OK we all know that there is a wide range of feeling about this subject. So let's get down to it. What is the prevailing attitude about GUNS where you live?

Here in NC (at least in my part) the general feeling is If you want a gun you should be able to have one. Yes we feel that criminals should be executed also, and NO I know of no-one that would willingly sell a firearm to (a) Criminal (b) underage kid (c) nut case (d) drug-user, seller, etc.

PERMITS: take 3-7 days to get after a exhaustive background check. My county in particular goes overboard on this check. The officers in charge are o.k. about getting the permits in your hands after the red tape.

My neighbors are armed. Many are veteran's of the many "conflicts" the USA seems to keep getting into.

PLACES TO SHOOT: Other than on your own property not many. Because of general disrespect for property and pets the locals have put up fences and No Trespassing Signs. (Uhh Yep Us Too, Dang 4-wheelers)

YOUR TURN:======>next

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001

Answers

I live in southeast TX about 30 miles north of Houston. The attitide towards owning firearms in the area where I live is comparable to the attitudes you outline. However, in the very liberal City of Houston only 30 miles away, it's about like Rosie O'Donnell's attitude. This could pose a problem for me (if I let it) because I own a small business in Houston. I have a concealed carry permit and regularly carry a .38 on my person for my safety. My attitude is that my life and safety takes priority over any law in such a situation where I feel my life or body are in danger. As they say, I've 'been there and done that', and being armed saved my life. It's that simple for me, and no amount of laws, threats, coersion, or well-intentioned pleading by anyone will ever change that.

I do not make my firearms accessible to anyone other than myself and have never sold or loaned a firearm to anyone.

-- HannahMariaHolly (hannahholly@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001.

Just moved from Belton, Texas, former home of the guy that shot up the Luby's. We elected Suzanna Gratia-Hupp, whose parents were killed in front of her at that Luby's, and who ran on the promise of making concealed handguns legal in Texas. STill, I guess there was a wide range of feelings about that. We felt a law abiding person should be able to defend himself against a lunatic. But I would not personally feel comfortable carrying a firearm, and the only thing I did not like about my neighborhood there was that the people next door did not respect my property when it came dove hunting season(or any other time, for that matter). They drove me to distraction with their shot guns and rifles....New home is fairly close to Columbine, and the attitudes toward guns here seem to have taken the opposite turn. Instead of legalizing a person's means of defense, I think the people here would like to just see guns disappear altogether.

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), August 31, 2001.

NEBRASKA:

PERMITS- No special permits for long guns. Nebraska firearms certificate for handguns. (In Omaha handguns have to be registered with the police dept.)

PLACES TO SHOOT- Some private shooting clubs, few public rifle ranges, alot of private property. Most state wildlife areas are open to target shooting. ATTITUDE TOWARDS GUNS- Most Nebraskans are familiar with guns and are ok with them when used for their intended purposes (hunting and target shooting). Some people I've met in Omaha are better off not knowing that I own firearms. Firearms are not accepted as much in Omaha as the rural parts of the state. Local Omaha media have not helped out the average gun owner. Only the bad gets repoprted, not the good(gun safety courses and shooting competitions).

NEXT

-- S. Thom (scotthom@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001.

Maine is fast becoming overrun with anti-gunners in the southern portion. There's widespread new homes being built, and mostly people from Massachusetts purchasing them. It does not bode well for hunters, as most of the newer residents who have already purchased in previous years have been from Mass as well. They're the ones with no hunting and/or trespassing signage up.

I'll just go further north I guess.

As far as guns and criminals are concerned, you don't have to look further than the state of Massachusetts for the answers. The majority of the people moving from there have the same viewpoints as they did down there.

Lew

-- lew ricker (hsppub@aol.com), August 31, 2001.

