Explain gun culture to me please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe stats show that households that own guns as a % of the population is falling to almost all time lows.

. . .

That simply is not true.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/150353/se...hest-1993.aspx

And your blanket mis-characterization of gun owners is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I do think it's kind of weird that your relatives wouldn't give you the details on how they are stored, one of the tenets of responsible gun ownership is that you shouldn't give specifics as to where they are stored or how they are secured, because that makes them a more likely target for theft or a break in. Again, I think it is ridiculous that relatives wouldn't make an exception to that for a relative they know well with small kids, but among the gun people I know (most of my family), it is pretty off-limits to discuss the specifics of how & where their guns are stored without a compelling reason (they would consider small kids in the house a compelling reason).

You just completely contradicted yourself and said tenets. If it's tenet, which would they make an exception?

You don't really get it. The tenet is not to talk about it openly. You don't talk about it in a restaurant where people could overhear, for example, and follow you home. You don't mention to every family that is coming over "Well, we have guns, but we store them in the bedroom in a safe and the ammo is in the top of the bedroom closet," because you don't know who will be a thief. With close family, it's okay to discuss - in private - because you know them. But the overarching theme is not to discuss it unless necessary. To me, this seems like a necessary situation, but they don't see it that way for some reason.

I didn't completely contradict myself, you just don't understand what I was saying.

You don't go into many homes do you. Or do you ask this of every single homeowner you encounter. Because you really have no idea what people have hidden in their closets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe stats show that households that own guns as a % of the population is falling to almost all time lows.

. . .

That simply is not true.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/150353/se...hest-1993.aspx

And your blanket mis-characterization of gun owners is ridiculous.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-of-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

We are at a 4 decade low.

Just because there is a little spike recently because southerners are scared the big black boogie man in the white house is going to take away their phallus extenders does not mean gun ownership is at a high

[Anonymous]

It's all about being more in touch with real things like fixing machinery , growing and catching food, having fortitude, being strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's all about being more in touch with real things like fixing machinery , growing and catching food, having fortitude, being strong.

So the rest of the world has zero ability to fix things, perform agriculture, or have fortitude.

Only the 2nd amendment bestows these qualities upon our people.

Got it.



The fact that you equate these things to gun ownership is precisely what I'm talking about - phallus extender.

[Anonymous]

OP, I get what you want. However, like others have pointed out, you
probably come off as condescending and judgmental.

I'm a liberal, and was not raised around guns. However, my conservative
husband owns guns. Lots of them. He grew up in a rural area and shot his
first deer at 13. Hunting provided a lot of meat for his family. His dad
also trap shoots (shooting at clay pigeons). Target practice is a sport,
just like some people play billiards.

If you asked me about our guns, I would tell you we keep ammo separate from
the guns. We keep most guns locked up. There are a couple handguns hidden,
but unloaded with magazines hidden nearby too. My husband is a bit of a
security fanatic and we have this on every level of the home, so if we are
invaded he can defend us no matter where we might be. (BTW, yes, I think
home invasions are extremely rare and I think he goes overboard... But as
long as they are hidden and the ammo is hidden apart from the gun, I indulge
in his paranoia.)

My 7 year old has already shot a bb gun. He will hunt too. He also is
getting an archery set for Christmas.

I'm not a gun enthusiast by any means. I know a lot about them, and respect
them. I have taught my children to walk away when they see a gun and tell
an adult. I wouldn't be offended by a question about how they are kept.
But if you do it in a condescending way, I'll pick up on it. It is rude to
treat people who own guns like their backward and uneducated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you never actually had a conversation with these relatives about their guns? What type of guns, what they are used for, how they are secured?

You come across as being very condescending. It sounds like you have made little effort to learn about anything.

I'm from an area that doesn't have a lot of "gun culture" of any sort. My family never had guns. However, when we moved to NoVa (not close-in) it became apparent that many people were were getting to know have guns, including one mom who I've become close friends with.

I asked her about it, and her response was "The question isn't whether or not someone has guns, it's whether and how they are secured."

OP, you need to do some open-minded learning. There is a huge difference between handguns under mattresses and rifles in a gun safe.

Exactly. So why don't OPs relatives tell her how they're secured? Instead of a vague, "it's fine, it's all good" (which means nothing), why don't they say something like, "I have three guns and each is locked in a safe. Only spouse and I have the code." Then she could stop asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you never actually had a conversation with these relatives about their guns? What type of guns, what they are used for, how they are secured?

You come across as being very condescending. It sounds like you have made little effort to learn about anything.

I'm from an area that doesn't have a lot of "gun culture" of any sort. My family never had guns. However, when we moved to NoVa (not close-in) it became apparent that many people were were getting to know have guns, including one mom who I've become close friends with.

I asked her about it, and her response was "The question isn't whether or not someone has guns, it's whether and how they are secured."

OP, you need to do some open-minded learning. There is a huge difference between handguns under mattresses and rifles in a gun safe.

Exactly. So why don't OPs relatives tell her how they're secured? Instead of a vague, "it's fine, it's all good" (which means nothing), why don't they say something like, "I have three guns and each is locked in a safe. Only spouse and I have the code." Then she could stop asking.

because they do not trust OP and think s/he is judging them. Remember this is family. there's decades of crap behind these interactions.

[Anonymous]

Assumptions about me aside, why is it so hard to get a clear answer? I'm talking "The handgun is behind lock and key, and I double-checked on Saturday" or whatever.

That's really all i want to ensure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assumptions about me aside, why is it so hard to get a clear answer? I'm talking "The handgun is behind lock and key, and I double-checked on Saturday" or whatever.

That's really all i want to ensure.

they are YOUR family, op. Why do you keep asking? We don't know them. You tell us.

We've told you the vibe you send. We've explained how gun culture might be playing into it. But really it is far more about your relationship with them than anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Assumptions about me aside, why is it so hard to get a clear answer? I'm talking "The handgun is behind lock and key, and I double-checked on Saturday" or whatever.

That's really all i want to ensure.

they are YOUR family, op. Why do you keep asking? We don't know them. You tell us.

We've told you the vibe you send. We've explained how gun culture might be playing into it. But really it is far more about your relationship with them than anything else.

I've had a similar situation and u made it about the kids. Just said "I know you're a responsible gun owner, but don't usually have little kids in the house. Are the stored safely so dumb kids don't get into them?" My relative rolled eyes, but then moves the guns to a safer location and told me what he did.

[Anonymous]

There is not one gun culture, btw. There are hunters and then there are militia types And guns rights enthusiasts. I'm fine with hunters. In fact, if you're not a vegetarian, being anti hunting is completely hypocritical. Don't think i'd stay with the other kinds.

[Anonymous]

Because if you only ask about one safety issue it is seen as a paranoid political agenda and they don't care to indulge you. For example do you ask if any medication in the house is locked up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assumptions about me aside, why is it so hard to get a clear answer? I'm talking "The handgun is behind lock and key, and I double-checked on Saturday" or whatever.

That's really all i want to ensure.

Because you are the guest. Their house/their rules, you sound like you go there demanding answers. It would be far better for you to get a hotel.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you have reason to believe that the weapons are stored improperly, or do you just want to shitstir, since you clearly think you're superior to these people?