Just curious - when's the last time you shot a gun?

[ThomWV]

Poll question: Just curious - when's the last time you shot a gun?

How long has it been since you shot a gun*?

* any firearm, pistol, revolver, shotgun, doesn't matter.

[pipi_k]

1. There are guns in my home...I have fired off

a .38 and a .22 but that was some time ago.

There's also a 12 gauge shotgun which I've never fired.


I have a Daisy bb gun. Small handgun size which I've shot more recently, but can't remember how long ago.

[ZombieHorde]

2. Years ago when I was a kid.

I attended hunter's safety classes and occasionally shot the hunting rifle I owned.

I no longer own a firearm.

[peace13]

3. Until * I was opposed to gun ownership.

It is amazing what eight years of a bad pResident can do to change a mind. I think we should all know how to handle a gun safely. The young people that I know are learning this already.

[CanonRay]

4. Had to kill a rattlesnake, unfortunately

[Arkansas Granny]

5. Many years ago, I fired one shot from a pistol and one shot from a shotgun.

Both times I managed to hit my target, but it's not anything I cared to pursue. I have nothing against guns that are owned and handled responsibly, but I've never had a desire or felt a need to own one myself.

[KatyMan]

9. Nor I.

I wouldn't have one myself, and it's been over 20 years since I fired one, but back in the day I had friends who had guns for personal and professional reasons, and I went to the range with them fairly often and always enjoyed shooting at targets. If I had the chance to go again, I would and if I never went again it wouldn't bother me in the least.

[lpbk2713]

6. Pistol range, a few months ago.

My ears were ringing for three days after that even though I wore ear protectors.

[MineralMan]

7. Bought a new shotgun about a year ago, so I went to a range

and ran a box of 00 buckshot shells through it for familiarization and patterning. Cleaned it and loaded it and it's in my closet for home protection.

[Wickerman]

8. Was at an outdoors event recently

that had a range set up for kids, BB guns. A little guy I know was having problems getting his to fire. I sited it in for him and shot it once as a test fire. Been awhile before that. Some range shooting in '93, I suppose.

Do BB guns count?

[spin]

43. I think a BB gun does count...

a BB gun or a pellet gun is an excellent training aid for shooting and many pellet guns are capable of killing small game.

[Jennicut]

10. I never shot a gun before but I am interested in learning how to shoot one

[pampango]

11. About 40 years ago, when I was a teenager hunting (and missing everything)

with my father and brothers. :)

[backscatter712]

12. A couple months ago...

Took my shotgun and pistol out to my sister's place, we went plinking, shot some trap, that sort of thing.

May all our firearms use in the future be recreational, targeted solely at inanimate objects and the occasional tasty animal...

[sarge43]

13. 27 years ago. Small arms (M-16) qualification in the AF. n/t

[Echo In Light]

14. Several yrs back

[SacredCow]

15. Several years....

I have a pretty extensive collection (most of them inherited from family members). But I don't care for hunting, and going to shoot targets is not very important to me. All of my guns are in safe storage at my parent's house- I don't keep one where I live.

[Forkboy]

16. About 20 years ago.

I both liked it and feared it when I shot them, especially the handguns. It gave me the exact same feeling cocaine gave me the times I did it, a false sense of invulnerability mixed with severe cockiness, always a dangerous combo. I knew guns (and coke lol) weren't for me, despite it being fun. Or maybe because of that.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[L0oniX]

26. Must be nice to live in a safe crime free neighborhood.

[fascisthunter]

41. I Live in Boston and I don't have a gun

I think you are presuming too much. And I don't live in constant fear, nor did I living a block away from the projects.

added: those in my neighborhood with guns, are no longer here... guns are not the answer.

[leftynyc]

28. Is that what you think of all

gun owners? How....smallminded of you.

[armyowalgreens]

51. But you do live in constant fear of gun owners...

Oh the irony.