Handguns take 3 business days for the permit. Background cks at the gun shop too with the FBI I guess. After that you can walk around the city with it on your hip and it's nobodys business, I was told bythe sheriffs office. But if you go in the stores or banks then it's the property owners say then. Nobody does this, but it's here in my county. Course, you can't put your coat over it as its hidden then. I can buy any ammo with no questions ask at the gun shop. No paper work. Private land is where most shooting is done around here. Myself, I keep a holster attached to the 4 wheeler with a loaded 22 Mag. Keeps local dog owners looking after their dogs and not chasing my cattle. D.

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), August 31, 2001.

Forgot to mention I'm located in SW MO area. Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), August 31, 2001.

Shenandoah Valley of Virginia here. We are becoming inundated with Mexicans and New Jerseyites moving in, and the political climate is changing awfully fast. It used to be common sense and decency prevailed in this area, but that was back before the big poultry processors came in and brought the influx of non-farming people looking for jobs. Now, I hear that Harrisonburg is becoming the drug capital of Virginia. So sad. This area is the richest farmland of Virginia, and it's all too high-priced for anyone go into farming for a living here anymore. I see farms sold all over the place only for being chopped up into fancy subdivisions or else put into huge factories. Gun ownership? I think peoples attitudes are becoming more and more negative, as we become more citified and northern.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), August 31, 2001.

Two words come to mind; complacency and numbness. Living in South Florida and in the city at that, guns are "in the news" on a daily basis for much different reasons than where most of you live I'm sure. You hear it on the news, day after day. See it in the newspaper every day. You just tune it out or turn it off. Guns are not used here like they SHOULD be nor are they used the way they were INTENDED to be. In general I'd have to say there are WAY too many irresponsible gun owners here and this is the main cause for most of the tragedies involving guns. Too many unsupervised children and teens that SHOULD know better. Too many parents not "parenting."

Guns are easily accessible to all who merely ask someone where they can get one. Be it legally or otherwise. Everyone seems to know someone who knows someone who can, as the term is used here, "hook you up." No 3-day waiting period no forms to fill out. Scarey but true. Oh there are laws I'm sure but people always seem to find a way around the laws don't they?

Have to say though, I just heard on the news today that someone actually shot and killed a burgler who was attempting to steal tools from his barn. I want to follow this story all the way through because now they are investigating whether or not ALL the laws were followed during this home invasion. Isn't that ironic? A man hears someone outside his home while his family is sleeping, he calls 911 to report it, arms himself and goes out to see what's going on. He gets into a struggle with the would-be burgler and it's still undetermined if the gun went off accidentally or if the owner actually intended to shoot the burglar. It is also undetermined whether or not the burglar was armed as well. Why do I have this feeling that charges will be brought against the gun/home owner?

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), August 31, 2001.

we live in a rural farming area where guns are viewed as tools. There is hunting seasons and I trust all the hunters that are on my land. We own two pistols, a 22 and a 9 millimeter. I keep them handy for personal safety when my husband is gone at night. Also, we keep them to put down wounded critters and such. I have no idea what the laws are. I do know most all my neighbors have weapons, but, as I said, they are tools, not playthings.

-- Ardie from WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001.

