Poll in route

So has anyone ever told you that they do not wish to be friends or hang out because you are into guns?

It started with me first when a young lady, who apparently had been hit in a previous relationship. Her father ban her from having anything to do with me because I am a Firearms dealer. I quote " This one wont just hit you, he will shoot you, hes a gun dealer " He has only met me once, briefly...I'm thinkin WTF?...I am in no way a violent person, I hardly ever even raise my voice.

Then last week I was talking to this girl at a bar, we chatted for a bit, exchanged numbers, I txted her to see what was up...she basically said I scare her BC I shoot regularly and are a gun dealer.

Before you say it. NO, im not a mall ninja, I look like a normal guy (no tacticool accessories). I'm just a guy who likes guns.


WTF is wrong with people...the "gun guys" I know are among the most honest law abiding people I know, as am I.

People who are raised with out guns in their lives think that they may go off just by looking at them. It amuses me to watch people faces when I walk out of my appt with a shot gun. Ignorance breeds fear. A typical "gun" person in my experince are amoung the most level headed people I know.

It's the people who have no experince with guns that want them to be baned.

I do however feel that there needs to be mential evaluations for gun ownership. My mother should not have a CCW permit or a gun, and she does, she is liable to shoot her partner in a fight when it is not nessisary. My neibhor should absolutly not have a a ar-15, having grown up with the guy I know he is not level headed enough to own a fire arm.

Nope... Hell just the other day I was selling AK mags to a lady in class haha. I wonder what the school would have thought if they'd have known about that LOL.

I have family in CA. They aren't leftist, but are anti-gun.
They were pretty amazed when they came out for XMas a couple years ago and I was in the garage building an AK from scratch.

We have a new guy that just moved here from one of the offices back east. Very leftist, like extreme. Very anti-gun. Did not understand CCW until I explained how I used mine, with out shooting, to prevent a car jacking. another person at lunch also related a story where they were glad to be armed.

Those are the only times I can think of where its been any thing close to being an issue. But I don't think either time the people were afraid of me.

I went over to a friend's place (who's not into guns, but is somewhat interested in them) the day after I took my CCW class. I brought my qualification target over to show him. One of his lady friends was over, turned sheet white, and left about 5 minutes later.

I asked him what her deal was the next week. Turns out she's mortified of guns for no reason. I wasn't carrying one obviously, all it was was a silhouette with 10 rounds center of mass. People are stupid and irrational. :shaking:

I have family in CA. They aren't leftist, but are anti-gun.
They were pretty amazed when they came out for XMas a couple years ago and I was in the garage building an AK from scratch.

We have a new guy that just moved here from one of the offices back east. Very leftist, like extreme. Very anti-gun. Did not understand CCW until I explained how I used mine, with out shooting, to prevent a car jacking. another person at lunch also related a story where they were glad to be armed.

Those are the only times I can think of where its been any thing close to being an issue. But I don't think either time the people were afraid of me.

Agreed, I find that 99% of people, even anti-gunners, are very accepting and usually curious... but it just burned me up that some guy, basically labeled me a "bad" person on the sole fact that I deal firearms. Mind you he "liked" me before he knew I dealt in firearms.

Mostly with girls I run across in the dating scene. They find out I'm into guns, and it seems to turn some of them away. Which is fine, because the ones that are into guns are generally the ones I have better relationships with...


Some people at work say they're scared of me because I'm into guns, and will then go and joke that they'll be coming to my place when the apocalypse happens... wtf?

Mostly with girls I run across in the dating scene. They find out I'm into guns, and it seems to turn some of them away. Which is fine, because the ones that are into guns are generally the ones I have better relationships with...


Some people at work say they're scared of me because I'm into guns, and will then go and joke that they'll be coming to my place when the apocalypse happens... wtf?

x a brazillion.
i hate having to lock everything out of sight just to get some pussy. i am a gun person, been one my whole life. i had a girl not to long ago tell me she was scared of me cause i have guns and stuff, and that kind of bothered me. after thinking about it, my place does look like the house of one of those crazy backwoods guys who kill and eats teenage campers in horror movies.:laughing:

So has anyone ever told you that they do not wish to be friends or hang out because you are into guns?