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[proteus_lives]

76. Insults?

You haven't grown-up that much.

And since when does owning firearms and going to the range make a people a "gun-nut?"

[X_Digger]

18. 2-3 weeks ago

I bought a cheap holographic scope for my pistol and I had to sight it in.

[michreject]

19. Last night

I shoot USPSA matches every Sun. from April until November. I practice every Wed. I shoot aprox. 2,000 rounds a month.

Edit to add:

I'm in the metro Detroit area for a few more months and if any DUers who are reluctant to try shooting and want to, PM me and see if we can set something up.

[L0oniX]

20. 200 rounds with 2 semi automatics once every month.

If you are going to use or carry a gun then you need to keep up with the skills including safe handling.

[BlueGirlRedState]

21. When I was a teenager

I'm 53 now, 16 or so back then. My boyfriend liked guns and target practice.

No guns in my house.

[Tracer]

22. When I was 8 years old.

I was in my great-uncle's house in the New Hampshire mountains. I picked up a rifle (no doubt unloaded) that was leaning against a fireplace and pointed it at one of my little cousins.

My mother and aunts were horrified and snatched it away from me.

Then my father and uncles decided to teach me a lesson.

They invited me out to the field for some "target practice", handed me a double-barreled shotgun, showed me how to aim at the target on the fence.

I pulled the trigger, and BLAM!!! The kick of the gun smashed into my shoulder and knocked me flat on the ground.

After my head stopped reeling, I looked up to see the men laughing their heads off.

I've never picked up a gun since (nor had any desire to).

[rrneck]

23. Outta practice.

Probably couldn't hit a cow in the ass with a boat paddle.

[ohiosmith]

24. That time in Reno.

[Rebubula]

85. Thank you...

...I needed that smile and laugh.

I had my 12 gauge shotgun stolen from my home 2 nights ago...never got to shoot it.

[tekisui]

25. A couple of weeks ago at a target range.

I shot a revolver, a 9mm and some other handgun. It was actually a lot of fun. He is a picture:



I hadn't shot a gun for probably 10 years. A buddy of mine digs the guns, so we went for something to do on afternoon.

[old mark]

27. Monday. Mostly a rifle (.308 bolt action) but also a .45 automatic pistol.

I had planned to go to the range again today, but it's thunderstormy - probably put it off till next week.

mark

[LWolf]

29. "several" years; 28, to be exact.

Early in my first marriage, my then-husband took me to target practice, and tried to show me how to shoot. He gave up after 3 tries, as he could tell I didn't find it interesting or enjoyable.

The first and only time I ever shot a gun, which is surprising when you consider that my father and my husbands always had guns. I lived with them in the house for most of my life.

[Iggo]

30. Somewhen back in '81 or '82.

Fired guns all the time back then. But I think the last one was an M1 carbine that my friend's dad liberated from the US Army after his tour in the Korean War.

Beautifully simple gun, that M1.

[leftyclimber]

31. About a month ago. Hadn't shot in years.

My FIL died and the youngest brother was taking it really hard. He was trying to be tough but it was obvious he needed to blow off some steam. I suggested we go in the backyard and shoot at some cans, so we did. It was great fun, and youngest BIL got to blow off some of the steam he needed to blow off.

[Ryano42]

32. M1 Garand, M1911 45 Auto, 22 Cal. Rifle a couple weeks ago

at a municipal NON NRA affiliated shooting range. :)

I believe gun ownership is not a right but like ownership of dangerous devices like vehicles, a privilege that has to be EARNED.

A completely spotless record, registration, completion of in-depth proficiency courses and safety exams are a MINIMUM baseline for gun ownership. My father taught hunter safety courses and EVERY person even interested in picking up a weapon should have completed training...real training.

It's too dangerous and SERIOUS a thing to leave wide open.