Another Maineiac here. Lew is right, to a degree, about southern Maine becoming more anti-gunner, but I don't believe they are more than 10%, while the pro-gun folks (owners, defenders of life and property, hunters, target shooters and curmudgeons) is at least 25%. Unfortunately, the remaining 65 % are less informed, and divided between the "old folks" (Ayuh, I remember tales of when we moved here to Narragansett #1 in 1670. Good thing we had enough powder for that damned French and Indian War!) and the more recent immigrants (who, for the most part, have moved from the People's Republic of Masachusetts) that have an attitude that guns cause crime, and society is to blame for criminals, since we have not nurtured them properly. (Turn them over to me! - I know how to nurture the little p*c*e*h*a*s!) But I digress! We have many fine folks from the deep south (Mass) who come here to escape the Socialist Regime, and they are welcome, and we welcome, embrace, and truly like them. HOWEVER, we also have the mammalian solid waste elimination orifices who come here to escape the confined rat syndrome, and want to bring all the perks with them. Our gun club (we're gonna win!) is fighting with a plethora of these dingbats, recent buyers of very upscale homes in an overpriced subdivision, who are complaining of the noise of the club, which has been there for nearly 100 years! As a final soap-box statement, I may add that one of the champions of the far left communist brained people hereabouts is Portland Police Chief "Media Mike" Chitwood, who hails from Philadelphia and can't return there too soon. He has been extremely reluctant to issue legal carry permits, and has harassed citizens of other towns who had them legally. Philadelphians, come and get him! Locally (small town), we have a very fine and realistic police force and Chief. In Maine, it is their call, after reasonable investigation, as to whether they endorse you or not. If they do, you get it. I carry a .357 (SP-101, if I can't drop the bugger in 5 shots, shame on me!) virtualy all the time, although I do find it restricting in bed (just kidding!). It is my opinion that if you decide to carry at all, you carry all the time. I don't just wear a seatbelt if I think I may be going into a dangerous traffic situation,- I wear it ALL the time! And having been friends with a number of Law Enforcement Officers, I never saw them leaving their firepower at home if they were on a low-risk assignment. When do you carry yours? I am not saying that I am John Wayne. However, I suspect he would have been happy to have me on his team! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), August 31, 2001.

Here in se,ks. you have to have a gun on your hip at least 38 cal. or bigger to get you utilites turned on. just kidding but ever one has one close to hand and knows how to use it. Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@kans.com), August 31, 2001.

Well here in MI. with some 750,000+ going hunting each fall,it's getting to be about 50/50, just pass "must issue law" for CCW's,and that did not go over too well with some folks. Around some of the growing yuppie towns guns are looked upon as "Mercy! why would you want that around for" go into the rural areas and you still have "Who's in there? Come on out so I can shoot you!" Can still buy ammo if your 18 or older with ID. Usually 3 day wait for handgun purchase, same day for long guns from dealers(I do believe). Can buy from friends or other private indiviuals with no questions asked. I have a variety of weapons, m-1 carbine,30/30,12 gauge shotgun,Black powder pistol,bow,crossbow,a couple of bowie knifes,hunting knifes,etc... Can still go across state into OH. or IND. and get big fireworks and bring them back. Over all just sillyness, did not have all this back in the 50's & 60's and we got along just fine. Sure there was some killing and shootings but big deal,"just decreasing the surplus population." Wait until they drive all the gun makers out of business and then where are we going to get guns from to fight with when China and Germany come gets us.(Maybe Russia will give us some)or maybe we can shoot them with cap guns or point our fingers towards them and go "BANG BANG" I better quit now before I really get going.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), August 31, 2001.

Just wanted to add that a new book is out for those interested in 2nd amendment and gun rights "The Seven Myths of Gun Control" by Richard Poe.

"The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun." (Patrick Henry)

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), August 31, 2001.

Tom By all means get started. Talk to us were listening. So far I agree whole heartedly with you. It's a shame that we the law abiding citizens get treated like criminals for just exercising a basic right.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001.

Kenneth of N.C., That is correct, in this year of 2001 gun ownership is still a right not a privilege. If they want to do away with guns then do away with the 2nd amendment and all of the state's amendments or change them. Or better yet let them guarantee me that every single person in America gets rid of their guns,knives,bow and arrows,pencils,forks,baseball bats,car,ski poles,screwdrivers,etc. that everyone quits taking karate lessons and those who know karate already have to have a background check and be issued a permit and must wear a sign outside stating they know karate,also everyone has to quit driving, and no one will be allowed out while its lightning,and you have to apply for license and have a background check done if you want to live in a area where tornados or hurricanes happen, and that doesn't even include being fingerprinted,background check and paying a permit fee along with a 3 day waiting period BEFORE GOING SWIMMING!!!!! Swimming is a privilege,protecting you and yours is a RIGHT!!!!! I am hot and I say I wouldn't be,sorry

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), August 31, 2001.

