One day all will realize how wrong guns are, or any other object kept as a weapon. The only reason to believe that guns are necessary to protect life and/or property is if you believe this life is all there is. If you take another life, or harm another, even in defense of some form, you will have to make amends to the one harmed. Heaven is not what you think it is. And yes, the same is true for war and soldiers, although for most soldiers who were teenagers those who trained them may be just as culpable. Pooh pooh this now, that’s ok. You will eventually see the truth of it.

Happy wife
 

Probably would own handgun if wife wasn’t so adamantly opposed. Much prefer happy wife over owning handgun.

I don't own one. I reserve the right to own one in the future. And if the riots keep happening and the ummm unrest spreads, that may be sooner than later.

To all reading this;

And their children and grandchildren;

If a cop says stop.

STOP!

You obviously don’t know what the constitution says and even why it says what it does. The constitution says “we have the right to bear arms.” If you read the Federalists Papers the reason for this is so the people can protect themselves and their property from others including the government if the government doesn’t live up to its responsibilities as defined in the Constitution.

we probably have as many as we need but not as many as we want

...right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed...

And there are controls. Can't own a fully automatic weapon, illegal to carry while under the influence, etc.

When I read rhetoric like this I have to think that a person was raised in a very dangerous area or that they are very insecure.

We know what the laws are. I grew up in the Midwest among hunters who would eat rabbit and venison that they shot. I grew up in a household with a police officer. I grew up with respect for guns and thought it was good I know how to shoot if I would need to. I buy meat at the grocery and carefully read the papers and watch the news and evaluate opinions from folks on my computer and feel kind of reassured that some of my neighbors who are solid and have backgrounds that are very reassuring have guns.

But when there is a "swagger" in a comment I can sense it.

A driver's license is a privilege, not a right guaranteed under the constitution. The 2d Amendment bestows a right for all citizens to keep and bear arms. Jim Crow laws were held unconstitutional and that is what you are advocating, requiring a test to exercise a constitutional right.

Yes they are and so are knives, baseball bats, a length of pipe, motor vehicles, ladders, a crowbar, a hammer, and a whole lot of other things.

I was a muti tour paratrooper in Vietnam , after 6 years in military I went to another agency . I spent many more years in Vietnam , Laos and Cambodia.The total number of countries that I either fired a gun or had one fired at me is 23 . I’m 81 haven’t had or never will have a gun for 21years.you can shoot all you want at those ranges but in a moment of danger with the adrenaline surging through your body you might just have a heart attack before anything else . I still walk around Miami , New Orleans , shoot dice in a couple of illegal games in Orlando ( not now sadly because of virus) still no need for a gun I’m from Boston , Massachusetts is one of the hardest states to get a permit and every year is ranked lowest or next to lowest in murders by gun

And for what purpose was it intended?

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

What don't you understand about what it says?

In the 2008 case District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court held that the "Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home."

Then you shouldn't be allowed to use a computer and the internet to express your opinions. They didn't exist back then either. A quill and inkwell on parchment worked then and would work today.

We don't need motor vehicles, airplanes or even trains as they didn't exist at that time either. Horses and wagons worked for them.

I don't believe the intent of the 2nd Amendment was for people to walk around the streets carrying guns and randomly shooting people. I believe it was to carry a gun if imminent danger from government. The law was written in a time where danger of being killed from other items, such as cars, didn't exist but when it became apparent people could be killed by cars then laws, ability tests and licenses were required. We should afford the gun the same respect we afford the automobile.

I sold all my hunting rifles before moving to Florida...I always had a 'pistol permit' for target and hunting purposes, but never owned a hand gun. My dad carried a 57 magnum when we went deer hunting, he wanted a 'close up weapon' in the event he shot a bear and needed it, I never did...guess I thought that I was a better marksman, lol

I've given thought to purchasing a hand gun recently...but doubt that I will.

I agree. Our 'founding fathers' were looking at a much different world than the one we live in today.

There is strong evidence that having a gun in your house is a bad idea. (You can look this up) People with guns in their house are more likely to be killed in gun violence than people who do not. If you have a gun in your house, sit is more likely to kill a family member than someone outside the house. Guns in a house are frequently used by children to kill themselves and others.
That said, although guns make you less safe rather than more safe, people with guns feel safer. People ought to have the right to feel safer -- But we who do not own guns should have assurances that gun owners are RESPONSIBLE. Laws to insure responsible ownership should include: 1) Liability insurance of one million dollars per gun owned. (if you are paralyzed for life by a gun shot, you should have compensation to care for you and your family.) 2. Laws requiring that all guns out of the possession of the owner, including in the home, should impose a fine and loss of gun owning privilege for any gun discovered not in a locked gun storage facility - gun safe. 3) Owners of hand guns should be required to attend the same class we expect of police officers including tactical usage, and knowledge of laws on when use of lethal force is and is not justified. (these courses may be taught by the ARA) Military style assault weapons should be stored and used only in an approved armory. 4) If a gun, out of the possession of the owner, and not stored in a gun safe, the gun owner is guilty of a felony. If that gun is used in a crime, the gun owner should go to prison.
In short, no citizen should be deprived of the right to own a gun, but a gun owner takes upon him/herself the power of life and death. We all have the right to expect the owner has a high degree of responsibility. These expectations are essentially the same that we expect of automobile ownership -- training, safe equipment, liability insurance, and penalty for irresponsible use.