[Twinguard]

36. +1

[dropkickpa]

97. Totally agree with you AND

I think proof of training, insurance (and you should have proper safe storage in order to obtain insurance), and registration on ALL firearms should be required for gun ownership. Hell, if a guy on a Vespa is required to have all those things, I think someone with a basement arsenal should be required to have them on each and every firearm. The Vespa has a FAR smaller ability or likelihood to cause harm or damage than a firearm does. These things would be no obstacle to responsible gun owners, so there should be no objection to them.

[guitar man]

33. last weekend

Was doing some clean up/haul off around the place so I took the .45 to the dump with me and ran it through a couple mags. I still got it ;)

[sinkingfeeling]

34. 1967 to be exact. Riflery class at OSU. I was a damn good shot.

[Twinguard]

35. When I was a kid.

When I was a kid, I learned hunter's safety and gun safety. I also spent a huge number of hours with my bow and arrows. My dad is a hunter, and he hoped that I would also become a hunter. I never really got a kick out of hunting, and when I did go hunting I either refused to take a shot or intentionally missed my target. I own a few rifles, a shotgun or two, and a handful (no pun intended) of pistols. I am comfortable shooting targets, and if I may toot my own horn a bit, I'm a pretty damn good shot. My favorite guns are my .22 rifle that my dad gave me when I turned 9, and my dad's .41 magnum revolver. I've not felt the need to shoot them for probably 15 years. If the need arose, it would be an ordeal due to the fact that they are all safely locked away in my dad's gun safe... 550 miles away. When I am out in public, I have never -- NEVER-- felt that carrying a gun would make me safer. I carry a pocket knife for my own personal security and protection, but even that generally only gets used to cut loose threads from my shirts and peel fruit.

I feel comfortable around guns, and I'm confident that I can use guns safely. I don't like seeing non-military and non-law-enforcement people carrying guns. I don;t know what level of training they have had, or if they have taken any training at all. I don't know what their mental state is. All I see is a potential hazard.

[DutchLiberal]

37. Never have, never will. I don't understand the obsession with guns...

Maybe because I'm not an American? :shrug:

[spin]

40. If you actually fired one, you might understand...

It's like wondering why people like to play a stupid game like golf when you never played.

I've introduced many people to the sport of handgun shooting. The majority were impressed with how much fun they had and proud of their first target. Many decided to purchase a handgun and shoot on a regular basis. Most of those ended up owning several handguns. Women were more surprised that they enjoyed shooting than men. They also were easier to train as they didn't feel that watching shoot them up flicks or playing one person shooter video games had already made them an expert.

Shooting is a sport and is far more difficult than the movies portray. It's hard or impossible to explain to someone who has never fired a weapon.

If someone offers to take you shooting, give it a try. Broaden your horizons. If you don't like the experience, you will be able to make a far better post in opposition to shooting than Never have, never will. I don't understand the obsession with guns...

And many foreign tourists come to gun ranges in Florida and rent weapons (including fully auto weapons) to try on the range. One such range is Knight Shooting Sports in Clearwater Florida.

Their web site is at http://www.knightshooting.com/

edited to fix typo

[DutchLiberal]

55. I don't consider it a sport. I think it's dangerous.

And I very much doubt that I would ever get a kick out of firing a weapon --something that is designed to kill (whether it be people or animals). And firing them has nothing to do with broadening your horizons. I don't need to fire a gun to feel excitement. I'd rather do a real sport.

[spin]

71. Of course, you are absolutely entitled to your opinion...

and I respect it.

Over the last 40 years I have fired approximately 200,000 rounds. (This may sound like a lot, but many competitive shooters fire MUCH more.)

I suffered no serious injuries nor did any other shooters on the ranges I was shooting at during that time. Once or twice I had to put a bandage on my thumb when a hard recoiling handgun caused a blister which burst. Twice while shooting at an indoor range I was hit on my arm and my leg by a ricochet which raised a welt and caused minor bleeding. No bandage or attention was required.

