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Hortensis

(58,785 posts)

143. Me too. We used to do a lot of camping

Mon Jun 20, 2016, 06:37 AM

Jun 2016

alone in the wilderness. After an event with some men who drove laughing and yelling around our camper a few times in the middle of the night before deciding to leave, we took a couple of my ex-hunter husband's guns with us and I learned to use them.

These days our house is isolated on the top of a wooded hill, and, since we own one, we keep a loaded semi-automatic shotgun under the bed in our attic bedroom. A shotgun for me because I'm not a good shot and it'd stop anyone who came up the stairs, probably just the sound of it being readied.

Gun ownership is far too important to too many Americans (not us, actually) for me to support banning it, but I absolutely support a whole long list of controls that would cumulatively dramatically lessen gun deaths.

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How many of you have ever fired a gun? [View all] Kang Colby Jun 2016 OP

Not since I was in the Corps... Wounded Bear Jun 2016 #1

Same with me for the most part. Release The Hounds Jun 2016 #15

Same here VMA131Marine Jun 2016 #110

I was in VMFA531, and MAG11 Wounded Bear Jun 2016 #115

Machine operator in USMC Ernesto Jun 2016 #182

I have. ZombieHorde Jun 2016 #2

Me too. We used to do a lot of camping Hortensis Jun 2016 #143

Those things shoot like a rainbow deaniac21 Jun 2016 #219

I've done it several times. Agschmid Jun 2016 #3

Off topic, but M.I.A. always seems to have catchy songs. Kang Colby Jun 2016 #9

She quite awesome! Agschmid Jun 2016 #30

Interesting use of "Straight To Hell" mwrguy Jun 2016 #104

I couldn't understand deaniac21 Jun 2016 #220

That's too bad. Agschmid Jun 2016 #236

Have fired a gun and served in the military.... Silver_Witch Jun 2016 #4

Do you think competitive target shooting is weird? hack89 Jun 2016 #11

Except the point is to murder scscholar Jun 2016 #62

That is a pretty fucking stupid thing to say. hack89 Jun 2016 #132

I think shooting a gun for no reason is weird. Silver_Witch Jun 2016 #63

I have never shot a living thing in 35 years of gun ownership hack89 Jun 2016 #133

That's nice! Silver_Witch Jun 2016 #235

Why do we want to knock down pins with a big round ball, SciFiRK Jun 2016 #229

Actually all of those seem silly to me! Silver_Witch Jun 2016 #234

Own 3 metroins Jun 2016 #5

I find cooking relaxing. pangaia Jun 2016 #6

the same could be said about huniting Travis_0004 Jun 2016 #8

Is hunting relaxing and fun? pangaia Jun 2016 #13

I find it relaxing and fun. Brickbat Jun 2016 #157

Think aboout it... world wide wally Jun 2016 #75

Of COURSE the constitution guarantees the right to cook. pangaia Jun 2016 #151

I fired nearly every small arm and rifle the Army fields. Oh, and this: Aristus Jun 2016 #7

LOL! pangaia Jun 2016 #24

Me too GP6971 Jun 2016 #28

+1. Hoyt Jun 2016 #56

You have a way with words, my friend pinboy3niner Jun 2016 #81

Dang, deaniac21 Jun 2016 #221

Thank you. My fellow tankers didn't think so. Aristus Jun 2016 #222

I had a few boyfriends RebelOne Jun 2016 #10

I took my dad to the range yesterday, for father's day. Kang Colby Jun 2016 #20

A few times. The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2016 #12

Fired a bunch, but grew up and sick of gun yahoos. So not in 40 years. Don't want to either. Hoyt Jun 2016 #14

What kind of gun did you shoot most often, if you mind me asking? Kang Colby Jun 2016 #26

A Winchester "Can o' Beans" and a Remington "Bike Tire". cherokeeprogressive Jun 2016 #48

