Firearms/NRA/Gun Laws

[JayinNH]

I am a proud member of the NRA along with Ducks Unlimited. I was wondering how you guys on this site felt about gun laws in your states. I've been reading about the gun laws in certian states that make it almost impossible to carry except law enforcement. Ohio and Nebraska to name a couple seem to be impossible to obtain a Carry-conceal permit.I live in NH and for $10 and a background check this alows you to carry a concealed weapon. How do you guys feel about the second amendment? Do you feel like the state is interfering with that right? Do certian states make it hard to obtain a hunting license? How do you guys feel about the NRA? (good or bad) I'm trying to get a feel on how people in other states feel about hunting. I value all of your opinions on tractors and I was hoping for some feedback on this subject.Are you guys in favor of hunting? Do you think attitudes have changed over the years in your areas about hunting?Even if you have a negative opinion on hunting or the right to bear arms I would still like to hear about it. Thanks
Jason

 

[RobertN]

I like to hunt.
I like to target shoot; have been since I was 5
The Peoples Socialist Republic of Kalifornia is a terrible place right now in these regards; new safety law wiped out pistols
It's easy to get a hunting license here.
I think the 5 bazillion laws on the books should be enforced, instead of adding more new ineffective laws
I like the NRA, but I think they have gotten too much negative press, and are loosing credibilty because of it

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[cowboydoc]

Jay,
I think we should all carry guns and anyone who trys to take that right away is going to have a hard time doing it with myself and my family. This country was founded, among other things, on the very basic premise of the right to bear arms. I don't believe any state, county, country, etc. has the right to take the right away.
I love to hunt and go back home whenever I can to hunt big game. The midwest isn't bad for pheasants, ducks, and geese. The only big game out here is deer and that's like shooting ducks in a pond there are so many of them here.
As far as the NRA I support them 100% with voice and donations. Someone has to stand up to the idiots running our states and country.
Robert is exactly right just enforce the damn laws that we have on the books now and that would be enough but oh no there are people that will not rest until there are laws that forbid guns altogether. Pretty sad if you ask me that the basic foundations this country was put together and founded on people see fit to tear down. It won't be far behind that the country on which the principles were founded is torn down as well.

 

[Bird]

Jason, that's a very complex topic; might be hard to explain how I felt about it without being misunderstood, but what the heck.

Texas was one of those states in which there was no such thing as a permit to carry a handgun, except for law enforcement, military, etc. until a few years ago. And when they finally started issuing permits, you have to go to a school first, do a certain amount of paperwork, etc. so be prepared to spend in excess of $200 to get the permit. A retiring police officer can get a permit for $25 in the first year after he retires, but for those of us who retired before the new law was passed, we'd have to pay to go to one of the schools, etc. just the same as a person who's never touched a gun. (I only have 4 marksmanship awards, not only participated in all of the Dallas Police training for nearly 25 years, but am also a graduate of the FBI National Academy pistol course, have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, etc., but none of that matters). I don't have a permit and I don't carry a gun; haven't carried one since I retired.

I am NOT a member of the NRA, but generally tend to agree with their positions more than that of the opposition, but sometimes disagree when they go to the extreme.

I grew up hunting squirrels, rabbits, and birds to eat. Never understood trophy hunters. I don't hunt anymore; have no desire to kill anything, but I do still own 3 pistols, 2 shotguns, and 3 rifles. If I could hunt my meat cheaper than I can buy it, I would.

So I have no problem with hunters so long as they're careful about where they're shooting and do it legally.

Bird

 

[Alan L.]

I'm in Texas too and tend to agree with what Bird said, except I've never been a police officer. I don't hunt, although I did when I was a kid. I just don't like killing animals for the sake of killing them, for their heads or antlers, etc. However I absolutely respect the rights of those of you who like to do that.

I have some snakes and turtles in my new tank (pond) that I'm thinking about thinning out with my .22 rifle. But mostly I like to target shoot, and shoot clay birds with my 12 guage.

I don't own an handgun, but plan on getting a permit for my late Dad's .357 magnum. He got his hand gun license when he was 78 and had it framed and displayed prominently beside his chair. My 78 year old mother also plans to get hers.

Both of my parents were big NRA supporters, and so am I. Charlton Hestand for President!!!!

