Just seems reasonable to me that in this day and age, the way things are in relation to people and their distorted views on guns/pistols/rifles etc.., that understanding why using the term "Firearm" instead of " Weapon" would make perfect sense. Its not an issue on how we gun enthusiasts feel about it, its more of an issue of how other people like anti-gun politcians who would love to twist and distort things interpret it. Whether your 18 or 80, it really has no relevance on the fact that by using the term "Weapons" when describing your firearms, your indirectly giving these anti's the kind of crap they like to use to sway and pollute the minds of people who are not familiar with our passions with firearms. There are many people on these forums who right now are fighting diligently to make sure the government does not take away more of our gun ownership rights as well as trying to get some that have already been taken away which is why you'll find many people here sensitive to the way firearms are referred to. As much as you can argue that calling firearms "weapons" in this arena should not be a problem, it in fact is because this is a very popular and closely looked at forum in which not only Gun Nuts come in to read. And if everyone here was referring to their firearms as weapons, I can tell you right now that the government would have an easier time banning our firearms. Weapons are things perceived as items uses by people engaged in some for of combat. Not by people enjoying plinking, or competive target shooting, or hunting, or personal defence etc... Perception is a very powerful thing, and one thing is for dam sure, I definatly want to government to understand that my firearms are perceived as pistols and rifles that are used for recreational and passive purposes as opposed to thinking that I own firearms in which i perceive them as weapons.
As being a gun owner for 58 years, you must understand why its important to keep these kind of perceptions seperate, especially in forums like these in which people can and will take your words literaly even though most of us know that when you use the term "weapon" that your using it without ill intention. It sucks that we cant put our guard down and expect everyone reading to know what we mean without prejudice, however there are people here who read for the sole purpose to try and pick up things that they can twist to their benefit to feed to the mass public that guns are nothing more then " weapons" and that we gunowners are somehow responsible for their failed attempts to rid the streets of Canada of crime and violence.
Lots of ignorant people out there. Thats unfortunatly the cold hard truth.
RDevigne, Thanks for your statements. I respect your right to your beliefs, however, a few things come to my mind while reading them.
First, in Winnipeg, do you really feel that you could use ANY of you FIREARMS for personnal defence?
Second, I can understand your thinking, but I truly believe that you are on the wrong track. I'm sitting here right now with the TV on and they, on the National, are discussing the the guy who did the last school shootings/killings at Dawson College. Tomorrow night, they will be talking to the victoms.
I don't believe for a minute that the viewers out there will care what we call our guns. They will look at this guy as a GUN NUT. Even though this guy demonstrated many warning signs, no one did anything to stop his rampage.
Today, in Toronto, a young lad was stabbed to death. Do you really think that people will challenge people's rights to own knives? Of course not. It will, however give them cause to rehash all of the Toronto gang shootings.
Admittedly, I don't know how to change the public's perspective on guns when the media, with help from some nut cases and from the gangs in Toronto, keep them in the forefront.
What I do know is that the anti's won't like us to treat them as stupid. This will come back to haunt us. Mark my words.
Thirdly, This is not why I joined this forum. I joined to ask questions and to share my knowledge where possible. If members of this forum would rather fight with me instead of finding out what I can offer, I won't be here long. Are those cheers that I here?
Fourth, Since good old Allan Rock walked over all of our gun rights, just what has anyone got back for us. There was a time that I could sell collectable guns, using reputable dealers who charged 10% and make some good profits. Now, if they want your guns at all, they charge you 20% just to sell them. Of the last ten that I sold, I lost over $200.00/gun on eight of them, if you don't count tax, I broke even on one and I made $13.00 on the tenth one. These particular guns were all brand name, brand new, unfired, with boxes and all paperwork. I now own very few. Yes, we are hanging on, but don't decieve yourself into thinking that we are making any gains.
Take Care