Not that bluntly, but one or two have noted that I scare them. I've pretty much stopped letting anybody but "gun guys" see what I'm making on the mill any more; the rest of the sheeple see gun parts and freak out, and at this point, there's at least telltale stuff (steel picatinny rail, for example) all over the place.

No. I live in WV. I don't know if I know anyone who doesn't own a gun:flipoff2:

Had a few people look at me oddly because I own guns but most are more interested than frightened and generally people dont know. I did have a guy ask me of it was "necessary" for me to carry my pistol while out wheeling. I just laughed.

On the other hand I try not to advertise that I have guns to the general public. no sense in attracting unwanted attention. My current girl is still a little scared of my guns but she's coming around and wants me to take her shooting again.

guy at work..."Why do you need your CCW, you live in Cincinnati..."

(said with an aire of douchebaggetry in his voice as well)

I had a gun guy at work ask me why I needed 50 ak mags. had another guy ask my why I needed more than one ak parts kit.

after that, I just stop talking about it with anyone who I don't know is a gun guy.

I've had a couple co-workers get all worked up over having a cardboard silhouette in the back on my truck under the tonneau cover, left over from that weekend's excursion.

I guess that shooting at 'human shaped' targets makes them antsy.

Let me add that I work at a VERY liberal, VERY leftist place... there were numerous discussions on why guns should be nationally banned at meetings (this was before the election), with most everyone glancing towards me wanting to see a reaction.

I'm pretty sure 90% of the people in Montana are armed, the other 10% are convicted felons or too febal to hold one :laughing:


Even our Democratic governor is a NRA member and gun supporter :grinpimp:

Nope, well not after I educated them. :laughing:

Only once and that was a CCW incident at Bass-Pro that I wrote about here.

I have a good friend that I have known from highschool who lives in NYC. She is a sorta modern hippy/bi-sexual/obama voter.
I was on the phone with her for an hour explaining (or trying to) the logic of "gun bans" and how they work(ed) and the complete BS they are based on.

At the end of the phone call she was like "Wow, I never realized how fucking retarded those bans are"

Schmo,
It sounds like you telegraph it. I don't tell most that I run into that I like to wheel, or cut firewood, or that I play rugby or hockey, or that I'm into guns. Only when I find someone that shares the passion will I tell them about my interests. With chicks I'd suggest that you broach it carefully. Something like this "So, this friend of mine shoots all the time." and she'll either reply "I love shooting." or "I'd love to shoot sometime." or "shooting is for immature rednecks" in which case you know to take her back to her place and shoot her in the eye.:laughing:

I'm pretty sure 90% of the people in Montana are armed, the other 10% are convicted felons or too febal to hold one :laughing:


Even our Democratic governor is a NRA member and gun supporter :grinpimp:

I did run into one group of college kids that got all nervous because I had my Sharps out at a local snowmobile-snowshoe-cross country skiing -shooting area up Bridger Canyon...

Went up to try it the weekend after I got it and get some exersize snow shoeing. Walked with my hardware to the trail head to put the shoes on but had to stop putting my shoes on and step aside to let a group of snowmobilers past. So Im standing in the classical pose with the rifle butt on the knee near the gate and out of the way to allow traffic thru and the College age younguns on the snowmobile are vascillating about going past...


Guess I must sport a fine imposing figure standin tall with my Sharps on the knee cuz the driver kinda squeeks out "You have a gun". To wit I say "Yepper that I do and I'm headed in to practice with my new toy." Where upon the guy says "So its OK to pass by and do a little riding?".

Im laughing internally and say, "Taint the gate keeper here, this is USFS land and anybody can go past me...Im just trying to be nice and stand out of the way so you can go past then I can continue getting my shoes on..." :D:D

D.

I don't run into many anti-gun people here, everyone either has many more than I do or is neutral on the subject, the only anti's I see are recent transplants from other areas.

Nobody's outright said I scared them because I had guns, because like I said most everyone up here does. The carrying a knife every day has spooked a few people, though, which I found odd.

Ex girlfriend hated being around guns, I could hardly leave an airsoft gun out without her ranting about guns being stupid. I only have a few guns (5 air guns, a .22 and a 20 gauge), so I don't exactly look like a dealer when you walk into my house though. She's the only person I've had actually flip me shit over it.

