'Gun Culture' membership requirements?

[possenti]

The first time I saw the term "gun culture" used was when I read John Ross' Unintended Consequences. As I related to some of the characters in this excellent novel, I considered myself a member in good standing. But then I got to thinking...

What exactly makes one a member of the gun culture instead of just merely being a gun owner? I often have conversations with people when guns inevitably come up as a subject.
They usually say, "Yeah - I got a coupla guns. A .22 and a 12 gauge."
I then ask what brand.
"I'm not sure. They have brown wood and black metal."
"Are they semi-auto, pump, bolt-action?"
"Not sure. They go BANG when you pull the trigger."

Clearly, this person is not a member - or is he?

Of course, he/she has to own a gun - or does he?

Should he have a regular shooting schedule?

Should he vote and/or be politically aware of his RKBA?

Maybe gun culture members are so diverse that one cannot give a definitive one-size-fits-all answer.

However, I'd like to hear YOUR descriptions and requirements if you have any.

 

[Roc_Kor]

I'd like to think that one of 'US' tends to be:

A person who appreciates his/her gun(s).
A person who knows and takes to heart the four rules and all safety.
A person who participates in a gun-related activity (Shooting, collecting, hunting... etc.)
A person who appreciates the 2nd Amendment.
A person who knows guns.
A person who cares.

And of course:

Any person who is willing to be one of 'US'.

I may have left out some stuff. Please add your own.

EDIT (from here down) : And I don't think you have to own a gun. Many of us youngsters (I'm 15, remember!) don't own guns personally, or want to get guns.

I think it's your spirit that brings you into this community. Of course, we're a special class in our gun culture, we're not the 'hunting-only-AWB-doesn't-apply-to-me'**, we're the MOLON LABE class of gun owners.

**These people are still part of our gun culture and are good people, just don't feel as strongly about the 2nd Amendment as we do.

 

[Can'thavenuthingood]

I think it's a positive type attitude towards guns. The guy owns the guns, might not know anything about them except they go bang when ya pull the trigger, is on the outer edge but still within the gun culture. He can be further involved at any time.

One who doesn't shriek and run when someone mentions guns, not a zero tolerance type of person.

Anybody not paranoid or fearful about guns.

Vick

 

[one-shot-one]

Clearly, this person is not a member - or is he? probably not, in my opinion these are the people who have/cause gun related "accidents"

Of course, he/she has to own a gun - or does he? maybe not could be temperarily between arms.

Should he have a regular shooting schedule? not nessicarily.

Should he vote and/or be politically aware of his RKBA? yes

 

[667]

Low brow ridges, beer belly, sexually inadequate, knuckles drag when
walking semi upright, has shot up at least 3 road signs.....
(I just know I'm going to get flamed off the board for this )
Just kidding!

 

[P95Carry]

Hmmm ... well I prefer this term to ''Gun Nut'' anyways .. tho in fun that one is OK. Guess I find the word ''nut'' has bad vibes, being suggestive of mental instability!

The ''culture'' aspect for me relates to lifelong involvement - passion, enjoyment, appreciation ... many words come to mind.

It is not partial - it is total. Not half-hearted - but dedicated. Not something you pick up and put down - it is ''in the blood''.

Further to that - it why many of us are here - we share that culture and speak it - breathe it and enjoy it. All this said, we are no threat to anyone, except the person who may take the chance on threatening our own lives and those of family and friends.

We hopefully ... fiecely defend 2A ... we follow four rules .. we endevor to bring in to the culture new blood .. to better continue the tradition. We propound and encourage the disciplline that is needed with responsible firearms ownership and ... hopefully also endevor to be seen as sane, law abiding and responsible (and normal) people.

Will that do?

 

[possenti]

Real cute, 667 - - Or should I say Mr. Schumer?

Glad ya joined us, Chuck!

Just kidding too - Your post got a chuckle out of me.

 

[cslinger]

It's not just about guns. It is about a community of people who take care of each other and who have a certain mindset. The general mindset is one of taking care of oneself and ones immediate family/community instead of relying on others.

Now some of us are more extreme then others but I would hazard a guess that most of us have basic tools and the skill to do the basics, basic first aid supplies and the skills to use them, basic supplies such as jumper cables, blankets, etc.

There was a time when these were just common sense but in today's world it seems as if the majority is just happy to let big daddy government come and save them in their time of need however great or small it is. Many are in no shape to care for themselves should anything out of the ordinary happen much less care for others.

