Do you own a firearm ?

[Tender Branson]

No, I don't own firearms and also have no firearm license and also don't intend to get one.

Here in Austria, there are 400.000 firearm license owners, with about 1.5 million legally registered firearms.

But estimates suggest that there are much more illegal owners, with about 2-3 million firearms in total in circulation.

The country has 9 million people.

So, while not as heavily armed as US citizens (more guns than people), 30% of Austrians have a legal or illegal firearm statistically-speaking.

Which is one of the highest rates in Western countries, together with Switzerland, Finland, Serbia etc.

 

[KingLeo]

I own several.
I like to bird hunt, duck and pheasant, and do some target and skeet shooting.
All are registered and I follow all of my states laws regarding registering and storage.

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

About 10.

 

[Safiel]

I do own quite a number, including several hunting rifles, a couple of shotguns, a couple of pistols, a revolver and a muzzleloader.

Even so, I am not an second amendment absolutist like some people here. I support RKBA, but nothing is absolute.

 

[Goshin]

...

But estimates suggest that there are much more illegal owners, with about 2-3 million firearms in total in circulation.

This is why gun laws are of very limited effectiveness in public safety.

When a population is *already* heavily armed.... it is like closing the barn door after the cow has run off. Worse, really, as it disarms only the law-abiding and emboldens the criminal. JM 0.02

 

[Demon]

I do - a 9mm. I bought it last year after I had rotator cuff repair on my arm and was feeling pretty vulnerable. But then I found out that the slide is pretty hard to pull back when you're basically one handed, lol. Its never been fired, and in fact I have never even bought bullets. Its a paperweight.

 

[Ganondagan]

I've owned several firearms in the past - Ruger .22 revolver, Ruger .357 revolver, Walther PP32 (WWII vintage), Ithaca Deerslayer 12ga shotgun, Remington 700 rifle .243.

The only gun I still own is the Remington 243.

 

[Lutherf]

I do - a 9mm. I bought it last year after I had rotator cuff repair on my arm and was feeling pretty vulnerable. But then I found out that the slide is pretty hard to pull back when you're basically one handed, lol. Its never been fired, and in fact I have never even bought bullets. Its a paperweight.

I've seen quite a few people struggle with that. Just hold the slide and push the pistol frame. It's a LOT easier but it does take a little practice. It's also a good idea to get used to shooting if you're going to own a firearm. Knowing how it works and what to expect if you have to use it are crucial if the need to use it ever arises.

 

[maxparrish]

No, I don't own firearms and also have no firearm license and also don't intend to get one.

Here in Austria, there are 400.000 firearm license owners, with about 1.5 million legally registered firearms.

But estimates suggest that there are much more illegal owners, with about 2-3 million firearms in total in circulation.

The country has 9 million people.

So, while not as heavily armed as US citizens (more guns than people), 30% of Austrians have a legal or illegal firearm statistically-speaking.

Which is one of the highest rates in Western countries, together with Switzerland, Finland, Serbia etc.

Tried quail hunting as a teen, but didn't enjoy it - not a surprise to me as when I was a younger teen, I shot a squirrel and after seeing a flash of red from the bullet strike I felt horrible and tormented myself for days afterward.

However, I have enjoyed recreational target shooting and plinking. I still own my first rifle, a 22 single shot, an M1 Carbine, and a Savage Varmint Rifle. I keep them in a buddys gun safe and haven't shot them in years - although my buddy has with his step children. (I have no interest in handguns, even for self-defense).

I continue to have an interest is rifles and toy with the idea of longer range precision shooting as something I'd like but I know I am not that serious.

I guess the point is that one can loath killing animals, even birds, and yet find guns fascinating, fun, and recreationally rewarding. Just because some folks like to shoot, load their own ammo, use "military looking" precision rifles doesn't mean they have the slightest interest in using them to hurt others.

Nuff said.

 

[anatta]

no. and hopefully never

 

[molten_dragon]

Yes, several. In the market for another one at the moment.

 

[Risky Thicket]

I do - a 9mm. I bought it last year after I had rotator cuff repair on my arm and was feeling pretty vulnerable. But then I found out that the slide is pretty hard to pull back when you're basically one handed, lol. Its never been fired, and in fact I have never even bought bullets. Its a paperweight.

Sorry to hear about your rotator cuff. I'm going through a rotator cuff issue myself and I am not enjoying it.

If I may make a few suggestions. You are wise not to begin shooting until you are familiar with and capable of using your 9mm. You might use this time as an opportunity to practice handling your gun. You could even return to the gun store where you bought your gun, explain your current challenge and ask for advice as to how you might practice safely handling your gun with a bad arm. Try what they suggest and train yourself until you feel confident about going to the range.

Once you start going to the range at some point you'll want to practice shooting with your non-dominant hand. Hopefully, you'll never need to use your gun, but if you do, shooting using either hand with confidence is a good idea. Also, if you wear glasses and you're not legally blind practice without your glasses as you might want to be prepared for that in a real life situation.

