Anonymous Coward
Member
vicdotcom said:
LOL.
desert gator said:
Hmm. Maybe they don't think private citizens should have guns.
My advice: Forget about "smoothing things over." That's their job, not yours.
Help smoothing things out with neighbors
- Thread starter desert gator
- Start date
- Status
LOL.
Hmm. Maybe they don't think private citizens should have guns.
My advice: Forget about "smoothing things over." That's their job, not yours.
Invite them for dinner for a change. Don't bring it up. Let them lead the conversation. If they ask, explain to them that you are grateful that they defended your rights as military, and you appreciate it by exercising those rights. Assembly, arms, speech, and so on.
I would have just said "Sorry I didn't know this made you uncomfortable, lets shift gears" and never talked about it with them again unless they bring it up.
I would have just said "Sorry I didn't know this made you uncomfortable, lets shift gears" and never talked about it with them again unless they bring it up.
desert gator
Member
Thanks for the responses guys. I had a good laugh at some of them. Things arent as awkward tonight because he invited me to have a beer with him tomorrow night because his wife is working. I dont remember who pointed it out that he had no problem with it until after he told his wife, but that is a good point. He could just be siding with her, she after all is the one that keeps bringing it up. He has a bullet bike that is all souped up and he gets rather wild on it. I would like to get some statistics comparing the dangers of guns to that of bullet bikes.
NotSoFast
Member
I would respond by saying that I have guns for the same reason an amateur astronomer has a telescope, to enjoy my hobby. I'd play down home defense and play up the shooting/sharpening skills part of it.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
ChCx2744
Member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
- Messages
- 1,228
OP, It is not your fault to have assumed military = pro gun. True, even if they are in the military does not automatically make them pro-gun, but I'm assuming you posted this because you wanted other people's opinions or experiences, therefore I will give you mine:
EVERY person I have met that is in the military, has been in the military, is planning on going to the military, or has any ties with the military what-so-ever are VERY pro-gun. Now this is only me and the people I'VE met, but it kind of shows a trend. Just like you, I would also find it a bit odd that they have a military background and are not very supportive of gun ownership...Again, I have NEVER met someone with the aforementioned qualities against gun ownership...VERY supportive of the Second Amendment.
There might also be the issue of the wife being the main cause of the unfavorable response to you. The husband may actually be supportive, but the wife is the one who commented on the issue...
EVERY person I have met that is in the military, has been in the military, is planning on going to the military, or has any ties with the military what-so-ever are VERY pro-gun. Now this is only me and the people I'VE met, but it kind of shows a trend. Just like you, I would also find it a bit odd that they have a military background and are not very supportive of gun ownership...Again, I have NEVER met someone with the aforementioned qualities against gun ownership...VERY supportive of the Second Amendment.
There might also be the issue of the wife being the main cause of the unfavorable response to you. The husband may actually be supportive, but the wife is the one who commented on the issue...
209
Member
This isn't a knock on any branch of the military, but after spending 22 years in and interacting with many members of all branches I have found:
Many AF folks who are decidedly not gun people.
A good amount of Navy folks who aren't.
Several soldiers, including one I used to work with, who were literally afraid of guns.
One Marine (Nam vet at that) that couldn't shoot to save his own life. He used to say, "I don't like guns." When I asked him how the devil he did a tour in Nam, he said, "I didn't carry one- I cleared and disarmed mines, boobytraps and explosives."
Many AF folks who are decidedly not gun people.
A good amount of Navy folks who aren't.
Several soldiers, including one I used to work with, who were literally afraid of guns.
One Marine (Nam vet at that) that couldn't shoot to save his own life. He used to say, "I don't like guns." When I asked him how the devil he did a tour in Nam, he said, "I didn't carry one- I cleared and disarmed mines, boobytraps and explosives."