Target shooting is one of the most challenging sports you could ever participate in. The concentration and the physical skills and control are unbelievable.

I remember talking to a shooter at my indoor range who had won a number of NRA pistol tournaments in the past and was considering competing again. He mentioned he would have to practice outdoors before the events. I asked him if he was talking about adjusting to the wind.

He replied, "No, I have to get used to ignoring the birds again. They interfere with my concentration."

[Taitertots]

112. "A real sport"

Like one that is in the olympics?

[cognoscere]

118. As the Matt Foley character used to say,

"Well, la dee frickin' dah". You don't think shooting is a sport. I guess the Olympic committee in charge of the biathlon events are just running some kind of huge circle jerk where the athletes ski and shoot for the hell of it. And the dictionary people don't know what they are talking about either. Speaking of sports, what are your views on archery? As for guns being designed to kill, it's more like they are designed to propel projectiles safely (for the shooters) and accurately, so they can hit the target. Even military ammunition is designed to wound rather than kill because a wounded comrade needs the attention of at least one of his buddies; a dead one does not.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

47. So, somene who shoots a gun is obsessed?

If not, how often (IYO) must one shoot to be considered obsessed with guns?

[DutchLiberal]

59. That's not what I said, and I think you know it.

I said that I don't understand the obsession with guns. Maybe because I'm not an American. Meaning that you won't see over half the population of The Netherlands owning and firing guns. But as I understand it, it's huge in the US. But we don't have a 'second amendment' --luckily! So from my perspective, it seems as though the US is "obsessed" with guns. (Even going as far as bringing guns to church, like I read on DU a while back.)

[proteus_lives]

77. Lucky? That's a matter a of perspective.

To an American RKBA Democrat the general European tone toward firearms is very...distastful.

[DutchLiberal]

86. That may be. But compare the deathly incidents with guns in the US and Europe...

And you'll see our policy makes a lot more sense. We realize we're not in the Wild West anymore. We don't need everybody owning a gun anymore.

[proteus_lives]

87. I can and have compared the stats and you know what?

I still think your policies are silly and do a disservice to the people. Just my opinion.


"We don't need everybody owning a gun anymore." I actually don't care if people own guns or not. It's the choice that matters to me. I find it incredible that a liberal nation like the Netherlands virtually everything else is legal, they deny people the right to defend themselves.

"We realize we're not in the Wild West anymore" :rofl: When were you guys ever the Wild West?

[DutchLiberal]

90. What's liberal about letting people shoot each other?

What's there to defend? If we need to be defended, we have the police to do that. And we need a lot less defense, since not everybody can get a gun when they want to. So not everybody is wearing guns on them, so there's no threat, ergo we don't need guns to defend ourselves. And nobody feels they are 'denied' something. It's really very logical, when you think about it.

Maybe you should give up your John Wayne fantasies and come back into the real world.

[proteus_lives]

101. You consider the right to self-defense a John Wayne fantasy?

"so there's no threat, ergo we don't need guns to defend ourselves. And nobody feels they are 'denied' something. It's really very logical, when you think about it."

Oh, it's because the Netherlands is a crime-less utopia with no violence, ever. Right? :eyes:

"What's there to defend? If we need to be defended, we have the police to do that." There's a saying, "when trouble is at your door, the police are only minutes away." Meaning if there is an intruder in your home, the cops aren't going to do you much good. The police are society's protectors but on an individual level you're often on your own. If someone breaks into your home, you call the cops but what then? Especially if you live in a rural area? What do you do? Hide in the bathroom and hope they don't kill you?

You don't feel denied because it was never a right you had. How can you miss or feel denied when that something was never yours?

[DutchLiberal]

102. We have far less violent crimes and homicides, yes... That's a statistic fact.

(Talking percentage-wise here.)

And that's because... surprise, surprise... not everybody thinks they're a cowboy who needs to pull his gun all the time.

