Believe it or not, I grew up in a household that didn't like, or have, guns despite home being in a small rural region surrounded by many farms which, of course, had guns. My family had none though, and so I didn't grow up shooting as a kid.
My mum, who absolutely hated guns which I found odd considering she had had nothing at all to do with them, said that I was not permitted to have guns. She also said I was banned from having tattoo's and motorbikes...Unfortunately for her I ended up with all three.
My dad was less emphatic but still didd't like guns. He knew what they could do having lived through a World War first-hand so I understood his thoughts on the matter.
But, despite all of that I turned into a gun person in the end and have had so many over the years I can't even count them all.
A couple of weeks ago someone sent me a message on Discord asking why I always post about guns. What a fucking idiotic question. Clearly I do not always post about guns. The person also asked why I needed guns in the first instance as well.
This is not the first time I've been asked this question, one designed to open up a conversation on the gun-debate so people can express their views, and disgust in gun owners generally. Same old story.
I never get involved in those debates though, they're unproductive, so my response was simple, because I want to have guns.
That didn't go down so well but if you could imagine in your minds-eye, someone looking like they don't give a flying fuck, then that's what I looked like right about then. I mean, whay would I care if someone doesn't like the fact I have guns?
I started shooting at around 20 years old when I joined a range and started target shooting with a handgun. I did that for a year acquiring guns as I went. It was a little later when I started hunting and the handgun-action declined somewhat to be picked up later on again. I preferred the ability to free-style though, to roam about in vast outback properties gaining, honing and using various skills along the way. I've been doing that ever since, together with other forms of shooting of course. These days I shoot a lot, but I do other things too of course.
I've built a lot of skills around shooting guns, many not at all related to guns, but most that would place me in an advantageous position should I find myself in a tight spot out in some remote area. Of course, many of the skills I have are transferrable to more urban areas and situations in which resourcefulness may be required.
Having those skills bring me a lot of confidence, not arrogance mind, but confidence. There is a difference.
Being resourceful and having the ability to act appropriately in an inflamed situation, in a medical emergency, throughout a threat-situation, civil unrest for instance or a criminal attack, is important in my estimation. On a daily basis we hear of situations which could call for such affirmative action; The United States of America are in just such a situation right now I guess. It won't happen to you? Stop deluding yourself; It can. So, certain skills could come in handy I suppose.
Back to guns...I'm not saying for a moment that having guns would help in every (or any) situation. No, I'm certainly not saying that, but for me (not you or anyone else but me), being a shooter has brought me so many different skills and knowledge, all of which brings me a level of preparedness that is probably far above that of the average person.
First aid, navigation, communication, off-road driving, mechanical, situational-awareness, survival, camping and bush-skills are only a few I refer to...Would I have these skills, be as competent in them, if I was not a hunter and shooter? Maybe, but probably not considering my family upbringing. Maybe I would have none of them, like my sister and brothers.
It is a great privilege to have access to some of the properties I visit including the one in that image above. That was taken over 25 years ago in the Flinders Ranges. I was 23 or so years old (Fucking terrible photo). I remember that trip well as my mate and I got lost. Yeah I know, I don't even like admitting it, but we did. We learned a lesson though. Things would be completely different these days. skill-building and training always makes a difference.
It was a great trip and I learned a great deal. I would say that this particular trip was one of the most important, the launching pad for my leap into preparedness, self-sufficiency and a deeper knowledge around the skills I needed to keep doing what I wanted to do.
So, back to the question...Why do I need guns.
The simple answer is I don't. The answer is also because I want to have them. But it doesn't matter because it's really no one else's business. Having guns for me isn't just about the guns, it's about all the other things around it as well. I'm not one-dimensional, don't always talk about guns and am so much more than what an (uninformed) person may perceive me to be...But judge me too quickly, and from outward appearances or a single post on hive and you'll never know...And it makes no difference to me if you don't.
