Guns, guns, guns!

maratea

I know we've talked about this before, but there are some new people around. How do you feel about guns in general? The right to bear arms? Do you or your FI/H own any?

MeaghanandMichael

I am completely fine with people owning guns but I am definitely for stricter gun laws and for making it harder to get guns. I don't own any, but I wouldn't mind if Mike wanted to.

Actually, I am really interested in learning how to shoot a gun. I think it is a really valuable skill to have. At least it will be when 2012 rolls around.

LesPaul

Fully in favor.  We own a 9mm pistol and are considering other purchases.  I qualified Expert on the rifle range when I was in the Marine Corps, and I really enjoy target shooting.  Not a fan of hunting just for sport, but if it's for consumption I'm ok with that.  My ex-H shot a crane once just to see it up close, and I wanted to strangle him.

dmiller9274

Not a big surprise...I am all for guns.  We have 4, 3 hand guns and a shotgun.  We actually just went shooting this past Sunday and I really enjoy it.  I think the majority of people who legally own and license their guns are not the people you have to worry about. 

barbbhoww

DH owns a 9 mm and a rifle. I'm working on saving up for my own (small) gun.  My fingers are really really small so I can hardly handle his.

I'm ALL for gun but a little control is always welcomed. 

AllAboutTheBenjamin

If you're qualified and don't have mental problems I don't have any issue with you owning a gun.

My fiance and I aren't really into guns.  We don't hunt.  We don't shoot for fun.  Whatever.

I have a guy friend though who is OBSESSED with guns.  He hunts and he target shoots.  He does shooting matches or contests or whatever.  When Obama was elected he bought as much ammo as he could and more specialty guns.

I do think, though, that no matter how hard we make it to just get guns - crazy people and criminals will always find a way.  So, that sucks.

My grandpa sleeps with his gun under his pillow.  Is it his right?  Definitely.  I just hope the damn thing doesn't go off in the middle of the night or anything.  He could at least put it in the drawer next to his bed.

kd.joseph

We own quite a few guns. We have 2 sig 9mm, and a revolver in the bedroom. And a cabinet with several handguns and shotguns. Some of the shotguns are just replicas, most belong to DH's father, and grand fathers.

DH's Dad was a sheriffs deputy.

Meg- Go shooting it's fun,and us girls are better at it.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

We had an incident here recently where this guy was drunk and was causing a scene outside his apartment building and was waving around a gun.  The cops were called and he eventually surrendered - but that gun he was carrying was actually a toy. 

It looked real.

So now there's talk of the city trying to regulate how people present toy guns.  .......

missy68

I'll admit, I've always been scared of them. The ex had one, and I didn't even want to be in the room when he cleaned it. The night he found out I wanted a separation and went a little nutso, my uncle's sister advised me to take it and hide it in the trunk of my car. I had to replace it the next morning, as I was teaching school.
After the fact, I realized I'd hidden the damn cleaning kit.

Since then, I've had a relationship with a cop, and he let me safely (unloaded, etc) explore his, and I wasn't as scared.

J talks about wanting one, especially now that he doesn't live alone, and I'd be okay with that, but I see no reason to have an AK-47 lying around the house. He's no SWAT officer, etc, and isn't a hunter; it would be protection only and I think we'd both need to be trained on it. And it would need to either be locked up or put up where Max can't get it -yeah the dog.

My grandfather had one in his nightstand, because of some foolishness going on in their small town (think Hatfield vs. McCoy, but with one family innocent). When I came along and was always exploring, my mom asked my dad to talk to him about putting it someplace I couldn't get to.

ricksang

I am for guns. I own one, a 38, and my H owns one which he carries to work.

kd.joseph

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:4a7276c4-9357-4e4a-be40-c02f9673800f">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]I am for guns. I own one, a 38, and my H owns one which he carries to work.
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]

Somehow I knew you'd own a gun. You probably look like a badass carrying it dont you?

maratea

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:789b628e-889d-4782-b612-9dd8c8799da4">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]If you're qualified and don't have <strong>mental problems</strong> I don't have any issue with you owning a gun. My fiance and I aren't really into guns.  We don't hunt.  We don't shoot for fun.  Whatever. I have a guy friend though who is OBSESSED with guns.  He hunts and he target shoots.  He does shooting matches or contests or whatever.  When Obama was elected he bought as much ammo as he could and more specialty guns. I do think, though, that no matter how hard we make it to just get guns - crazy people and criminals will always find a way.  So, that sucks. My grandpa sleeps with his gun under his pillow.  Is it his right?  Definitely.  I just hope the damn thing doesn't go off in the middle of the night or anything.  He could at least put it in the drawer next to his bed.
Posted by AllAboutTheBenjamin[/QUOTE]

What kind of mental problems to you mean? Like anger issues or psychological stuff? My dad has really bad depression and anxiety, but he owns several weapons. He applied for a handgun permit, but it took extra time for him to get it since he had been hospitalized for his illness. That said, it makes me wonder what good the extra wait time does because if a person is mentally ill, but has never been treated or hospitalized, how would the person selling them the permit or gun know.
I am all for guns, and I think there needs to be more regulation on who can get them, I just don't know of a good way to go about this. H has his concealed carry permit and I am going to apply for mine soon. We also have a shotgun in the house, mainly for hunting, but also protection if needed.

ricksang

LOL KD, I wish!

kd.joseph

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:f356b519-89ab-4b8a-b781-b1d0c3fd9b3b">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]LOL KD, I wish!
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]

Anything new on the scam front?

