Against owning a gun...

[Biohazard]

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Back to the topic at hand........

[NWIeng]

Originally Posted by jennybird

Hon, there comes a point in your life where you realize that what other people think doesn't matter. They do not define who you are. But for what it's worth, I think you're AWESOME!!!

Ditto that. You shouldn't have to justify your actions/choices to anyone but yourself.

[redneckmedic]

Sounds like a case of....."I love you, mind your own business, and shut the hell up!" Of course it always sounds better in your head, when it comes out like, but..but.. OK Mom, fine!

[kludge]

The whole "you are more likely" BS came from a mathematically flawed, statistically and academically suspect study done by Kellerman, and if you put "Kellerman" into google you can find a bunch of stuff.

The worst part is that most of the examples in the study were suicides.

Also in some of the cited cases the gun used in the crime was not owned by the person living there... think drug deals gone bad, and similar stuff.

Here's one:
Kellerman Debunked!

Also, there was no attempt to find examples of where a gun was used to protect, for which estimates range from 1 million to 2.5 million times per year in the US.

[Indy_Guy_77]

I'm just waiting to use:

"if it's so easy for someone to take my gun away from me to use against me... Then I'll just take it right back from them. We'll play take-away until the police arrive"

-J-

[CopperWires]

I like the gunfacts website but some people just won't look at it. Instead of force feeding them the gunfacts information, maybe just ask them to cite some sources for their info. They might just get online to research their argument and find out otherwise! That way they feel like they discovered it on their own and it wasn't a "I'm right you're wrong" moment.

[CulpeperMM]

Not only the defense stuff, which is the real reason you want the gun, but you'll have fun. Tell them you ENJOY it.

My wife did not think she'd like shooting. She took it up as sort of a duty to protect herself. Now she loves the fact that she is a natural marksman (markswoman?) and is a better shot than i am with stuff with less recoil (its like she has no pulse). She called my 10/22 "her rifle" after showing me her target in comparison to mine. Fine with me. I like that it is something we enjoy together. (as long i get to keep the center fire rifles )

A few things to share with antis:

thousands more people are killed by doctors than guns each year in America, even though there are millions more guns than doctors.

thousands more people are killed by cars than guns each year in America, even though there are millions more guns than cars.

thousands more people are killed by swimming pools than guns each year in America, even though there are millions more guns than swimming pools.

Lastly... It is your natural right not to be a defenseless sheep, and a firearm is the most effect form of defense for you.

[Root]

Rachel my is that they are your family and they will love you no matter what they "think" of you. Slow and steady. Allow them plenty of time to accept your view but be prepared to accept that they may never agree with your decision. We can hope that they respect that it is your decision.

Knowing your facts is important. Being self-confident in your beliefs is better. Resist the desire to always be right with them as waving a debate at them every time you see each other risks driving a wedge into relationships.
By all means try to get them to the range. Start with your sister. I'm going to guess one range trip would have more positive influence than 100 kitchen table style gun debate fight songs. That's my armchair counsel for the day.

[jason conley]

Don't take this wrong but only a women would be so concerned with what there mother/sisters say, you are exactly like my wife. My wife got me to buy her first gun maybe you can talk your husband in to it. Don't buy a wather ppk you won't be able to pull slide back and load or unload gun. Your mom and the police won't be able to help you when you need it most, buy a gun today.

[PhantomJ]

Originally Posted by RachelMarie

....... My mother has said to me "Why in the world would you want a gun...you're a woman".........

Another point which could be made, the very reason you want a gun, is because as a woman with a gun you are equal to any threat aligned against you. Sort of the old line "God created men, but Sam Colt made them equal." I don't know how many black belts you own, how much you bench, and I'm not trying to start a "Men are physically superior to women" threadjack. I think generally speaking men are big and stronger than women and can physically dominate them. When firearms come into play this advantage goes away. Just my YMMV