Guns

[Kacie_bride]

Another touchy subject. Let's see what everyone thinks about this. By the way, I just wanted to say that I think everyone has done a very good job on the immirgration poll of being very respectful of others opinions.

[Kacie_bride]

I personally think that people should be able to own guns without any regulations. You should be able to have them in your home. I don't think you should be able to have a machine gun or anything, but I think you should be able to have a hand gun or a rifle. I defiantely do not think anyone should be able to take your guns away because many people have guns that have been in their families for years. Some of my family have black powder rifles that have been passed down.

Now I think you should have to be licensed to carry a hand gun around with you. It is really good for anyone who owns a gun to go through a course on gun safety.

In your home I think guns should be out of the reach of children, but children also need to learn about gun safety. I see no problem with teaching a child (not a toddler or anything) to hunt or to shoot skeet or be involved in shooting sports.

[Amber818]

Great topic....I think law enforcement should only have firearms. I do not like hunting...I disagree with it.

[Kacie_bride]

Great topic....I think law enforcement should only have firearms. I do not like hunting...I disagree with it.

Oh I love hunting!!!! I love deer season! It is coming up soon! Bow season starts in October here! Yipee! I love venison!

[Amber818]

Oh I love hunting!!!! I love deer season! It is coming up soon! Bow season starts in October here! Yipee! I love venison!

Wow...I can't imagine that. Jason always says give the deers guns too then that would be a real sport...hypothetically speaking...

[Kacie_bride]

Wow...I can't imagine that. Jason always says give the deers guns too then that would be a real sport...hypothetically speaking...

It's really good to eat. Justin also likes to hunt duck. I have never gone and never will. I am not about to put on waiders and get out in the middle of the water in the cold. Nope, not me. I don't even like duck anyway. He loves it though. He likes to squirel hunt, duck, deer, dove. I just like deer hunting because deer is the only game I will eat. Oh, I'll eat alligator, but I don't know if that is considered game or not.

[Amber818]

It's really good to eat. Justin also likes to hunt duck. I have never gone and never will. I am not about to put on waiders and get out in the middle of the water in the cold. Nope, not me. I don't even like duck anyway. He loves it though. He likes to squirel hunt, duck, deer, dove. I just like deer hunting because deer is the only game I will eat. Oh, I'll eat alligator, but I don't know if that is considered game or not.

Dove? I have never heard of eating dove. Interesting...

[Kacie_bride]

Dove? I have never heard of eating dove. Interesting...

Oh yes, they eat it and quail too.

[AllyM1]

Well I am a Constitutionalist and I believe in upholding the Constitution...

I believe in our 2nd Amendment which states that we have a right to bear arms.

I don't believe people should have military guns like AK47's but we all have a right to freely own guns.

You bet if someone tries coming in my house or hurting my family, they will meet my gun very fast.

[Kacie_bride]

Oh I forgot. Justin also likes to hog hunt. I don't really like hog hunting because a lot of times the dogs get hurt by the hogs. I am to scared to go hog hunting anyway. Those buggers are mean. I wont even go on a horse. No way.

[LaceyinPgh]

My dad was in the military. So I grew up with his sidearm in the house. It was always kept unloaded, in a locked box, on the top shelf of his closet. I think in 27 years I have seen it actually out twice.

If you want a rifle to go hunting, good for you. I have no desire to stalk Bambi. But about 8 years ago, Bambi jumped on the hood of my brand new car that I had drove off of the lot the day before. Bambi totalled it. Try explaining that one to your insurance company. I used to be opposed to hunting but after that, my opinion changed. So if you want a rifle to hunt Bambi do so with my blessing. If you want a rifle for skeet shooting, target shooting, hunting, good for you.

Hand guns serve one purpose and one purpose only, to harm people. You can't hunt with them. To me, something designed for the soul purpose to harm another individual has no place on this planet. The chances of you being protected by your handgun are less than the chances of a member in your family being injured or killed by that same handgun you bought to protect them.