Schmo,
It sounds like you telegraph it. I don't tell most that I run into that I like to wheel, or cut firewood, or that I play rugby or hockey, or that I'm into guns. Only when I find someone that shares the passion will I tell them about my interests. With chicks I'd suggest that you broach it carefully. Something like this "So, this friend of mine shoots all the time." and she'll either reply "I love shooting." or "I'd love to shoot sometime." or "shooting is for immature rednecks" in which case you know to take her back to her place and shoot her in the eye.:laughing:

I don't advertise it per say, its just hard not to notice when you come to my house. especially if she spends the night...

My wife was once nervous around guns. Now she just complains about the smell of gun solvent when I'm cleaning. She shoots with me periodically.

My brother's wife is way lefty, she used to be anti but she has been pushing him to get an AR lower to build.

Both of them we brought over to our side just by being normal people who like guns. Once they see that it's more widespread than they thought, and see that it's mostly normal people, they're ok with it.

I don't advertise it per say, its just hard not to notice when you come to my house. especially if she spends the night...




Yeah girls tend to get creeped out by the handgun on the nightstand... :laughing:

I am convinced that most of the people I know that are into firearms are the MOST normal people, the nicest people, the most honest people...

Maybe the antis and the ones that are affraid of them are anti/affraid because they would not want others like them to have them.

haven't really had any issues with it myself. most everyone I know either has one, had one or doesn't care that i do.

when i lived alone, i had a silioette that i had used at the range taped to my door leading into the house. never seemed to bug anyone.

now i try not advertise it to many until after i know them and have an idea of what their views are.

Before I cut my hair and beard down people were afraid of me without even knowing that I have numerous firearms. I don't understand it; my hygene has been imaculate my whole life (I shampooed my hair and beard daily, and my beard was always brushed, or neatly braided "Viking" style), and I never went out in anything other than clean clothes in good condition. Maybe being 6'4" with an athletic build contributed. All I know is that all I had to do was cock an eyebrow and grin, and the people in a crowded shopping mall would part like the Red Sea before Moses. Once people got acquainted with me they were generally at ease, even after they learned of my interest in firearms. I'll say this though, the look was very handy when my daughter hit dating age. :D

My 1st date with SWMBO was to go shooting. She even had her own pistol.

My father doesnt get it. He isnt as judgemental as he used to be (Years of me workin him over with pro gun info is finally working) but he simply doesnt understand why I would want multiple safes full of guns :laughing:

i'm an undercover gun guy. mostly b/c i know people don't understand

my father was an expert shot in the Navy, but didn't care for guns in his personal life. my mom is extremely liberal but does at least believe people need rifles and shotguns to hunt...pistols are useless b/c they only kill people

my gf is another story. her family is big into hunting and grew up with them skinning deers in the garage. she however never took part in the hunting or skinning. she thinks my handgun will just go off, but at the same time wants to go to the range with me to shoot it (haven't done that yet). one time i did challenge her to a shoot off with her brothers BB gun....and she beat me :( . she's a conundrum

girl i used to be good friends with lived in Santa Cruz, she started collage, and got super left brainwashed, told me she thought the SF gun ban was a good idea, i explained to her how gun bans don't work, she got super pissy when presented with facts, and told be she didn't want to be friends anymore
i said cool

that was the end of that

Heather had never shot a gun til we got together. I let her shoot birds with a pellet rifle and next thing I know I have a homebuilt AK that has a pink stock and goofy shit written on it. Now she wants a Garand and a pistol. Fun? Yes but damn it I want guns for ME.

People are dumb. I keep my XD in the night stand, and the AR in the closet. You can tell I hunt when you walk into my house, but not that I'm a gun guy. Plus, as comfortable as I am around guns, very few others are that comfortable around them, and if I've been out and bring home a girl, no need to scare the fuck out of her by immediately walking into the room and hiding guns. :laughing: The phrase "gun dealer" is dumb for you to use. Say you help run a gun shop, or something like that. "Gun dealer" to the uninformed (aka 80% of the pop) is the crackehead at 4th and MLK that you meet in the alley for a .45 with the serial number done in horizontal hash marks. :laughing:

I have had a lib tell me that I was a "dealer of death"...I replied... "no, thats gods job. I sell firearms to law abiding citizens" :laughing:

I guess, I get it more than most in my position, because I live in a college town full of libs, and I meet LOTS of new people all the time.