AllAboutTheBenjamin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:79afafdd-3b92-4b28-a6da-6b61dce990a2">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Guns, guns, guns! : What kind of mental problems to you mean? Like anger issues or psychological stuff? My dad has really bad depression and anxiety, but he owns several weapons. He applied for a handgun permit, but it took extra time for him to get it since he had been hospitalized for his illness. That said, it makes me wonder what good the extra wait time does because if a person is mentally ill, but has never been treated or hospitalized, how would the person selling them the permit or gun know. I am all for guns, and I think there needs to be more regulation on who can get them, I just don't know of a good way to go about this. H has his concealed carry permit and I am going to apply for mine soon. We also have a shotgun in the house, mainly for hunting, but also protection if needed.
Posted by maratea[/QUOTE]

Yeah - I hope I didn't offend, but that's kinda what I mean.  If someone has anger, depression, anxiety, - especially to the point of hospitalization - I mean, it's tough to say, especially if it's your own father, but I'm not okay with people with issues like that having guns.

Lots of people that commit gun violence (workplace and school shootings, etc) have depression and hatred issues.  I'm not saying that your dad is going to go and shoot up a 7-11 or anything.  But if he has issues like that, it would make me uncomfortable to know that he had weapons in the house.  ETA - I'd be worried that maybe he could do harm to himself.

And it's a good point you make - unless a person has been hospitalized or treated for these issues, how would anyone know?  Should people who apply for gun permits be screened for these types of issues?  This is precisely why gun control is so controversial.

And who knows - I mean, people can get over depression with therapy and medication and be totally fine later on to own guns.  I don't have a problem with that.  But I don't think they should have weapons lying around if they are having issues.

maratea

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:b14f0d94-cf43-4bab-9294-8a8b4e691277">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Guns, guns, guns! : <strong>And who knows - I mean, people can get over depression with therapy and medication and be totally fine later on to own guns. </strong> I don't have a problem with that.  But I don't think they should have weapons lying around if they are having issues.
Posted by AllAboutTheBenjamin[/QUOTE]

No offense taken :) The bolded part- that's what happened with my dad. I mean he still has to take medicine and occasionally go to the doctor, but it's not at all like it was before. Honestly, I think people should have to go through a mental competency screening to own a gun.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:a4e1cec5-0fa4-4269-bded-c8fb6c261df4">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Guns, guns, guns! : No offense taken :) The bolded part- that's what happened with my dad. I mean he still has to take medicine and occasionally go to the doctor, but it's not at all like it was before. Honestly, I think people should have to go through a mental competency screening to own a gun.
Posted by maratea[/QUOTE]

Ah okay, well I'm definitely glad to hear that :)

And I agree whole heartedly with you - mental competency screening is a must.  I don't think that infringes on peoples rights to own guns.  I think if you're not mentally stable, you shouldn't have one.

number55

Yeah, the idea of owning guns is completely foreign to me. I don't get it at all. But I feel like it is a different issue here than it is in the States, although our gun registry laws are constantly being debated in the news. Still don't get it. I can't imagine ever needing one. We don't lock our front door half the time!

ricksang

Really Number? I am a country girl so we never locked our doors. When I moved in with H, he would freak b/c I would never lock the doors when I was home alone because he lives in the burbs'. I lock them now!

staceytaylor0704

"Guns aren't toys! They're for family protection, hunting dangerous or delicious animals and keeping the King of England out of your face."

number55

We live in the burbs but I don't know if I would have locked them when I lived in the city either (I had a roommate who locked them then).  Most of my friends do lock their doors though. But if you have watched Michael Moore's movie Bowling for Columbine they talk about how we don't lock our doors up here in Canada...

Enchanted616

Haha, I have nothing really interesting to add about gun control or anything.. but has anyone seen Couples Retreat where Vince Vaughn has to scan his fingerprints to get his gun out of the bedside thing?  Best idea ever for owning a gun with kids in the house.  I would be fine if FI felt like we needed one for protection or something, but I would insist on this.  Plus, it was just really really cool.