You also do NOT need a semi automatic or an automatic weapon of any type. I just looked out the window, no one in my neighborhood is involved with trench warfare. So as I see it, there is no need for anyone to have an automatic weapon.

However, we live in a "not gonna take my gun society". While some people understand the second amendment was written at a totally different time when in fact we were facing imminent threats from enemies on our home soil, forging a civilization with limited governemental or law enforcement powers, and exploring a new frontier that was anything but hospitable none of those things are true today. Yet, the problem of weapons has infiltrated our society to the point that you will NEVER round them all up. It would be an impossible task to round up every weapon in America. So technically it s a moot point.

That being said, there needs to be some sort of control on weapons. That is what they are. They were designed to aid in warfare. They are weapons. If you want to own one, great and good for you. You should have to take classes in proper useage, storage, and safety. You should have to show proof that you passed these courses in order to purchase ANYTHING gun related. You should have to be recertified ever 5-10 years. The gun show loop holes, need to be closed. You should have to have a full federal background check to purchase anything gun related as well. You should also have fingerprints on file in a federal database that can be viewed by any local law enforcement agency. Also, there should be a special tax you have to pay on each weapon that own. The money collected from this task should aid in law enforcement and education. If you want this priviledge than you should have to pay for it. If I have to pay a luxury tax on the designer clothes that I love and that hurt no one. Gun owners should have to pay a luxury tax on their weapon that has the potential to kill something.

Any before you talk about that infringing on your rights remember this. I had to pass a test to drive a car plus I have to go to the DM every 3-7 years to renew that license. I had to be fingerprinted and have a background AND credit check done to take the PA Bar Exam. I had to have a federal background from the FBI to teach. I have to show photo ID to cash a check at my bank. I have a 13 year old Scottish Terrier that is blind in one eye and partially deaf that I have to license in this City of Pittsburgh and pay taxes on. I didn't complain about any of that infringing on my civil rights. All of them are actually in place to PROTECT me and those that I love.

If you want to own one, fine. But you have to prove yourself responsible and reliable. Privlidges are somethng that you have to pay for in time, effort, and money.

[Kacie_bride]

I know this is off subject, but you have to have a license for your dog and pay taxes? Wow!

[LaceyinPgh]

I know this is off subject, but you have to have a license for your dog and pay taxes? Wow!
Welcome to urban life. I pay $32 per year for each of my dogs. If I don't and get caught out and they don't have their little tags on, I face a big fine and could possibly have Ruffles and Ellie removed from my home. Now they don't really have doggie police gong through the city or anything but we use the dog parks and the dog pool which are both free for my girls to enjoy. So, the taxes that I pay go to fund those things. Occasionally an animal officer does come around the dog park and asks to see your dog's tags.

[AllyM1]

I understand where you are coming from about guns, Lacey.

My only problem with all these laws pertaining to gun ownership is it doesn't hurt the criminals. No criminal is going to go register their gun. It only hurts the law abiding citizens. What do we do about that? I don't know.

Do any of you support the concealed carry laws? I'm not sure if they are in place in your states but in Ohio if you are registered and you may have to take a class, I'm not sure, but you can carry a concealed gun on you or in your car.

[AllyM1]

Welcome to urban life. I pay $32 per year for each of my dogs. If I don't and get caught out and they don't have their little tags on, I face a big fine and could possibly have Ruffles and Ellie removed from my home. Now they don't really have doggie police gong through the city or anything but we use the dog parks and the dog pool which are both free for my girls to enjoy. So, the taxes that I pay go to fund those things. Occasionally an animal officer does come around the dog park and asks to see your dog's tags.

Here you have to have dog tags from the county. If you don't and your dog gets picked up... right to doggy jail! and it's going to cost you an arm to get your dog back.