The pro-gun or anti-gun debate is something I don't enter into; I guess I don't see the point. It's unlikely someone could talk me out of having guns, and certainly impossible for me to talk someone into having them so it all seems rather pointless. Have an opinion by all means, even voice it, but if a person is looking for an argument over it they need to look elsewhere as the G-dog isn't interested...I'd rather spend my time more productively.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209
Imagine a criminal walks into your home and sees all of this guns lined up. I know I would shit my pants if I were him. 😂
This cracked me up so bad. 😂😂
Here in Australia our guns need to be securely locked in the appropriate safe - Different grade safes for different firearms depending on their lethality in the eyes of the law. They would not be laying around of course, although if a criminal entered my house with ill-intent he/she would find an interesting welcome, and one that would almost certainly end very badly for them. I'm a prepared individual.
Yep, no tattoos, guns of motorbikes. Lol. Mum lucked-out on that rule! Oh well, she got over it, and besides, I was an adult when I got them and so able to make my own decisions.
Thanks for your reply.
It's peculiar to have to have someone question why you like something so much, and then needing to answer back. I had some people ask me before, "Why do you like cars so much?". Then, they'll go and complain about emissions, or public transportation, and blah, blah, blah. It's like asking someone why they prefer this kind of food over the other.
Pretty nonsensical to ask these things, as different people have unique tastes. As such, we have hobbies that we enjoy, that others won't. More importantly, we relish these hobbies in moderation, we learn new things from them, and we teach those to others. I find it unhelpful to question a person's hobbies/interests (unless they're really weird, and/or harmful or such else ), so live you life, and let others live theirs :-)
They question it to open the door for their opinion and the subsequent debate they expect. Most would expect a gun owner to defend their position, their gun ownership - I don't, for the reason I state above.
Some people scream at others calling them murderers for eating animal products, others protest abortion, some are pro euthanasia and others against, some like Trump and others not...My point is people have likes and dislikes and also opinions. It is what is I guess.
I don't feel the need to justify my actions (lawful) to others just because they feel that I should.
Too damn right, mate. Each person should live their own lives, and so long as its been done in good spirits, there should never be a reason to feel judged. I'm learned to avoid engaging in these debates, since I know that I'll likely never win, given how intensely dug-in the other person is. I'm glad that you've chosen the, "not giving a flying fuck" approach... You do you, mate!
I drew the line when someone said to me...Guns are for moron's. You can't discourse with a person who says things like that. Since then I don't engage. I'm happy to listen to a person's point of view, but they don't get the argument they're looking for and so end up slinking away unrewarded, and uninformed.
Hello dear friend @galenkp Good day.
As things are, I had sworn that this passion had inherited from his father, in the previous post that presented the names of his weapons, I was about to ask, who inspired this passion.
It is common that it happens, that we do not coincide with the tastes of our parents. my mother hated long hair it was a prohibition for me, I was barely old enough, I left my hair as long as I could.
I admire his passion for weapons and all the experience he gained from being linked to it. As you say, you never know when we may need it.
I appreciate that you shared all the knowledge that you have acquired over the years
I wish you a great week
Thanks mate, for your nice reply.
My parents wanted me to be the best I could be, to live a life without limits, and yet limited my options to have guns which did't make sense to me at the time.
They sat me on a piano stool at the age of four and a half and I learned to play at a very high level for years and years. They taught me manners, respect, pride in myself, a solid reward for effort habit. They taught me that ego is not a friend, that hubris is worse and that the only person responsible for my life is me...I think these were good groundings and a nice platform to build my life from.
I have motor bikes, tattoos and guns, the three things my mum forbade me to have, but before she died she told me that she was proud of who I am and how I had lived my life...I think that says it all. I am a person with very opposing interests, but to me it all just makes sense because all of my interests form the person people see and I'm pretty happy with that person.
I wish you a great weekHow beautiful what you tell me, there are many emotions in it, how good that you have made your mother happy and proud friend @galenkp That means that you have made the right decisions. Congratulations
!ENGAGE 15
ENGAGEtokens.I think it is very productive to look at it just they way you said it:acquiring skills. The more the better. I see nothing wrong with it because it affects no one in a negative way. I actually found it educative because I wouldn't have known such details if it weren't for your posts.No bang bang because no one shoots the freedom of expression lol
People mostly hate (and blame) the gun - I blame the person behind it. A crazy person in a vehicle can do as much damage as a person with a gun.
Drunk drivers do far more damage than the above event yearly around the world too.
