Ask Lemmy

Firearms for defense are for eliminating an imminent threat. Over a year ago now, I estimated that an imminent threat of some kind was not out of the question. I didn't know exactly what then, but I could feel it in my bones. I live in a reasonably safe almost rural area; my estimation was based on the political climate. I am sad to say that I am only more certain now that I will need to eliminate an imminent threat at some point.

Although I didn't know what an imminent threat would look like, I felt it was important to have a firearm then because if you wait until you need a gun, it's way too late. I wanted to acquire, practice, make sure everything was working properly, practice, take classes, practice, get the right holster, practice, get comfortable, practice, stock up on ammo, and did I mention practice?

I recently moved and got rid of mine. However, I used to live in a really rough neighborhood. A lot of heavy drug use. Most folks were good people when sober, but when high, they don't think logically, and bad mixes can cause aggression. Thankfully never had to shoot anyone, but police were called a few times with guns at the ready in case things escalated before police arrived. My mom still lives in that area, so I left her with a 38 special, a 20 guage shotgun, and a habit of calling the police the moment anything feels off in the neighborhood.

End of the world prep

I don't need or want guns the way the world is now.

But if society and civilization collapses, you'll need a gun because you'll need to protect yourself and your family from everyone else. I won't want it to attack other people, I'll just need it to survive every other murderous idiot that will want to kill me for a can of beans.

I don't have any actual firearms, but I do have non-firearm designated air rifles for pest control

I am considering getting my PAL to get more powerful air rifles for the same reason, just for bigger game. The little Canadian ones are sub 5 fpe / sub 500 fps and not good for anything bigger than a rat, and barely even that

I have no desire to own a real firearm beyond the factor of it being a neat machine; even if I moved farther out there just wouldn't be a need for it where I live.

Mostly, I enjoy target shooting as a hobby. Hunting is big in my area as both deer and feral hogs need to be culled.

I also feel there's a greater chance of widespread civil unrest than most people understand, and that folks in my area will likely have to defend themselves to some extent if it breaks out. For various reasons, the people who are most important to me aren't likely to be prepared for that, so I figure I should be ready to some extent.

Need: no I do not

Want: pew pew explosions :DD

Do not want: sometimes I have the longing for death, also I'd be anxious about it being stolen and used for un-cool things, also seems expensive, also passive discomfort around a killing tool

My parents and grandparents were into hunting and shooting sports, so I have always been around them and learned how to use them responsibly from an early age, so I used to think it was something everyone did.

I used to shoot 5-7 days a week. Ammo was dirt cheap so I have some guns that used to be really fun, but are now too expensive to use all that much, so I hunt one week a year and go skeet shooting a few times, and occasionally plink at targets with one of the 22s or 38 Specials that I have a pile of reloading stuff for.

It doesn't excite me as much as it used to either, as gun ownership has become more politicized for everyone, so it's also hard to find anyone I want to shoot with other than my brother. It used to be a fun hobby where people would just shoot the breeze more than the guns, but now clubs here are filled with MAGAs and plastered with Republican propaganda so I don't feel as welcome as I used to.

I just think they're neat

I'm not straight and my neighborhood is low income. Like my neighbors and I are tight, but everyone has guns... i trust them (and they me), it's folks coming in from outside, especially shit like the Proud Boys who turned up a few years ago during protests.

I have no need for a gun. I live in a civilized country.

The state requires me to. I keep them locked in a safe for most of the time.

I went to bed and woke up to Trumpie being President. Figured it was time to start the process of acquiring firearms since Trumpie was going to start fucking everyone's life.

Fuck off, I like guns!

- Jim Jefferies

Shooting clay pigeons on the farm is fun, and sometimes a pest needs taking care of.

I don't, I don't and I don't. Welcome to Portugal. Try the food and wine, enjoy your stay.

Started out never wanting guns, but a family issue prompted it for safety reasons. Then, after taking a class and training, I found out I really enjoyed target shooting, even the wife got on board so we use it to bond.

I don't think I could ever enjoy hunting, unless it became necessary for survival for some reason. I'd like to have the extra funds to train and compete for the active shooting competitions (think the video of Reeves training from John Wick) but it's pretty pricey unless you have your own setup on some land.

Same reason I have a bow: target shooting is super fun and cathartic.

Hunting, self defense, sport, and just enjoy them.

Like all kinds of guns. Spring loaded German pellet rifles, handguns, PCCs, shotguns (pump/semi), rifles (.22, .243, .270, .308) both bolt action and semiautomatic.

Just like any other hobby with a utilitarian side… riding four wheelers and other motor vehicles is dangerous if you’re irresponsible, but they can be useful and are certainly fun.

I hunt deer, elk, and bear. I have a 30-06 for deer and elk, and I prefer to hunt bear with my .357.

My husband has one, but I would like my own. I'd like something smaller-- not sure if they make "girl" guns, but I'd like that. I have tiny ass little hands and a weak grip, and the uhhh kick? Not sure of word but I don't want a gun that is going to fly outta my tiny ass weak hands when it fires...

I am a smidge paranoid when my husband goes out of town for work. Also with how things are proceeding in my country, I don't want to be in Nazi Germany 2.0: The Electric Boogaloo without a weapon. I am much more of a knife girl, but a gun is a good deterrent.

It is a good skill to have, shooting a hand gun. Imo everyone in the US should have it (if they want).

I don’t have one, but I really appreciate the engineering and craftsmanship that goes into them. The way all of the subtle ergonomics play into an explosive force you aim with your hands. Being able to shoot at targets and quantify a skill on top of that is just icing on the cake.

I don’t think I could bring myself to shoot a living creature even if I needed to.

Don't have guns yet, but kinda want them. I don't trust police, I'm non-white, fear of racists.

Pure fun. And also just in case humanity will finally f**k up so hard that we will end up in the apocalypse.