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I blew my economic stimulus check

All gun speak aside (cause Im not really into them)....Look at all of that land!!! BEAUTIFUL! There are amazing mountains in the background!

You have NO idea. That's southern Alberta, baby. I live in Calgary and about 30 minutes outside of the city is my uncle's farm, where I shoot. I'm within two hours of at least 4 world class ski resorts and less than an hour from two different national parks.

Also, the rockies are awesome. :)
 
Living in Canada, there are a few hoops I need to jump through before getting a gun of my own. I plan to stick with non-restricted rifles first, purely for shooting at the range and hunting with my grandfather. After a few years I plan to at least apply for the restricted firearm permit, which would enable me to purchase some pistols, although guns like the OPs are unfortunately prohibited around here.
 
I got to go with Elle on this one...I've never understood the American gun culture either.....I used to go target shooting, I like guns, but I don't think people should be able to own one just because they can....
 
Will someone explain the American gun culture to me? I've never heard of it.
The constitution ---Your right to bear arms....
I think I'm right on that one...Tell me if I'm not.....
Americans fight for the right to own arms.....We fight for them to be taken away.....If your American you probably don't see it as it's a fact of life... In the UK you tell someone you got a gun and they look at you strange....
 
Will someone explain the American gun culture to me? I've never heard of it.

Hard to explain, snakewispera snr has the right idea. I think because you guys fought for it, it means more to you. I remember feeling a little shocked seeing a gun section in walmart, just because you *don't* see that kind of thing in Canada. Guns are more serious here, you would never be able to buy one at the same store you buy kids toys and lampshades. So I guess, you don't see you're "gun culture" any more than I can hear my Canadian accent
(What accent! Every else has an accent, I speak normal).

Some interesting links:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa030500c.htm
(the population figures at the end were surprising to me)

This is pretty cool too, if you have time on your hands:
http://www.panda.com/canadaguns/

Just to illustrate the differences. I mean, we're right on top of you. Our cultures are so very similar (when compared to other countries), but when it comes to guns you guys are way more liberal. Can't say I've every really had opinions either way, I've never had a reason to think on it.
 
What you didn't spend your money on Snakes or racks or any types of Caging??
bah you wasted your money. What kinda snake fan are you??
 
I agree with Elle and Mike.. the whole American gun culture thing is confusing. I don't think people (especially here in America where the crime rate is pretty high) should be getting more guns.
Ever heard the story of 2 children who stole guns from their grandpa's house then went to their school and shot a couple of other kids and a teacher? Even on my street there have been countless shooting because there are two rival gangs in my area.
Unless you only shoot targets or whatever or you hunt because you are so far from civilization you shouldn't own a gun. And if you do you should have it in a safe so that no one except for you can get in. Not even your children or spouse. And I mean, if you want to take the risk of somebody dying with your fire arm, then so be it. But that just makes you stupid, imo (and no offense to whoever owns a gun).
 
If you think police can get to you in time in an emergency situation, you're risking your life. Obviously there will be accidental shootings when irresponsible people don't keep their firearms away from children, but making guns illegal doesn't make parents more responsible. Those are the same people who let their kids go unbelted in a car, drive ATVs they're too young to handle, ride them around on tractors, etc.

What do you think would have happened if this woman hadn't armed herself?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-ExC7fE1LaY&feature=related
 
Well, I remember being a little shocked when I saw the gun section in Walmart, and the prices (so cheap!) It just seemed incredibly easy to obtain a gun.

However, guns don't kill people, people do. I'm not gonna pass judgement on something which I don't truly understand. Sure, the U.S. has one of the highest homicide rates in the World, but if people truly want to kill one another or will take desperate measures to achieve their goals, whatever they are, then they'll use whatever they can get, be it a knife, baseball bat, fists, whatever. Guns just make it a little easier. So then, you have to wonder, is it something behind the American mentality and youth culture that encourages people to kill one another, or is it the fact that guns make it easier to kill one another, and if something's easier, then people have more of an incentive.
 
Even on my street there have been countless shooting because there are two rival gangs in my area./QUOTE]

I don't disagree with a lot of your sentiment - I feel pretty strongly about the need to license and train gun owners. Being in Canada means I've done the course and been licensed by the government to own firearms. However, that one statement contains what I think is naivety.

Here in Canada pistols are very hard to come by. They are heavily restricted - as of right now I can't own one. I have to take another course, get another license and join an official gun club in order to purchase a pistol. Then, in order to remain legal, I have to inform the RCMP if I plan to transport that pistol anywhere other than my home or the gun club that I belong to.

Despite that, however, gang warfare in Canada is fought with Pistols. Extremely few of these pistols are stolen from legal gun owners - most are smuggled in. In other words the near banning of pistols has had no effect on how many gangs are armed with pistols. It's a pipe dream to think that removing guns from legal owners will stop criminals from acquiring guns.

As far as the safety thing goes, I'm with you. My guns aren't stored in a safe, but they are all trigger locked and the ammunition is locked away elsewhere. It's pretty much impossible for someone who isn't supposed to get at my guns to be able to get at my guns.
 