Alan L., TX

 

[ddl]

I am not a member of the NRA, but reading the comments here, it is interesting that people refer to the NRA as a seperate group. The NRA is made up of members and the goals they set are controlled by their members. I( think the Dumbacrats and the liberal press forget this idea, that the NRA is an organized group of taxpayers not a group without members. Suprisong the membership is made up of people from all walks of life, so I think it is funny when they refer to this group as that group. People found out that this group has members that actually vote and the dumbacrats didn't realize that the NRA did get more thn one vote. MHO

Dan L

 

[MarkV]

Jason,

Interesting subject and I will be interested to see how it developes. I am not a hunter and was not raised with any gun experience. There was a death in my fathers family when two young kids were playing with a gun they found, so the family was pretty down on guns. As an adult, the news each morning would tell another story of someone killed by one nut or another and I began to think I needed a way to take care of myself in some situations. We have put so many restrictions on law enforement it is unrealistic, in my mind, to think they can control all the situations that arise. When I bought property in the country it added the element of wild dogs, snakes and drunk crazy's with big guns in their pick up windows. (the exception not the rule) So, I took a course and am now a gun owner. I take it with me whenever I go to the country house and it is by our bed when we are in the city. I don't shoot it very often and don't plan on needing it. I don't plan on needing my ROPS on the tractor either, but I am sure glad it is there. I also feel the value of life and respect of others rights has to be taught at home and not dictated by goverment. Would I be upset if I was told I could not own a gun, you bet. Am I now a big gun fan, no, but that should be my choice and yours.

Ok, I'll climb off my soap box now./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkV

 

[RichS]

Jay,
I live in NH but am not a member of the NRA. I am a member of North American Hunter Association. I am a hunter and have been since I was a kid.
I agree with Robert about the enforcement of the existing laws. There are a lot of laws on the books now that need to be enforced not succumb to knee-jerk reactions and create a new law when something unfortunate happens.
I respect weapons and am teaching my son and daughter the same. I don't believe that we should hide the weapons from our kids. I believe we need to teach them the proper manner of handling and what kind of damage they can do. One of the first things I did was fill a 1 gallon jug with water and shoot it with a 22. The kids were amazed at what it did to the jug and how much damage that such a small round can do.

I hunt for meat. Grew up that way. If you are not going to eat it, then don't kill it. That was re-inforced when I was a kid and killed a chickadee. I had chickadee stew that night.

Rich S.

 

[Boondox]

Jason -- You sure do like the controversial topics, don't you? /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif I own and use rifles both to hunt and to protect my family, pets and livestock. I practice regularly to ensure I can consistently place the rounds where I want them.

It's a love-hate relationship with firearms, though. They put meat on the table, but there have been times seeing the entrails of a deer etc that those old nightmares of my action in SE Asia torment me. There are some things a 19 year old should not have to see, though it came with the honor of being a Marine. And so I am deeply bothered by the zealotry on both sides of this issue. Hearing Charlton Heston's "cold, dead hands" oath filled me with images of Americans turning on their fellow Americans...and filled me with loathing. But being stereotyped as a Bambi killer doesn't accomplish anything constructive either.

My rifles are tools I use in my life in the country. My handguns were sold years ago; the risks of ownership were too great for my lifestyle. But that's the key, I think. One has the right to choose his or her lifestyle until it impinges on his or her neighbors' freedom of choice. And I fear lunatics on both sides of the issue are trying to do just that.

Just my $0.02 from a sane corner of the nation.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[RichZ]

Jason, I think how you feel about guns depends alot on where you grew up, and your experiences. I grew up on Long Island, just outside of New York City. To me handguns were the cause of many horrible accidents, because of children getting hold of them. I always felt that unless you were well trained with a handgun, such as a police officer, it was more dangerous to have one than not, and an experienced criminal could probably get it away from you before you could use it, and therefore end up using it on you. I know of many times when that happened. In my mind also, a handgun is made for only one purpose, to kill people. I do have a problem with that. Again, I think it is dangerous for the average person to have one. I have two friends who have handguns, but they are retired police officers, and know what they are doing with them.
As far as hunting, I'm with Bird. I never understood trophy hunting. I don't know how someone could get pleasure from ending a creature's life. I enjoy hunting with a camera. It's harder, you have to get closer, and you get a trophy, while no creature was hurt, suffered or died. Hunting for food is another story. Although I personally couldn't do it, I can't condemn it. After all, I'm not a vegatarian, so the food I eat was killed. I just couldn't do it myself.
As far as the NRA, since I disagree with most of what they say, I have to say that my opinion of them is negative. I never understood how they got into the handgun debate, doesn't the "R" stand for rifles? However, I strongly feel that everyone has a right to their own opinion, and its important for groups on both sides of every issue to exist. That allows debate and dialogue, and eventually compromise. That prevents extremes on either side. That's what makes our country great!!!
I hope I haven't offended anyone. I think I am in the minority in this forum. I've read the other responses, and although I might disagree, I respect all your opinions, and in fact value them. If we all agree on everything it would be a boring world. I hope no one thinks poorly of me because of my opinions.
Rich