That statistic from America...
So, is it the car? Nope...The person.
It's always the person. Just like it would be if I went mad, grabbed some guns and slaughtered a restaurant full of people. Not the gun. The person.
I don't feel the need to justify gun-ownership and I'm glad that becoming a licensed gun-owner here in Australia is an involved process. Being licensed for handguns (like I am) is even harder again...Like, a 9-12 month process involving the police and a licensed (registered) gun club - Even after that process only a single handgun can be purchased in a 6 month period and club membership (and minimum attendance and signed off shoots) must be maintained annually.
Many people that shouldn't have guns have them though and that is troubling. The people that concern me are those in organised crime with illegal firearms, the ones that the lawful gun-owner like me are banned from having.
For me, it's about having the skills and tools to do my hobby, and of course, those peripheral skills I've built around gun ownership as mentioned in my post.
Some like to drink alcohol, get drunk and drive home; Some like to build survival skills, hunt for food, and understand the safe and lawful operation of firearms. Fortunately we (most of us) live in a free world in which we have the right to choose.
The statistics definetely are revealing. Car accidents. Oh my. I think there should be much more strict regulations, some get their driving license way too easy.
I can remember loving driving my vehicles...Now, with so much traffic on the road, poorly maintained roads that don't keep up with volume, and so much inattentive driving it's like a war zone on the streets. That's why I like to off road so much, be in remote places.
Traffic is dreadful. Losing so much time and getting stuck is a waste. I am sure offroad is a much better experience
Gotta say, different hemisphere, parallel paths 👍
Of course it is a little different in the good old U$A, (easier) but that just reduces the barriers to ownership significantly. I was allowed to shoot whenever I wanted, as a lad, but never really learned that is was my God-given RIGHT until 2012 when the sabers of confiscation were rattled, post-Sandy Hook. Then I really poured it on, made up for lost time. I did have an AR15 in progress (paid for but not delivered) when the tragic school shooting occurred, it was waiting for the non-GI quad rail. I had to hurry and get it out just in case they passed a law, which never passed. Close Call!
I have now lost count on all the firearms I have owned, just like you 😎
Check my post "on the pew" for this beauty:
Sometimes I wish I had grown up with guns, that my dad had versed me in the ways of firearms, but that wasn't to be. If I had kids, which isn't possible, I would certainly open up the opportunity for them to be interested in guns but if they were not that would be ok too. I think it's a choice people need to make for themselves.
I've never been one to push an agenda upon others and certainly don't feel comfortable voicing strong opinions on topics I'm not fully conversant in like so many do these days. It comes down to the individual though, what the individual wants to do, and I know that many are happy to jump on the soap box and broadcast their opinion and agenda, no matter how unfounded.
I'll check your post. 🤙
My son actually go me back into firearms. He was USMC and said I should buy an AR. He was very skeptical of the price I paid for my first one, until he saw it. He had a 'big name' AR15 and I had one assembled by an Army Ranger. Mine was nearly 40% less than his, and he said it was twice the rifle. Go Figure! lol Nicer internals, better assembly on all factory parts and the final build was also superior. Kind of opened his eyes. Mine too.
I appreciate you, your writing and viewpoints. You'd make a great Yank, IMO. You can teach us to NOT Take for Granted our 2A rights. If I had the same obstacle you have... Well, I'm just glad I don't!
It sounds like you've got a nice AR built! We used to have them here until a crazy asshole shot 34 people at Port Arthur in Tasmania. (Martin Bryant.) That's when things changed as far as our gun laws go. It's just how it is and we have to make the best of the situation we have.
There's a lot of misconception (here and overseas) about what our laws are and what we can and cannot do but realistically the biggest thing is the restriction on semi/full auto rifles and shotguns to the mainstream gun owner. They exist of course, but are regulated. (Farmers can have them, bu they are locked for use to that particular property).
We can have semi handguns (mag-limit 10) though and I have many. we can even have 50 -cal rifles but they are limited to single shot. Some dedicated sniper-weapons are also regulated as are certain range finders like the Vectronix units. (I could never afford one anyway.)
We make do with the laws we have and still manage to have a lot of fun.
