Something I thought I would never do, but I'm getting a gun.

[Cleita]

I used to have one and decided I didn't want to be around firearms if I could take care of a problem otherwise. Up until now I was right. Now, I don't trust my government anymore so I am getting a gun. It looks like we are going to need that armed militia the Second Ammendment mentions.

[karlrschneider]

1. Get several. We have about 20.

It will come to pass that we will need them.

[SmokingJacket]

2. I don't know... this country is so depressing I think I'd probably

use it on myself in a fit of gloom.

I don't think a handgun is going to protect you from these people...

[Cleita]

4. Who is talking about a handgun, only?

I'm talking about rifles.

[SmokingJacket]

41. A gun won't stop the nuclear war they're itching for...

Or get us decent healthcare. That'll get us no matter how well-armed we are.

I'm sure some people have managed to protect themselves with a gun -- but I don't know those people. I know two or three people who committed suicide with a gun, though, and when I was a little girl my best friend's brother died when he was fooling around with his dad's gun.

I'm not really a gun fan.

[Cleita]

48. No, we would be underarmed, but we would be armed, a

reason for hesitation, if for no other reason than they have to hesitate and they will. Think about it. I used to go into inner city neighborhoods to work for small business people as a bookkeeper. The first thing that occurred is that the owner of the business had to hire neighborhood gang bangers to protect my car so it wouldb't be stolen.

As a matter-of-fact a friendly relationship with the local gang bangers was essential to their business.
Ask yourself the question, why weren't the cops patrolling these neighborhoods?

[MuseRider]

5. Ah but you will

never be taken alive! I know exactly what you mean.

[catmother]

3. i own 2 smith & wesson 38 specials. my husband has 3 guns.

i like the feeling of having my 38 in my nightstand right next to my bed.

[CountAllVotes]

12. I have a nice big knife and a claw hammer

next to my bed.

I HATE GUNS!!!!!

[northofdenali]

22. I love my SW 38. But I'm adding a shotgun to the armory!

Rifles and handguns are all great, but it's hard to miss with a good 12 gauge.

[comradebillyboy]

6. Your second amendment rights exist

so that you can protect your first amendment rights, and the rest as well. I belong to both the ACLU and the NRA.

[Road Scholar]

7. Don't you ever think the right wing nuts aren't out there

practicing everyday.I know it sounds crazy, but who knows where all this is going.

[Gelliebeans]

8. I am beginning to change my mind

about this which is quite surprising

[KAZ]

9. If you must, but not for that reason.

Personal protection, maybe, but you'll be firing spitballs at the arsenal this gang totes.

[Cleita]

11. So I guess we roll over.n/t

[KAZ]

36. Not at all.

And I ALWAYS feel the same way you do, but at this time, the firearms purchase might have a placating affect on the purchaser. We need more creative thinking at this time.

[Ikonoklast]

40. And when the Thought Police are banging your door down

to arrest you, terrorize your family, and take them off to the internment camps, what creative thinking will you use then?

I bet the German Jews wished that they had something besides creative thinking to use when the time came for them to be exterminated. If they all knew what was in store for them and their families, I'm willing to bet that there would've been a lot of SS blood in the gutters.


Don't ever think that it can't happen here.

[KAZ]

49. No, I completely believe that can happen...

... but if it gets to that point, the war is over.

Look, I scream and yell at the TV, the Blogs, the Boards. I've written so many threatening letters to Tweety, and Jimmeh, even Howie, but that's only out of frustration. We need something more. Take this with a grain of salt from an old Libertarian, but we need a Galt.

Edit: Let's change "old Libertarian" to "reformed Libertarian". :)

[Nevernose]

10. Sold or shipped mine off to relatives

Got a kid in the house, and even with all the training and familiarization in the world, the statistics weigh in in favor of sending them away for a few years.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

13. welcom to the club

I have not owned a gun since I was 12. At 55, I bought one and plan on several more. I no longer trust my government to protect me. I guess I am now part of the your on your own ership scociety.

[upi402]

14. You're gonna need a VERY VERY bigun'

to compete with fighter jets and rockets...
But hey, it's a great start. And while I wont be doing the same, I sure respect your decision!

[Cleita]

17. I know they have biggie thingies.

However, a determined populace can outdo a bunch of bullies. Our American revolution is a testament to this.

[madokie]

30. The insurgents in Iraq are a testament to this.

[bvar22]

32. The Iraqi Resistance is a modern example....

...not to mention the Afghan Resistance to the Russian Occupation,
Oh, and don't forget the Vietnamese Resistance to US Occupation.
None of those guys had the BIG STUFF.

[ryan_cats]

15. It's a good idea.

It's a good idea, I have several handguns and rifles. Keep in mind that if you have children you need a gun safe. Even if you don't have children it's still a good idea. You don't want a thief to get your weapons during a burglary.
Since you've owned a weapon before you might be able to bypass safety classes but I highly recommend them for nubies. Practicing is fun, especially fun if the range is full of wingnuts. I always get weird looks when I bring up politics with my shooting buddies. The other patrons find it hard to believe that a liberal shoots! We need to swell our ranks so it's not only wingnuts with the weapons.

What are you going to buy?

[Cleita]

24. I live in a rural area. I can get a rifle and perhaps a handgun.

But, since I am a really bad shot, I prefer a shotgun.
I think I'll get one of each. :-) We've been having cougars in the area. You never know if you have to protect your chickens from a chicken lover?

[Pastiche423]

16. I am terrified of guns

A gun paralyzed me for life.

