Heckled about guns...

[CalBear]

"Why do you have to hide behind a gun?"

More propaganda about gun owners. Antis think all gun owners are raving mad lunatics who bully their way around in life by pointing the barrel of a handgun at people who piss them off.

This couldn't be further from the truth. Gun owners, and CCW permit holders in particular, tend to be more responsible than the average citizen from what I've observed. By and large, they use tremendous restraint and good judgement when carrying their sidearm. Most people will not use their weapon until they deem it absolutely necessary.

These people don't understand, but they are not lost. It only takes a small amount of gun safety education, a bit of range practice, or being the victim of a violent crime to turn these people around. Then they will see exactly how useful a tool guns are. We just like being prepared, that's all.

[dieselpower]

My sister-in-law is VERY VERY anti-gun. She wouldnt allow her boys to play with water guns, army men, or GI Joes...total anti-gun home.

When the subject of firearms comes up, I cut them off and tell them it doesnt involve them, as it doesn't involve me when dealing with their hobbies.

I got some flak once about safety but solved that by bringing up the fact both her husband and son have been in car accidents with their BMW and Mustang GT due to speed.

[VictorFranko]

Couldn't think of any other word. lol. NAZI!!!!!

I've been called worse

[n2stackin]

I generally don't make my gun ownership public knowledge. When a naysayer does find out, I usually go the "I'd rather own one and not need it, then need it and not have one" route and then invite them shooting. They usually continue to give me crap until they blow up their first watermelon. lol

[Gryff]

I ask them if there is any other part of the Constitution that they oppose. And I remind them to that to be an American, they can't pick and choose which of our founding principles they want to allow.

And finally, I comfort them by telling them that it's ok for them to be a coward. It's their right.

[FredoSD]

Guns are like money. It's no ones business if I have any on me, at home or in a safe place.

[mtptwo]

Honestly, when questioned about my gun habit, I tell them that I am compensating for a small penis. It shuts them right up.

[NapaPlinker]

Honestly, when questioned about my gun habit, I tell them that I am compensating for a small penis. It shuts them right up.

Haha. You must be very confident!

[beetle]

I usually play up the C&R angle first. For whatever reason, I've found people more accepting of "historical old guns" than the modern EBR. I just avoid the fact that I have just as much modern stuff as historical stuff

[NapaPlinker]

I usually play up the C&R angle first. For whatever reason, I've found people more accepting of "historical old guns" than the modern EBR. I just avoid the fact that I have just as much modern stuff as historical stuff

"Well you see Bob, this rifle is a piece of history... there are only so many like it. Do you have a piece of history?" haha

[tacticalcity]

What do you say when people heckle you about owning firearms? It seems like theres always the people; family members, or not who dislike everything about our hobbies and interesst. I was told today to find a new hobby, people being scared where Im "going" with "guns". Not once have I done anything unsafe, unethical, unmoral, or stupid with a firearm they are my hobby and protection as well as all of my fellow calgunners. So once again what am i supposed to say to get my point across my answers never seem to be good enough for people.

I get this sort of thing all the time, because I not only own some really scary looking guns, but because I own a firearms related business.

My favorite is when people try and tell me my perfectly legal guns are illegal and are very insistent about it.

I remind them that I am the kindest, gentlest, most rational person they know. The fact that I own guns does not change that. I'm veteran who served his country, and a responsible business owner. So if my owning a gun scares them, who exactly would they think should own a gun? Perhaps they should take another look at there preconceptions about guns.

I inform them that roughly half the people they know from work, school, church, etc. own guns...they just don't talk about it.

I inform them that police response times are so slow that if somebody was breaking into their home, and they dialed 911, all the police would be able to do would be take their body's to the morgue and start an investigation that most likely would not get solved. But if they were both armed, and trained their odds of survival drastically increase. I remind them that home invasions happen all the time, and have been in the news a lot recently.

I inform them that violent crime drastically decreases when and where concealed carry permits are easily obtained and drasitcally increase where impossible to get. The statistics are clear. More guns equals less crime. As Meyer Lansky noted during his brief exile in Israel, "People are much more polite when everybody carries a gun." He's not the first to make that oberservation, I just enjoy the irony hearing it come from a famous gangster.

I inform them that shooting for sport and recreating is fun and offer to teach them in a safe enviorment so they can gain some familiarity not only with guns, but the typical gun owner and gun safety.

Most never take me up on the offer, and most still like to joke about how crazy I am...but they are always shocked to find out that they are in the minority, and that most people in the room agree with my point of view and not theirs. Once the debate gets started, they quickly learn most people in the room actually own a gun or want to own a gun and have no issue with the fact that I own several and sell parts and accessories for them. They stick to their guns (pardon the pun) during the debate, but it gets them thinking about the issue in ways they never did before.

[themailman]

ive never gotten any guff about guns.. at the same time i dont talk about it with strangers... my gf has gotten some remarks.. sure wish she would keep her mouth shut about it...

+1 on this. Occasionally, my wife tells people , "oh, my husband has guns!" I had to tell here that if they have a question about guns, they can google it. I only tell people I have guns when they need to know.

And if youre going to heckel me over guns...then its a quick "good day" and Im out. Im not in the business of debating.

[stix213]

I usually point out that cars kill more Americans every year than guns do, so anyone who is afraid of guns "because they are dangerous" but has no problem riding in a car is a complete hypocrite.

[Merle]

Guns are like money. It's no ones business if I have any on me, at home or in a safe place.

Many wives disagree.

[Liberty1]

e-mail them this. http://www.hulu.com/watch/25712/30-days-gun-nation