And if you do you should have it in a safe so that no one except for you can get in. Not even your children or spouse. And I mean, if you want to take the risk of somebody dying with your fire arm, then so be it. But that just makes you stupid, imo (and no offense to whoever owns a gun).
I hope you're referring to people who don't lock them up with children around and not just everyone who owns a gun.

I ask about the "gun culture in America" thing because honestly I think it's blown out of proportion. I grew up in metro Detroit and I've never heard a gunshot except for the occasional wounded deer being put out of its misery on the highway. Never saw a gun until I was probably 9 when we went to the shooting range with my uncle. From then on I've come across hunters with guns in the woods... rifles they bought at Walmart to hunt deer. I'm 29 now, and I've seen a pistol once on an undercover cop. That's it. If I mention to any of my friends or people I work with I have a gun they look at me strange (except for one or 2). You guys make it sound like we walk around with guns taped to our foreheads.

Some people, like me, just refuse to play the role of the sheep when something bad happens.

ps - The one time I encountered an angry person brandishing a weapon it was a bow and arrow. Go figure.
 
Well, I remember being a little shocked when I saw the gun section in Walmart, and the prices (so cheap!) It just seemed incredibly easy to obtain a gun.

However, guns don't kill people, people do. I'm not gonna pass judgement on something which I don't truly understand. Sure, the U.S. has one of the highest homicide rates in the World, but if people truly want to kill one another or will take desperate measures to achieve their goals, whatever they are, then they'll use whatever they can get, be it a knife, baseball bat, fists, whatever. Guns just make it a little easier. So then, you have to wonder, is it something behind the American mentality and youth culture that encourages people to kill one another, or is it the fact that guns make it easier to kill one another, and if something's easier, then people have more of an incentive.

I think it's Hollywood and video games that lead to a lot of this but thats another topic.

Look at the American culture as a whole, unlike many others both parents work. Sometimes both parents work long hours so their child has a lot of alone time to do things in. Many of these childern feel alone and will reach out to others for that feeling of a family. Which is the reason we have gangs. Many of the gang members are from broken families but some are from families were they just did not feel like they were loved. Some parents don't get to know their child well enough and don't see the signs that might be pointing to problems. Yes, I am blaming the parents. They are after all a child's starting point. They are the ones who are there to protect and guide their kids on the right path.

I grew up in a house hold with guns, I knew what they were for as long as I can remember. I also remember my parents going over the same things over and over again about the guns and what they can do. When I was 9 my dad took me to some gun control classes and to meetings at our local NRA. I learned how to shot at the age of 11 and started hunting with my dad at the age of 12. I know how to handle a gun. I know what can happen when guns are used wrong but I also saw how guns can be helpful.

I don't really remember how old I was but our house was being broken into one night. My room is on the main floor where all the doors are so I heard them trying to get the door open and chattering. I ran upstairs to my parents room and woke them. My dad always kept his hand gun in his bedside dresser and the ammo above the fridge. Well he grabbed the gun which was empty and ran down stairs. My mom and I followed, she calling 911 and me just to see what happened. Well there were two guys, one with a baseball bat and the other with something else. As soon as they saw the gun they turned and ran. The gun was empty but they did not know that. My father was not a big man mind you. Standing at 5 foot even most people over looked him but with the gun in his hand he had the upper hand. The cops showed up 45 mins later... needless to say my dad was pissed off at them. If we had not had the gun who knows what could have happened. I grew up in a gun safe house and when I turn 21 I'll get all of my dad's guns as well as my own. I love guns. I love shooting them. I would never use them for any harm against a human, animal yes but not human. When I get my own house you can beat that it will be a gun safe house and if I ever have kids they will understand the cons of a gun. They will, as I did, respect the gun.

Now, I think that there should be more hoops to jump through but I can tell you right now I am for guns 100%. I wish there was some way to get them out of the hands of those who do bad with them but if I every came across someone who had a gun I would love to have the odds evened up by having a gun of my own. Gun on gun is better then gun on anything else.


To OP, nice looking hand gun you have there. Enjoy it.
 
Here is a picture of my "snubbie" a Ruger Redhawk 44mag. Ironically it has never murdered, maimed, robbed, assaulted, raped, etc, etc, etc or in any other way committed a crime.
 
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Most of my American friends, and aqauntences have one or two guns per house hold.. Most of my friends back home have 4 to 6 rifles per house hold...
*shrugs*

Its the people behind the guns that kill others.. Someone has to pull the trigger, whether it is in self defense, or in total insainity ...

I guess the gun culture is way more weird than the nasty snake hobby ( Humm 15 ft burms eatting the neighbours sweet yorkie ( not that I would be offended ).. *shrugs* Of course the Government is trying to pressure reptile owners too, and that seems to be an outrage.. We are next ...

Regards.. Tim of T and J
 
Here is a picture of my "snubbie" a Ruger Redhawk 44mag. Ironically it has never murdered, maimed, robbed, assaulted, raped, etc, etc, etc or in any other way committed a crime.
Nice. I want a GP100. Rugers just seem so well made to me for some reason. 44 mag though - that would probably give me a nose bleed if I shot it.
 
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