| thomasquinn 32989 09.11.2008 14:08 |
PHOENIX (Reuters) - Sales of rifles, pistols and ammo are surging in parts of the United States, as many gun owners fear President-elect Barack Obama's administration may seek to tighten ownership of certain weapons. Gun stores and trade groups have reported a spike in firearms sales in the run-up to the November 4 election victory of Democrat Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden, who many perceive as strongly pro-gun control. "It's always been the liberal or Democratic agenda to restrict gun ownership," said Jim Pruett, the owner of a gun store in a Houston-area strip mall, whose sales more than tripled on the Saturday before the election to $35,000. In McPherson, Kansas, gun dealer Steve Sechler said demand at a gun show last weekend jumped by more than 50 percent as buyers rushed to stock up on guns including Kalashnikov and AR-15 rifles. "Most of the people there were cussing Obama and saying we need home defense," Sechler said. link Now, if you, like me, were wondering what the heck an AR-15 is: link That is a military semi-automatic carbine/rifle, much like the M4 and the Kalashnikov AK-47. Nobody is going to tell me that they need that to defend their home. |
| AspiringPhilosophe 09.11.2008 14:26 |
McPherson, Kansas? Oh man...I live half an hour from them now!! In fact I have to get there at some point to change my Drivers License over to a KS one. Even though I've only been here for a month, I can honestly say I'm not surprised by this. This area is RED....VERY RED. And I don't just mean politically; they buy the whole conservative line about religion, guns, etc etc. (The wonderful Westboro Baptists are from this state after all) Drives me insane to be here at times, but I see it as a test of my patience. Luckily I haven't had a chance to test my patience yet...though I've had plenty of time to quietly observe. While I'm a firm believer that banning guns isn't going to stop gun violence (banning drugs hasn't stopped their use, banning murder hasn't stopped it either), there is, IMHO, ABSOLUTELY NO reason anyone needs some of these guns, like Kalisnokovs (sp?). The only people who MAY have an excuse to need them are soldiers on the front lines. You don't need those guns for defense of your home, for hunting, or any other BS excuse they give. |
| Saint Jiub 09.11.2008 14:47 |
As I am manic depressive, and cannot own a gun ... I really do not care if gun laws are tightened. I hope this new influx of guns do not get into the hands of an anti-Obama skinhead ... the US would explode in flames and riots. |
| Lady Nyx 09.11.2008 22:27 |
Gym Bitch wrote: As I am manic depressive, and cannot own a gun ... I really do not care if gun laws are tightened. I hope this new influx of guns do not get into the hands of an anti-Obama skinhead ... the US would explode in flames and riots. |
| JoxerTheDeityPirate 10.11.2008 03:35 |
Gym Bitch wrote: As I am manic depressive, and cannot own a gun ... I really do not care if gun laws are tightened. I hope this new influx of guns do not get into the hands of an anti-Obama skinhead ... the US would explode in flames and riots. too late with that one,they arrested 2 neo-nazis just before the election who had planned to kill Obama and a bunch of his supporters so dont expect that to be the last case you hear about you can almost hear Billy Joel sharpening his pencil if it does all end in tears.... |
| thomasquinn 32989 10.11.2008 07:11 |
Really, if you bear in mind that the GOP and Democratic Party have switched positions in comparison to the 19th century, nothing has changed since the Civil War: a Democratic candidate is elected, and the Republicans start arming themselves... |
| AspiringPhilosophe 10.11.2008 08:57 |
JoxerTheDeityPirate wrote:Gym Bitch wrote: As I am manic depressive, and cannot own a gun ... I really do not care if gun laws are tightened. I hope this new influx of guns do not get into the hands of an anti-Obama skinhead ... the US would explode in flames and riots.too late with that one,they arrested 2 neo-nazis just before the election who had planned to kill Obama and a bunch of his supporters so dont expect that to be the last case you hear about you can almost hear Billy Joel sharpening his pencil if it does all end in tears.... You aren't kidding, Jon. The day after Obama was elected, they (being the news media...everyone except Fox that is; they were holding a combination funeral/family feud over the 'death' of the Republican Party) were already comparing him to JFK, comparing Michelle to Jackie O, and calling this administration the "New Camelot". There are quite a few racists still in this country; I hope nothing happens to the First Family. :-S at TQ: Good observation actually!! I needed a morning laugh! :-) Luckily they are too busy currently licking their wounded pride to do much of anything else! |