[Kacie_bride]

Welcome to urban life. I pay $32 per year for each of my dogs. If I don't and get caught out and they don't have their little tags on, I face a big fine and could possibly have Ruffles and Ellie removed from my home. Now they don't really have doggie police gong through the city or anything but we use the dog parks and the dog pool which are both free for my girls to enjoy. So, the taxes that I pay go to fund those things. Occasionally an animal officer does come around the dog park and asks to see your dog's tags.

Our dogs are not required to wear their tags, but they have to be up to date on their rabies shots. Nobody every checks unless you are into dog shows or some other pet activity or your dog bites someone. Around here there is technically a leash law, but it is not enforced and most people don't abide by it.

[MOB Karen]

I hate guns and I hate hunting. I would never shoot a defenseless animal, let alone eat it after I shot it. Yuck! But if you want to own a gun, I think you should be licensed for it. That way we can start accounting for all the guns that are out there. JMO

[Amber818]

I know this is off subject, but you have to have a license for your dog and pay taxes? Wow!

Recently a law was passed (not sure what state) that states you have to get your cats spayed/nuetered. If you do not and the powers that be find out you must pay like $72 a day until your cat is fixed...100% agree with it too....cats are way overpopulated and not taken care of.

[MOB Karen]

Recently a law was passed (not sure what state) that states you have to get your cats spayed/nuetered. If you do not and the powers that be find out you must pay like $72 a day until your cat is fixed...100% agree with it too....cats are way overpopulated and not taken care of.


That's a really good idea.

[AllyM1]

Amber, I agree with you. I think everyone who buys an animal (cat or dog) should have to have it spayed or neutered unless they are buying the animal for breeding purposes and then there should be something where you have to have a license for breeding.

That's just my opinion.

[Kacie_bride]

I understand where you are coming from about guns, Lacey.

My only problem with all these laws pertaining to gun ownership is it doesn't hurt the criminals. No criminal is going to go register their gun. It only hurts the law abiding citizens. What do we do about that? I don't know.

Do any of you support the concealed carry laws? I'm not sure if they are in place in your states but in Ohio if you are registered and you may have to take a class, I'm not sure, but you can carry a concealed gun on you or in your car.

In Texas in order to carry a concealed hand gun you have to get a license by taking a 10 hour firearm safetey and self defense course. I think it is a good idea for someone to have to take the course before carrying a handgun around. But then again, the people who should not have guns are going to get them anyway, because they are criminals.

I don't have a license, but the only time I carried a concealed handgun around with me was after the hurricane when it was dark and there was talk of looters and things were really crazy.

In Texas you are technically allowed to carry a concealed handgun if you are traveling. I know several people in law enforement here and they support that.

[Kacie_bride]

Recently a law was passed (not sure what state) that states you have to get your cats spayed/nuetered. If you do not and the powers that be find out you must pay like $72 a day until your cat is fixed...100% agree with it too....cats are way overpopulated and not taken care of.

I think that is a good idea unless you are buying the animal for the purpose of breeding. Then I like Ally's idea that breeders should have to be licensed, especially dog breeders, too many puppy mills out there.

[LaceyinPgh]

I understand where you are coming from about guns, Lacey.

My only problem with all these laws pertaining to gun ownership is it doesn't hurt the criminals. No criminal is going to go register their gun. It only hurts the law abiding citizens. What do we do about that? I don't know.

Of course it doesn't hurt criminals. But that also doesn't mean that we can revert to the wild west form of justice either. The fact of the matter is, that no law you pass is going to hurt criminals. Hence forth, that is why they are criminals. The thing that hurts criminals more than anything else is economic and social development. When economies and social welfare programs are up than drug use, violence, and crime are down. When things are going well, there are few people to buy your drugs, participate in your illicit activity, or recruit for your gangs. Trust me, I live in a city where gang activity has gone up exponetially in the past 15 years that also concides with the end of blue collar industry during that same period.

