Do you own a gun? Why? Why not?

I own a shotgun that was given to me with a big pink bow as a Valentine's Day gift. I used it several times for trap and skeet shooting. I was a decent shot, but the kick could break my collar bone. You probably know that riflery is an Olympic sport (as well as biathlon), but did you know it is an NCAA sport? I did.

americans and the american culture feels quite funny to a guy who has lived in finland all his life.

everything has to be big and everything is a competition. and everybody has guns. :D people do running to get into college. how silly is that? here it's just about the entrance exam and grades. no matter who your parents are, if you are dumb, you are not getting in. running doesn't help. :) (I did get in) LOL

Are you saying GWB wouldn't have gone to college in Finland?

This message paid for by the NRA.

ilkka wrote:

americans and the american culture feels quite funny to a guy who has lived in finland all his life.

everything has to be big and everything is a competition. and everybody has guns. :D people do running to get into college. how silly is that? here it's just about the entrance exam and grades. no matter who your parents are, if you are dumb, you are not getting in. running doesn't help. :) (I did get in) LOL

This post shows that you know very little about American culture, and the fact that you felt yourself informed enough to comment shows your low intelligence level.

wtf are you talking about, i was being sarcastic nimrod

boredman wrote:

anEconomist wrote:

1) yes it is the exact same thing, there is nothing different there...

2) yes I am sure the people who take up arms against the US are having a lovely time in Iraq and Afghanistan... things are just fine for them... they have only been killed at about 10x the rate as americans

3) this is such an eloquent argument - you really demonstrate your intelligience and point with this statement

It is brilliant rational like this that causes countrys like N. Korea, Pakistan, and now Iran to seek WMDs.

You are a poster child for critical thought.

This post shows that you know very little about American culture, and the fact that you felt yourself informed enough to comment shows your low intelligence level.[/quote]

Just what is ‘American’ culture?

Rap? - Hollywood’s version?

I read recently of a vehicle, in Philadelphia I think, being slowed down by a cyclist in front, clearly moving at a slower pace.

A passenger in the car pulled out a gun and shot the cyclist dead.

Now I venture, in many States in America - such an act would be unthinkable.

In Britain, America is thought of as a lawless country, like the Wild West of old.

But I guarantee, there are many areas of your country that have crime figures that we would envy.

So which area would represent current American culture?

Gun crime here in Britain was equally once unthinkable - in fact the police still aren’t armed.

Now, in many of our cities, shootings are becoming commonplace.

Looking at the images of the victims and the offenders, it’s clear that the difference between a law-abiding Britain of the 50’s and now, is mass immigration.

Few advanced countries in the world have avoided the immigration dilemma and it’s consequent perils.

One that has is Japan. They’ve virtually barred any immigration and it appears to me, not only now having effectively a similar law-abiding culture we once enjoyed, they also have a much better chance than we do of surviving into the next century as a coherent, prosperous nation with a culture and civilization it can unmistakably call its own.

dude i won't comment on the rest of your post but I wouldn't be so quick to call Japan a prosperous countrytheir economy has been in the toilet since 1989... they have had terrible problems with deflation, a banking crisis, lack of growth, zero-boundary interest rateslook at the level of the japanese equity markets in the late 80s verus nowpolicy makers are at a loss and isn't clear that this situation is improvingin addition, the japanese work notoriously long hours - i believe more than any other country on the planet on averageyet for all this work and no play - they have had near zero economic growthis it related to their immigration policy? - maybe - certainly not entirelybut i will note that other countries who have implemented similar immigration quotas have suffered as well... take switzerland, once an economic powerhouse (like Japan) they have had 0!!! growth in the last 20 years outside of the government sectorcontrast this with a country like England who has opened up their borders and seen booming growth and a robust economy - have you seen the level of the pound lately?more crime - possibly? i would say that has more to do with a widening of the income distribution than immigration

No to 2012 wrote:

Few advanced countries in the world have avoided the immigration dilemma and it’s consequent perils.

One that has is Japan. They’ve virtually barred any immigration and it appears to me, not only now having effectively a similar law-abiding culture we once enjoyed, they also have a much better chance than we do of surviving into the next century as a coherent, prosperous nation with a culture and civilization it can unmistakably call its own.

Not to mention the fact that an extremely strict position on immigration, when coupled with the graying of the Japanese population, could lead to the collapse, or near collapse, of the country.

''Of course. With little kids in the house, I feel much safer having a loaded gun right in my nightstand. I told them never to go in there, so I'm sure we're safe.''

ahahahaha is this a joke? Surely it is. If not that is one of the most moronic things i have ever heard- you tell kids not to go there of course they are gonna go there. Americans are priceless!

Alistair Young wrote:

''Of course. With little kids in the house, I feel much safer having a loaded gun right in my nightstand. I told them never to go in there, so I'm sure we're safe.''

ahahahaha is this a joke? Surely it is. If not that is one of the most moronic things i have ever heard- you tell kids not to go there of course they are gonna go there. Americans are priceless!

I grew up in a house in which an unlocked closet contained a 30-6 rifle with ammo (if you don't know this is a powerful rifle), pellet gun, shotgun and bows and arrows. I never once went in there and took a weapon out to play with. So much for your theory about all kids. Nice try.

and of course we are now back to evidence consisting of 1 observation - proof positive in my book

once3runner wrote:

Alistair Young wrote:

''Of course. With little kids in the house, I feel much safer having a loaded gun right in my nightstand. I told them never to go in there, so I'm sure we're safe.''

ahahahaha is this a joke? Surely it is. If not that is one of the most moronic things i have ever heard- you tell kids not to go there of course they are gonna go there. Americans are priceless!

I grew up in a house in which an unlocked closet contained a 30-6 rifle with ammo (if you don't know this is a powerful rifle), pellet gun, shotgun and bows and arrows. I never once went in there and took a weapon out to play with. So much for your theory about all kids. Nice try.

ilkka wrote:

americans and the american culture feels quite funny to a guy who has lived in finland all his life.

everything has to be big and everything is a competition. and everybody has guns. :D people do running to get into college. how silly is that? here it's just about the entrance exam and grades. no matter who your parents are, if you are dumb, you are not getting in. running doesn't help. :) (I did get in) LOL

Finland makes excellent guns! My Sako rifle is one of the best I own.

................... wrote:

Finland makes excellent guns! My Sako rifle is one of the best I own.

My fully automatic Sako RK 62 assault rifle was also nice during my mandatory military service.

uncle pervy wrote:

"If" you had the balls to try and use it, they'd role a tank through your house. Ask the Branch Dividians how well it went standing up to the government with guns.

How does one "role" a tank?

I have quite a few - 3 handguns, a shotgun, and 2 rifles.

Why? No real controversial reason, I just like guns and shooting.

I used to hunt, but I don't anymore. Now I just like target and trap shooting.

Although I wouldn't hesitate to shoot someone if they broke into my home. I love Texas gun laws!

yes I do wrote:

My wife and I were victims of a home invasion. My dog was shot by the intruder. I now keep a gun close by.

If only your dog had been armed!

This is why we have guns, without them, this old man would have been dead.

http://www.wesh.com/news/14437963/detail.html

I own a Remington 700 series bolt-action synthetic stock .30-06. I use it mainly for protection and hunting, but it will also come in handy when we're invaded by terrorists.