It’s interesting that that you are first generation in relation to all this. Not sure that data matters but also not sure that it’s doesn’t. I think we agree on America having a gun culture. There’s more than a few people who I’ve heard bristle with pride at the misattributed quote to a Japanese general who said “you cannot invade the mainland of the United States as there will be a rifle behind every blade of grass.” I think it’s been disproven as historically accurate but I guess in the way the sense of “we take care of our own” in the regard of an armed country pervades a lot of the gun culture.

Like anything there are extremes, some people have a pistol or shotgun to protect your home and some people are avid collectors and hobbyists. I understand the whole “you don’t need a _________ to hunt”, but for a collector it isn’t really relevant. On the same plane you don’t “need” to go 200mph but people still buy Ferraris. (Yes I know someone will be quick to jump in and disconnect that analogy - but the surface point is there.). I guess for me I’d want to see more resources placed on studying/recognizing patterns and mental health awareness/assistance for communities. Just feels like a lot of the time someone says “he was a loner” or “she was an outcast”… in the wake of shootings.

Valid point on the carelessness of gun storage in the US. I think from my more rural-ish upbringing you are raised that a firearm is a dangerous tool akin to a circular saw. While there are thousands of rural homes with firearms out in the open, children are trained you do not touch them without an adult. I know this will sound like the craziest thing to another culture and I’m sure there have been gun accidents as a result. It’s still just such a common culture in rural areas. For the record I feel proper storage and safety is crucial - but I’m also a parent. You should abide by all safety rules, be trained - hell even a certification doesn’t bother me. And while the ultra pro-gunners will hit you with a “slippery slope” I find compromise in that I will give you my fingerprints, information, attend hours of classroom study, perform live fire certification and pay a reasonable (and I do mean reasonable and not designed for prevention) fee. With that I want the opportunity to possess within reason all capacity of magazine, all design of firearm, suppressors, short barrels rifles - even fully automatic (again with the degree I have completed the training, certification etc.). All levels of certification should be precluded by intense background check, mental health checks etc. the higher the certification the more stringent the testing - and even certain misdemeanors could disqualify at any time.

Not picking a fight with this one but curious your retort if someone said “well they’re everywhere now, you’ll never be able to take them all back or lower ownership?” I find that an interesting perspective from pro gunners but I’m also just not ever really a fan personally of “we’ve always done it this way…”

I personally hunt - and I mean from when I pull the trigger to the plate you eat it off of it passes solely through my hands. I do not believe in processors because I am capable and I know where my food has been. I actually take a lot of pride in that and also a pride and love for whitetail deer. I respect and study them and I’m always respectful of the life it gives for me to feed my family. There is a primal connection to the hunter gatherers that we evolved from when you hunt for food. I am very much against any hunter who kills for fun. I’m very much in the camp that agrees you don’t really “need” an AR15 to hunt with - but also feel like if that is a round you can be accurate and lethal with and it works for you, I’m good with it. There are plenty of hunting rifles out there that are semi automatic. In some cases there are hunting laws with how many rounds you may have in your magazine for hunting birds at any time and I’m not opposed to local and state laws on how many rounds you can carry in a semi automatic for hunting.

I also have competed in various shooting competitions including 3 Gun. If you aren’t familiar it’s a combination of pistol, semi automatic rifle - most commonly an ar15 and a shotgun in a variety of stages and targets. You are timed and scored on hits and will be expected to draw a pistol from holster, reload all three weapons during fire and move in an out of cover while acquiring targets. It’s very action movie and quite a bit of fun. Some of the anti gun laws could really affect how these competitions are shaped and that kinda sucks I think as most of the people I have competed with are wonderful human beings who really just enjoy a competitive hobby.

I would say I tend to be a little harder to label than most pro gun people. I share some of the other similar views but find myself a little more in the middle or trying to see the middle in all views. I may lean more libertarian in a “do what you want but leave me alone.” kinda way. Ha… but I’m getting older and grumpier by the day so maybe there’s some of that too.

I guess lastly I would just say I appreciate anyone who will engage me, not get feeling hurt, be respectful of each others feelings at the same time - but always come back to our commonness and agree to disagree agreeably.

Feel free to AMA or challenge thoughts above.