If there's somebody in my home, I'll call the police, and meanwhile I try to stop him. Chances are very small that person is carrying a gun, because... surprise, surprise... they're a 100 times harder to get than in the US. You don't need a gun to defend yourself, my trigger-happy friend.

[proteus_lives]

106. Trigger-happy? Who said I was trigger-happy?

Your stereotyping is common enough, I don't want to use my guns on another human being. It's a tool that I value and it has a meaning behind it that I appreciate and honor. (The 2nd Amendment, the right to self-defense.) But I no more want the opportunity to use it then my fire extinguisher.

"there's somebody in my home, I'll call the police, and meanwhile I try to stop him. Chances are very small that person is carrying a gun, because... surprise, surprise... they're a 100 times harder to get than in the US."

Ok, what if the intruder is 20 years younger, a foot taller and 30 pounds heavier? Are the elderly or women supposed to accept a handicap? I would use my firearm on an intruder even if they were unarmed. Weapons are equalizers.

"And that's because... surprise, surprise... not everybody thinks they're a cowboy who needs to pull his gun all the time."

You think all violence is attributable to guns? :rofl: Netherlands: 16 million, US: Over 300 million. The Netherlands is over 80% Dutch while the US is home to hundreds of cultures, faiths and traditions. Trust me, there a lot of reasons for violence in America. Well, France, Belgium and the Netherlands are facing a cultural shift themselves and those low violence and murder rates? Remember them fondly.

[DutchLiberal]

108. So what you're saying is 'different cultures' are the reason for higher homicide rates?

Wow. How incredibly racist of yours. :)

And I already told you I was speaking in percentages, so your "16 million, 300 million" remark really makes no sense at all.

Hmmm... why do I think you're trigger-happy? I don't know... Maybe the fact that you make up shit and ignore facts to push your view on guns has something to do with it? Oh, and the fact that you 'honor' the 'deeper meaning' behind your gun, of course. Maybe you want to see a professional about that, 'cause that doesn't sound healthy to me.

[proteus_lives]

122. LOL, Racist now?

What a typical response. If you recall, I said there are lots of reasons for violence in any society. Different cultures interacting and blending is one of them. Will you seriously claim that more homogeneous societies are more violent or share the same problems? If you do, your wooden shoes are full of shit. :-)

"Hmmm... why do I think you're trigger-happy? I don't know... Maybe the fact that you make up shit and ignore facts to push your view on guns has something to do with it? Oh, and the fact that you 'honor' the 'deeper meaning' behind your gun, of course. Maybe you want to see a professional about that, 'cause that doesn't sound healthy to me."

Here's the ironic part, RKBA Democrats aren't pushing their views on anyone. It's the anti-zealots that are doing that. All we want to keep our Constitutional Rights from being mangled and taken away. I personally could care less if a person owns a gun or ever even looks at a gun. But they don't get to take my choices when it comes to firearms. Of course you think I need professional help, you've been told all your life how bad guns are and how you don't ever need them. You don't believe that anyone (including yourself) except the "proper authorities" are responsible enough to handle them. I simply honor and cherish this right as I do the freedom of religion, the right to vote and the right to free speech. The issues and debates around guns and gun ownership are about more then the weapons themselves. They are about protecting our personal freedoms.

I think Democrats and liberals should be about protecting people's rights, not taking them away. If that's crazy, then call me crazy.

[AuntPatsy]

67. Its really not an obession..I admit I like knowing I have a weapon

with a license to carry and am able to use it wisely...the fact is crazy people are out there..and if for some reason..I hope never having to face, that I have to aid someone from such a nutcase...than though it would more than likely traumatize me if I had to take a life but then again, If I could save a life that was good and innocent..I would hope that I could balance it out in my mind...

[Kaylee]

38. Used to go to the firing range with my hubby when he was in the military...

however, I sucked so bad at it, I figured I'd probably do more damage to myself with the gun than without if confronted.