Our gunlaws are pretty lenient compared to some. You can only purchase one gun per month, background checks at gun shows only take an hour, and handguns need to be registered. I recently acquired my concealed carry permit which allows me to carry a concealed weapon wherever guns are not specifically outlawed, such as bars and banks. It only took about 1 month. Hunting is a big sport here, even among the guys in Richmond and DC.

-- Patricia Ramsey (woolspin@aol.com), September 01, 2001.

Just a few more thoughts I forgot earlier... I am in south central VA which has a whole lot different attitude than northern VA. I do not carry all the time and when I do you can bet it WON'T be in my purse!!!! Ladies, someone is going to grab your purse first thing. Let them have it, and then, LET THEM HAVE IT!!

-- Patricia Ramsey (woolspin@aol.com), September 01, 2001.

You are going to shoot someone for stealing your purse?

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 01, 2001.

Hello Kenneth, I am orginally from North Carolina...Chapel Hill! We live in south central Missouri,(Ozarks). We treat guns as tools. They are used for protection from snakes (two legged ones too) and for hunting. Most everyone has a shotgun, hunting rifle or a couple of pistols. Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), September 01, 2001.

john hill,

I hope Patricia doesn't have to shoot anyone. However I agree with the Chinese If a person is caught stealing their hands should be cut off.

Thieves, rapist , murderers all should be dealt with harshly and promptly.

Sorry John but around here we have a "no tolarance" policy toward thiefs.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), September 02, 2001.

In my area of Kentucky (south east) guns are very common place. Lots of folks have a pistol or two for home protection and other weapons for hunting. Where I'm at, I can step off my back porch and shoot all I wish too with no problems. Can't do that in town though, lol.

We have people all the time from town that go up in the end of the hollow to shoot, again, no problems.

-- Uriah (Uriahdeath2@netscape.net), September 02, 2001.

Kenneth, you appear to be describing the regime of the Taleban.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 02, 2001.

Could be John, I remember reading about them in world history back in college days. Seemed like a grand policy then, still does.

Anyway back on topic. My neighbor just bought her first handgun. Got a 9-shot 22 with 5 1/2" barrel. In less than 2 hours both her and her husband was hitting bottle caps at 40 feet. 7 out of 9 times. Not bad for city folk going country. :o)

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), September 02, 2001.

Ok Kenneth, I guess we are never going to agree on all aspects of gun control but that's all right. :-)

You will know that handguns have never figured greatly in NZ but rifles and shot guns would be found on many, maybe even most farms. Hunting for deer and pigs is very popular among younger men but us old fellows could never keep up with the dogs or carry the meat out anyway!

We have plenty of crime and occasionally guns figure but if I found an intruder in my house I would not expect him to be armed, perhaps if I saw a bank robbery in progress I would expect a few guns to be about.

In this country I am entitled to use force to defend myself but I don't feel the need to carry a firearm to do that. If I killed someone who was running off with my property I would expect a murder charge followed by years to reflect on my rash behaviour.

I see common reference to carrying concealed guns as 'protection', just how is this supposed to work? Is it protection against criminals without guns? Or to fight of someone who also has a gun and presumably is already pointing it at me?

I occasionally visit countries where guns, crime and lawlessness prevail and in those situations I would NEVER carry a gun which would be just asking to get myself shot.

John

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 02, 2001.

John Hill - tell us more about yourself. I am betting that you are a democrat, a wimp, a person who has never had the stones to enter the military, and quite likely a mama's boy. You think the Rainbow Warrior is a warship, and that Despicable Bill was a great, if misunderstood, president. I will also wager that you are a mysogynist (look it up!) On the other hand, I may be entirely wrong! John, come on up and we will have a great time competing with a plethora of firearms. What's your forte? Mine is rifle, pistol, shotgun and blackpowder in all of the aforementioned. If yours is powderpuffs of lying, you, sir, have the advantage. Yr Obdt Svt, Brad, the meek.

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), September 02, 2001.

Another Mainiac checking in here. DH and I own a auto repair business in downeast Me. We decided to put an addition onto the shop area. One of our customers is our local State representative. He stopped in one day and asked us if we had a permit for the new addition. Hubby said "Sure...it's up in the house, loaded and hanging on the wall!!" State rep. said "That sound legal to me!"

