I don't own a gun...

[luv2fly]

... nor a rifle, but I often wonder if that is smart as we collectively move towards what often feels like inevitable conflict in this country. It sickens me to even think about owning one as I have never in my life felt it necessary or desirable, but I do ponder it now and then, particularly over this last year. Truth is, I wouldn't even know where to start.

I did buy a couple small baseball bats at Goodwill over the summer and drilled some holes in the ends, embedded some long nails in the holes and then wrapped the end of the bats in barbed wire. I'm some badass I'll tell ya (not).



Watching the Orange one and his cult followers doesn't help, I turn every form of media off whenever they appear. I can't take the asshole's smirking fucking face, anus-like lips, shitty dance moves, voice, anything about him. 2021 and a new start can't get here soon enough ... I hope with all my heart.

Brief rant over... time to try and be happier and watch a little Packer action this afternoon.

[Sherman A1]

1. Go to your favorite local hardware store

Buy about a half dozen cans of Wasp & Hornet Spray. Keep them in handy places in your home or where you are at outside. They shoot about 10-20 feet. Cheaper than a firearm and indoors gives you about the same range that you would have anyway.

[luv2fly]

2. I already have a few, good idea

Didn't have as many wasps this year so they are full too.

[Sherman A1]

3. Always good to have some in the house

You never know when a wasp or problem will arrive.

[dware]

4. If you've never owned/fired a firearm,

then I strongly urge you to NOT buy one, it sounds like you might hesitate if you were ever forced to defend yourself, a better solution is to buy pepper spray, bear spray.

Taking a human life can be traumatic and life changing, and not in a good way.

Ask me how I know this.

[luv2fly]

7. Owned no, fired yes

Just shooting cans at a friend's home in the country decades ago in the bootheel of Missouri. Didn't like it but was surprised I had pretty decent accuracy.

I don't plan on buying one, but like I said I think about it. Don't want to be the last person who decides to buy one and have it be too late.

[dware]

12. If you plan to go that route,

then I strongly advise that you get as much training as you can and brush up on the self defense laws in your state, you'd be surprised at how narrow self defense laws are in most states.

What ever you decide, good luck.

[Paladin]

5. More and more reports of Democrats acquiring guns, ammo, and training.

Of course, quite a few Democrats are long-time firearm owners already.

[beachbumbob]

6. luckily I have been a 2nd amendment supporter and a liberal for all my life

its silly not to have educated use of firearms because you NEVER KNOW.

[USALiberal]

8. It is silly to think you need a gun! nt

[dware]

9. So Dems that own firearms are silly? nt

[USALiberal]

11. No, telling people the need a gun is silly. nt

[dware]

13. The person you replied to never said anything like that,

it was said that educating yourself on firearms is prudent.

[JonLP24]

19. I have been there in the Army

What I learned is I'd rather not have a gun because I don't want the responsibility. It could be stolen and used on someone else for example.

[dware]

22. I was a career Marine

and I saw first hand, and, unfortunately, was a hand in using my issue firearm to....well, you can figure out the rest.

I respect you're decision not to own any, I haven't touched a firearm since my retirement from the Marines, I don't want one in my truck, nor in my home.

[not_the_one]

34. We will decide for ourselves if we need a gun or not. Your opinion is irrelevant.

We DO know, however, where you will be.

[beachbumbob]

10. Why? Is it silly to have a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher as well?

Besides, target shooting is always enjoyable. But then again I have always been a target shooter from age 6

[PTWB]

14. A gun is a tool.

One should be properly educated on how to safely use the tool and when it is appropriate to use the tool, which for most folks will be never.

I’ve never had to put out a fire in my kitchen but I have a fire extinguisher under my sink and I know how to use it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Shermann]

17. No, "silly" isn't the right word

Purchasing a gun for self-defense should be accompanied by a sense of solemnness and responsibility, I'd agree with that.

But silly is just silly in this context.

[Caliman73]

35. I would not use the word "silly" to describe either position.

It doesn't do anyone any good to ridicule people who hold differing opinions on this issue.

If you own firearms, practice, keep them in working order, and keep other people safe from them. Have a serious mindset and understanding about having to use them. Often times in what people would refer to as "gun culture" there is a cavalier attitude about the purpose of firearms and using them for self defense. If you use a gun in self defense, you are going to injure another human being severely or kill them. It isn't that "it might be traumatic" as another poster said, IT WILL be traumatic. AND it will be costly, mentally, legally, and socially.

For people to not want them in society, I think, is wishful thinking, but I understand the sentiment. They are not "silly". They want to live in a society where you should not have to choose whether to take another human life.

[PTWB]

15. If you can become proficient and safe with one then yes, you should own one.

[Amishman]

33. Yup, we are dangerously divided as a country

I wouldn't have imagined it a few years ago, but it's time for Democrats willing and capable of safely owning and handing a gun to be prepared - just in case.

[CountAllVotes]

16. I've never owned one either except ...

When my mother died she had two of them floating around.

It was unclear WHO they were registered to. I took them to the Sheriff's office and had them melted down.

I know of five people dead because of guns:

Three murders
One suicide
One accident

I don't want an object around me that can harm others.

If I need to defend myself, I have a hunting knife in an easy-to-open case next to my bed.

I HATE guns.

[dware]

20. ...

I don't want an object around me that can harm others.

You have objects around you every day that can harm others, but I respect your opinion and choice to not own any firearms.

[Disaffected]

24. "You have objects around you every day that can harm others,.."

A totally specious argument BTW.

The "collateral" damage caused by guns far outweighs most any other dangerous object. Combine that with their main purpose being only to maine or kill and what have you got? Certainly not a reason to own one for self defence IMO.

[dware]

25. Ok. nt

[USALiberal]

26. Lol, ok! Nt

[dware]

27. And a big LOL back at you on a beautiful Sunday.

[sl8]

29. You don't know, it might be a Nerf ™ knife.

[dware]

30. LOL.

You mean like this?

[sl8]

36. Ha! Didn't even know it was a real thing.

[CountAllVotes]

37. I use knives to cook with too

n/t

[WhiskeyGrinder]

18. Knowledge is never a bad thing, but that's the key -- knowledge.

[Bonhomme Richard]

21. I have guns and it is a bad idea.

No matter what happens the chance of you actually needing a gun is next to nill. Getting tempted to carry one will only make you paranoid and affect your better judgment. If something is happening in your area where you think you might need a gun just stay away and let the police handle it. You don't want to be on the wrong end of a decision a cop has to make in an instant.

[Bayard]

23. We have 3 shotguns here

Two of them are ancient, and inherited from our respective fathers.

If you have a farm, you need one. Although we are thinking about buying a pistol now because its really difficult to put down a sick chicken with a shotgun. We went the pellet gun route, and that just didn't work.

Could I shoot a person? Years ago, I was attacked by a guy with a large knife who ended up getting charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted rape, and attended murder. Yes, I would have blown him away if I hadn't been out for a run at the time. As it was, I finally outran him.

I would rather be prepared and not need a weapon, than be dead.

[Timewas]

28. Look for

Maybe some pepper spray or a stun gun or tazer type self protection

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tazers%26+stun+guns&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

[Binkie The Clown]

31. Realistically, there are so few armed Trump crazies that would be willing

to die for their cause that the national guard would clean up the whole lot of them in a few days.

My strategy would be the keep a low profile and let the professionals take out the garbage.

[dware]

32. Very sage advice.

I've parked my truck until after Nov.3rd and am just kicking back and waiting for the blow out election of Joe Biden.