Pro-Gun Anti-Gun.

[Entropic]

Originally Posted by the-nihilist

Aren't you kind of assuming it's loaded when you make sure you're not pointing it at anyone and not having your finger on the trigger? I'm no expert, but it sounds like one of those "just in case" precautions.

You're supposed to assume it's loaded even when you don't hold it. Even if it's lying on a table, resting on a gun rack, or in a closet, you're supposed to treat it as loaded until you've checked the chamber. I've seen people cause guns to fire by simply bumping them on a table. Admittedly, the guns were defective, but the point is to always treat them as loaded.

[Despanan]

Originally Posted by Entropic

You're supposed to assume it's loaded even when you don't hold it. Even if it's lying on a table, resting on a gun rack, or in a closet, you're supposed to treat it as loaded until you've checked the chamber. I've seen people cause guns to fire by simply bumping them on a table. Admittedly, the guns were defective, but the point is to always treat them as loaded.

Man, that must've been one defective friggin' gun. When did that happen?

[Entropic]

Originally Posted by Despanan

Man, that must've been one defective friggin' gun. When did that happen?

About five or six years ago.

It was actually kind of funny. The guy was bragging about how sturdy and accurate the gun was, "because it was made in the hardened fields of Africa". Then the gun went off by being bumped. The range warden came out, found out what gun it was, and told the guy that they had been recalled a few years back for being unreliable. I think it was the Vector CP-1, but I'm not sure.

[Despanan]

Lolz.

I had one of my best friends turned into a paranoid gun-nut right after college.

He started out collecting WW2 era guns (which were really cool). We went to the shooting range a few times. Got to fire a Mauser and a Thompson and that kind of shit, which was fun.

But now he's got his concealed carry permit, and refuses to leave his house without a glock or something else. It's kinda creepy.

[Ben Lahnger]

Originally Posted by Entropic

About five or six years ago.

It was actually kind of funny. The guy was bragging about how sturdy and accurate the gun was, "because it was made in the hardened fields of Africa". Then the gun went off by being bumped. The range warden came out, found out what gun it was, and told the guy that they had been recalled a few years back for being unreliable. I think it was the Vector CP-1, but I'm not sure.

Holy shit! I like how the end of that listing finishes up:

The recall states that the loaded gun can discharge if bumped or dropped. DO NOT LOAD THE GUN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

Do not load?!?!? Ahahahahahahahahahah!

[Kalitrima]

My grandfather was a gun collector. All really, really nice stuff. I don't know much about guns, but from the way Dad was talking about them when he showed me (with the door locked, since he didn't want my brother knowing about them), they were pretty high-quality. They were all left to my grandmother when he died, and a few were left to me when she passed on just less than a year ago. I learned about them two weeks ago.

One of the guns she left me is a revolver, and Dad says he'll give it to me when I'm 21. I, well, want it now. Dunno how I'm gonna suggest the idea to him, much less convince him. But if I do get it, I'm not going to get any ammunition. If I'm going to point a gun at someone (invading my home, for example), I want to use it for intimidation. If they take it from me and turn it against me, I want them to think it's loaded so they use it instead of physical violence. I'll know it's unloaded, so I can grab something heavy and swing it at their head while they try and fail at shooting me.

Anyone see any big, glaring flaws with this plan? I'm known for missing the forest while looking at all the trees.

[Entropic]

Originally Posted by Kalitrima

Anyone see any big, glaring flaws with this plan? I'm known for missing the forest while looking at all the trees.

There are a few flaws. It's on the right track though.

First of all, if the gun isn't loaded, then you are required to bluff the other person. A lot of intimidation comes from body language, and that body language is not going to present unless you're either a master actor up there with Sean Connery.

Second, if they take the weapon away from you, they'll probably realize it isn't loaded within seconds. Guns have distinct weight differences between when they're loaded and unloaded, and it only takes them half a second to pull the trigger and find out it's empty.

Third, if you're willing to swing a huge object at someone's head, why aren't you willing to have a loaded gun? Unless you're in a country which has laws against using a firearm in self-defense, what is the difference?

Fourth, how old is the revolver? Older revolvers are generally hit and miss with how well they work. My great grandfather swore by his hundred year old Webley, and the gun had the chutzpah to prove it. On the other hand, I've seen a 20-year old revolver break because it was dropped on it's side. The gun may not work when you need it.

Originally Posted by Despanan

But now he's got his concealed carry permit, and refuses to leave his house without a glock or something else. It's kinda creepy.

That's one of the hard things I've found about supporting some gun control. I've never had a problem with the guy who takes his grandfather's Enfield out shooting or hunting. I've never had a problem with the guy who wants to take a heavily modified 1911 out target shooting. But when you blanket refuse to leave the house without some sort of gun, or think that you should have access to the latest and greatest assault rifle, complete with grenade launcher and fully automatic fire, then I think you're going a bit overboard.

[Kalitrima]

I'm somewhat good at bluffing. I've studied a lot of body language and other psychological 'tricks', though I'd never assume it'd get me through scot-free. Still, looking like I'm willing to fire without going overboard shouldn't be too hard. Speaking in a low, in-control voice, controlling your breathing. . . Eh, I'm sure that if I keep talking along these lines, I'll sound overconfident. I get enough of that crap from my mother.

Do blanks carry the same weight as bullets? I'd be just as happy with those.

