I’m sort of neutral on the whole gun ownership issue. I don’t own a gun and don’t feel a need to. But I also don’t see a problem with responsible individuals having the right to own a gun. I do, however, wonder what makes the right of ownership such an important issue for some. One seemingly logical explanation would be that they grew up around someone who owned guns. So I thought I’d test that theory here.

Feel free to comment.

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There you are!

My parents have never owned guns, I own many.

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Are you a spineless slave to political correctness?

Well, if this poll doesn't fade into obscurity too quickly, maybe we'll find out if you're the exception or the rule.

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There you are!

My father had a rather nice assortment of hunting longarms and a pistol that he kept in a locked cabinet on display in our family room. I don't remember the first time I shot a firearm, although they tell me I was three when my dad first took me out to teach me.

Since then I have been an avid hunter, as well as a casual plinker, mostly because those activities are fun. But I think my dad started me a little too early, don't you?

I now have four handguns, two hunting rifles, two shotguns for bird hunting (one for me and one for the Mrs.), and two guns I use for perforating paper targets. I will be picking up one more pistol, and maybe two rifles over the next few months. I have been seriously considering taking up competition shooting as a hobby. I qualified "expert" in the Army markmanship qualifications.

Things I do differently form my father:

1. I don't have my guns on display. The long guns are locked in a gun safe in my basement, and my pistol are in fingerprint-locked safes in my master bedroom. The only people who can get into any of these safes are my wife and myself.

2. I have two children myself, but will not allow them to touch a firearm until they are over eight years old, and then only under strict adult supervision.

3. I will not take my children hunting with me until they are in their teens.

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If common sense were common, we would all have it (including me).

My dad had a couple for small amounts of time when I was a kid. I shot with him maybe 2 or 3 times.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Same here.

btw .. nice colors you're flying ... both of 'em.

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“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” --Edmund Burke

My Dad used to be a New York State Trooper, and my Grandfather was a former New York City Police Chief.

Yeah, there were guns in the house...

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Obama's New "57 State Patriotic Pin":






Sayeth John Drake - 10/13/08: "OK, you're right, I admit to LYING"

(This should get an interesting response) My dad has guns, and I have guns, and my guns remain loaded at all times (except for the black powder guns which happen to be my favorites, probably because of the noise and damage they can do.)

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Honor role student at the Limbaugh Institute for advanced Conservative studies.

The right to personal protection without HAVING to depend upon a third party (the cops) to provide that protection. Thats pretty much it for me.

I suspect another reason for many Americans would be to protect themselves from the government if the government ever started to take rights away from the people and impose an un-democratic form of government which is why the right to bear guns is there in the US constitution anyway. Of course, not sure how well this theory would work in real life ...

Err i don't really know which option to vote for, the place i grew up in ad security, which were armed yes but does that constitute my "household"? Both my parents had weapons but spent most of their time elsewhere (thus the security to look after me when i was younger) so i'll go by them.

My father was a large gun owner during his short life. He had an FFL license though gun laws in Illinois were very strict.

Responsible gun owners:

I suspect the vast majority of accidental shootings of kids and by kids can be traced to irresponsible owners and incompetent parents. I actually knew that my step-father's only gun (the rifle in the gun rack over his bed) was loaded at all times. His philosophy was " what good is an unloaded gun?" I never repeat never so much as touched the rifle unless he personally handed it to me. He knew how to enforce his rules and I knew he would not threaten without being quite ready to act with no further warning.

I do not agree with his philosophy completely but I will not let my always loaded personal defense handgun be accessed by anyone but my wife and myself. The rest of my collection is always unloaded and locked in safes.

A person who allows his gun to get into the hands of an unsupervised young person has acted irresponsibly. A parent who has not taught his children about the accepted and proper and safe ways to co-exist with guns has been lax in part of his duty.

Forever_poor

I never saw a gun up close until I met my future wife. My father in law is a hunter and he gave me the one rifle I now own.

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The most important political office is that of private citizen.
Louis D. Brandeis - First Jewish Supreme Court Justice

My Father, the WW2 veteran, had a gun. It was there for our family's protection. He never shot it, but he did understand that it was he who was responsible for the family's protection.....the police could not be there when they were needed the most.

I, on the other hand, have been a serious collector of guns for about 35yrs. There really isn't any relationship between my father's gun.....and my collecting guns. I came to my own conclusions about the necessity, and freedom issues concerning RKBA on my own.

hogster

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Visit my military photo album, Vietnam 68-69....

http://www.picturetrail.com/taipan22alpha

No guns in my family home, guns owned by both my grandfathers. My parents moved from a rural to suburban life. Both had shot rifles in their teens.

Have served and still serve in the reserves, own an asortment of shotties and bolt-action rifles (and a vintage webley) at my fiance's farm and at home.

So. I rather like firearms, all told.

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS SENT ME