Do any of you support the concealed carry laws? I'm not sure if they are in place in your states but in Ohio if you are registered and you may have to take a class, I'm not sure, but you can carry a concealed gun on you or in your car.
I don't know the concealed weapons law in PA. But in my opinion unless you are going to the grocery store in Darfur or Islamabad, you probably don't need to be carrying a concealed weapon with you. Trust me if someone decides that they are gong to mug you or car jack you, you won't have the oppurtunity to reach under your seat and pull your weapon. The minute you twitch, the crack addict who has the semi automatic pointed at your head is going to twitch too. Only you are going to be reaching and they are going to be pulling the trigger.

[Kacie_bride]

I hate guns and I hate hunting. I would never shoot a defenseless animal, let alone eat it after I shot it. Yuck! But if you want to own a gun, I think you should be licensed for it. That way we can start accounting for all the guns that are out there. JMO

I guess it doesn't bother me because some animals are put on this earth for the purpose of us eating them. For my degree I had to take a class were we slaughtered and processed animals. It did not bother me. Some animals are just food animals. Besides it would get very overpopulated if we did not eat these animals.

[MOB Karen]

Of course it doesn't hurt criminals. But that also doesn't mean that we can revert to the wild west form of justice either. The fact of the matter is, that no law you pass is going to hurt criminals. Hence forth, that is why they are criminals. The thing that hurts criminals more than anything else is economic and social development. When economies and social welfare programs are up than drug use, violence, and crime are down. When things are going well, there are few people to buy your drugs, participate in your illicit activity, or recruit for your gangs. Trust me, I live in a city where gang activity has gone up exponetially in the past 15 years that also concides with the end of blue collar industry during that same period.


I don't know the concealed weapons law in PA. But in my opinion unless you are going to the grocery store in Darfur or Islamabad, you probably don't need to be carrying a concealed weapon with you. Trust me if someone decides that they are gong to mug you or car jack you, you won't have the oppurtunity to reach under your seat and pull your weapon. The minute you twitch, the crack addict who has the semi automatic pointed at your head is going to twitch too. Only you are going to be reaching and they are going to be pulling the trigger.


Lacey, you make so much **** sense, it's not even funny!!! :)

[Amber818]

Lacey, you make so much **** sense, it's not even funny!!! :)

Serioulsy!!! I am sitting here thinking...why didn't I think of that?!?!? She is so dang smart!

[MOB Karen]

I guess it doesn't bother me because some animals are put on this earth for the purpose of us eating them. For my degree I had to take a class were we slaughtered and processed animals. It did not bother me. Some animals are just food animals. Besides we it would get very overpopulated if we did not eat these animals.

But "I" am not going to kill it and eat it. That was my point. :)

[MOB Karen]

Serioulsy!!! I am sitting here thinking...why didn't I think of that?!?!? She is so dang smart!

She's fricking brilliant!!!

[Kacie_bride]

But "I" am not going to kill it and eat it. That was my point. :)

I understand where you are coming from! I used to be that way too. A lot of my girlfriends are like that too. I guess I changed because in order to get my degree I had to deal with killing. I also found I like the sport of hunting. I also like shooting cans and going to the gun range to shoot targets.

[LaceyinPgh]

She's fricking brilliant!!!
At least I know who to turn to when I need letters of recommendation for graduate school in the near future. I thank you both.

[WhiskeyGirl]

I believe that only people who are licensed and have been through courses should be allowed to buy and own guns. Infact I believe that's the way it is across Canada...at least it is in Alberta. Matthew and I own guns, but they are locked in a safe and the amo is locked is a seperate safe. We are responsible gun owners. I don't agree with the being able to carry a conceled weapon and in my opinion, no one outside of law enforcement should really have a handgun....however......lol....I would like to get my restricted license which would make it legal for me to own a hand gun. We own a 17 HMR, a 22 Magnum bolt action and a 22 semi auto. We use them for varmint control (gophers, coyotes, skunks....that kind of thing) and have been discussing taking up hunting...however, I'm not sure I could pull the trigger when faced with bambi's family members standing infront of me...that's not to say that I won't eat wild game...it's yummy!! lol

[SerendipityCrafts]

I believe that only people who are licensed and have been through courses should be allowed to buy and own guns. Infact I believe that's the way it is across Canada...at least it is in Alberta. Matthew and I own guns, but they are locked in a safe and the amo is locked is a seperate safe. We are responsible gun owners. I don't agree with the being able to carry a conceled weapon and in my opinion, no one outside of law enforcement should really have a handgun....

