pole on number of gun owners in AT

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TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Several, might be into the double digit range.

My wife buys them for me and shoots with me. She wants me to get a 45 gun safe, and knows that even that wont be enough.
 

RKS

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,824
3
81
I have a 9mm with a couple of loaded clips. The 9mm and ammo are beside the bed. Since my boys are extremely curious and approaching 4 and 2 respectively, the 9mm now has a cable lock. My wife has been to the shooting range but still wasn't/isn't too comfortable with the handgun in the house.

What type of area do people live in where they need numerous loaded weapons scattered throughout their homes (not sport shooters/hunters/collectors)? I guess my harmless Lab would probably scare away most potential criminals or at least alert me to load the 9mm; the chances that I would actually need a gun to protect my family/home in my area are miniscule.
 

gooseman

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
4,853
1
0
I own 5 pistols, 2 shotguns and 1 rifle. My wife does not mind at all and she actually enjoys going to the range to shoot. We do not have any children right now so the guns are not locked away.
 

upsciLLion

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
5,947
1
81
Originally posted by: RKS
the chances that I would actually need a gun to protect my family/home in my area are miniscule.

You should consider what's at stake more so than the probability of the event taking place.

E(X) = Spx
 

RKS

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,824
3
81
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Originally posted by: RKS
the chances that I would actually need a gun to protect my family/home in my area are miniscule.

You should consider what's at stake more so than the probability of the event taking place.

E(X) = Spx

Then by populating my entire house with loaded weapons I would then have to consider accidental useage or theft rather than a false aura of safety.

Chances are probably less that a loaded weapon in the fridge or one taped to the under-side of my computer desk is going to protect me than one of my kids finding it.

If you read my entire post you'll understand I was questioning the areas that people live in that justify an arsenal for self-defense puposes. I have access to a handgun as well as a canine with acute hearing and mean growl /bark; (not that he would actually dare to confront a stranger :D ) unless someone orders a professional hit my family will be fine.

If I only considered what is at stake without the context of the probablity of an event taking place we would be in a concrete bunker in Montana and only venturing out in our Popemobile when shopping for basics.
 

upsciLLion

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
5,947
1
81
Originally posted by: RKS
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Originally posted by: RKS
the chances that I would actually need a gun to protect my family/home in my area are miniscule.

You should consider what's at stake more so than the probability of the event taking place.

E(X) = Spx

Then by populating my entire house with loaded weapons I would then have to consider accidental useage or theft rather than a false aura of safety.

Chances are probably less that a loaded weapon in the fridge or one taped to the under-side of my computer desk is going to protect me than one of my kids finding it.

If you read my entire post you'll understand I was questioning the areas that people live in that justify an arsenal for self-defense puposes. I have access to a handgun as well as a canine with acute hearing and mean growl /bark; (not that he would actually dare to confront a stranger :D ) unless someone orders a professional hit my family will be fine.

If I only considered what is at stake without the context of the probablity of an event taking place we would be in a concrete bunker in Montana and only venturing out in our Popemobile when shopping for basics.

I was merely suggesting you reconsider your viewpoint. Nobody suggested you prance around the house bearing a coat of arms. :p Stop over-reacting. ;)
 

compman25

Diamond Member
Jan 12, 2006
3,767
2
81
Originally posted by: adairusmc
Originally posted by: compman25
Originally posted by: lupi
Originally posted by: compman25
Originally posted by: lupi
I'd like to get a class IV permit but everything I've heard about the process says $$$$$$$.

What is a class IV permit?

automatic weapon license.

That's wierd, I owned an M16-a1 in the 90's, the only expensive thing was the gun, the goverment only got $200 from me and I didn't need any permit. The $200 was the tax stamp. It did take about a year though to get the gun into my hands from the time I bought it.

They are mistaken, they do not need a license to own one. You only need the license to manufacture NFA restricted devices, and to sell NFA items.

As you know, all you have to do is fill out the Form 4 and pay the gov their $200, and wait. The waiting time lately (for me anyways) has been about six weeks from when I send the completed paperwork in.

I have an M-16 lower myself, and I absolutely love it. Well worth the cash.