I know lots of chicks that like to shoot. But there are always others who can't stand the idea of carrying, shooting, hunting etc./whatever.

Hell, my parents hate guns, hate that I carry, but respect the fact that I am safe and not a dumbass with my waepons.

Fawk em... plenty to go around.

Paige's parents think I'm a little nuts, but she's got an uncle who's just as bad (he saw Paige a few weeks ago and told her "Tell Brennan he needs to be stocking up on ammo right now, the price is going to be through the roof before long"), so it's nothing new for them and all of her family hunts anyway, so guns aren't anything new...

My wife's step-father was some sort of game ranger so she is used to having guns lying around the house and has even started 'buying me ammo to store'. My mom on the other hand was timid when I started my collection/obsession.

I have converted 3 guys at work to conceal carrying 'sleepers':laughing: You would NEVER know they shot/carry guns if you seen them on the street.

Hmm, I haven't had anyone turned off by my firearms hobby...

Hell my last girlfriend got turned on by me carrying mine...:smokin:

I had to lie about what liberals call "assault weapons"

I love my guns as much as the next guy but, many gun people can be very obsessive and it's almost like they have a gun fetish and some people don't (and rightfully so) understand it. Kind of like pot, some pot smokers have an all out pot fetish that many others can't understand. And people fear what they don't understand.
And others have had bad experiences with guns. I have a friend who accidentally shot his friend in the hand with a 9mm a few years ago when they were shooting. It wasn't until a few months ago we actually got him to shoot a gun in quite some time and you can be damn sure he learned a lesson about gun safety.

I had a girl call my boss after I told a couple people what I was doing one afternoon (going shooting at a friends house) and she told him that she felt threatened by me being her boss because of it. It's even funnier to me because both the other managers that are her boss also shoot but since they are female, she is not threatened by them.

When I started getting into guns my family freaked out a little bit, growing up I was not even allowed to have toy guns. But once I explained it to them and let them see and touch the guns, they quickly became more understanding.

A person without a gun is really odd around here.
I know a few, but they aren't opposed to guns. They have different reasons for not having one, usually because they moved from some where else and are not into guns.

I have met a few people that have never shot one. I did my best to fix that. One woman lived her life in DC and was really interested. The only thing I had was a Kel-tec. That was a mistake. The trigger is murder and the muzzle flip is pretty bad.
She fired once and I guarantee she has never shot a gun since.

One guy from Germany came over to visit. He had only seen guns in a museum. I took him to my room and started pulling out guns. I handed him a shotgun, and he was dumbfounded and uneasy. I started pulling out other guns and he said, "Why do you have so many guns?"
I explained that each one had a different purpose.
He was scared, set the shotgun on the bed and walked off.
:laughing: I was just getting started and probably didn't have a 5 or 6 guns out. :laughing:

My brothers wife hates guns and refuses to come to my house. That doesn't bother me a bit. :laughing:

I think I've been a "bad influence" on more folks than I've scared off.

Schmo, You are at that up state Ag school, right? Is that area getting overrun with liberal yankees now? I grew up in Florence, SC, but I moved out of state over 20 years ago. I remember gun racks in pickups, everybody hunting and nobody really caring about guns. The most comman question I have heard is 'what do you have?' and 'Can I shoot it?'. Over the last 20+ years I have been slowly moving west, I guess its about time to cross the mississippi river. The East coast is becoming a lost cause.

No, but I don't really advertise it. The people who know I own guns are the people I've known for years, and most of them have just as many, if not more, than I do. My new BIL thought it was odd that I had "an army rifle" and more than one hunting rifle, yet I was the first person he called to come look at the pistol he bought and tell him what bullets to buy. :confused: Yes, he bought a pistol without even knowing what caliber it was. :shaking:

I think some people in my family think I'm a bit nuts. Dad had guns in the house growing up, but nothing other than hunting rifles and an old revolver. We hunted and shot on a regular basis, but rarely was it "just because I can" type of thing.

My brother came out to my house after I had built my first AK and shot it a bit and I guess my parents asked what we did because a few weekes later, out of nowhere, my dad calls and says, "You built what?! Isn't that illegal?!"