I reckon if I was in the States I'd have me the right pick up, the right firearms and the right friends...Lol. I'd pile on the Aussie accent though, give you yanks a laugh or two. Start spreading the Aussie slang up there with all my Yank cobbers.
Cobbers = Friend, companion (usually referring to males).
Both my father and grandfather had long guns for hunting. I never did get interested in their use. I did end up having them for a number of years when I lived on an acreage as my father moved out of the country for several years. I have numerous cousins who are hunters, so I understand the reason for their use and consider myself on the fence about gun ownership. As long as the gun owner is a responsible user I have no problems.
It's a contentious issue for some and one that inspires many to have, and voice, an opinion. I understand that.
It's like a vehicle in the hands of an irresponsible or crazy person; it can be lethal, as we have seen many times. Same but different.
People can have their opinions of course, and they do.
F Yeah.
🙂
Okay, imagine you getting too mad at something, what is your first instinct,
Take a gun and shoot the hell off whatever it is..
Holy shit guns has power that drives fear into people. I think that is why I personally don't like guns.
Hi there, thanks for sharing your opinion. I understand that many people are afraid of guns, but as you clearly state, it's the person behind the gun that is truly fearful.
Humans fear many things I guess.
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I can't believe you have tattoos! What were you thinking? 😂
My background is very much different than yours. I was shooting by age 6 and got my first motorcycle at 13.
I don't shoot so much anymore. I'm 68 and do ANYTHING near as much. Except maybe ride...
I don't engage in the debate either. I get suddenly irritated when somebody that has never owned or even shot a gun pronounces that they must go. So I stay completely away from it.
Yes or no is a purely individual choice to me. It's really not anyone's business whether I do or do not own guns and I'll neither apologize nor grovel.
Well said mate, I agree with all of it. I guess people feel entitled to comment despite any real clue.
A while back I took a vegan culling. (I cull feral pests on a big cattle farm). She wanted to see what I did, understand it. She was with me for a few hours, watched me shoot several kangaroos...Told me she could never do it herself, but was respectful of the manner in which I did my job (side-gig). Now, that's a person I respect. She took the time to understand it. I posted about it at the time.
The tattoos...Was 30 when I got my first...Got more later. Went to see my mum, had a tank top on...She licked her thumb and tried to rubbed it off! 😂 Poor thing.
Yeah, I respect that. My mother was my biggest supporter of my love for motorcycles. She worried, but fully respected my choice. She took a ride on most every bike I ever owned until I rolled up to her house with a Ducati. She took one look and announced that her riding career was done at age 85.
I always said I'd get a tattoo when I was old enough. Maybe for my 70th birthday?
Lol 85?! Good on her! I took my mum on my TRX850 12 months almost to the day before she died of cancer. She hated bikes, but figured why not. She was petrified but she did it and I'm glad I have that memory. She was 58 at the time.
Sadly, we cant buy guns where I live. We have strict gun laws and to even buy something close to an AR-15, it would cost more than 20k with licensing and all. The only thing close to a gun I've had was a modestly powered airgun and I used to hunt birds and squirrels with it . A kids toy compared to an AR-15... I would love my life if i ever get to shoot a 50 BMG. Second thing in my bucket list.
We all need to act within the laws of the land I guess. I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to own guns, lawfully, and so I do but I know many who could do so and would never think to do it.
I sometimes wonder when they say I'm afraid of guns because a gun, in and of itself, will never harm someone; It's the person behind the gun operating it that causes the potential harm. I wonder if those people have a dark side they do not trust themselves with? If that's the case hopefully they stay away from other things that can kill like cars, knives etc.
Yeah but when youre in the land of wolves, you need guns. Owning guns are prohibited in most of the Asian countries. Bit violent crimes have now doubled in rate. So its better to shoot first then getting shot at don't you think. At least guns that will neutralize the enemy when you are acting in self defense, like small handguns.
I agree with you, and wouldn't want to be unarmed, even here in Australia. Governments don't want an armed populace though and that's why many countries are regulated. I would be very displeased not to have firearms.
We always seem to do the opposite to what our parents told us not to do whether it was in spite or just curiosity we had to know for ourselves right this was part of learning and it can make you a better person or worst but you have done it in a cool way good on you 👍