That was my experience, except in 92 it took almost a full year. I was very worried I paid for something I may not ever get. After that though I've got to say it was well worth it and a lot of fun. I wish I hadn't sold it when I decided to start my own business and needed cash.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: compman25
Originally posted by: adairusmc
Originally posted by: compman25
Originally posted by: lupi
Originally posted by: compman25
Originally posted by: lupi
I'd like to get a class IV permit but everything I've heard about the process says $$$$$$$.

What is a class IV permit?

automatic weapon license.

That's wierd, I owned an M16-a1 in the 90's, the only expensive thing was the gun, the goverment only got $200 from me and I didn't need any permit. The $200 was the tax stamp. It did take about a year though to get the gun into my hands from the time I bought it.

They are mistaken, they do not need a license to own one. You only need the license to manufacture NFA restricted devices, and to sell NFA items.

As you know, all you have to do is fill out the Form 4 and pay the gov their $200, and wait. The waiting time lately (for me anyways) has been about six weeks from when I send the completed paperwork in.

I have an M-16 lower myself, and I absolutely love it. Well worth the cash.

That was my experience, except in 92 it took almost a full year. I was very worried I paid for something I may not ever get. After that though I've got to say it was well worth it and a lot of fun. I wish I hadn't sold it when I decided to start my own business and needed cash.

Yup, Bush I and Clinton were NOT RKBA supporters. The process was very slow intentionally. Now that the NFA Registry is a seperate branch, Title 2 weapons are much, MUCH faster to transfer.

Everyone should disregard any "advice" that lupi gives. God only knows what a "class IV license" is.

But the basic rundown is:
National Firearms Act of 1934: Also known as NFA. This is the act that established Title I and Title II weapons, and established a registry of Title II weapons. It also established a $200 tax for every transfer of Title II weapons to non-firearms dealers.
Title I Weapon: Handguns, shotguns, semi-automatic rifles, basically your every day run of the mill firearm.
Title II Weapon: Supressors, fully automatic weapons, short barelled rifles (less than 16 inches), short barelled shotguns (less than 16 inches), destructive devices (grenades, grenade launchers, weapons greater than .50 caliber), Any Other Weapon (cell phone guns, pen guns, pistols with forward grips, miscellaneous other firearms.)
Federal Firearms Dealer: Also known as an FFL. Someone licensed to sell guns. They are generally not subject to any transfer fees.
Special Occupation Tax 3 Federal Firearms Dealer: Also known as an SOT3 FFL. A special kind of dealer authorized to deal in Title II weapons. Not only can an SOT3 dealer transfer and have transfered to them Title II weapons without a tax stamp, they can obtain brand new fully automatic weapons if a police agency demonstrates an interest in them. SOT3 is an additional $1000 per year to the Feds.
Machine gun: A fully automatic weapon. That is, a weapon which can fire more than one round with only one manipulation of the trigger. The NFA Registry was CLOSED to new machine guns in 1986. That is to say, there are no legally owned post-1986 machine guns in personal ownership. That's why machine guns are so expensive, because the supply has been cut off. Police departments can still obtain new fully automatic weapons through an SOT3 FFL, but police officers cannot own anything more than anyone else.

Hopefully that will educate some of you about one of the most rumor filled bits of firearm ownership. Feel free to ask further questions, as all of that was just off the top of my head at 2am.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
I keep guns not only to excercise (and thereby preserve) my constitutional rights, but also because I believe legitimate gun ownership lowers crime in America, and mostly because I like to commit murder on tin cans.

Have my daddy's old .22 single shot, a single shot break action 20 gauge, a mossberg pump 20 gauge and a .410, a beretta 22 pistol (the neos) and a walther 22 rifle (the G22).
Also got a S&W Sigma in the .40 model, thinking about giving that up for a sub compact 45 from Springfield.


EDIT:
And any SO I get in life will like guns, otherwise she is not my SO.
 

ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,792
1
0
i don't have a gun. unless you're in the secuirty or the military in israel, it is hard to get a license to carry a gun.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: ForumMaster
i don't have a gun. unless you're in the secuirty or the military in israel, it is hard to get a license to carry a gun.

From what I understand, guns are pretty strictly controlled for civilians in Israel, but it is possible to obtain a license to own 1 handgun. I've never heard anything about a license to CARRY said handgun though.

Non-issued arms are strictly controlled for Military and security forces as well, from what I've been told.
 