LesPaul

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:2de861db-6df3-45e7-bfb1-2c667d74558d">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]We own quite a few guns. We have 2 sig 9mm, and a revolver in the bedroom. And a cabinet with several handguns and shotguns. Some of the shotguns are just replicas, most belong to DH's father, and grand fathers. DH's Dad was a sheriffs deputy. Meg- Go shooting it's fun,and <strong>us girls are better at it.
</strong>Posted by kd.joseph[/QUOTE]

This is true - all of the USMC instructors preferred to teach the women.  We were better students, and more of us qualified expert than the men.

JanetPlanet1029

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:5c12630e-cece-4518-a26c-6f80267035a5">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Guns, guns, guns! : Ah okay, well I'm definitely glad to hear that :) And I agree whole heartedly with you - mental competency screening is a must.  I don't think that infringes on peoples rights to own guns.  I think if you're not mentally stable, you shouldn't have one.
Posted by AllAboutTheBenjamin[/QUOTE]

I'm curious about this- the idea that a mental screening wouldn't infringe.  Who is going to be doing the screening?  The government, right, state or federal?  Our constitutional right to bear arms was intended to allow the populace to rise up against an unjust government.  If you put the decision of who may or may not own a gun in the hands of government, you are giving up that constitutional protection.

I'm not a gun nut, a militant type, or a conspiracy theorist, but it's something to think about.  I grew up with guns, and have taken classes in gun safety and markmanship.  I don't own one now, and don't think everyone should have one, but I'm cautious about when/how gun rights are limited.

dmiller9274

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:5c12630e-cece-4518-a26c-6f80267035a5">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Guns, guns, guns! : Ah okay, well I'm definitely glad to hear that :) And I agree whole heartedly with you - mental competency screening is a must.  I don't think that infringes on peoples rights to own guns.  <strong>I think if you're not mentally stable, you shouldn't have one.
</strong>Posted by AllAboutTheBenjamin[/QUOTE]

I'm very on the fence with this statement.  I do believe that we need regulations for people to own guns, BUT if any person mentally stable or not wants to harm/kill someone, they are going to find a way to do it.  I know that a gun gives someone the opportunity to quickly harm/kill someone from a distance, but don't you think if a person would actually follow through with using a gun, that they would also find another means to do it if a gun wasn't available?

A lot of good points have been mentioned in this thread which is why guns are such a touchy subject for a lot of people. 

Maybe in addition to harsh regulations for gun owners, we need harsh punishment for those that misuse their guns?  One of our largest problems in the US is that we allow too many people to NOT be accountable for their actions. 

Mioh1

There should be more limits to owning a gun. It's most likely you'll shoot one of your own family members on accident than an actual intruder. A few months ago here in California there was a little five year old boy who shot his two year old sister in the face. The gun was purchased legally. The father thought he hid it well in the closet and bought it to "protect his family". Which is understandable but wasn't worth it.

missy68

You don't "hide" a gun from a child, you lock it up and teach them that is not a box for them.

That has nothing to do with gun control but rather, poor parental choices.

ricksang

Exactly Missy. I sleep with a gun next to me on the nightstand. I have had it for 4 years. I haven't shot my H yet.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

Janet - what I meant is that if people are going to own guns, they should be determined to be mentally sound.  I guess I don't really know much about screenings or who should be doing it.  But you can't just give anyone a gun.

Good points dmiller - but can't the argument be made that anyone who wants to harm or kill someone with a gun is probably mentally unstable? 

kd.joseph

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_guns-guns-guns?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:bd14b013-52c9-4cef-89d7-7171acc9ebadPost:c2ed995e-0623-4f4f-91b9-9930729d1695">Re: Guns, guns, guns!</a>:
[QUOTE]Exactly Missy. I sleep with a gun next to me on the nightstand. I have had it for 4 years. I haven't shot my H yet.
Posted by ricksang[/QUOTE]

Someone asked my DH the other day how I deal with being alone alot (he travels for business). He told them our dog is the first defense, if that doesnt work I have 3 guns in the beside table.

jemmini6

I am okay with guns, my dad bought me a .22 handgun when I was 16.  I used to go out target shooting with him occasionally, but I wanted to know how to use one for protection (and I absolutely would not hesitate if necessary).  My dad made me take my gun when I moved into my first apartment, the complex itself was really nice, but some of the surrounding area was a little sketchy.  I don't have it in my house now, but I probably should just in case.

That being said, Arizona is really ridiculous with gun laws I think.  They just recently passed a law that discontinues the CCW (concealed weapon) permit program.  Now ANYONE can carry a hidden weapon.  I'm ok with a CCW, my dad had one, but he had to take a gun safety class and all that jazz to make sure he knew how to even use a weapon and all the gun laws, etc.  I think it's an awful idea to let everyone have that priveledge without any of the training.

AZ also just passed a law that allows guns in BARS!  Because alcohol and weapons mix soooo well.  At least they had a provision in there that individual bars can post a 'No Guns' sign and then you can't go into THAT bar with a gun (which almost every bar has done, so it makes that whole law pointless).  But then again, if you are carrying a concealed weapon...who's going to know.