Gun topics on a motorcycle forum

[chief]

As long as I am admin of this forum guns and ammo will be allowed as a valid topic of discussion in the appropriate place.

You see, simply because you don't like something doesn't give you the option of banning it for everyone else. We have choices.  We can choose not to read topics which don't interest us, or we can resign from the forum and move on. Removing other people's choices is not an option.

That said, we don't care much for political discussions around here. It isn't set in stone, some stuff is tolerated as long as it stays on the lighter side and is posted in the appropriate spots. Moderators keep an eye out for that stuff.

I know we all have opinions on this topic - I know I do... but I am locking the topic.
If you are going to talk about firearms: appropriate places to post are 1) Unrelated to Drifters, 2)Frigate Pub, 3) Safety and Skills -  in the relative "laws" area, 4) General Discussion if you are asking about carrying while on a bike, storage on bike, etc.

[pcarrell]

As for me, I just kind of figured, stuff I don't want to read, or am not interested in:  I don't read it.

JACKPOT!!!!  Give that man a prize!

[LarryInSeattle]

I respect everyone's position.

I have a concealed weapons permit and I actually had to pull my weapon or face a beating by 3 drunk men on the 4th of July this year.  5 police cars , after an hour of interrogation and a 2 page statement completed, I was given my Tarus .38 back.  That was the only time in my life that I had to pull it.  I was calm all the way through that ordeal until afterwards, reflecting on it later, I realized how close I was to discharging my firearm at another human being.

I am the property manager for a 20 unit townhouse property on the main highway to the ferry terminal in Edmonds.  We get some unsavory characters here from time to time.  I sleep with my .38 close by and my 12 pump in the corner.

I thought about upgrading to the .410 pistol and I just might yet.  I read that lone thread with interest.

So, I have my feet in both sides of this question.

[49Reo]

Well, I sincerely hope I did not promote the thought that I thought the Oregon Tragedy either funny or irrelevant. Quite the opposite. This kind of thing, for some horrible reason, seems to be coming more, for lack of a better word, "popular" with sicko ba$tard$ like that guy. They do need, unfortunately, armed guards in educational facilitys, and people who know how to react, when to react, and can react rapidly, in situations like that. I too have, and will continue to do so, been praying for those involved, and their families and friends.

I posted the statistics simply to show how other, accepted things, can and do cause an inordinate amount of tragedy. Firearms and alcohol are only two; alcohol is a close second to firearms, yet there are little if any groups that fight to ban alcohol as an item of destruction, and yet in reality it is just that. Just sayin'.

Maybe we need a "private" area, like the Frigate Pub, call it "The Den" or some such, where we can discuss our hunting rifles, range guns, bows, what have you, with other like minded individuals. Those who do not want to need not enter, no offense intended. I understand your anguish and respect your reasons for not wanting firearms related discussions on the open forum, Larry. But I also agree with Zig, if we, along with so many others, prohibit open discussion among ourselves, it won't be long before we won't be able to discuss it at all. And that too is against our freedom, freedom of speech.

[Old Drifter]

I'm a second amendment supporter and I don't have a problem with firearms being discussed in this section.

[zig]

I believe everyone is saddened by the tragedy in Oregon this week.  If you think it was funny or irrelevant, Larry and I should both agree YOU ARE SICK.
Respectfully I have to disagree with the emphasis on the focus of the tragedy; I don't blame a piece of poly and metal, I blame the sick SOB that used it to achieve his madness.
I've seen one thread on this forum about firearms since I've been a member. ONE.
I don't want to get into a discussion this soon after a tragedy about being able to discuss firearms on a motorcycle related forum, so I'll just say I want the owner or moderators to know there are some on this forum who don't have a problem discussing firearms on a motorcycle forum.  I hope it's alright to speak for those who feel the same but wish to remain silent about this.
I'm sorry Larry, but if those of us who are okay discussing firearms on any forum remain silent, we wont be able to discuss firearms anywhere soon.
Meanwhile, I'll be praying for the families of those suffering.

[greenbarn]

As for me, I just kind of figured, stuff I don't want to read, or am not interested in:  I don't read it. 

[LarryInSeattle]

I have been clean and sober for 35+ years.  Am I concerned about DUI accidents in the USA.  YES.

Cell phone distraction:  YES.