In fact, I'm doing that at the range lately myself. My dominant arm is the one with the rotator cuff issue.

 

[Demon]

I've seen quite a few people struggle with that. Just hold the slide and push the pistol frame. It's a LOT easier but it does take a little practice. It's also a good idea to get used to shooting if you're going to own a firearm. Knowing how it works and what to expect if you have to use it are crucial if the need to use it ever arises.

Oh, that sounds like it might work better, thanks. I did have plans to go and learn how to shoot - get good with it, and comfortable. But now that my arm has healed up I'm not feeling so vulnerable. One of these days I might go to the gun range & take a class. And buy bullets.

 

[multivita-man]

No, I don't own firearms and also have no firearm license and also don't intend to get one.

Here in Austria, there are 400.000 firearm license owners, with about 1.5 million legally registered firearms.

But estimates suggest that there are much more illegal owners, with about 2-3 million firearms in total in circulation.

The country has 9 million people.

So, while not as heavily armed as US citizens (more guns than people), 30% of Austrians have a legal or illegal firearm statistically-speaking.

Which is one of the highest rates in Western countries, together with Switzerland, Finland, Serbia etc.

None. I used to have one but pawned it years ago. I've been thinking of getting something in recent months.

 

[Lutherf]

Oh, that sounds like it might work better, thanks. I did have plans to go and learn how to shoot - get good with it, and comfortable. But now that my arm has healed up I'm not feeling so vulnerable. One of these days I might go to the gun range & take a class. And buy bullets.

When you hold the slide cover it with your hand like you're picking the pistol up from the top. A lot of people try to kind of pinch it from he back with two fingers and that's what makes it hard to operate.

 

[Demon]

Sorry to hear about your rotator cuff. I'm going through a rotator cuff issue myself and I am not enjoying it.

If I may make a few suggestions. You are wise not to begin shooting until you are familiar with and capable of using your 9mm. You might use this time as an opportunity to practice handling your gun. You could even return to the gun store where you bought your gun, explain your current challenge and ask for advice as to how you might practice safely handling your gun with a bad arm. Try what they suggest and train yourself until you feel confident about going to the range.

Once you start going to the range at some point you'll want to practice shooting with your non-dominant hand. Hopefully, you'll never need to use your gun, but if you do, shooting using either hand with confidence is a good idea. Also, if you wear glasses and you're not legally blind practice without your glasses as you might want to be prepared for that in a real life situation.

In fact, I'm doing that at the range lately myself. My dominant arm is the one with the rotator cuff issue.

And I'm sorry to hear about yours! Have you had surgery? Mine was a little over a year ago so my arm is back to normal now. The recovery is awful - not pain after the first few days, but sleeping was a pain for me as I sleep on my stomach. So it was a few weeks of sleeping on the couch recliner, than trying to sleep on my back. If you're getting surgery, get a shower sling for your arm, and get a set of pulleys that you can attache to someplace high enough that you'll eventually be able to straighten your arm above your shoulder. Other than PT, that pulley was the best thing I had for home exercises. There's a ton on amazon or I can give you the link if you want it.

I have handled the gun, practiced aiming, etc. Have a little light attached to it... I'm just not feeling the need for it now that I've recovered. The surgery was on my dominant arm, and you can't do anything with that arm for a while. I will, as I just told @Lutherf , go and take a class before I ever decide to shoot it. I have a healty fear of guns, and it's entirely safe right no - no ammo, lol.

 

[Integrityrespec]

This is why gun laws are of very limited effectiveness in public safety.

When a population is *already* heavily armed.... it is like closing the barn door after the cow has run off. Worse, really, as it disarms only the law-abiding and emboldens the criminal. JM 0.02

Guns don't cause the problems. Lawless gun possession is the issue. Why don't democrats want to lock up criminals for gun possession instead of putting them back on the streets?

 

[Peter]

I'm British so no, I don't.

 

[Risky Thicket]

And I'm sorry to hear about yours! Have you had surgery? Mine was a little over a year ago so my arm is back to normal now. The recovery is awful - not pain after the first few days, but sleeping was a pain for me as I sleep on my stomach. So it was a few weeks of sleeping on the couch recliner, than trying to sleep on my back. If you're getting surgery, get a shower sling for your arm, and get a set of pulleys that you can attache to someplace high enough that you'll eventually be able to straighten your arm above your shoulder. Other than PT, that pulley was the best thing I had for home exercises. There's a ton on amazon or I can give you the link if you want it.

I have handled the gun, practiced aiming, etc. Have a little light attached to it... I'm just not feeling the need for it now that I've recovered. The surgery was on my dominant arm, and you can't do anything with that arm for a while. I will, as I just told @Lutherf , go and take a class before I ever decide to shoot it. I have a healty fear of guns, and it's entirely safe right no - no ammo, lol.

Thanks for asking. I have not yet had surgery and I'm hoping that I won't. I've been going for PT and it has helped some. Next week I'm getting a cortisone injection and we will see how that goes.