FiREhAwk
Member
The last engineering firm I worked for hired a new construction manager. He was a well educated and very clean cut man from Washington state, who retired from the army as a artillery officer. His office was on the same as hall as mine and a fellow gunny. I had worked here for years and alot of talk about guns went on between most of us and alot of us went to the range on occasion. Anyway, I brought my 22-45 in to have a friend who had experience with it, help me finish assembling it. He walked by the office we were in but said nothing. Later that day he coppied the page of the emp hand book and highlighted the generic sentence that they all have about no firearms on company property. He had been there a for maybe a month and had the nerve to hand those letters to us. We went shooting with our boss several times, and when someone got a new gun in was normal to bring it in to show it off. My team leader (manager) was known to keep a pistol in his desk, as my boss would jokingly point out from time to time. I carried everyday and most people were aware. On late nights I would bring in an xd45 or 605 Taurus, as there were a few breakin attempts in the past from suspected ex employees, as we had high end survey and computer equipment. After a few weeks or months he mostly got over the laidbackness of the office and stayed out of other peoples business. I miss that place 
note: I never had a gun discussion with him to get his thought on firearm ownership, but he never went on any of the range trips, and looked uncomfortable when gun talk came up around him.
note: I never had a gun discussion with him to get his thought on firearm ownership, but he never went on any of the range trips, and looked uncomfortable when gun talk came up around him.
DeepSouth
Random Guy
DoesItMatter
Member
Zombie Attack
The Zombies...
It's all about defense from the Zombie Invasion!
Heck, with all these weird diseases and viruses going around, who knows.
That Zombie invasion may be closer than any of us think...
The Zombies...
It's all about defense from the Zombie Invasion!
Heck, with all these weird diseases and viruses going around, who knows.
That Zombie invasion may be closer than any of us think...
Deus Machina
Member
That's my method. Blame everything on zombies. And then when something weird comes up in the news (that guy in Cali or Texas or wherever that bit a neighbor) or someone else mentions it without you around, it makes people think twice.
But, have to agree with the rest. Just don't bring it up, and play up the target practice and not so much on the SD part.
But, have to agree with the rest. Just don't bring it up, and play up the target practice and not so much on the SD part.
Being former military does NOT mean Pro-gun!
A now-deceased retired military neighbor of mine moved from the city to our small town a while back.
One day, I stopped by my father's house on the way back from deer-hunting. I had a Remington 700 bolt-action slung over my back.
The neighbor saw my rifle and stated "I don't care for guns. I really don't believe that people should be allowed to have them."
Ironically, a few years later, he had the police called on him because he threatened workers on a neighbors' property with a .22 rifle because they were making too much noise!
-- John
A now-deceased retired military neighbor of mine moved from the city to our small town a while back.
One day, I stopped by my father's house on the way back from deer-hunting. I had a Remington 700 bolt-action slung over my back.
The neighbor saw my rifle and stated "I don't care for guns. I really don't believe that people should be allowed to have them."
Ironically, a few years later, he had the police called on him because he threatened workers on a neighbors' property with a .22 rifle because they were making too much noise!
-- John
209
Member
I had occasion to become involved, at least indirectly, with a retired officer from a certain branch of the military. He had 20+ years in the [I won't say which one-but he worked as a maintenance unit officer/commander for folks that worked on lots of jets ].
He decided that experience made him an expert on everything military. He was a Assoc VP at the institution I work for. I am merely a Police Sgt and my highest rank in the military was SFC/E-7. But, in my defense, I spend 4 yrs in the Corps and then another 18 in the ARNG. All of it in Combat Arms type units. He dismissed my experience because, after all, he was an officer.
I in turn dismissed his because, after all, I spend my career shooting weapons he never even touched. And I assuredly shot a heck of a lot more ammo downrange, some in anger, than he ever dreamed of using. Maybe there was some bad blood between us.
Anyway, we were finally fielding our patrol rifles. He argued that we shouldn't have them because "those things are heavy weapons and they will shoot through concrete walls. And people can't control the recoil when they are shooting them because the rifles shoot so fast. (Our rifles are semi only) I know, I was in the [insert military branch here].
I begged the Chief to take me along to the next meeting. I think the Chief demurred because he knows I'm not exactly PC and he knows I like to use words such as "moron".
Hey, what can I say- it's a curse. I blame it on the Corps.
