do gun advocates ponder... nonviolence?

[bvar22]

26. My Wife & I are non-violent, advocates for non-violence,

...and we own guns.

We live in a very rural area (Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas) surrounded by National Forest.
We are committed to living as sustainably, independently, and Green as possible.
We grow most of our own food,
keep chickens and Honey Bees,
Veggies, Fruit Trees and various cultivated Berries.
Next year, we are going to add either a few yearling calfs, or pigs, or sheep (haven't decided which yet).

We are Liberal FDR Working Class Democrats who own several long guns, and a hand gun.
We maintain them, and shoot them at least twice a year on our rural property.
We keep them all loaded, readily accessible,
but out-of sight and covered on a wall rack in the back hallway.
(We have no children or adolescents in our home.)

I have used them to protect ourselves, our property, our stock and our pets,
and will do so again if the need arises,
though I prefer to Live Trap & Relocate.

At the current time, we are not hungry enough to hunt,
but would do so if the need arises,
and will have the necessary skills and tools to do so effectively and efficiently.
That was Part-of-the-Deal we made when we moved out here from the Big City in 2006.

We recently raised a rescue fawn,
and LOVE her dearly,
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1182456
but we also have venison in the freezer (gift from a neighbor)
and would hunt deer (but not THAT one) if necessary, though we prefer Game Birds.
Such is LIFE.

This life is not for everybody.
In addition to all the normal activities associated with daily life,
living out here we also must be:

*sewage maintenance and repair workers

*safe waste disposal experts

*Environmental Protectors

*operate and maintain our own water works and water delivery system

*health inspectors and vets for our Chickens and HoneyBees

*wildlife management and control

*Building Planning, Repair, & Maintenance

*Power production and power plant management specialists
(We are currently on the Rural Electric Grid, but will be 100% independent in the near future. We have lived 100% solar in the past.)

*First Responders
(My wife is currently the only Medical First responder for over 60 square miles
We are both active FireFighters and Emergency Responders)

and last, but not least,

*Emergency Law Enforcement and Protection
While 9-11 DOES answer, it takes over 20 minutes for emergency help to arrive.


Neither of us has or wants a Concealed Carry Permit,
or carry guns when we leave the property,