Also, a Smith & Wesson "Magical Staff": friendly_iconoclast Jun 2016 #60

"ram a staff into his face" ya know I thought he was talking about gathering up all the employees... cherokeeprogressive Jun 2016 #67

LOL, wow. nt Logical Jun 2016 #16

I have drray23 Jun 2016 #17

I used to have a CPL but I found it unnecessary. roamer65 Jun 2016 #18

+10000000000000000000000000 Hoyt Jun 2016 #25

Yup. Agschmid Jun 2016 #36

In Indiana, you need a carry permit to go to the range. Adrahil Jun 2016 #40

That's a dumb law. roamer65 Jun 2016 #49

Yeah, it is dumb. Just one of many dumb laws here. Adrahil Jun 2016 #55

I shoot at clay pigeons about every other year. AngryAmish Jun 2016 #19

Many and often linuxman Jun 2016 #21

I did decades ago. Mz Pip Jun 2016 #22

When I was a young teenager visiting my aunt and uncle who lived on a citrus ranch mnhtnbb Jun 2016 #23

Yes, occasionally Duckhunter935 Jun 2016 #27

40 or so years ago to hunt gwheezie Jun 2016 #29

Not nearly as often as I would like. SeattleVet Jun 2016 #31

Walmart around here tends to have the common calibers at fair prices. n/t Kang Colby Jun 2016 #46

Took my Granddaughter trap and skeet shooting on Friday NashuaDW Jun 2016 #32

Former competitive shooter, still occasionally shoot recreationally Rhythm Jun 2016 #33

I do like plunking with my S&W revolver. roamer65 Jun 2016 #34

I'm an Arizona Democrat LongtimeAZDem Jun 2016 #35

Funny, "Arizona Democrat". Kang Colby Jun 2016 #41

Yes, I have LannyDeVaney Jun 2016 #37

I don't particularly enjoy it. flvegan Jun 2016 #38

Agree. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jun 2016 #105

Yes, I have. 63splitwindow Jun 2016 #39

I'm a hunter and am from a rural area, I grew up shooting guns. Odin2005 Jun 2016 #42

ditto... very much agree...nt virginia mountainman Jun 2016 #96

My rural friends and relatives have horrible, bigoted contempt for fools with guns. hunter Jun 2016 #186

Yes, I have... BooScout Jun 2016 #43

I grew up in the southern Appalachians. Gun culture was - and is - such a part of life Glorfindel Jun 2016 #44

It doesn't relax me... kentuck Jun 2016 #45

I was interested in guns for less than a year PSPS Jun 2016 #47

I'm so sorry. roamer65 Jun 2016 #50

Bunk HoustonDave Jun 2016 #238

They made me sight a rifle through my right eye Warpy Jun 2016 #51

I have fired guns itsrobert Jun 2016 #52

As a kid at summer camp. Don't recall having strong feelings about it. Crunchy Frog Jun 2016 #53

I never have to be honest. romanic Jun 2016 #54

The industry is regulated. Kang Colby Jun 2016 #65

""How would you feel if Republicans used those lists to deny... voting rights,"" vkkv Jun 2016 #240

I shot one once. Scared the shit outta me. cherokeeprogressive Jun 2016 #57

Now that was funny as hell! hack89 Jun 2016 #142

I have fired more than one type of gun. Didn't like shooting Ilsa Jun 2016 #58

I have. 840high Jun 2016 #59

I've had my own pistols that I used for target shooting and I enjoyed it. upaloopa Jun 2016 #61

Fired lots of wpns, mostly Army, used M-16 in VN combat, wounded by AK-47 fire. nt pinboy3niner Jun 2016 #64

Once littlebit Jun 2016 #66

Why didn't you like it? Kang Colby Jun 2016 #71

It was just uncomfortable. littlebit Jun 2016 #107

M-14 AND M-16 Bavorskoami Jun 2016 #68

"really get off on it" No hyperbole there, huh? "get off on it". cherokeeprogressive Jun 2016 #70