[Pharlo]

39. I have an antique gun -

single shot, bolt action .22 - well over a hundred years old. I have no bullets in the house. Once every 8 years or so, when I get a new burning barrel (yes, I live in a rural area that allows that), I buy some bullets, take out the gun, shoot some holes in the bottom of the burning barrel (allows water to escape), clean the gun, put it away for the next eight or so years, and give the rest of the ammo to my brother.

[pipi_k]

53. baaaaaaa!!!! the burn barrel!!!!!

We have one too. Not quite sure how the holes get in it...I think Mr Pip takes his drill to the bottom...

Next time we get a new one I'll have to suggest he use his police-issue .38 to make the holes...

:7


PS...our barrels only last four or five years for some reason...

[Blue_In_AK]

42. First and last times 1982

at the Correctional Officer academy. They made us shoot a .357 and a shotgun. I was not very good. It all seemed kind of silly to me anyway because the correctional center where I worked didn't even have an arsenal. :shrug:

[Orsino]

44. M-16 qualification, US Army.

I was slow to pick up on the fundamentals of marksmanship, then it all came together for me suddenly at the end of that segment of Basic. Once I got good glasses a few years later (right and left in my prescription were reversed), I started shooting Expert.

[Thothmes]

45. About monthly

couple of weeks ago competed in Hi-power rifle match with my Garand. Will take my two handguns out and shoot a couple of dozen rounds through each just for practice in a couple of weeks. Shoot 7 or 8 matches a year.

[SidneyCarton]

46. I went target shooting a couple of months ago.

I don't own a gun, but shot some of the others. I prefer rifles to handguns.

[BigBluenoser]

48. I shoot a lot, several times a week...

Approx 50-60 rounds of 7.5 Swiss
Approx 80 rounds of 7.62x54r
Approx 50 rounds of 8mm Mauser
Approx 500 rounds of .22

And another 100 - 150 rounds of .357 - about twice that if I shoot an IPSC match.

In fact, I just came back from the range after a session with the .22, fun times.

I reload 7.5 Swiss and the K-31 will end up replacing most of the other rifle rounds in the near future (except .22). Trying to get decent enough to compete in a vintage high power match, not there yet!

Obviously ammo is a huge part of my "entertainment" budget...

Please feel free to point out how many poor people I could feed with this money.

[LostInAnomie]

49. About 6 months.

Target shooting. It's fun, but not a way of life.

[Hepburn]

50. Never have done that and never will....

...IMO, guns are evil.

JMHO

[greguganus]

52. 4th of July weekend. Son came up from Florida and we shot his AK-47 & 9 mm Glock in the back yard.

Live in the country, and we shot paper targets on tree stumps. Shot a couple hundred rounds with the AK (gets really hot!) and still finding spent shells in the yard.

[timtom]

54. 1966

Marine Corps rifle range (just before I got out).

[BlooInBloo]

56. 6 seconds ago. I fire every 10 min, just to show off the length of my internet-penis.

[RagAss]

58. LOL ! You too?

[BlooInBloo]

60. Because nothing says "manly" as much as talking about shooting guns on the internet.

[RagAss]

61. Yup....especially when they key it in mommy's basement.

:fistbump:

[AndrewP]

100. LOL. I fire mine off every 5 seconds!!!

I'm more of a man than you!!!!!!


Jesus Christ. Hey...if you actually adhere to the law and are well trained, then rock on and do the shooting thing to your hearts content. It's none of my business at all.

But I've never understood why gun people are so fucking touchy whenever anyone even mentions that they don't own one or want to own one.

[greguganus]

80. I take the easy way and just fire my penis every 10 minutes. n/t

[aikoaiko]

57. AR15 w/ ceiner 22lr conversion kit. With 5.56 still at 35-50 cents.

I'm sticking with the kit and 22lr.

[X_Digger]

68. Ditto..

I have one spikes conversion that I swap between an AR-15 pistol and rifle.

