“No one NEEDS an assault rifle, including me.”
Don't take my word for it. I think it’s important to hear from gun owners and firearms enthusiasts in one of the most gun-loving states in America why THEY think assault rifles are bullshit or at least unnecessary. So I solicited their thoughts and am posting them--anonymously--here:
Don't take my word for it. I think it’s important to hear from gun owners and firearms enthusiasts in one of the most gun-loving states in America why THEY think assault rifles are bullshit or at least unnecessary. So I solicited their thoughts and am posting them--anonymously--here:
- “Not bullshit necessarily, but completely unnecessary. Not gonna stop a bear or moose with a .223; and if you need 30+ rounds of high velocity ammo for “home defense,” it’s probably too late for whatever you’re defending. I am an AKn gun owner, who has an AR. Fun for plinking, but like I said, unnecessary—serve no purpose not better served by other firearms.”
- “I own firearms. I trapshoot with my shotgun and use my revolver for protection while alpine camping. I believe assault rifles are ridiculous, unless you are actively being assaulted upon in a wartime situation. Firearms should only be possessed by people who can extensively prove their mental health is top notch!”
- “Hey, I saw your request for gun owners who think assault rifles are BS. That's totally me. I think the argument that regulating these sorts of weapons will somehow prevent people from having reasonable access to firearms for both protection and hunting is absolute bullshit. It's the same shit your five year-old tells you when you say they have to share, you know, "but you're going to take it all!"
- “Assault rifles are for ripping up people. They're the opposite of sporting, responsible, or tools needed for treasured hunting traditions worth passing on to your kids. Says an Alaskan-born gal who grew up cleaning pistols at the kitchen table (don't ask) and who owns a shotgun and a rifle."
- "I am a hunting guide, gun owner, avid outdoorsman and super liberal. Weird combo I guess. I have lots of guns. More than I need. Many I've never shot. I love my guns, I find some like art work. But I don't own a single assault rifle. Nor will I. I see no need and find them ridiculous, useless and ugly. I get it, some guys love to go shoot guns for fun, and I'm sure AR15s are fun to plink with, but not at the cost they bring society and the black eye they give normal guns. They serve no purpose. They are not for hunting. My 12 gauge duck hunting gun doubles as home protection and is much more effective for the latter than an assault rifle, no matter what people say. If I had to choose any gun for home protection it would be a shotgun. I do own three semi autos, all 12 gauge shotguns for bird hunting. But each have a max capacity of 3 rounds. I don't think a blanket law outlawing semi autos is fair. But to get rid of semi auto assault rifles tomorrow wouldn't bug me, or put at least a capacity limit. A hunting rifle, or self defense gun doesn't need more than 3-4 round capacity. If you haven't killed what you're aiming at by then it's either run away or killed you! I detest the NRA and how they have made normal gun owners look like fanatics. They create a terrible image. Interesting though, in my line of work I would without a doubt lose my business for my views. It's a yes or no deal. If word got out I'd be boycotted. I don't keep them quiet, but don't bring them up either. It's too political."
- "We have rifles for hunting. My husband owns both a handgun and shotgun for bear protection while working in remote areas in state. We don't own any firearms intended to defend ourselves or our property. Outside of military or law enforcement duty, owning a firearm for the purpose of harming or killing another person, in any imagined scenario, is morally ambiguous at best. More consistently, I meet people who own and carry firearms with minimal training, if any, as a form of personal defense against imagined attackers ... a negligent would-be hero. In reality, these people are more likely to harm themselves or their family members, be harmed by another with a firearm, or have their own weapon used against them. In my opinion, personal safety gained by owning or carrying any firearm is an illusion. Don't even get me started on military grade firearms/caliber/ammunition, high capacity magazines, or automatic weapons. I see fear, machismo, and cowardice at the heart of the open carry and concealed carry movement."
- "So ... I believe in guns. I hunt with rifles, I own a revolver. I know how to fire an AR. Our primary purpose for owning the AR is home defense and while I think it’s overkill, my husband does not. We have a gun safe and regularly take our 9 yo to the range for practice with the rifles. We regularly discuss gun safety and gun violence with our very sweet, innocent child. The reality is people do fucked up shit because they’re lonely. Teaching children social skills and what love is along with rifle practice should make for a well rounded individual ... I hope. Odds are a lot higher that I would use my revolver before the AR in a home defense situation. However the Zombie Apocalypse will require the AR (that's my husband's input!)"
- "As a long time gun owner and an Alaskan who uses guns for both protection and hunting — I will freely hand every one of them over for destruction if that will stop what has been happening in our country... absolutely no one needs assault weapons!"
- "Here's my take: [AK-47s and AR-15s] have no place in a hunting arsenal. Those rifles are inherently inaccurate. You can make them hunting accurate, but by the time you're done you'd be better off with a rifle designed for hunting. Those things are made to shoot quickly, in close quarters, nearly indiscriminately. There's no need outside military applications. If it means anything, I own three hunting rifles, three shotguns, one small practice rifle, and a handgun for bear protection. A gun owner for gun control."
- “Guns are for feeding our family and keeping a connection and sense of responsibility between being meat eaters and taking life to do so. That is the only legitimate reason to have a gun.”
- "I worked in law enforcement for many years. About 18 months ago, I began a new career in law enforcement training instead of having direct contact with regular citizens. I teach taser, defensive tactics, firearms, and other "soft" skills such as instructor development and advanced training/classroom methods. While employed as a sworn officer, I carried a firearm. I even carried it off duty. I carried off duty for mainly two reasons. The first being there are some bad dudes out there that probably have some beef with me and might like to do me and/or my family harm. The other reason is that I feel it is my responsibility to respond to deadly encounters in public to protect my community. I have specific skills and training that allows me to respond in ways an average joe couldn't. (But it's not like I'm some super GI Joe or whatever). I just feel a greater responsibility than I did before I started my career. I own several pistols, shotguns, a hunting rifle, and an assault rifle. Pistols were carried on duty and concealed carry off duty. Shotguns are for bird hunting. Rifle is for deer/bear/Alaskan animal hunting. So they all serve a purpose, I suppose. The assault rifle is for people. Those who disagree with that sentence are willfully ignorant. It's for quickly dispensing high caliber ammunition into a human threat or threats. I hate the fact I feel a need to own an AR-15. I wish I lived in a world where I would feel comfortable chucking it in the trash. I would gladly give up my assault rifle if I knew there weren't other idiots out there with them. Truthfully, I'm more afraid of the knuckle-dragging yokel that can pass a background check than I am anyone else. I guess I rambled a bit. Here's the takeaway: there is no use for an assault rifle other than harming people. A sensible hunter understands this. I'd give it up in a hot second if I knew I'd be safe from all the other Neanderthal second amendment humpers out there. If you have any specific questions, I'm absolutely happy to answer or provide clarification."