They've gotten numb to the fact now though. Last Christmas my wife got me an M48, wrapped it, and put it under the tree at my parents house (I knew about it, they didn't have a clue). When I opened it my mom turned white as a ghost and said, "That doesn't look like a BB gun:eek:" I laughed and gave them a short history of the gun and they found it "really neat."

I think my family realizes that I'm safe and respect firearms so they're more comfortable with it.

I do work with a bunch of Indians (dot kind, not mohawk). A few of them get reeeallly uneasy when they see a gun on my computer screen:laughing:. I don't talk about guns much though, no reason to let on about things. One guy here is a MORON and makes all gun owners look bad, so every now and then I have to correct him or call him out. Funny thing is, even the non-gun people know he's full of it (cause he full of it on every subject:shaking:). Their culture has NO guns, so some of them are genuinely curious and one even came shooting which was a hoot!!

Only once have I run into anyone who seemed somewhat concerned about me being armed. Night before elk season starts & a group of college kids wandered into our camp on a weekend backpacking trip. They had NO clue hunting season started the following day. It was a Wilderness Area and my BIL & I were the only hunters in the whole area. Once we explained that we were going "this" way in the morning & that they should go "that" way, they seemed pretty much okay with the whole thing :laughing:

I grew up in a house with guns.
Our primary hobbies involved hunting and shooting.
Every Christmas for years I got a gun. One year I got a reloading kit.
Shooting is about the only thing Dad and I do together regularly.
We have generations of family guns.
My great, great uncles 22 rifle. My grandmothers 25-20 lever gun. My great grandfathers model 37 winchester.

Most everyone in my community and peer group are hunters, and many shoot regularly outside of hunting.

I've had "the talk" with more than a few people in my family where they ask my why I "need" the guns that I have. It usually turns into about an hour long talk and I'd like to think they come away from it with a better understanding.

The conversation with my mom starting by her saying "What would anyone even do with one of those KA-41 assault rifles?" I've made progress with her, but I still have some work to do. She'll be going to the range with me if our schedules ever agree and I'm thinking about getting her a safety course for xmas.

I've never had a major problem with anyone who knew I was into guns. I could tell that some people were a little uneasy (especially when they found out I own EBRs) about it but relaxed as I explained a lot of things to them.

My neighbors don't seem to have an issue with it as I shoot pistols and .22's in my backyard. One of them is all for it because he swears that there will be a SHTF situation sometime in the near future (we live within easy driving distance to both Detroit and Flint) and he feels better with me next door. He does keep saying I need more ammo, though!

I don't advertise it per say


I had to get permission from our VP and legal department to start up a side business. i could actually get in trouble for talking about it at work. So its always funny when someone from work runs into me at the gunshows

Yeah girls tend to get creeped out by the handgun on the nightstand... :laughing:

girls aren't the only ones :flipoff2:

I unfortunately ran into more than a few anti's while I was dating :rolleyes:.

What I LOVED was the look of :eek: :eek: on their face when they saw me set the gun on the nightstand or unlock the 12ga and say "Hope it doesn't bother you." if it did they were the ones to go, not the guns ;)

It's also been GREAT fun telling my family that are all anti's what our wedding gifts to each other were :laughing:

At one of the Rover Rally's, a bunch of us are in the parking lot in the evening all looking over each others trucks and all. I know one guy was looking for a 1911 and a couple of us are talking about the different brands. Guy asked which one I liked the best, lift up my shirt, pull out and clear the Colt, and hand to him. Couple in the crowd had raised eye brows/double takes, then two other guys did the same as me. So the guy looking for a pistol is sitting there holding a springer, colt, and kimber. Someone else then reaches under his seat and pulls out an old surplus 1911. Was just funny to see the reactions of the non gun folks. Shock, turns into curiosity, and then "may I hold it?" :laughing:

I had to get permission from our VP and legal department to start up a side business. i could actually get in trouble for talking about it at work. So its always funny when someone from work runs into me at the gunshows

You have a real job?!?!?

Guns are icky and I am glad my home is free of them. I will call the neighbor if someone breaks in.

My wifes family thought it was weird that I wanted my CCW until they found out that my wife cousin already had one:laughing: That made it ok for some reason.