| KillerQueen840 11.11.2008 10:25 |
All I have to say is: I love shooting. My boyfriend takes me all the time, sometimes with his friend...and it is the most fun I have ever had. I don't have many hobbies and it's something I am actually pretty decent at....I don't know how much Obama can do about guns...I heard he may spike the tax of ammunition by something like 300%...if that's true--well that fucking sucks. I'm at college now....but when I come down home for Thanksgiving break I am going to sign up for a FID course to take when I come back for a month during December--January so I can apply for a FID card ASAP. I just want to be able to own a shotgun...and rifle...and you know, when I'm 21...a nice pistol....it's just so damn fun shooting targets and various other items from around the house that are no longer of use. I really hope prices for guns/licenses/ammo don't spike. |
| Mr.Jingles 11.11.2008 16:14 |
KillerQueen840 wrote: All I have to say is: I love shooting. My boyfriend takes me all the time, sometimes with his friend...and it is the most fun I have ever had. I don't have many hobbies and it's something I am actually pretty decent at....I don't know how much Obama can do about guns...I heard he may spike the tax of ammunition by something like 300%...if that's true--well that fucking sucks. I'm at college now....but when I come down home for Thanksgiving break I am going to sign up for a FID course to take when I come back for a month during December--January so I can apply for a FID card ASAP. I just want to be able to own a shotgun...and rifle...and you know, when I'm 21...a nice pistol....it's just so damn fun shooting targets and various other items from around the house that are no longer of use. I really hope prices for guns/licenses/ammo don't spike. He better not cheat on you, then. [img=/images/smiley/msn/teeth_smile.gif][/img] |
| Ms. Rebel 11.11.2008 18:47 |
I've heard about those nazis. It was on the news. They also have their own web site. |
| thomasquinn 32989 14.11.2008 14:11 |
KillerQueen840 wrote: All I have to say is: I love shooting. My boyfriend takes me all the time, sometimes with his friend...and it is the most fun I have ever had. I don't have many hobbies and it's something I am actually pretty decent at....I don't know how much Obama can do about guns...I heard he may spike the tax of ammunition by something like 300%...if that's true--well that fucking sucks. I'm at college now....but when I come down home for Thanksgiving break I am going to sign up for a FID course to take when I come back for a month during December--January so I can apply for a FID card ASAP. I just want to be able to own a shotgun...and rifle...and you know, when I'm 21...a nice pistol....it's just so damn fun shooting targets and various other items from around the house that are no longer of use. I really hope prices for guns/licenses/ammo don't spike. Wow, how nice. A violent lunatic on the forum. |
| KillerQueen840 14.11.2008 18:23 |
You've got to be kidding me, ThomasQuinn. I'm automatically violent because I like shotting clay pidgeons? I don't even hunt animals. I think that's hilarious. I never harmed a person in my life and I never will unless my life is threatened. |
| JoxerTheDeityPirate 15.11.2008 04:13 |
KillerQueen840 wrote: You've got to be kidding me, ThomasQuinn. I'm automatically violent because I like shotting clay pidgeons? I don't even hunt animals. I think that's hilarious. I never harmed a person in my life and I never will unless my life is threatened. i think he's confusing Clay Pigeons with Clay Aikens... |
| john bodega 15.11.2008 05:19 |
KillerQueen840 wrote: All I have to say is: I love shooting. My boyfriend takes me all the time, sometimes with his friend...and it is the most fun I have ever had. I don't have many hobbies and it's something I am actually pretty decent at....I don't know how much Obama can do about guns...I heard he may spike the tax of ammunition by something like 300%...if that's true--well that fucking sucks. I'm at college now....but when I come down home for Thanksgiving break I am going to sign up for a FID course to take when I come back for a month during December--January so I can apply for a FID card ASAP. I just want to be able to own a shotgun...and rifle...and you know, when I'm 21...a nice pistol....it's just so damn fun shooting targets and various other items from around the house that are no longer of use. I really hope prices for guns/licenses/ammo don't spike. Pfft. Go get a Wii or whatever other gaming platform wherein you can shoot stuff without using ammo. I guess there's a "it's not the same as the real thing" on the way, so I'd just like to stick a disclaimer on here and say I haven't the slightest problem with people who shoot as a hobby. I used to like bows