Interesting that you mention sleep. I've told my doctor and my PT that sleeping seems to make it worse at times.

Years ago, same arm, I tore tendons and needed surgery. For 3 months I had a full cast from my shoulder to just above my knuckles. Sleep was damn near impossible. I spend almost all three months sleeping a lounge chair. Not fun. After the cast came off I had 2 months of PT. I am one very left-handed guy. I almost hand to relearn how to use my left hand.

Thanks for the tip regarding the shower sling. If I have to have surgery I'll need the shower slip.

Good for you practicing handling your gun at home. I promise the more you do it the more comfortable you will be with it. Plus, in time the slide will be easier as the gun gets used to you. Luther used to carry a gun for a living. You can trust his advice.

It's good that you are going to take a class. You want to be comfortable with your gun while at the same time respecting it always. You can do both and you should. The right attitude is that your gun, every gun, is always loaded. People will ask, if it's loaded. There's only one answer, yes. It doesn't matter if you just striped and cleaned it, always treat it as if it is loaded. Never point a gun at anyone you don't intend to shoot.

On especially stressful days nothing is more restful than going to the range. Say what! In a strange sounding way going to the range is similar to meditation. When I go to the range my full attention is on what I am doing, weapon safety first. All my thoughts are about shooting. Nothing else is on my mind. Negative thoughts are left at the front door.

Keep it up for a while and it will become a hobby that you'll enjoy. Plus, you don't want to become rusty. I sincerely hope you never need to use it in self defense but as someone once said, "when you really need a gun nothing else will do". That is especially true when you get too old to outrun anybody. I'm reminded of that everyday these days.

 

[Peter]

This is why gun laws are of very limited effectiveness in public safety.

When a population is *already* heavily armed.... it is like closing the barn door after the cow has run off. Worse, really, as it disarms only the law-abiding and emboldens the criminal. JM 0.02

I wonder why the UK has such low figures for gun crime given that gun control never works and criminals will just get guns regardless of the law?

 

[MAGAnificent]

I wonder why the UK has such low figures for gun crime given that gun control never works and criminals will just get guns regardless of the law?

It could be that the UK does not have the revolving door criminal justice system the US does.

 

[CLAX1911]

I lost all of mine in a boating accident.

 

[MAGAnificent]

I lost all of mine in a boating accident.

I lost a very expensive pair or sunglasses due to rough seas in a sailboat race.

 

[TamleeB]

My husband owns several. He has never killed a living thing. But with that being said he enjoys target shooting and has many friend who deer and moose hunt.

 

[Demon]

Thanks for asking. I have not yet had surgery and I'm hoping that I won't. I've been going for PT and it has helped some. Next week I'm getting a cortisone injection and we will see how that goes.

Interesting that you mention sleep. I've told my doctor and my PT that sleeping seems to make it worse at times.

Years ago, same arm, I tore tendons and needed surgery. For 3 months I had a full cast from my shoulder to just above my knuckles. Sleep was damn near impossible. I spend almost all three months sleeping a lounge chair. Not fun. After the cast came off I had 2 months of PT. I am one very left-handed guy. I almost hand to relearn how to use my left hand.

Thanks for the tip regarding the shower sling. If I have to have surgery I'll need the shower slip.

Good for you practicing handling your gun at home. I promise the more you do it the more comfortable you will be with it. Plus, in time the slide will be easier as the gun gets used to you. Luther used to carry a gun for a living. You can trust his advice.

It's good that you are going to take a class. You want to be comfortable with your gun while at the same time respecting it always. You can do both and you should. The right attitude is that your gun, every gun, is always loaded. People will ask, if it's loaded. There's only one answer, yes. It doesn't matter if you just striped and cleaned it, always treat it as if it is loaded. Never point a gun at anyone you don't intend to shoot.

On especially stressful days nothing is more restful than going to the range. Say what! In a strange sounding way going to the range is similar to meditation. When I go to the range my full attention is on what I am doing, weapon safety first. All my thoughts are about shooting. Nothing else is on my mind. Negative thoughts are left at the front door.

Keep it up for a while and it will become a hobby that you'll enjoy. Plus, you don't want to become rusty. I sincerely hope you never need to use it in self defense but as someone once said, "when you really need a gun nothing else will do". That is especially true when you get too old to outrun anybody. I'm reminded of that everyday these days.

Oh man, I can't even imagine trying to sleep with a cast like that on! I had a good 3 months of PT, but it was just a couple of days a week at the end. I was hoping not to have surgery, too, but I had a big tear in the rotator cuff and a big tear in the bicep.

I can see going to the gun range as a sort of meditation, since your mind should be focused on only that. I can't help but think of the Frasier episode where Niles learns to shoot, lol.

I also really want to limit lead exposure so I would try to go to an outdoor range most of the time, and I have found 'super clean' (or something like that) bullets with no lead. I think being outside would be more enjoyable too.

I do trust Luther on this. And you.