Opinion: For [or] against

I've owned and operated firearms for over thirty two years, safely and responsibly, and whether I was performing a job-function or shooting for enjoyment, a hobby, those two concepts have been first and foremost in my thoughts, attitudes and actions. Safe and responsible ownership and operation of firearms is ingrained in me and I don't compromise.

Over those years I've seen and heard of many cases where those two concepts have been skirted or outright ignored and whilst many have gotten away with it many have not. I have zero respect and scathing contempt for those who unsafely and irresponsibly handle or operate firearms...and those who take that to the extreme and use firearms in a nefarious manner deserve to be treated most harshly. I'm the eye for an eye sort of chap.

Those who do not abide by the accepted, and rather easily affected, safety standards, treat firearms like toys or break the law bring safe and responsible firearm owners into disrepute and that's not acceptable.

Over the time I've had many people offer their (unsolicited) opinions on guns; some favourably and some not. Those opinions have come in many different ways with the method I am most receptive to being calmly, objectively, respectfully and with an open mind to hearing and acknowledging other people's opinions and thoughts. Those who scream and rant at me get nowhere.

Having said the above, I rarely have the firearms-discussion as I see little point. Firearms are simply one element of the plethora of interests I have and, if I'm honest, I don't really like talking about firearms much at all, even with gun people.

I've had gamers who have never operated a real firearm (expert marksmen in-game of course) try to engage in discussion about the latest tech they played with in some game on the computer - (Dumbasses). I've had people who went to the firing range once and shot a hundred rounds who are now the worlds foremost authority on shooting and firearms try and engage with me and, of course, those anti-gun people who seem always to want to rant, raise their voices and ignore fact and logic or that others are within their rights to have opinions that differ to their own. So...nah I'm not interested in talking about firearms with any but a select few and then, rarely.

Someone tried to engage me today, an anti-gun person, and here's what I said:

I appreciate you have an opinion, are passionate about it, and that the Alex Baldwin situation you raise is indeed tragic, but I don't know the facts and so wish not to comment. Furthermore, America is a long way from here, their social situation and challenges are different to ours, as are their firearms laws, which also differ State to State here and there. I am not in America and do not understand the nuances of their complicated social issues or firearms laws as those issues do not relate to me. Moreover, as a firearms owner myself, you'll not sway me to your way of thinking. I'll concede some points of course provided you make some good ones, however you'll not convince me guns are bad and I don't care to attempt to convince you they are good. So, let's move on and talk about something else as I don't prefer to engage in pointless discussions.

Ok, so maybe that's not exactly what I said but you get the point I guess.

Anyway, it made me think about the differing, and often strong, opinions around firearms and I thought I'd raise this topic and open it up for the community to leave their opinions should they wish to.

No matter if you advocate or abhor firearms you are entitled to your opinion so feel free to comment below or drop a post on the subject in my firearms community, The Pew: Guns & more , where I welcome opinions of all natures, and leave your thoughts and opinions, concerns, possible solutions and questions or simply discuss the topic or whatever elements of it you are interested in. Please remember, you can write as you wish, however I urge you to have a little respect for others and their opinions at the same time, even those that differ from your own.