Reply #6: The survey backs up my experience with gun owners...

[spin]

I've been a gun owner for 39 years. At the various ranges I've shot at over the years, I've met and often became friends with many other shooters.

Gun owners represent a wide cross section of our society. I've met doctors, nurses, lawyers, bankers, teachers, preachers, factory workers, engineers, construction workers, cops and ex-cops, active duty military and many retired military who owned guns and valued the Second Amendment.

Most were Republican but many were not fond of President Bush or his policies.

Many would vote for a Democratic candidate if he favored reasonable gun laws. However, they would vote against a Democrat who wanted to see draconian or ineffective "feel good" legislation enacted into law. They would cast a vote for a pro-gun candidate even if they agreed with other views held by the anti-gun candidate. Guns and gun ownership were their "self interest". The NRA rates politicians on their support of gun ownership. Surprisingly, some Democrats get high ratings. Many gun owners belong to the NRA and use these ratings to decide who to vote for.

Overall I found other gun owners to be well educated and intelligent. Most had good paying jobs, many could be considered well off or wealthy. Some were hunters, but many owned guns for self defense. Over half had concealed carry permits.

At one range I shot at there was a long wooden table where the shooters could sit and talk. The subjects discussed did occasionally involve guns, but more often evolved subjects ranging from computers to politics.

Overall, I found shooters to be friendly, helpful people. Very few, if any, were discontented or unhappy.