them. We would be better off by conceding that gun ownership is a human right protected by the constitution and defending it rather than being the party that picks and chooses which rights it will "let" people have.

[_NorCal_D_]

57. Yes

I own an old WWII Garand Rifle that my Grandpa gave me for my 16th birthday.

The rifle works great, however it's more of a historical heirloom than a weapon to use.

[livinontheedge]

59. The more dems talk about controlling guns, the more republicans

will get elected. Simple as that. Talk about shooting ourselves in the foot. It is a losing issue. Period.

[TimeLord]

62. Nope. Never have. Never will.

n/t

[lovedems]

64. Absolutely not and never will

I hate guns and I really despise the NRA. Besides that, I have 4 small boys and that would be an accident waiting to happen. Our protection is our dog. She is only a border collie and not vicious but she has an angry bark whenever a stranger approaches the house.

[Xithras]

68. Many

One handgun, several rifles, and two shotguns.

[leanings]

69. I have...well..let's see now...

Over a dozen, I know that much.

[Clark Can WIN]

71. No, but I support others (sane and safe) right to own

[Zynx]

72. Yes. Two of them.

[Hammie]

73. Yep

When my daughter was born, I bought my wife one too.

[ronzo]

77. Why, yes... yes I do.

A couple in fact. The SigSauer SigPro .40 is the nicest handgun I own.

[ieoeja]

82. No, gave it away.

When my dad was twelve he broke the stock off a .22 rifle when he used it to club a raccoon that was chewing up his dog. He dropped the rifle and carried the wounded dog home. A couple decades later when I was twelve he stumbled upon the rifle, brought it home, repaired the stock, cleaned it up and gave it to me. It remained in my parents' house until I finally gave it to my twelve year old nephew awhile back.

This is not some sort of twelve year old rite of passage. It was just coincidence that it worked out that way.

[DoNotRefill]

85. Yup...

have no idea how many, but more than 20...some of which I haven't seen in years. I'm frightened of what I might find if I cleaned out the gun safe... ;-)

[bushclipper]

88. Yes...

..and it stays locked up away from the children.

[Frangible]

91. I have three

Which is the statistical average for where I live.

Keltec P32 (CWP'd)
Glock 17 w/ pre-ban 17 round mag
Keltec Sub-2000 w/ pre-ban 32 round mag

That 32 round mag sucks though, jams at least twice every time I empty it, think the feeding lips aren't straight or something.

Rifles are boring, too accurate :P

[Man_in_the_Moon]

93. Over a hundred.

Some are in parts and pieces waiting assembly, though.