The problem at the moment is that my room is very sparsely furnished. We're going to eventually paint it, though I don't see that happening for a few months. Mom tends to put things off over and over again, and I don't know how to prepare walls for painting. Besides, if I try, she'll yell at me, even if I get it right. I don't have a nearby object I could use for it, and I'd need the moment of pulling the trigger and realizing it doesn't work to get to a heavier object. Or one of my knives/knitting needles/etc. All else fails, the palm of my hand will have a smashing introduction to their nose. I really need to take more self-defense classes again. Last one was yeeears ago.

Frick, I'unno. But it seemed like a pretty sturdy one. I'm trying to recall what Dad told me it was. . . I think he said .22 Bearcat or something. And from what Mom said of my grandfather, he only bought good guns. And he used them at ranges and such, so I would assume they were functional then. Now, I'm not so sure.

[Despanan]

You know, this reminds me, I sorta wrote about this when I was working on North to Maine. I had invited my friend to come out and hike with me for a week or so, but he had refused because he couldn't bring his gun into a national park. The following monologue is sorta my response to him, and everyone else who asked me: "Did you bring a gun?" when they found out I'd thru-hiked.

Originally Posted by North to Maine, Act 1, Scene 2

Adam: So everyone’s defenseless?

Kevin: No one’s defenseless. Truth be told, I’m glad I don’t have a piece.

Adam: Why?

Kevin: Well, guns are heavy. They’re illegal in a lot of places, and you’re really not going to use them for anything out here…I think the worst part is how damaging they are to our spirit. Now I don’t mean none of that new-age ‘crunchy granola’ spirit shit. I mean the spirit of the hiker community. People back in ‘the real world’ worry, because when they think wilderness, they think ‘no law,’ ‘no police,’ ‘total isolation,’ but that’s just not true. If I slipped and broke my leg and couldn’t go on, you can bet someone would be by to help me. It’s not a question, it’s a given. Hikers take care of hikers. But if we were all walking around here with our hands on our six-guns like it was the wild wild west, you can bet this place wouldn’t feel the same. You put a gun in a man’s hand and there’s always a part of his brain thinking about how and when he’s going to use it. He’s always waiting for that bear, or that psycho. He becomes afraid, introverted, and suspicious. It’s just not worth having one.

What's funny is this monologue sorta dates the play, as the republicans tacked on that "now you can carry guns in national parks" law onto Obama's credit reform early last year. I think it still pretty much sums up my feelings on the issue.

[KissMeDeadly]

But...I'm already afraid, introverted, and suspicious. Maybe I should buy a rocket launcher to chill me out.

[Ben Lahnger]

Originally Posted by Despanan

I think the worst part is how damaging they are to our spirit. ... You put a gun in a man’s hand and there’s always a part of his brain thinking about how and when he’s going to use it. He’s always waiting for that bear, or that psycho. He becomes afraid, introverted, and suspicious. It’s just not worth having one.

You know, ever since the Jodie Foster film "The Brave One" came out, I've found myself meditating from time to time on how owning a gun or having one in hand can change a person. Damaging to our spirit, indeed.

[ART]

Lo, I bring this thread back from the dead! Woe to the world, etc. etc. ad nauseum...

I want to answer the original question. First. Yes. And no, I do not need any knowledgeable person to accompany me. I have my army training after all, as well as a valid hunting license.

I also collect old guns (mostly 19th century cavalry and naval pistols). They are beautiful on the wall, fun on the range ... and could make people very dead.

But. Why do I resurrect threads? To boast?

No. To say that guns do not corrupt. Power corrupts. Guns are tokens, representing power. Guns are instruments with which to execute power.

Do not hand any power to anyone unable to withstand its corruptive nature. And remember to shift the power around...

[Despanan]

The Universe is POWER!

[vindicatedxjin]

Skeletor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! :d

[ART]

See? No gun, just power. QED.

[Deadmanwalking_05]

http://www.youtube.com/user/hickok45#p/u/71/rHWd62DCzZU

Gun Control I Can Agree With!

[korinna5555]

[vindicatedxjin]

That's scary as fuck.

[korinna5555]

That's Deadman, staring you down with his toy gun.

[Deadmanwalking_05]

Originally Posted by vindicatedxjin

That's scary as fuck.

What's scary about showing an example of a modified Weaver stance?

[Still Jack]

What's scary about a fat bloke from Kentucky with an empty gun?
Btw nice stock of Porn/guns&ammo on the chair.

[korinna5555]

Originally Posted by Deadmanwalking_05

What's scary about showing an example of a modified Weaver stance?

Your face. moretext

[vindicatedxjin]

*shivers* chupacabras

[KissMeDeadly]

I'd like to not that anybody wanting a gun for home defense, but is going with the "I'll point it at them to scare them" route, should buy a couple of blank rounds. You might not have the body language of a person with a loaded gun, but seeing a gun, and hearing a loud BANG makes would-be burglars think twice about trying to take it from you.

Who knows, maybe they'll die of a heart attack

[ART]

Actually pointing a gun without live ammo in it at a random intruder is not the best of ideas.

Admittedly, one of the possible reactions is them raising their hands and surrendering.
Another is them running away.

Then there are a whole set of other possible reactions, including the intruder producing a weapon of their own -- be it a gun, a blade, or just something to bludgeon with -- and attacking. As said intruder will in this case literally be fighting for his or her life, expect no mercy, no quarter and no surrender.

And there you will be. With a fairly small lump of useless metal, fending of the attack.