I have UnFettered Jun 2016 #69

A few times. 30-6, 10&12 ga. shotgun, Colt six shooter, Glock 9milli. BootinUp Jun 2016 #72

I've fired guns radical noodle Jun 2016 #73

What did you like about the old assault weapons ban? Kang Colby Jun 2016 #79

Honest answer radical noodle Jun 2016 #90

This message was self-deleted by its author rjsquirrel Jun 2016 #74

In the hood and in the Navy Quayblue Jun 2016 #76

M-16 and M-60 in Army ROTC KeepItReal Jun 2016 #77

i have fired different calibres hill2016 Jun 2016 #78

Very few non-military personnel fire guns in anger. cherokeeprogressive Jun 2016 #83

So people that hate guns, never ever fired one? Must be? Rex Jun 2016 #80

That's not what I'm suggesting, Rex. eom Kang Colby Jun 2016 #84

I hate military style weapons, I saw what they did in the Army. Rex Jun 2016 #88

Understood. Kang Colby Jun 2016 #93

Witnessing the carnage wreaked by small arms in combat is a sobering experience pinboy3niner Jun 2016 #118

Seen the damnedest things around here Rex Jun 2016 #230

Shoot Often enough. jmg257 Jun 2016 #82

How many of you have ever thrown a live grenade? JackRiddler Jun 2016 #85

This message was self-deleted by its author Inkfreak Jun 2016 #156

the first time i did that i was scarred, imho only a fool would not. drray23 Jun 2016 #206

and i forgot to mention drray23 Jun 2016 #207

Yes, but not in quite a while. trackfan Jun 2016 #86

Cool. n/t Kang Colby Jun 2016 #94

Looks more like catnhatnh Jun 2016 #164

The dude in the lifeguard shirt pointing the pistol at the other guy doc03 Jun 2016 #214

I know. I'm the other guy, and it was noticed as soon as we first saw the picture. trackfan Jun 2016 #224

Of course I have. I grew up in a real shitty neighborhood with a single parent who worked nights. LeftyMom Jun 2016 #87

When I bought my farm a friend helped my purchase a gun csziggy Jun 2016 #89

"" A gun is a tool to be used for a specific purpose - killing. "" vkkv Jun 2016 #241

Certainly. Thousands of times over the years....which really isn't that much. Just reading posts Jun 2016 #91

Guns are this country's form of martial arts. In China it's Kung fu. rusty quoin Jun 2016 #92

I did, back in college with an old boyfriend. phylny Jun 2016 #95

Boring HockeyMom Jun 2016 #148

Not since I was in the Air Force MrScorpio Jun 2016 #97

I've fired guns. I've gone hunting. I've shot animals. Zynx Jun 2016 #98

I was in the Army as an infantryman. I have fired practically every small arm in the inventory. kairos12 Jun 2016 #99

I'm from the South, so yes. onehandle Jun 2016 #100

I believe that you understand that banning AR-15s will have little if any impact on violence. Kang Colby Jun 2016 #171

national guard yes. I hunt with a bow- I hate noise swhisper1 Jun 2016 #101

I remember the last time I shot. MyNameGoesHere Jun 2016 #102

When I was a teenager, my brother took me out hunting. Frustratedlady Jun 2016 #103

Yes. Multiple times. And I dont particularly like it. The loud sound and the kick. AgadorSparticus Jun 2016 #106

Very unpleasant for me too - I can't shoot a gun without getting a headache womanofthehills Jun 2016 #226

Yes, several times over the course of many decades. And we have a few, not counting Shrike47 Jun 2016 #108

Why yes, I have. Piss on guns. hunter Jun 2016 #109

I own a gun MFM008 Jun 2016 #111

lots...and AR15's should not be in the hands of civilians Demonaut Jun 2016 #112

I have my dad's old shotgun Bayard Jun 2016 #113

Yes Runningdawg Jun 2016 #114

Me. I used to shoot competitively, was on a couple of teams. Rhiannon12866 Jun 2016 #116