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), September 02, 2001.

Brad, you're out of line. John knows about firearms, and I'm reasonably sure he knows about serving his country. He also certainly knows about acts of war involving the Rainbow Warrior - after all the French attacked and destroyed it, killing some of the crew while they were visiting his country. His viewpoint is that firearms are working tools or sporting goods, but in his nation they are not necessary for self-defence - different cultures. You have many many handguns in your society, and there really isn't much you can do about it - outlaw the firearms and the criminals would still have them; so there's an argument that you in your society have to retain your handguns for self-defence. John in New Zealand (that's what the .nz on his email address means, Brad, so there's little likelihood he's much taken up in your US politics) and I in Australia (that .au) live in societies where we can have firearms, but we don't need them for self-defence. Rates of fiream murders are substantially below those in the USA. John's point, I believe, was that he'd be impressed, but not favourably, by anyone who'd shoot a person in the back. Firearms for defence or even deterrence is one thing; but gunning a person down because they've filched a few dollars from you is a sure way to find yourself charged with murder anywhere in the world - including the USA. Maybe you might even wish it was different, but that's the way it IS!

-- Don Armstrong (from Australia) (darmst@yahoo.com.au), September 02, 2001.

Thank you for the kind words Don.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 02, 2001.

Sorry, Don and John. You Brit descendants have never been able to figure out the meaning of freedom. (see recent Smith & Wesson problems under Brit ownership!) I believe that your socialist attitude had something to do with why we had a small altercation with your forbears a couple of hundred years ago. You are accepting of subservience, which may derive from the fact that many of you are the genetic lineage of the original Australian colonists. As I remember, your area, beautiful and enticing as it may be (except, in my opinion, for the evil snakes, who are tantamount to our senators from New York), was settled by those who were serious miscreants, and those who could contain them. Not that there's anything wrong with that. However, I feel that you have a skewed opinion of how society SHOULD work. You are content to let the government provide a tit to those who are too stupid, lazy, immoral, or "disadvantaged" to make it on their own. I, sir, am willing to do what I can for myself, and if anyone else wants to steal it from me, then he damn well needs to be a better shot than I! Commit the crime, expect to die! Brad, the tough pussycat!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), September 03, 2001.

Yeah Brad your knowledge of antipodean history is very commendable and I am sure you are quite capable of reaching the logical conclusion that the reason why you feel the need for a gun under your pillow is because you live in such a free society.

I am sorry I will not be able to accept your invitation to come and play guns with you however you might consider a visit here. You might even like it as it is legal to shoot things, deer, thar, boar,rabbits,possums, etc all the year around and don't forget that this is the country where we hunt and shoot deer from helicopters using military rifles and killing up to 50 animals PER HOUR!

Or you could come for the annual Alexandra Easter Bunny Shoot, typical body count for the Easter weekend is 8,000 dead bunnies. One year an all-women team captained by one Julie Dale won the contest, reporting in with 1217 rabbits, three wild goats, two possums, six trout and a feral cat.

You touched on the subject of my attitude towards women so in that vein you might like to hear a few things about how we handle them in this society.

The formal head of the NZ government is of course Betty Windsor who you might know as Queen Elizabeth, supporting a whole royal family is rather expensive so we just borrow the one they have in England which at least gives us a picture of a living person to put on our banknotes and coinage. Betty is represented in NZ by a Governor General called Cath who is very useful for opening hospitals and awarding medals.

Then of course we have our two major political parties with the current one in power being headed by Helen who of course is our Prime Minister, her major opposition party is lead by a former Prime Minister called Jennie.

We have a court and justice system which we keep separate from politics with the chief justice being Sylvia. This is not a major economic power but the CEO of biggest corporation in the country is Theresa.

If you were to come here you might need a visa which would be issued by Leanne or someone in her department. Of course there are quite a few women in the parliament including Georgina who used to be called George.