and arrows when I was a kid. Truth be told I would've been mortified if any of my hobbies was (in circumstances beyond my predicting) involved in harming someone. Nutters will always be able to get their hands on weapons, I guess. One can say 'well my guns and ammunition are locked up nice and safe' etcetera, but there's always a way. It's stupidity on the part of governments to increase taxes on things that are harming people, or could do so in the future. Over here we're facing big taxes on certain kinds of alcohol and it's utterly ridiculous. I cannot understand a government that sells you harmful goods but then increases taxes in a bid to look like they give a shit about the consequences. If they really gave a toss about people, they wouldn't take such blatantly hypocritical and counterproductive action. I'd like to see the US have a similar proportion of 'armed' citizens as my own country. That is never going to happen. The response is always the same; "I have the right to bear arms, I want to defend myself and my kids, rah rah rah" ... it's all bullshit, really. People act like they're Neo for fucks sake; you're probably going to take out more bystanders than 'bad guys'. Of course on the other hand, I know exactly what it is to want to feel safe above all other things. I don't feel safe when I walk through certain parts of town late at night. The difference is, culturally, I've been brought up to feel that a gun would probably be just as dangerous to myself as it would any potential attacker. You guys in the US have been told since God knows when that guns are a solution to a problem; to many problems, be they home invaders or those mythical guys that are going to come and take your nation away from you. Sorry, I've seriously lost track of where I was going with this. Hahahaha. |
| thomasquinn 32989 15.11.2008 07:49 |
KillerQueen840 wrote: You've got to be kidding me, ThomasQuinn. I'm automatically violent because I like shotting clay pidgeons? I don't even hunt animals. I think that's hilarious. I never harmed a person in my life and I never will unless my life is threatened. Three points: 1) Posession of firearms lowers the threshold for the use of violence, as does shooting for 'sport' (funny, I thought sports had something to do with physical exertion rather than useless violence). 2) The more widespread possession of firearms is, the easier it is for violent characters to obtain guns (think, for instance, of burglary. Some gang could easily steal your guns and have some fun with them). 3) Lethal weapons are not toys. |
| Mr.Jingles 15.11.2008 09:05 |
ThomasQuinn wrote:KillerQueen840 wrote: You've got to be kidding me, ThomasQuinn. I'm automatically violent because I like shotting clay pidgeons? I don't even hunt animals. I think that's hilarious. I never harmed a person in my life and I never will unless my life is threatened.Three points: 1) Posession of firearms lowers the threshold for the use of violence, as does shooting for 'sport' (funny, I thought sports had something to do with physical exertion rather than useless violence). 2) The more widespread possession of firearms is, the easier it is for violent characters to obtain guns (think, for instance, of burglary. Some gang could easily steal your guns and have some fun with them). 3) Lethal weapons are not toys. I have no problem with guns being kept for sport/leisure activity purposes as long as it's not hunting. Of course, as Jessica mentioned no animals are hurt, so what can possibly be wrong with shooting a non-living target that is no one's possession but your own? However, I have to say that increasing sales of firearms comes with risks. While there are many individuals like Jessica who make an effort to be responsible when it comes to using firearms, there are also people who will misuse guns by unintentionally (or in the worst case intentionally) hurting someone or an animal. Therefore calling Jessica a "violent lunatic" is just as ignorant as calling anyone who drinks a beer a "deranged alcoholic". Back to the topic of raising taxes on guns and ammo. I think there's a place for everything. If people want to shoot as a harmless pastime, then they can go to a shooting range where guns are kept in safe location, and people are told how to use them safely. I'd be against raising taxes on ammo or renting guns for use in a shooting range. |
| Holly2003 15.11.2008 09:22 |
ThomasQuinn wrote:KillerQueen840 wrote: You've got to be kidding me, ThomasQuinn. I'm automatically violent because I like shotting clay pidgeons? I don't even hunt animals. I think that's hilarious. I never harmed a person in my life and I never will unless my life is threatened.Three points: 1) Posession of firearms lowers the threshold for the use of violence, as does shooting for 'sport' (funny, I thought sports had something to do with physical exertion rather than useless violence). 2) The more widespread possession of firearms is, the easier it is for violent characters to obtain guns (think, for instance, of burglary. Some gang could easily steal your guns and have some fun with them). 3) Lethal weapons are not toys. Even if all that were true it doesn't justify you caling someone who target shoots, a "violent lunatic". You need to get a bit of perspective. |