Grew up around them, am comfortable with them Ex Lurker Jun 2016 #117

I have and do. Buzz cook Jun 2016 #119

In the Air Force, but not as a civilian. I also threw a few hand grenades in the USAF,... Binkie The Clown Jun 2016 #120

BETTER QUESTIONS: How many have been shot by a gun? Did you like it? nt pinboy3niner Jun 2016 #121

Yup. Agschmid Jun 2016 #129

Fired a weapon while in the military. Agnosticsherbet Jun 2016 #122

Age 12 at summer camp. BB gun n coffee cans flor-de-jasmim Jun 2016 #123

And so it begins... pinboy3niner Jun 2016 #124

Yes. Started target practicing when I was 17. In_The_Wind Jun 2016 #125

I fired a gun as a kid and while I was in the US Army. Sam_Fields Jun 2016 #126

I have UCmeNdc Jun 2016 #127

If video games count, I'm a vertible Wild Bill Hickok. Bensonhurst_braciole Jun 2016 #128

Not yet. merrily Jun 2016 #130

I grew up on a farm and hunted frequently. I wish we had much stronger gun regs. DCBob Jun 2016 #131

Yes... Mike Nelson Jun 2016 #134

AF Marksmanship Ribbon - no - I hate it DrDan Jun 2016 #135

No, but then I've never shot up on heroin either. baldguy Jun 2016 #136

Yes, no, no. GeorgeGist Jun 2016 #137

My Dw and I both carry, but family fun at the range is a blast ileus Jun 2016 #138

I fared a full-auto once. rogerashton Jun 2016 #139

Army vet plus 25 years in R&D of Army weaposn systems. 1939 Jun 2016 #140

As a former R&D guy, what do you think of the return of the 1911 in a slightly updated form? aikoaiko Jun 2016 #166

Believe it or not 1939 Jun 2016 #172

I have. The first time I ever shot a handgun is quite a tale cali Jun 2016 #141

I have owned guns for 50 years and my wife and I regularly target shoot beachbum bob Jun 2016 #144

Yes, I shoot regularly melm00se Jun 2016 #145

Black powder is great fun, I actually enjoy shooting a firelock more than an AR-15... Marengo Jun 2016 #199

You may enjoy shooting buffalo rifles. oneshooter Jun 2016 #202

Thousands of times. Paladin Jun 2016 #146

I owned a Kimber Ultra Aegis II and passed the CHL class, tho I never bothered actually getting it. moriah Jun 2016 #147

I fired a gun after a long history of attendance issues Orrex Jun 2016 #149

A real gun madokie Jun 2016 #150

I have. Did not love it, but it was fun. hueymahl Jun 2016 #152

target shooting couple times with a 22....found i can't hit the broad side of a barn dembotoz Jun 2016 #153

My one and only time. Tracer Jun 2016 #154

I've been a hunter since I was 12 Shrek Jun 2016 #155

Yes, and I enjoy practicing, although I don't get to it as often as I need or want to. Brickbat Jun 2016 #158

Well I fired guns many times growing up. But what is your point? yellowcanine Jun 2016 #159

I have. Starry Messenger Jun 2016 #160

I did once treestar Jun 2016 #161

Yes and no. It was never relaxing. When I was a child it seemed fun but.. JanMichael Jun 2016 #162

I have. Not one of the anti-gun true believers though. Yo_Mama Jun 2016 #163

"Every marine is a rifleman". I never considered it recreational or relaxing though. Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2016 #165

Fired many guns. It has been a while. I don't get the "relaxing" aspect. NCTraveler Jun 2016 #167

Expert marksman, but no "recreational shooting" L. Coyote Jun 2016 #168

I used to shoot skeet and hunt birds, but it doesn't matter. HuckleB Jun 2016 #169