What you think means nothing, it is what the originators of the constitution thought and you can discover that by reading the Federalist Papers. That's why the 2nd Amendment says "shall not be infringed".

There are people who don't have the mental capacity to cast a responsible vote so do we test these people also? There are people who should never have children so let's license childbirth.

I moved to The Villages from TEXAS. My friends and neighbors know I am from Texas.

Went to a Halloween Party here once as a cowboy. I had a fake toy gun and holster. This actually offended/scared about 50% of guests. (cause I asked). Yes, even though it was plastic and had an orange cover over the barrel.

So I expect answers to any gun question to be split.

So, that’s why you didn’t get red Ryder?

[QUOTE=Beyond The Wall;1825772]Just because you own a firearm does not make you a right wing nut job. >

It does if you own more than the entire Sumter county Sheriffs department. Sounds more like you need a ***** enlargement.

I don't own any weapons, never have, never will but if someone else does that's fine with me as long as they're owned legallly, safely stored in a locking gun box or safe, licensed to have a gun and keep proficient in the skill should they ever need to use it.

This poll is not anyone's business but mine, thank you very much!

Judging people who don't do things the way you do, just because they don't do things the same way you do, is rude.

I own many & I’m not about to give them up! In these times you must be prepared to protect yourself & your family.

I've only been able to find one year that MA was rated the lowest, 2015. The charts I've reviewed show the state to be mid pack on firearm homicides. There are other factors that influence firearm homicides and all homicides, income levels, education levels, and the percentage of poverty. To claim gun control is the major factor is bogus.

Bias in the question
 

There's an implicit assumption in the available answers that the only reason to consider owning a firearm is for protection, which is ridiculous. A simple option of "I would consider owning a firearm" would eliminate this bias, and I expect would be a more common answer if it were available.

I'm not understanding why you chose to type that in direct response to my post. They don't seem to be related in any way. Your post doesn't agree OR disagree with mine, it's as though it's about something entirely different.

This poll is not anyone's business but mine, thank you very much!

Actually no, it bestows those rights on a well-regulated Militia.

Are you a member of the Militia? No? Then it's not a "right," for you. Are you wanting to be a member of the Militia? Then great. You pass. If you want to possess a firearm but are not willing to be a member of a well-regulated Militia, willing and able and prepared to fight against a tyrannical government, then you are asking for a privilege and not a constitutional right.

So prove that you a) know the law, b) can see your target with or without glasses. c) know how to use the weapon properly.

Are you saying you shouldn't have to prove any of those three things? If that's the case, let's just arm every man, woman, and child - if they're capable of holding a weapon, then they get to have one. Don't bother teaching them how to use it - because knowing how isn't required by the Constitution. Of course - ammunition is also not a Constitutional right. They can have firearms - but nowhere in the Constitution does it say those firearms can be loaded.

You want to pick nits? I can pick them all day.

Edited because I had a brain-poop and swapped out "well-armed" with what should've been "well-regulated." And by regulated - they meant "controls." It meant that even the constitution agrees that there should be some CONTROLS over how and who and under what circumstances a person gets to enjoy that right to bear arms.

Maybe the caravans are not close enough for you to worry but during hurricanes people that want that extra food and bottle water do not wait till its at the door, its too late the food is already gone.

LOL, OK. :popcorn: So is driving over the speed limit ....... so let's assume everyone follows the law (yea uh-huh) they leave the bar stinkin' drunk and drive around in their car with it.

Now. Now. There is not a soul alive who doesn't do it. Some call it unchristian. Some call it political. Some call it getting to the heart of the matter.

So is going through a stop sign without fully stopping no matter where you are!! (I'll raise you one "!") Your point?

But you only have 2 hands. :coolsmiley:

From 2007 through 2018 gun deaths per 100,000 people Florida 9th Massachusetts 49, in 2018 Florida 2,902 murders Massachusetts 238 hmmm one state of everyone gets a gun , the other hardly anyone , you tell me which state your safer in , oh and we don’t need an old guy militia , that’s what national guard is for

Why? For bragging rights? You can probably only shoot ONE AT A TIME.....

https://i.ibb.co/NNq93WL/2020-08-31-10-19-07.jpg

...... nothing new (or surprising) in pro gun and anti gun discussions

'old guy militia'.....now that's funny

made me start to think what an all star cast would be if it was made into a movie...and they were all alive:
- Buddy Hackett
- Red Skelton
- Danny Kaye
- Lou Costello
- Wilfred Brimley
- Laurel and Hardy
- Andy Devine
- Don Knotts

who did I leave out...oh ya, Duke

Polling
 

Why are you taking this poll?