How would you respond to a telephone survey questioning your status as a gun owner?

[JKimball]

I know some gun owners prefer to keep their gun ownership on the down low. That is a common reason people give for buying from private individuals rather than dealers. Some gun owners joke (?) about explaining their tragic boating accident when the government comes asking about their guns. So I've been wondering if that aspect of gun ownership might have a significant effect on the results of random surveys that are used to estimate total gun ownership in America.

 

[DeerSlayer7600]

Hang up the minute I hear survey mentioned.

 

[Pure Kustom]

hmmm. When they ask about your guns. You can Interupt them and ask them for their number because sometimes your phone lines dies. Then when they continue to ask you about owning firearms. Tell them no because you just got of of the joint for murder..............

You won't be getting a call from them anymore..............

 

[Gottahaveone]

I voted for tell them about ownership but no details because that was the closest choice. I would actually respond to the question of gun ownership with a statement to the effect that I was a strong supporter of the 2nd, and wish them a nice day as I hung up.

 

[230RN]

"I turned it in at the last gun buyback. Didn't want it around the house."

I take it ("?") you don't like variants on the TBA story?

I love 'em.

Actually, I lost mine in a balloon ride when the balloon sprung a leak and we had to throw them overboard when we ran out of ballast to cast off. Somewhere over Lake Powell.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I do not give out personal information over the telephone to strangers.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I picked option 2, I would tell them I own guns, I might even let them know about some of the guns I own, but I wouldn't get too detailed.(Not because I'm worried about the government, but because I don't like giving out info like that, it might even be a bunch of punks looking for stuff to steal.)

 

[Loosedhorse]

I'd ask what company's doing the poll, who're they doing it for, and what the poll will be used for.

Then I'd say "Thanks," and hang up.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Oh man, I love answering surveys!

I also love the telemarketing calls from home security systems. I get some great responses when I tell them I don't need their product because I have an HK 45 and a 90 lb Doberman.

 

[nplant]

The minute "survey" is mentioned, any truth pretty much goes out the window. I think it's fun to screw with their data. And I like to get something in return for them calling me during dinner time. Works out just about right, in my opinion!

At the very least, I'd pretend that I was under age (not bothering to change my voice at all), and tell them that dad or mom was just arriving home, and could they wait? Then give them a step-by-step "account" of what mom or dad is doing:

"Okay, dad's just getting out of the car.... Here he comes up the walkway.... Oops! He forgot something in the car.... He found it!... He's at the door now, shouldn't be but another couple seconds.... He's getting the mail.... I hear his keys.... He's opening the door now.... Hi dad! There's a guy.... Oh, he dropped his lunchbag... I'm talking to a nice man who wants to ask you about you bazooka collection...." et cetera.

 

[Bitmap]

I would do what I do to any survey caller or salesman - ask to be put on a no-call list.

 

[wyocarp]

I wouldn't lie to them or misrepresent information. I would just tell them that my guns are none of their business.

 

[Claymore1500]

I would respond the same way as I do to any survey......CLICK!

 

[TallPine]

I don't do polls or surveys.

The only people I will talk to like that is the state F&G when they call to ask about hunting success.

 

[MacTech]

It's a need-to-know basis, telephone surveyors/telemarketers and other such parasites do not need to know

 

[belus]

I hope I never get that call because, knowing my history, I'm sympathetic to data collectors. I'd probably end up entertaining their questions with occasional refusals.
Don't think that's the smartest approach though.

 

[halfbreed808]

"I do not give out personal information over the telephone to strangers."

Exactly. You call my house to ask me questions? I don't think so.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I believe in simple, direct responses. So here's mine:

"click"

 

[Blofeld]

I'd ask them what they're wearing.

 

[Claude Clay]

in my best animated voice:
"thank you for calling. your call is very important to us. the estimated wait time for a trained professional to service you is 8 minutes. please hold" than pass the phone to one of the dogs.......

 

[Flagal]

My answer would be
'I'm in the middle of something. Give me your number and I'll give you a call when I'm finished.'

 

[harmonic]

I have caller ID. If the caller isn't a friend, I don't answer.

 

[3KillerBs]

I love surveys. I can never resist the opportunity to tell people what I think.

But before I answered anything beyond "Of course I have guns. I live in rural North Carolina. Everyone around here has guns." I'd want some type of absolutely confirmation that a brighter than usual crook wasn't conducting a pretend survey to scout for possible victims.

Probably the wisest response would be to tell them that I prefer to do surveys online and ask for the website where I can do so.

 

[guntotinguy]

I’d rather not disclose anything about my gun ownership.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I'm on the Do Not Call list. I don't get those calls.