[TheKentuckian]

62. It has been a few months to me. RANGE TIME!

[rug]

63. Last time I was in Reno.

[taterguy]

64. Were you shooting at Ohiosmith?

[rug]

65. Yeah, and I missed, dammit.

[AuntPatsy]

66. Gun range last week why?

[JBoy]

69. FNC1 and Browning 9mm, 1985.

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

72. The last time I caught my woman cheatin' on me.

[BlooInBloo]

73. Ok, Joe.

:P

[Retired AF Dem]

74. Aug 4 09

My son (active duty Navy) his wife and my two grand daughters came up from Jacksonville for a week long visit. On tue Aug 4 I took my son to Larrys Pistol and Pawn in Huntsville AL to use their indoor range. On Tue, Larrys lets Law Enforcement, active duty and retired military shoot for free. My son and I put 100 rounds through my FN FNP 9mm, 100 rounds through my Glock model 17 and 100 rounds though my .357 magnum Ruger GP 100. We had a great time. Before he left to go back to FL on that Friday I gave him the FN FNP. I know, we must be such horrible people.

[loyalkydem]

75. About a decade ago

I was a corrections officer in SC. We got firearms training as part of our job. I had a .357 and it took me nearly six hours to qualify because I never shot a gun in my life. I also got shotgun training and that was the only thing about that day I liked and it was fun.

[proteus_lives]

78. About a month ago at the range.

I'd like to go more often but the price of ammo is a pain in the ass.

[derby378]

79. Forgot exactly how long ago - but it was definitely a Kalashnikov

Yes, it was relaxing and enjoyable. Yes, I used a 30-round magazine. And no, nobody got hurt. But that paper target? It was in need of a little patching up.

:hi:

[madokie]

81. More than a long time

years even

[Fla_Democrat]

82. Less than 12 hours ago

But it was for a good reason. :evilgrin:

[vadawg]

83. this morning went to the range and fired about 500 rounds

usually i shoot a couple of days a week at the range and shoot casually on my property and at vermin daily....

[a la izquierda]

84. Never have...

I don't care much about guns. My dad had hunting rifles, and I was told if I ever touched them, I'd never forget the beating I'd get. But I've got nothing against responsible gun owners; and I wouldn't mind going to a firing range.

[Ikonoklast]

88. Two weeks ago.

Dad recently purchased an '03 Springfield, and had the head space checked by the gunsmith. We took it out for a test drive.

Still shoots like it was designed to.

[Mopar151]

89. Sighted in the "family" .22

So my 78 yo. Mom could shoot woodchucks in her garden.

[Jazzgirl]

91. I have a nice Ruger .357 that a policeman friend of mine

wanted to trade his 9mm for. I wouldn't. I haven't shot it in years but it is loaded and in a safe place. I live alone so I keep it loaded and close.

[Doctor_Horrible]

92. Hunting / Shotgun Safety was 9 weeks of my PE curriculum as an 8th grader. kid you not. nt

[krabigirl]

93. never have, never will

[Mugu]

94. This last weekend.

These days I do most of my shooting with a camera, but I still enjoy teaching the neighborhood youngsters the fine art of marksmanship.

This gal is just a little thing. I'll bet she doesn't weigh more than 100lbs. But, with a bit of coaching she had no problem with full house .357 loads. Here she is practicing rapid fire with a 9mm CZ.



This young man wanted to learn to shoot a 12ga. We got off to a difficult start until I figured that while he was right-handed his left eye was most definitely master. Got out the Defender so he could use his left eye and he had a great time.

[X_Digger]

109. Next time, tell her to lean in :) n/t

[erinlough]

95. When I went to summer camp we shot a gun of some kind.

I never got into it. I did like bows and arrows though. God, come to think of it what kind of camp did my parents send me to anyway??? It didn't seem wierd at all back then, 47 years ago.

