Our trip to Iowa and my evolving views on guns....

[NRaleighLiberal]

I just wanted to share one of the more unexpected aspects of our recent trip to Iowa to speak at a gardening event. Probably a few of you here know me as someone pretty anti-gun - just a visceral response I've always had to them, root causes of which I won't go into - that's not the point of my OP. I grew up in New England, blue collar town, then on to school in New Hampshire and then Washington State, settled in suburban Philly, then moved here to NC. My views on guns developed from never being around them, using them, having them - or target shooting - as hobbies, or needing them. So my reactions to the various horrific events of crimes like the Gifford shooting were pretty knee-jerk and not always well thought out - mostly just immediate reactions.

Anyway - we were in Iowa, and I got to spend time with some of the staff where I spoke. We were in a very blue/liberal town, and everyone I spoke to was on the left - easily as much as I am. And we talked gardening - and they talked about killing this or that coyote, or going out turkey hunting or deer hunting - very natural, just part of their lives. We didn't get into whether they were members of the NRA - in fact, we didn't discuss it at all. I chose to really just listen, absorb experience.

So my position evolves - I like to be open minded - or at least try to be as often as I can. I won't go into where this discussion could lead - segmenting into types of guns used for types of purpose - again, not the point. Just wanted to say that due to my trip, I will work on developing a much more nuanced, less hair trigger, visceral response to gun issues.

You can teach an old dog new tricks, I guess!

[glacierbay]

1. Welcome

and thank you for having an open mind. As a rookie cop back in the long past day, I pretty much was anti RKBA also, but over the years, after seeing that the criminal element had no problem acquiring guns and using them on innocent citizens who were prohibited by law from being able to legally carry concealed, my views changed and now I fully embrace the idea that lawful citizens should be able to carry a gun if they qualify and that they and they alone are responsible for their immediate safety and well being.
We cops are rarely there when the crime goes down.

[MicaelS]

2. Thank you for being so forthright. n/t

[slackmaster]

3. A lot of people have never spent time in places other than where they live

My parents were both born in Iowa. My father grew up in a left-leaning Democratic family (New Dealers). Mom grew up in a community that was and still is almost 100% Republican.

My mom just drove to her old home town (from San Diego) for her 60th high school class reunion. She gave up on the GOP in the '90s but still feels connected to her roots. She had a great time at the reunion.

[rDigital]

4. Bias in an otherwise healthy mind rarely survives an encounter with reality. Solid OP : )

[virginia mountainman]

5. Very good op!

Sometimes we find new and unexpected things when we step out of "comfort zones" and we find our long heldon preconceived notions may "not be biased" on reality.

[GreenStormCloud]

6. The next step is to become well-informed on the topic.

I don't mean that you need to aquire the knowledge that those of us who are gunners have. Just a basic knowledge of the types of firearms and the basics of how they work. Also a basic knowledge of what the major national gun laws are. Hang around this forum and you will see all of that discussed. If you like we can reccomend some youtube videos that are informative.

Ask questions here and we will be happy to give you facts.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. K&R

[Common Sense Party]

8. I grew up in Iowa, but my Mom was so anti-gun,

we weren't allowed to have or play with toy guns when I was growing up.

I lived my entire life not knowing anything about guns, not having one, I only shot one once for target practice. That one experience at age 18 or so stuck with me, and I finally got a gun a couple years ago. To me, it's my golf. I'd much rather shoot at targets than chase after a golf ball all day.

I like the peace of mind of having a weapon in the home in the unlikely event I'll need one. I have a CCW permit, but the only time I carried was in Yellowstone Park, more out of concern about bears than anything else.

If someone doesn't like guns, fine. No one says you need to own one. But no one should try to tell me that I can't legally and safely own and use mine.

[spin]

9. Great post. Thanks! (n/t)