Our culture isn't just about guns, it's about common sense that is becoming less and less common.

Now I myself am going to liquor up and go kill me some road signs.

 

[dairycreek]

I am part of the "gun culture" because..............

I have an open mind and positive attitude toward guns and the people who like and use guns. I know something about guns and am willing to learn more. I don't apologize to anyone or anybody for feeling that way. Good shooting

 

[Preacherman]

If you own more guns than pairs of socks... you might be a gun nut.

If you spend more on guns than you do on food... you might be a gun nut.

If you and your close friends, between you, own more firearms than are issued to a company of U.S. Marines... you might all be gun nuts.

If you have ever been stopped for speeding and got away with it by explaining that you were in a hurry to get to the range, or catch the opening day of deer/duck/liberal season... you might be a gun nut.

If your house burns down and ignites new fires up to a mile away as the result of exploding ammo supplies... you might be a gun nut.

If your guns, ammo and related gear take up more storage space than your clothes and shoes... you might be a gun nut.


Further contributions invited!

 

[cslinger]

Now this Joey93Turbo is............

definitely NOT part of the gun culture. Doesn't like the Garand..............I just don't have the words. This guy needs to turn in his membership immediately.



http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=96406&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Just kidding Joey93, I couldn't resist.

 

[Tharg]

Heh - i like being called a gun nut...

but then i like being called a nut. =)

They can call me a nut all day long - i find it funny that even the guys who hate guns like to call thier police who use guns. I guess only certain classes of gun nut can be counted on. Besides - most of them can't hold an argument past the emotionaly idiotic response of if there were no guns - then no one could get em. (you know - just like no one can get drugs...)

They are all afraid of the people who don't get thier guns legaly, and might come to harm them... and yet don't take into account that the guy next to them will BE right next to them when it goes down. If that person was a gun nut and protected them... they would MAYBE see the light. Hey - it could happen.

Well it could if those same people would quit trying to take the guns away from legaly armed people.

J/Tharg!
(lifts arms up - dang knuckles are getting sore)

 

[Damon]

What ever the membership requirements are, I am definately, without a doubt, a member.

 

[Old Dog]

I'd like to believe that for someone to truly be a member of the gun culture, he/she:
1. Respects the firearms preferences of others, and doesn't try to force his/her own preferences on everyone else (even when we know the 1911 is The King ... even when one's buddy maintains that his Davis 380 is an awesome pistol).
2. Doesn't always have to have the last word in every conversation concerning guns, and doesn't always have to come off as knowing everything in the world about every firearm ever manufactured.
3. Is a considerate shooter, who exercises safe and proper shooting etiquette at the range or cleans up after him/herself if shooting out in the countryside.
4. Votes. In every election.
5. Respects the history of guns. Even knows a little bit about how some guns came into being ... i.e., how the Colt SAA or the Winchester rifles had such an impact on frontier life, or who J. M. Browning was, or why the 1911 was adopted (no one knows why the M9 was adopted).
6. Believes in the concepts of personal responsibility, accountability for one's actions, freedom, independence, integrity, virtue ...

 

[667]

Hey! Don't call me Chuck Schumer! Some things are just not funny!!!!!






What really tics off the antis about "Gun Culture" people besides their owning
firearms is that they tend to be independent, think for themselves, skeptical
of government and mainstream media BS and generally not the good compliant
little ninnies they want in their brave new world.

 

[garrettwc]

Well ...

You've read Unintended Consequences, you are a member of an internet gun forum, sounds like you're off to a good start.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I think I may be too much of a gun nut to qualify as a member of the gun culture: I've got three guns in the hands of three gunsmiths at the moment, one for repairs and two for customizing.

 

[Tamara]

I think I may be too much of a gun nut to qualify as a member of the gun culture: I've got three guns in the hands of three gunsmiths at the moment, one for repairs and two for customizing.

Ha-ha! I got my SSG82 back (finally!), so now I only have one in the shop!
(Of course, I've nearly forgotten what my Martini Henry looks like, and when I pester my 'smith, he just says "I thought getting that East German piece of crap back would make you happy for a while." )

 

[garrettwc]

when I pester my 'smith, he just says "I thought getting that East German piece of crap back would make you happy for a while."

ROTFL.

The man obviously doesn't know who he's dealing with.