Getting back to banknotes you will notice a woman on the $10 note named Kate who led the movement that got all NZ women the right to vote in about 1860, possibly the first country to do so.

So all in all Brad I am sure you will agree that we like our guns and we sure as hell know how to keep our womenfolk in their place.

Accept sir, assurances of my highest consideration.

John

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 03, 2001.

Hahahahahahahah Oh John you are a wordsmith. Hmmm Ever heard of a lady last name Nordstrom? Husband Peter?

Brad I've had the discussion often with the NZ'rs they just don't see it the way we do.

I make no apology for believing the way I do. And guys/girls I believe your entitled to your beliefs. That goes a long way toward what I call Freedom.

Now back to the topic. Brad whats the gun laws / attitudes like in your community?

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), September 03, 2001.

Small town Central Maineiac here: gunshots heard all times of the day here. Just neighbors practicing. I check to see if my horses are still standing, then I go back to what I was doing. I don't even flinch anymore. There are a few complainers, but the cops keep them in line. Had my kids saved from a rabid raccoon by a neighbor with a rifle handy. The only crime is vandalism by local teens, so I appreciate having armed neighbors and those teens knowing I am now armed.

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), September 04, 2001.

South Texas Attitude Towards Firearms: We are still rural in our ideas, guns are very popular down here. Whitewing dove season just kicked off our hunting season down here. Yes, crime, especially drugs and gangs has changed some minds around here, but for the most part, most people recognize the need for self protection, and the local district attorney is very reasonable in charging citizens for murder. If self defense is pretty evident, he will refuse to prosecute people who protect their lives and their family's lives with lethal force. If the evidence proves otherwise, you are in trouble, especially if you tamper with evidence prooving "self defense".

PERMITS: Texas is right to carry, and as long as you pass the courses, and fall within the guidelines, they issue carry permits without many restrictions. And people respond in kind; if a business has a sign denying people from bringing weapons into their establishment, people comply.

Most people have firearms of some sort here. Texas has very little public land to hunt (excepting some of the east Texas "Piney Woods logging tracts), so access to hunting is not easy. Many ranchers are willing to lease to hunters (for SUBSTANTIAL fees when trophies are involved), so if you don't know someone who owns a ranch or lease, it can be tough finding a place to hunt. No trespassing signs are VERY common, and trespassers beware; landowners do not have a sense of humor when it comes to dead livestock, shot up property, and poaching. Leasers who pay for hunting rights to the property work with the owner to prevent trespassing as much as possible.

It probably isn't worth the risk of getting caught poaching; our wildlife department confiscates your weapons, vehicles and generally you lose your right to purchase a hunting license for a long time.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), September 04, 2001.

Wow ! What an interesting thread. Fasinating reading all the different stories.

We live in NE MO. Right to Carry lost by a vote of 48-52. The big cities ST. Louis and Kansas City is where the opposition came from. Imagine, all the crooks didn't want us to protect ourselves! Even the police chiefs and sheriffs organizations wanted it passed. Oh well, there's always next year.

Right now your county sheriff has to issue a permit. Been some time but I think the background check and such to two weeks. Don't know about what it like at a gun show, don't go to them.

Live six miles out of town, shoot at something when I want. Neighbors don't even ask about the shot. Dove season started this weekend, more shooting than normal. I plugged a opposum stalking the chicken yard just last week. Guns.....got em, use em.

-- Rickstir (rpowell@email.ccis.edu), September 04, 2001.

Kenneth, No I can't say I have ever heard of Peter Nordstrom or his wife.

You have had me thinking for a day or so trying to figure if your enquiry was one of those Bart Simpson jokes, you know, like the call to the sliming clinic "Can I speak to a Miss Rexic, first name Anna?"

-- John Hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 05, 2001.

Just the old adage: "An armed society is a polite society". We here in East TN believe in concealed carry, backyard target shooting, hunting for food, and trespassing can get you shot. Please read "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross. The very best book about why we believe in the right to keep and bear arms.

-- Mary in East TN (barnwood@preferred.com), September 07, 2001.