Dumac

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,391
1
0
No, I don't have one. However, I plan on getting one when I am old enough.
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
Originally posted by: Dumac
No, I don't have one. However, I plan on getting one when I am old enough.

How old are you? 18 for rifles and 21 for handguns in most states, and that's just to buy. You can probably own much younger than that if you have a parent buying for you. Tell your parents to buy you a gun or you'll shoot them....oh wait.
 

Tachyon74

Member
Mar 14, 2006
37
0
0
My Grandma has offered to give me one of my Grandpa's old guns... I believe he has several shotguns so I'd be interested in one. The plan would be eventually to keep it in the closet with a gun lock, or lock up the ammo (or both)
 

JJChicken

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2007
6,165
16
81
wow 64% gun owners. taking the figure of 80 million gun owners and US population of 300 million gives a US average of 27%. AT members are double the national average! Then again, the AT population excludes people who won't purchase guns (e.g. not many females here, not many kids) whereas the US average of 27% includes those groups. Still, 64% is pretty high.
 

ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,792
1
0
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: ForumMaster
i don't have a gun. unless you're in the security or the military in Israel, it is hard to get a license to carry a gun.

From what I understand, guns are pretty strictly controlled for civilians in Israel, but it is possible to obtain a license to own 1 handgun. I've never heard anything about a license to CARRY said handgun though.

Non-issued arms are strictly controlled for Military and security forces as well, from what I've been told.

well that's what i meant. you understood perfectly. the problem with issuing guns to civilians is that there can be no discrimination yet then Israeli Arabs can get guns and unfortunately that sometimes is a security risk.
 

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
I own two pistols, a Browning .22 and a Sig P226 .40, neither is locked up but I keep the ammo and pistols in two separate locations. My wife is neutral on guns, not excited about them but doesn't worry about them either. My daughter is 8 and doesn't know where the pistols or ammo are stored. I'm starting to think she might be mature enough for me to show her a real gun, explain them to her, and have a serious discussion about them and what they're capable of. I fired my first .22 rifle when I was around 10, and I want her to know what they're all about before she sees one somewhere else.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Sig Sauer p228

I think gun owners tend to be vocal. I would be very surprised, however, if the majority of AT members are gun owners, as the poll would currently suggest.
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Sig Sauer p228

I think gun owners tend to be vocal. I would be very surprised, however, if the majority of AT members are gun owners, as the poll would currently suggest.

you have to take into account a few other things as well though.

1) gun owners would be more likely to post/vote because its about guns.

2) non-gun owners would be less likely to post/vote because they probably don't care

3) i highly doubt that there has ever been a comprehensive poll to gauge anything on ATOT because some people don't visit OT, some people don't vote, some people don't even look at the thread, some people lie, etc.

So I would take the results of the poll with a grain of salt.
 
Aug 23, 2000
15,509
1
81
Originally posted by: Allen Iverson
wow 64% gun owners. taking the figure of 80 million gun owners and US population of 300 million gives a US average of 27%. AT members are double the national average! Then again, the AT population excludes people who won't purchase guns (e.g. not many females here, not many kids) whereas the US average of 27% includes those groups. Still, 64% is pretty high.

Don't forget, ATOT also has a collective 2" above average penis length, and at least an average of $60-100K over the national average for income.

And to the namby pambies that say they live in safe neighborhoods, so did the Dr in the northeast that had his whole family killed.

Would you rather have something and not need it, or not have something and need it?
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
Originally posted by: Allen Iverson
wow 64% gun owners. taking the figure of 80 million gun owners and US population of 300 million gives a US average of 27%. AT members are double the national average! Then again, the AT population excludes people who won't purchase guns (e.g. not many females here, not many kids) whereas the US average of 27% includes those groups. Still, 64% is pretty high.

Don't forget, ATOT also has a collective 2" above average penis length, and at least an average of $60-100K over the national average for income.

And to the namby pambies that say they live in safe neighborhoods, so did the Dr in the northeast that had his whole family killed.

Would you rather have something and not need it, or not have something and need it?

Eh, I just think it's a matter of non-gun owners not bothering to post in the thread. How often do you pass up on polls that you're not interested in?
 

CaptainGoodnight

Golden Member
Oct 13, 2000
1,427
30
91
I own some guns.

My SO hated it. Like most people who have an irrational fear of guns, she got over it once she learned to shoot and gained some respect for them.