Now I am required to oil their 22 when we go home for Christmas:D

I am from a small town in Northern California and most everyone I know owns at least one gun. If anyone has been put off by my "gun fetish" they haven't said anything. Hell my wife sent me a text this morning saying that we should go shooting this weekend.

So you built or bought an AK? What do you need a machine gun for?

:rolleyes:

My BIL is an FBI agent. He feels that private citizens shouldn't be allowed to own guns, and only carries one because his job demands it. I intimidate him, due to my greater size, greater competence with firearms, and aggression. The fact that I carry a firearm generally makes him nervous.

I don't give a shit. He can shove his opinion up his ass.


I met a grocery clerk who felt compelled to say, "Guns are bad. They're only good for killing people," when she scanned my gun mag at the check-out. I laughed at her, and made a snide remark. I don't know if she noticed my firearm clearly outlined under my shirt, but I have made it a point to let my gun print while shopping there and then go to her check-out lane.

Yeah girls tend to get creeped out by the handgun on the nightstand... :laughing:

It's not the gun on the nightstand that freaks them out, it's when you try to bring it into bed with you that does it. :flipoff2:


Now I am required to oil their 22 when we go home for Christmas:D

I'm the same way with my FIL. He owns a few guns, but never uses them. They were in bad shape, so one day I took my cleaning kits over and cleaned them all. To say thanks, he gave me a Mossberg pump 12 gauge that he had one in a raffle about 10 years or so earlier. He also gave me the original box of shells that he got for it, minus the two he'd used to kill snakes. :laughing: I still have that gun in my safe, and in the year I've had it, it still hasn't bee shot. A fuckin' Mossberg that's 10 years old, and only been shot twice, like some damned show quality piece. :laughing:

Schmo,
It sounds like you telegraph it. I don't tell most that I run into that I like to wheel, or cut firewood, or that I play rugby or hockey, or that I'm into guns. Only when I find someone that shares the passion will I tell them about my interests.

My experience is the same. My family was never into guns (not anti-gun however), but my grandfather is a huge collector. My brother and I started to get into them, and then my grandfather gave me a shotgun this year, and lit a fire under my ass. I don't usually discuss it in mixed company, but that is because I go to school at UNC, and everyone here is a fucking hippy liberal obama homer. However, I found a great group of guys that I've become good friends with through our mutual like and respect of firearms.

When I was still at Clemson with Schmo, I never knew he was into guns. My roommate was ROTC, and a lot of my friends were. I only knew two girls that we were friends with at CU who were afraid of guns. They were from Connecticut and Delaware. Go figure. However, we convinced one to come with us, and she loved it.

I will admit, before I was taught by my grandfather about guns, I wasn't fond of them. Same thing with my girlfriend until I taught her. Now she shoots skeet with me whenever I go.

However, if you are serious with a girl, she better get used to it anyways. If she's flippin her shit that much that you are a dealer, which to me says you know exactly what you are doing, then move on.

My mom and middle brother don't care much for my massive amount of guns. They both kinda jokingly ask if I'm planning for a revolution or something since I have so many rifles and so much ammo stashed. My stepmom asked me wtf I need an assault rifle for but it doesn't really bother her. I grew up hunting and stuff and dad has plenty of guns and pistols so I guess it's no big surprise. My baby brother who's 7 LOVES that I have guns and wants to learn to hunt and shoot. I can't wait to get some free time so take him with me and get him used to being around guns. He plinks with a pellet rifle some but I want to start getting him used to the loud ones :D

My BIL is an FBI agent. He feels that private citizens shouldn't be allowed to own guns, and only carries one because his job demands it. I intimidate him, due to my greater size, greater competence with firearms, and aggression. The fact that I carry a firearm generally makes him nervous.

I don't give a shit. He can shove his opinion up his ass.


I met a grocery clerk who felt compelled to say, "Guns are bad. They're only good for killing people," when she scanned my gun mag at the check-out. I laughed at her, and made a snide remark. I don't know if she noticed my firearm clearly outlined under my shirt, but I have made it a point to let my gun print while shopping there and then go to her check-out lane.

That's just borrowing trouble. If you really want her to lose her ignorance and fear of firearms, you shouldn't antagonize her.