Spoken like a true Cannuck.

We have a totally different mind set when it comes to guns but then again, we don't have nearly the same type of crime stats in Canada that is found elsewhere.

If we own a gun it has to be registered. We cannot carry a concealed weapon. Hunting guns and rifles have to be a locked gun cabinet and I don't believe they can be in the cab of a car or a truck but have to be locked in the trunk.

The only people I know who own a gun, use them for hunting. I have never held a gun, fired a gun and whenever I am close to a policeman with a sidearm, it gives me the willies!

[cowboysbride]

Well Eric and I both are licensed to carry them. We have a gun safe in our home and have rifles, shotguns and handguns. I believe in gun safety, gun training and being licensed to carry them outside of the home. In order to get a license you have to go through training, background check and be tested thoroughly education not restriction is IMO the key!

I was in law enforcement just like my father and Eric has been raised responsibly and taught the value of guns and their safe handling and use. We don't go around brandishing them like idiots but we do have them for sport, for hunting and for our personal safety. His 8 year old nephew is being taught how to properly handle and treat a gun and right now that 8 year old can shoot a coke can off a fence post at 50 yards freestanding (but ALWAYS under adult supervision) and my kids will be no different. Education and proper instruction is the key for gun ownership and NO ONE WILL TAKE MY GUNS FROM ME!

[CindySue]

In Texas you are technically allowed to carry a concealed handgun if you are traveling. I know several people in law enforement here and they support that.
You have to be traveling thru 3 or more counties.

[AngelinLove]

I agree whole heartedly with Lacey on thsi subject...there is really nothing for me to add about that. I personally would never hunt...I think that it is disgusting, notr would I want to eat anything that I had killed. If I want meat I will go see the butcher and get it pre-cleaned/pre-cut/pre-packaged!!!

[cowboysbride]

I understand where you are coming from! I used to be that way too. A lot of my girlfriends are like that too. I guess I changed because in order to get my degree I had to deal with killing. I also found I like the sport of hunting. I also like shooting cans and going to the gun range to shoot targets.

I can see her point (Karen's) and respect it, I however was raised around hunting and enjoy it, hunting has a place just like everything else and if guidelines are followed it prevents overpopulation, gives an alternative to processed foods and is part of some societys and cultures. I don't see me going hunting any different than a beef farmer or chicken farmer or hog farmer raising their animals for slaughter (which is where your packed, processed food comes from). At least this way it puts me into the games environment and I have to become smarter than the game in order to succeed, with our cows we walk out into the field shake a bucket of feed and the poor thing follows us right into the trailer to be butchered.

I love target shooting and actually prefer bow hunting to gun season...that's how the very first hunters did it to provide for their families.

[darkangel090260]

i said for hunting however i have a rule 0 gun in my home. Sorry i have 3 little one and i would like to see them grow up. I dont let any of them in home i know that has guns in area they can get in to . IE they are not alowed in grandma's and papa's bedroom or office. or in there great uncles bedroom .