[abumbyanyothername]

96. I dunno . . .

Could I say not since I was . . . .oh, 12 or 13 (40 years ago in other words)?

I was disgusted by the whole experience of shooting pheasants, squirrels and such that we used to hunt in Grandpa's walnut grove.

Which prompted my joke . . . I'd rather go fishing than hunting. When you hunt, it's too hard to throw them back.

[blockhead]

98. deer season--November

[Paladin]

99. Why The Hell Do You Want To Know?

I'm not buying that "Just Curious" line for a moment.....

[ThomWV]

103. Hell has no part in my curiosity, but if you really care I was interested in overall familiarity

That's all I was really interested in, how many of the people who visit here have at least a cursory familiarity with firearms. Clearly quite a few do. From the numbers - and I know these things are not definitive - about 3/4 of the people who come to this website are indeed somewhat familiar with guns, having shot one in the last few years. I also noticed that there are about as many people here who shoot somewhat often as there are people who never shoot at all, but that in total they are still the minority of the folks.

I've seen earlier polls posted here that asked about gun ownership, and as I recall (didn't post them myself and certainly didn't record the response) the results were about the same, quite a few of the DU regulars own a gun - or more than one.

So when I see pro or con 2nd amendment posts I keep these little tidbits of information off to the side to offer me just a little bit of perspective. Is that OK or do you find my motives to nefarious?

[krispos42]

104. Put a hundred rounds through my shotgun on Tuesday, I think it was.

First time I'd shot it in over 4 years!

[asdjrocky]

117. Dude, that must have been a blast.

[krispos42]

120. It would have been more fun with somebody to run the clay-thrower.

As it was... load thrower, load shotgun, ready with shotgun, yank, shoot, put down shotgun...


Rinse and repeat for a couple of hours.


Used up about 75 clays, though. And bruised my shoulder a little.

[Pavulon]

105. Hit the range thursday..

always fun to poke holes in paper.

[Vidar]

107. Only once in my life, target shooting with a friend. ten years ago.

[flvegan]

110. A gun has never threatened me, so I've never shot one.

However, I fired my handgun probably around 6 or 8 months ago at the range. Maybe 25 clips worth.

[Allyoop]

111. 50+ years ago

My brother-in-law showed me how to fire a shotgun when I was a teenager. Knocked me on my keister. Haven't shot a gun since. But I'm considering buying a small handgun for possible defense. Any suggestions?

[X_Digger]

114. Best advice?

Find someone whose opinion you trust that owns guns, get them to teach you the basics of firearm safety and have them take you shooting. If you don't know anyone who's into guns, there are courses that you can take for the basics- a friend of my wife's took the 'Basic Pistol Shooting' course she found here- http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx

(If you were in Dallas, I'd be happy to help- I've worked with some folks from the local pinkpistols chapter to get them up to speed.)

[lovuian]

113. I'll be ready

:hide:

[RushIsRot]

115. I spent all this afternoon punching holes in paper with my guns.

I live way out in the woods and can shoot from my front porch. My house is located between two heavily wooded hills -- one of which I use as a back stop.

[asdjrocky]

116. About a month.

Took a neighbor who wanted to buy a gun and gave him gun safety pointers. Then I got him enrolled in a class with real professionals. He's a good guy and he's got a family that I want to stay safe.

[billh58]

119. 1968

from the door of a Huey, just before leaving Viet Nam. I remember it like it was yesterday -- every night.

[Midwestern Democrat]

121. I used to go pheasant hunting when I was a young teenager, but I haven't

handled a firearm since then - hunting was exciting to me as a 12 year old, but when I turned 16 and started working after school and on weekends, the idea of getting up really early on a cold Saturday morning and walking through a cornfield with a shotgun just seemed like a giant pain in the ass - and I've had no desire to do it since.

[Blue Belle]

123. Do BB Guns count?

If not, then no, I've never shot a gun.