As it was, I had shot some film using the various firearms we have. We shot them at car doors, concrete blocks, etc. We used various types of ammo when we did the rifles..... and
they don't really shoot through concrete walls. At least not American concrete- maybe there is some third world country concrete they will go through.
So the Chief took those clips with him. I assume it went well- we finally have the rifles available to the "patrol dogs".
I'm still upset I didn't get to go and talk. I had all of the ballistic data to show that the rifle round we use is probably the safest one as far as the over-penetration issue is concerned. Maybe I need to stop calling morons "morons". :banghead:
But it is really hard.
]. He decided that experience made him an expert on everything military. He was a Assoc VP at the institution I work for. I am merely a Police Sgt and my highest rank in the military was SFC/E-7. But, in my defense, I spend 4 yrs in the Corps and then another 18 in the ARNG. All of it in Combat Arms type units. He dismissed my experience because, after all, he was an officer.
I in turn dismissed his because, after all, I spend my career shooting weapons he never even touched. And I assuredly shot a heck of a lot more ammo downrange, some in anger, than he ever dreamed of using. Maybe there was some bad blood between us.
Anyway, we were finally fielding our patrol rifles. He argued that we shouldn't have them because "those things are heavy weapons and they will shoot through concrete walls. And people can't control the recoil when they are shooting them because the rifles shoot so fast. (Our rifles are semi only) I know, I was in the [insert military branch here].
I begged the Chief to take me along to the next meeting. I think the Chief demurred because he knows I'm not exactly PC and he knows I like to use words such as "moron".
Hey, what can I say- it's a curse. I blame it on the Corps. As it was, I had shot some film using the various firearms we have. We shot them at car doors, concrete blocks, etc. We used various types of ammo when we did the rifles..... and
they don't really shoot through concrete walls. At least not American concrete- maybe there is some third world country concrete they will go through. So the Chief took those clips with him. I assume it went well- we finally have the rifles available to the "patrol dogs".
I'm still upset I didn't get to go and talk. I had all of the ballistic data to show that the rifle round we use is probably the safest one as far as the over-penetration issue is concerned. Maybe I need to stop calling morons "morons". :banghead:
But it is really hard.
22-rimfire
Member
I suspect they would have a problem with your having a BB or pellet gun too.
I personally don't deal with it all. I avoid political topics as much as possible and the gun issue is a political one for the most part. If they say something that hints they are looking to learn, then I will spend a great deal of time with people teaching.
Many military folks don't feel the semi-auto military-like weapons should be commonplace for civilians. They sometimes view them as being made to kill people, not punch holes in targets, plink with, or hunt anything with.
I tend to listen to folks that have been in battle. I respect their feelings, observations, and point of view regardless of whether I agree with it or not.
I personally don't deal with it all. I avoid political topics as much as possible and the gun issue is a political one for the most part. If they say something that hints they are looking to learn, then I will spend a great deal of time with people teaching.
Many military folks don't feel the semi-auto military-like weapons should be commonplace for civilians. They sometimes view them as being made to kill people, not punch holes in targets, plink with, or hunt anything with.
I tend to listen to folks that have been in battle. I respect their feelings, observations, and point of view regardless of whether I agree with it or not.
SharpsDressedMan
member
Tell them you are there to protect them should they be attacked in their home, before the police get there. How much more neighborly can you be than that!
Mind boggling that they take the statement,
Invite them to the range as a way to "smooth things over"
if not, follow this advice..
and convert it to mean you have the gun for self defense (maybe you do, but that is not what you told them).
Invite them to the range as a way to "smooth things over"
if not, follow this advice..
Ridgerunner665 said:
I find it ironic that they think there is no need for you to have a gun as 'the neighborhood is safe'
...and then think they hear a burglar in your house going to steal your gun.
You may have some luck pointing this out to them. They have unwittingly admitted that even safe neighborhoods can have problems with crime.
...and then think they hear a burglar in your house going to steal your gun.