Where you traveled on your last trip:  yes

What mods you made on your Drifter:  yes

When you retired and your plans for such:  yes

When your grand child was born and such:  yes

What health concerns you are experiencing:  yes

Who you voted for and why:  NO

Do you believe in Jesus:  NO

Am I interested in your choice of guns and ammo on this forum?  NO.

I am not offended by pictures of human silhouettes with bullet patterns displayed on them, but I don't wish to discuss these things on this forum.

That is my final post on this subject.  (I know, I promised before.)

Don't hate me for speaking for the speaking for the silent members who feel the same way.  My first sentence was "I am probably not going to make any friends on this post."

ON a previous forum that banned political statements:  A new member signed on with the name BuckFarrack.  I took offense to that user name.  I asked that the name be banned and that the new member select a different name.  I spoke for the others that were also offended but didn't say anything.  I got banned for being a contrarian.  I never got a chance to say good bye.  lol

It is all good, except guns, politics and religion.

Larry

My hope is something other than that.

[49Reo]

By comparison:

Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 51 minutes.1  The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $59 billion

Gun violence in the United States results in thousands of deaths and thousands more injuries annually.[1] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, firearms (excluding BB and pellet guns) were used in 84,258 nonfatal injuries (26.65 per 100,000 U.S. citizens) [2] and 11,208 deaths by homicide (3.5 per 100,000),[3] 21,175 by suicide with a firearm,[4] 505 deaths due to accidental discharge of a firearm,[4] and 281 deaths due to firearms-use with "undetermined intent"[5] for a total of 33,169 deaths related to firearms (excluding firearm deaths due to legal intervention). 1.3% of all deaths in the country were related to firearms.

As well, 61% of all gun-related deaths in the U.S. are suicides.Which is 20,233.09 of all firearms deaths, thus the actual homicide rate with firearms is 12,936. Which is only1986 MORE than those due to alcohol. So, since there is such a small percentage difference between alcohol and firearms related deaths, alcohol as well should be outlawed right alongside of firearms, since, as we all know, there are already strict controls in place as regards the use of alcohol; and as is glaringly obvious, those controls are not working. 'Nuff said.

[49Reo]

IMHO, the reason we freely discuss and share thoughts on so many different subjects, including religion, politics, firearms, along with countless others, is, we are all friends here. We can't meet at the local coffee shop and talk about these things, what we think of the election lies we hear every day, what we bought for a good deal, be it a new piece of bling for our ride or a gun, so we'd talk about and share on here.

[LarryInSeattle]

I have had 5 high school students killed by gun fire 10 miles north of me one year ago.  Two years ago, I had a shooter on a college campus where two were killed before he was stopped.  Now we have the shooting in Roseburg, Oregon, where I have friends who reside there.

My point of bringing this up, is that I belong to other forums where gun postings are not allowed.  I just found it unusual from my experience on forums that it is allowed here.

Other subjects that are banned are religion or politics.  Rarely does one change their opinion on these matters.

I won't go away mad or anything of that nature.  Just asking the owner of this forum to take a stand on it.  It is a hot issue.  I said my piece and I will go along my way without any further comment.

[greenbarn]

I will have to agree with one thing.   It really is a tragedy that we have shootings anywhere.

But I'll have to disagree that we should ban them from the forum.  There are a lot of thing that have nothing to do with Drifters that we're allowed to discuss in the "not drifter related" post.    I see that point that there are plenty of gun forums- problem is, I'm not  a member of any of them, I'm a member here.

I really don't believe having gun related posts in any way contributes to shootings.

Just because we disagree, though, we're still friends.

[mittico68]

I don't wanna put the blame on anybody for that post, but I just agree with Larry (just my 2 cents).
Cheers

[LarryInSeattle]

I am not going to make many friends with my post.

I belong to other motorcycle forums that strictly prohibit posting regarding guns.  I support that position.

Now I am a registered gun owner and I do have a concealed weapons permit.  I am a Vietnam Era, flag waving patriotic American Disabled Veteran.  What we are experiencing in America is tragic.  Another mass shooting.

I don't wish to debate gun registration.  I ask that the moderator of this forum to take a stand and dis allow posts concerning weapons.  They really have nothing to do with Drifter motorcycles.

If we continue to do what we have done, we will get what we got.  This is my stand against our run away craziness on guns.

Final note:  There are plenty of websites devoted to guns and ammo.   I don't think we should have that influence here.