| thomasquinn 32989 16.11.2008 05:59 |
Guns are weapons, not toys. They are designed to kill. Therefore, anyone who enjoys using guns enjoys the activity of using lethal force on an object or creature. I call that sick. |
| Freya is quietly judging you. 16.11.2008 06:31 |
I agree with Casper. Also, I genuinely don't understand how it's legal for people to walk into a shop and buy a gun in the US. It just seems so odd to me. I find it baffling. |
| Holly2003 16.11.2008 07:43 |
ThomasQuinn wrote: Guns are weapons, not toys. They are designed to kill. Therefore, anyone who enjoys using guns enjoys the activity of using lethal force on an object or creature. I call that sick. How can you use "lethal force" on an object? I call that idiotic. |
| its_a_hard_life 26994 16.11.2008 09:51 |
Freya is quietly judging you. wrote: I genuinely don't understand how it's legal for people to walk into a shop and buy a gun in the US. It just seems so odd to me. I find it baffling. |
| yogi 16.11.2008 21:21 |
Freya is quietly judging you. wrote: I agree with Casper. Also, I genuinely don't understand how it's legal for people to walk into a shop and buy a gun in the US. It just seems so odd to me. I find it baffling. They have the right to bear arms The sad thing is, they throw the rest of the bear away |
| john bodega 16.11.2008 23:26 |
There's a good George Harrison quote on this very topic; unfortunately the gun owners here would probably get offended or something ridiculous if it gets repeated. He had a point, though. |
| Mr.Jingles 17.11.2008 07:36 |
ThomasQuinn wrote: Guns are weapons, not toys. They are designed to kill. Therefore, anyone who enjoys using guns enjoys the activity of using lethal force on an object or creature. I call that sick. If they are designed to kill, then what could be wrong with using them for something that is not to kill? We could say the exact same thing about shooting with a bow and arrow. In ancient times they were designed to to kill animals or people in a battlefield. Nowdays, archery is mostly considered a sport. Caspar and Freya, both of you have huge issues when it comes to political correctness. Not every single person who shoots a non-living object is going to go on a shooting rampage. That's why I mentioned why shooting ranges are places where people can enjoy shooting as a form of sport or entertainment. Guns are kept locked and safe from any common individual taking them out of the facility. I would like to see both of you argue how it was wrong for Nintendo to promote killing ducks. Oh yeah, and let's not forget as well that the dog laughing when missing the shot can hurt children's self esteem. |
| john bodega 17.11.2008 10:34 |
Mr.Jingles wrote: Not every single person who shoots a non-living object is going to go on a shooting rampage. To turn that around for a sec, though; how many people who have gone on shooting rampages have shot non-living objects? Ha-ha! |
| KillerQueen840 17.11.2008 11:56 |
its_a_hard_life wrote:Freya is quietly judging you. wrote: I genuinely don't understand how it's legal for people to walk into a shop and buy a gun in the US. It just seems so odd to me. I find it baffling. People in the US cannot just walk into a shop and buy a gun. First, they must complete a training course and obtain a certificate. Then they apply for an FID card with their local police department. In many places, obtaining an FID card can take a LONG time. Weeks adn weekds, some places months. Also, just because you complete the course and get yoru certificate...doesn't mean you automatically get your FID card. You must go through an extensive...REAL extensive background search, that's why it takes so long. If you have any record with the police at all where the police took your name, you cannot get an FID card. If you have any mental illness such as depression, you cannot get one either. There is a strict procedure. It's not like walking into a candy shop. Also, you must keep renewing your FID card. When you purchase a gun, it takes a long time, too. You sit there for at least 30 minutes while they take your finger prints, call the directory to do a background check on you and see if your crime record is clean. A lot of paperwork is also involved. |
| KillerQueen840 17.11.2008 12:01 |
Also...I apologize for that gigantic spacious post. I went back to edit a couple of times and it got beefed up with even more space. |
