What do you say when...

[mustanger98]

Turn it around on them. Why do you not own a gun? Do you vote? Do you pay taxes? Then why do you not exercise your right as an American to own a firearm? Now get the hell outa my house!

Yah, ya'betcha!!!

 

[AR-lover/hater]

"why do you use birth control when you have sex" ----- same reason it is fun actually more fun sometimes not because you want a kid or want to hurt anyone

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I guess I miss out on a lot of interesting conversations by living in Montana ...

I routinely open carry around the house and our land, and none of our visitors has ever said a thing about it.

Me too. I have had someone ask me just once but it was an honest open-minded question, not negative or condensending in any way. I told her they were fun and offered to take her with me shooting and she loved it.

I think if it was ever asked of me in a negative way in which it was clear their mind was already made up against gun ownership, I'd just grin and nod and say "You can thank me later."

I also have been asked why I take my Glock with me pretty much everywhere I go. We were just running to town to rent some movies and I grabbed the keys, CDs, and my Glock 20 in its Uncle Mikes from the head of my bed. One of my friends asked me why and she asked if I thought I'd need that. I said, "For the same reason I wear my seat belt and carry a condem in my wallet. I would rather have it an not need it 10,000 times than need it and not have it once."

 

[All-Around-Shooter]

The same reason people own golf clubs. Recreation, and possibly self defence.

 

[NineseveN]

Do you guys get asked that often? I try to be low key, not many even know I own guns. So I would say it is rare...well, except for sites like this, and it's rare there as well.

 

[outofbattery]

I usually reply with a question :"Have you ever fired a gun yourself?I think they're lots of fun,some guys play golf,I shoot pistols" and invite them to come out to the range with me.I find that approach not only works better than brow beating over RKBA or using scare tactics of self defense issues to introduce the notion that firearms are inanimate objects that can be used as safely as a butterknife but also increases the chance they'll want to come shoot.I've never had someone come shoot say " that sure was a sucky time and you reinforced my feelings that guns are horrible objects that only cause violence".I don't care if they never shoot again or if they still vote for anti-gun polititians and so on as long as they get the opportunity to have their mind changed about guns and gun owners in general.

 

[DevLcL]

Do you guys get asked that often? I try to be low key, not many even know I own guns. So I would say it is rare...well, except for sites like this, and it's rare there as well.

The thing is my house is a "open house" meaning all sorts of people come through this place on a daily basis. My gun safes are kinda hard to hide, also, whenever I have the time I'm either doing a little smithin or a little cleaning. People can always catch me doing something with my guns so its hard to hide. I know its really not a smart idea to let the world know about your guns, which I don't do, but like I said, it's hard to hide. Most people ask me in more of an honestly curious manner, and I give them an honest thought out answer.

-Dev

 

[trickyasafox]

What do you say when someone asks you "Why do you own guns?" I suppose this is a PRK kind of question, but maybe some of you know what I mean. Sometimes I'll have company over and most of the time they are not gun owners or familiar with guns at all. It's mostly the girls who ask the dumb questions and the most popular is "Why do you own guns?" I always tell them the same thing. "I shoot innocent babies in their sleep."

-Dev

i usually say there's an entire sport associated with firearms. im a hunter, but i often don't emphasize that point. i tend to lean people toward the fact that shooting limits no one. you dont need to be fast or strong or young or old to participate, it treats everyone fairly, and favors no god given talents. it allows full participation by anyone willing to give it a try, and can be extremely satisfying. also i point out anything that gets people outside is a good thing.

 

[TequilaMockingbird]

"Why do you carry a gun?"

Me: "Because I carry precious cargo that deserves protection."

Them: "Really? What's that?"

Me: "My life, and the lives of my loved ones."

Gets a smile. Then I follow up with "I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by six."

Getting asked about carrying firearms from a non-gunowner is a good opportunity for dialogue, even if the questioner is obviously prejudiced, "leftwing," or just misinformed. My approach depends upon the listener. One time young woman at the Whole Foods checkout asked me about my Ruger hat while she was running my items across the scanner.

"Oh, they make rifles," I answered, and then she gave me a look and asked whether I hunted.

"Oh, no," I answered honestly. "I don't like to kill, so Bambi and Thumper have nothing to worry about." At this she smiled. And then I said with a smile, "But paper targets fear me."

And if they ask why I own an EBG, I answer with "Just in case there's a Katrina situation." People around here in Houston pretty much get it.

 

[TallPine]

I also have been asked why I take my Glock with me pretty much everywhere I go.

Because you never know what you will find back at your house when you come home, for one thing.

You probably heard about that incident a while back where two guys escaped from a jail in Great Falls. One of them ended up at a house near Cascade. When the owners came home, he was waving a .22 rifle at them and demanding the "clip." The home-owner said something like "yeah sure, I'll go get it for you" and then came back out with a .38 revolver instead and shot the fugitive once in chest, killing him.

Quick thinking on his part, but I prefer to have something with me (at least in the vehicle) at all times.

 

[MM]

"Keep It Stupid, Simple" -- Answer is "'cause I like 'em!"
SatCong

 

[erh]

Because, I am very familiar, competent, and safe with them, (Worked with for 14+ years daily) and am now a handgun collector & enthusiast. Lastly, but not least; I am an absolute believer in my (and our American) right to protect ourselves & our stuff within reason, & to help other good & honest people, friends, loved ones and/ or anyone that just plain needs help if appropriate, & given that the situation is at hand that helping is not actually a hindrance, or unnecessary risk to anyone or everyone involved... I would never allow myself to escalate anyone's situation without due cause, etc...!) Just my own .02 cents worth. (erh)