BUT, my next door neighbor has plenty for the both of us. (I asked him.)

[Cleita]

62. I'm so sorry. This is why I thought

no one really needs one, but since we have a different world now, I guess it's time to adapt.

[Jackpine Radical]

18. I've been thinking about the Bersa Thunder .380 auto--

a little semiauto pistol small & light enough for concealed carry, has excellent reviews (including for reliability), made in S. America & sells in the US for about $200, half the cost of most competing pistols of good quality.

The .380 is a little underpowered according to the purists, but the pistol is also smaller & easier to carry than 9mm's & larger calibers. I think it's the best compromise.

I also have a .357 and a .22 Win magnum, a deer rifle & 2 shotguns lying around.

[Cha]

31. That's a big name for a

little gun..A "Bersa Thunder .380 auto", huh?

I'm sure Patrick Henry had a gun when he gave his famous cry..!

[greenisin]

19. Why be part of the problem?

Seriously, what's the point in violence to stop violence? Then both sides lose.

[karlrschneider]

23. You want to get into a gunfight with a straw and a spitball?

Good luck.

[lildreamer316]

20. Already decided that.

Got flamed like a mother for it too. WHatever.It's my family and my body; I have a right to defend it.

[greenisin]

26. What????

> I have a right to defend it.

By hurting someone else? What gives you the right to maim or kill someone with one of those things?

The escolation of violence and tools of violence is the problem. Stop being a part of the problem.

[cheezus]

21. er... have you seen the kinds of weapons the government has?

I don' think they let you have that stuff.

[karlrschneider]

27. Well, the Iraqi "insurgents" do pretty well against them.

...
I won't say anything more now.

[Cleita]

28. It doesn't matter, rolling over isn't an option. n/t

[Ikonoklast]

34. Tell the Russians about it

and they'll tell you about a little place called "Afghanistan". Seems like a bunch of backwoods religious nuts that WE funded ran their ass out of their crappy little country. With small arms, mostly. No planes, no tanks, just rifles and RPG's.

Then they turned them on US. And we still haven't won there. Not even close.

[Thor_MN]

38. And the odd shoulder fired anti-aircraft missle...

Don't get me wrong, something is better than nothing, but we were feeding them stuff you can't buy in the US....

[The Jacobin]

25. I don't think by 12-gauge will help much when they come to get me.

[High Plains]

43. Some o' them bombs in Iraq seem to work pretty good, though.

[LeftyMom]

29. I sympathize with the thought

I won't be getting a gun because guns and small boys are a very bad combination, but if things aren't any better when he's older and has a bit more sense, I'll consider it.

[meow2u3]

33. I was thinking of getting a Kel-TEC .380

The "Secret deodorant" of steel bodyguards. Powerful enough for a man, but lightweight enough for female shooters.

[andino]

35. Welcome to the club...

[marions ghost]

37. a gun is a symbol of protection

which might make you feel better, but that's it. Useless against the government unless you are prepared to die. Don't kid yourself.

[Cleita]

39. Guess what? I'm prepared to die.

That's why I am on board now.

[marions ghost]

44. dying's not too real

to those who haven't faced it. A gun won't save you from your fears.

[Cleita]

53. Excuse me, I am old and I have watched some people die

in my past. I am willing to die for what I believe and if this is fighting these facists, then this is the way it will be.

[marions ghost]

56. if you are older

it is especially dangerous to depend on a gun. You are going to have to have a lot of physical agility
and practice to even be able to use it against a younger opponent. But go ahead...whatever makes you feel stronger, even if it's only symbolic. To me it's just a sad sign of the times. That people actually think they can fight fascists with guns.

[Jackpine Radical]

61. I already have 3 bullet holes in my carcass

from almost 40 years ago. I would appreciate not being lectured about my fears.

[GardeningGal]

42. Interesting topic.

I've waffled back and forth on this issue and I don't know where I'll eventually land. Not fond of guns, but if a revolution is necessary it pays to be prepared.

[Cleita]

54. This is my point.n/t

[mitchum]

45. Good! I'm in favor of a WELL-ARMED Left

it will be necessary

[DemonGoddess]

46. Have plenty of knives...

but guns would be better if it comes down to it, and it becomes necessary to fight for what I believe in, in other ways.

[Cleita]

50. Ask yourself if you can really kill someone in hand to hand

combat with knives?

[DemonGoddess]

64. Yep

[LSK]

47. WACO

What is a gun going to do except get you killed. One person with a gun is not going to stop the government if they want you. STUPID IDEA.

[Ikonoklast]

55. And if your government is determined to kill you anyway

I choose to go down fighting.

[Cleita]

59. Me - 2 n/t

[Cobalt Violet]

51. These are good to have too.

[Jose Diablo]

52. Here are a couple good weapons, can also be used for squirrels

Vulcan Arms V50SS 200 series

Another squirrel gun and a little more portable, can also double as a home defense weapon:

[MissB]

57. Don't you dare buy into the fear of human-animal hybrids!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Cleita]

58. LOL

The humanimal is talking about his-self? Chimp + Babs = Shrub? Wow, he only made it to potted plant!

[sproutster]

60. Me too.

To think people honestly think this is going away. Buy at a gunshow from an individual.

[TInCanCommunications]

63. I'm sort of seeing the need for the second amendment BUT

come on.
If and when it gets so bad that you think you need to protect yourself from the government, a gun ain't gonna help.
Not with their military weapons.
Not with all their non-military weapons.

[Parrcrow]

65. locking

This comes a little too close to advocating violence which violates the rules of Democratic Underground.