[hummingbird521]

I grew up in a home filled with guns of all kinds. My family is big into hunting and all of them (except me) carry handguns for safety. They have all taken the tests and have permits for this. I used to carry one and also had a permit, but stopped only because of my ex husband's violent tendencies. But as children we were taught about gun safety and I can never remember a time when I even had the urge to touch one of my father's guns for any reason without his permission or being there with me. When very young my sister and I got guns for such things as snake hunting and bird killing. But they were kept under lock and key and only brought out when my parents were there with us. My father is also an avid collector of guns and knives. My brother as well. I personally see the need and enjoyment for owning guns. When I was a child for a Sunday passtime after church we would crawl into the back of one of dad's pickup trucks and dad would drive around the farm fields snake hunting. which is against the law now. It was actually fun to do. I guess what I am saying is that I believe any person who passes the testing required and knows responsibility should have the right to carry a gun for safety.

[Valmai]

Obviously my views differ as i live in a country with very different gun laws to yours, i can never understand why people need to own a hand gun or how they have them around children. My dad has always owned a licence for a shotgun (for hunting) which has to be kept locked in a metal safe/cupboard, and he has to have police checks etc everytime this needs to be renewed.
But then i suppose i see nothing wrong with alcohol yet some of you do - just what we are used to i suppose! xxx

[cowboysbride]

Obviously my views differ as i live in a country with very different gun laws to yours, i can never understand why people need to own a hand gun or how they have them around children. My dad has always owned a licence for a shotgun (for hunting) which has to be kept locked in a metal safe/cupboard, and he has to have police checks etc everytime this needs to be renewed.
But then i suppose i see nothing wrong with alcohol yet some of you do - just what we are used to i suppose! xxx

Our guns aren't around children we also have a locked gun safe. We also have to undergo background checks and can't have any type of criminal record whatsoever to keep our licenses....I worry about the crazy people out there without licenses and illegal guns leaving them laying on the tables in their drug induced state of mind for little ones to get ahold of...these are the exact same people that we want to PROTECT ourselves from and if trained right we can.

I agree with you it's what you are used to and I am used to gun rights and the ability to make clear coherent decisions for myself...the U.S. Government already has too much control (that isn't working) over matters like these.

[hummingbird521]

Our guns aren't around children we also have a locked gun safe. We also have to undergo background checks and can't have any type of criminal record whatsoever to keep our licenses....I worry about the crazy people out there without licenses and illegal guns leaving them laying on the tables in their drug induced state of mind for little ones to get ahold of...these are the exact same people that we want to PROTECT ourselves from and if trained right we can.

I agree with you it's what you are used to and I am used to gun rights and the ability to make clear coherent decisions for myself...the U.S. Government already has too much control (that isn't working) over matters like these.

Well said Ellen

[Kacie_bride]

I have to admit that in my home growing up most of the guns were not in a locked safe. The rifles were and some of the family guns. My daddy always kept a pistol near his bed in a cabnet. It was loaded and ready to go. All you had to do was take the safety off. When we were small children we were not tall enough to reach it. As we got older we were taught about guns and would never have dreamed of touching that gun or opening that cabnet. We were always well supervised and were never really in their bedroom anyway without them there.

Most of the kids I grew up around grew up around guns so by the time we were left alone at home even if we had taken the gun out, which we knew not to, we would have known how to handle it. It is just the way it is around here and I have never heard of anyone getting shot here. Trust me I would have heard about it. The area we live in is very small and I remember 10 years ago there was a murder and it was the talk of the town for several years after that. They put every single arrest in the newspaper. Trust me that would make headlines.

In my home right now there are no children. We have several guns in Justin's closet and a gun in our bedroom. There is a bow in the extra bedroom. If children come into our home, which is extremly rare, they are never left unsupervised enough to find where the guns are. When I have kids in my home most of the guns will be locked, but there will always be that one that is not.

[blueeyedbride]

Ok , well in my home now Bill has about 6 riffles or shot guns and I don't know how many handguns..... Bill is a law enforcment major, and was in teh army as military police and his dad is a retired cop so lets gjust say guns r something Bill is in too..... He on teh side teaches a conceal carry class for firearms, they scare me but I do know how to use one if need be to defend my self ... When we havekids believe me we will ahve them locked up...