You may have some luck pointing this out to them. They have unwittingly admitted that even safe neighborhoods can have problems with crime.
crebralfix
member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2004
- Messages
- 1,356
There is a HUGE difference between an inalienable right and a "need".
tonelar
Member
so far, excellent responses (my personal fave is the "in case of Zombies" one)... However, mine is usually this.
Owning a spare tire doesn't mean I'm expecting a flat. Just as owning a firearm doesn't mean I'm expecting to need it.
Your neighbors sound "well meaning", offer to take them to the shooting range.
Owning a spare tire doesn't mean I'm expecting a flat. Just as owning a firearm doesn't mean I'm expecting to need it.
Your neighbors sound "well meaning", offer to take them to the shooting range.
10-Ring
Member
You'll find people like this in every walk of life. I would make your hobby/guns a non-issue -- talk sports, weather, other neighbors -- heck, mix in a little religion & politics too 
tonelar
Member
+ 1 - have 'em over for dinner.
+ 1000 - take 'em shooting.
+ 1000 - take 'em shooting.
colorado_handgunner
Member
Same Boat As You
I am in the same boat as you, single guy, but multiple guns in the house.
My answer: 5 minutes is a good police response time. It takes 15 seconds to walk from the front door to my bed. In 5 minutes I could be dead 20 times over.
I am in the same boat as you, single guy, but multiple guns in the house.
My answer: 5 minutes is a good police response time. It takes 15 seconds to walk from the front door to my bed. In 5 minutes I could be dead 20 times over.
Yeah, Ex/Former/Retired Military doesn't necessarily mean JACK S..T when it comes to a Pro-Gun position. Case in point: A co-worker (no longer with my civilian company) is a Retired 30+ year Vet. He voted for Obama, doesn't think I need a gun (for ANYTHING), thinks the AWB is a great idea and mourns the sunset although he can't expain a damned thing it actually did to STOP crime. Yeah folks, a 30+ year retired veteran. Finally,I couldn't take it anymore, looked him in the eye, and laughed. He got pissed, I shook my head and walked away.
Please understand, I am all for trying to discuss and educate "non-believers" or at least, non-shooters. But, after listening to this man ramble on time and time again, saying absolutely NOTHING that made sense, I finally said screw it. At some point you have to know when to walk away. As Dirty Harry once said, "A man's got to know his limitations". Well, I know the limitations of my patience.
Your neighbors argument could be balanced with: "Why does anyone 'need' a sports car that will do 150mph, when the speed limit is 65 (or 75 depending on where you are). Because, this is AMERICA and I CAN. And the reason I can, is because of folks like you who make sacrifices to defend my freedom and liberty to buy whatever I want that I can afford (without a bailout). Thank you for your service, and have a nice day." Trying to reason and have a logical discussion/debate with someone who doesn't believe you should even HAVE a position or point-of-view they disagree with in the first place, is a waste of your time. Believe me, I've been there. I'm a Vet (12 years), and I know a lot more anti-gun/apathetic veterans than I would ever have dreamed of, if I didn't see/hear them myself.
Please understand, I am all for trying to discuss and educate "non-believers" or at least, non-shooters. But, after listening to this man ramble on time and time again, saying absolutely NOTHING that made sense, I finally said screw it. At some point you have to know when to walk away. As Dirty Harry once said, "A man's got to know his limitations". Well, I know the limitations of my patience.
Your neighbors argument could be balanced with: "Why does anyone 'need' a sports car that will do 150mph, when the speed limit is 65 (or 75 depending on where you are). Because, this is AMERICA and I CAN. And the reason I can, is because of folks like you who make sacrifices to defend my freedom and liberty to buy whatever I want that I can afford (without a bailout). Thank you for your service, and have a nice day." Trying to reason and have a logical discussion/debate with someone who doesn't believe you should even HAVE a position or point-of-view they disagree with in the first place, is a waste of your time. Believe me, I've been there. I'm a Vet (12 years), and I know a lot more anti-gun/apathetic veterans than I would ever have dreamed of, if I didn't see/hear them myself.
roofsc
Member
maybe they are upset because you just removed youself from their closet next target ?
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