Air Force basic training Doc_Technical Jun 2016 #170

the scariest thing about a gun... lame54 Jun 2016 #173

< 5. Wasn't particularly fun. DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2016 #174

Glock. And various assault rifles. mainer Jun 2016 #175

Yes bonemachine Jun 2016 #176

i fired my girl friend's sig 220.. artyteacher Jun 2016 #177

Good thread KC. Yes, many firearms. And many times than I care to count. GOLGO 13 Jun 2016 #178

This message was self-deleted by its author Bradical79 Jun 2016 #185

Yes Motley13 Jun 2016 #179

Yes. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2016 #180

Mainly, 12 gauge, 20 gauge, .410 double barrel, .22 rifle, .30-06 etc. xocet Jun 2016 #181

No, I have never fired a gun. geomon666 Jun 2016 #183

I have, and I liked it Bradical79 Jun 2016 #184

It's fun. I also like racing go-karts. I don't want to take a NASCAR vehicle on the freeway. Bucky Jun 2016 #187

I started on the Boy Scout range at summer camp in Maine when I was 11. bluedigger Jun 2016 #188

M-16 in US Army (draftee Vietnam Era) Elwood P Dowd Jun 2016 #189

I have. On one occasion. LWolf Jun 2016 #190

I hunt with a HP rifle, and enjoy it. Do some rec shooting and enjoy that. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #191

Yes. Bolt-action Target mostly, some Trap with 12 ga..... vkkv Jun 2016 #192

Kang, the NRA is BAD NEWS - cancel your membership, please.... NT vkkv Jun 2016 #193

yeah and whats really annoying is that drray23 Jun 2016 #208

I have. Retired Military, had to maintain marksman for supplemental duty assignments. haele Jun 2016 #194

I grew up with them in my house wysi Jun 2016 #195

I love firing my guns, I love target shooting, I love it obamanut2012 Jun 2016 #196

Why do you have to be forced to give up your guns? oneshooter Jun 2016 #200

Never have and OldHippieChick Jun 2016 #197

Not once, not ever bhikkhu Jun 2016 #198

never..... chillfactor Jun 2016 #201

I grew up in rural PA left-of-center2012 Jun 2016 #203

I did it at Boy Scout camp when I was a kid. NNadir Jun 2016 #204

I was in the Marines JennyMominFL Jun 2016 #205

I've been asked that question several times.... Bigmack Jun 2016 #209

I own several guns and like to shoot once in while, I used to hunt but doc03 Jun 2016 #210

No. I never want to NYFlip Jun 2016 #211

US and foreign weapons certified tabasco Jun 2016 #212

Hard to live subsistence otherwise Scootaloo Jun 2016 #213

us Lounge Lizards kentauros Jun 2016 #215

Cookie guns...now you are talking. Kang Colby Jun 2016 #218

Relaxing? Really? Darb Jun 2016 #216

It's not loud. Kang Colby Jun 2016 #217

Fired a gun, built an ar-15, worked in reloading industry, carried a gun for work in the past The Straight Story Jun 2016 #223

Yes, and I'd rather sit at home watching paint dry. SMC22307 Jun 2016 #225

I have, often. I'd like handguns tightly restricted and registered Recursion Jun 2016 #227

Several. calimary Jun 2016 #228

Have a few Lance Bass esquire Jun 2016 #231

I have. I have fired pistols and rifles. I'm OK with a pistol and a fairly PatrickforO Jun 2016 #232

Springfield rifle musket, 22 pistol and 22 rifle eleny Jun 2016 #233

I have, many times. ladyVet Jun 2016 #237

I have nil desperandum Jun 2016 #239

I have fired a handgun and a shotgun. I do not think anyone should own an assault Pisces Jun 2016 #242

I own several guns. Haven't fired them in quite some time but I used to go Downtown Hound Jun 2016 #243