Iowa husband shoots, kills escaped inmate who held him, wife hostage

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Yah yah, I know that part. But why really?

I enjoy shooting.

[GandD 5,966]

I enjoy shooting.

You bought a gun because you like the shooting or that was an added bonus?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

You bought a gun because you like the shooting or that was an added bonus?

I've been around and had guns since my preteen years. I had a BB gun since about the age of 8 or a bit later, I don't recall exactly. I learned to be responsible with guns quite early in life. Nothing beats education. Safety was the number one lesson. It seems strange to so many here, but when I was a kid, I played cowboys and Indians and had toy guns as did just about every boy I knew. Funny how I knew it was ok to "shoot" someone with a toy gun or water pistol yet knew never to point a real gun at a human being.

[Peikko 1,575]

Having a gun in the house does not cause suicide or contribute to it Once that is proven the whole little study that concludes if you have a gun in the home you are more likely to injure yourself or your family than an intruder falls apart.That can't have the facts inter twined with their beliefs.

No one suggested that having guns in the home causes suicide. However, to simply remove parts of a study you don't 'feel' are relevant because they relate to suicide is ridiculous. The data that supports the study is not selective, the study has no 'anti-gun' axe to grind, it's a simple risk assessment conducted by an expert in risk assessment. Your opinions on his methodology do not make a compulsive argument. Sorry.

[GandD 5,966]

I've been around and had guns since my preteen years. I had a BB gun since about the age of 8 or a bit later, I don't recall exactly. I learned to be responsible with guns quite early in life. Nothing beats education. Safety was the number one lesson. It seems strange to so many here, but when I was a kid, I played cowboys and Indians and had toy guns as did just about every boy I knew. Funny how I knew it was ok to "shoot" someone with a toy gun or water pistol yet knew never to point a real gun at a human being.

Me too spooks. Really. I'm from a military/police fam and I know about guns. My pops still uses the BB gun I had as a kid (although I'm pretty sure I bent the barrel) That's prob good news for the rabbits in his garden

I wouldn't ask you about your guns if I had already written you off like some others, (be that right or wrong). We did the same thing with toy guns as kids and there were always guns stored in the house. I never tried to mess with them but maybe that's a combo of parenting and my personality. No doubt if everyone had the life experience that you and I had, none of this would matter. Of course a gun is a tool, everyone knows that. And of course a gun never independently shot anyone. I'm just kinda of sick of people making bad decisions with them and I'm not overly confident anything can be done to correct said thinking.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Me too spooks. Really. I'm from a military/police fam and I know about guns. My pops still uses the BB gun I had as a kid (although I'm pretty sure I bent the barrel) That's prob good news for the rabbits in his garden

I wouldn't ask you about your guns if I had already written you off like some others, (be that right or wrong). We did the same thing with toy guns as kids and there were always guns stored in the house. I never tried to mess with them but maybe that's a combo of parenting and my personality. No doubt if everyone had the life experience that you and I had, none of this would matter. Of course a gun is a tool, everyone knows that. And of course a gun never independently shot anyone. I'm just kinda of sick of people making bad decisions with them and I'm not overly confident anything can be done to correct said thinking.

I'll add another thing. No matter how mad and enraged I have ever been in my life, the thought never entered my mind to shoot someone. Imagine that!

[GandD 5,966]

I'll add another thing. No matter how mad and enraged I have ever been in my life, the thought never entered my mind to shoot someone. Imagine that!

I believe that. We'd prob be ok with a nation of spooks with guns. But you know, not every one is you, and I don't trust folks

[Peikko 1,575]

I'll add another thing. No matter how mad and enraged I have ever been in my life, the thought never entered my mind to shoot someone. Imagine that!

It's not in the least bit difficult to imagine. Quite the opposite. If you like guns and shooting then there is no reason for you not to indulge your pass time. I only wonder about those people who buy a gun for protection but have no interest in guns or shooting and don't do anything with the gun but have it around the house 'just in case'. That seems to me to be insane and with 40% of households owning guns and more than 25% of gun owners admitting that they have no interest in guns and bought them on an impulse as a means of self protection and this is a rising number, the number of gun owners who are not at all like you is high and rising.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I believe that. We'd prob be ok with a nation of spooks with guns. But you know, not every one is you, and I don't trust folks

Most gun owners I know are like me in that respect. Obviously there are too many that don't take the responsibility seriously. But then again, the ones who are shooting each other on a daily basis have no regards for human life, and that truly is the root of the problem. When I went to school, two kids got in a fight, maybe one got their a$$ kicked and that was the end of it. Nobody beat anyone into unconsciousness or worse. Nobody kicked someone when they were down. Maybe video game really are a problem. I wish I had the answers.

[GandD 5,966]

Most gun owners I know are like me in that respect. Obviously there are too many that don't take the responsibility seriously. But then again, the ones who are shooting each other on a daily basis have no regards for human life, and that truly is the root of the problem. When I went to school, two kids got in a fight, maybe one got their a$$ kicked and that was the end of it. Nobody beat anyone into unconsciousness or worse. Nobody kicked someone when they were down. Maybe video game really are a problem. I wish I had the answers.

I know a ton of responsible gun owners. Its just too much man. Too many, far too many guns at this point. Its like food in America. Way too much for one person just because we think its our right? All the while its killing us. I dunno man, they do more harm than good in an individual's hands IMO

[Peikko 1,575]

Most gun owners I know are like me in that respect. Obviously there are too many that don't take the responsibility seriously. But then again, the ones who are shooting each other on a daily basis have no regards for human life, and that truly is the root of the problem. When I went to school, two kids got in a fight, maybe one got their a$$ kicked and that was the end of it. Nobody beat anyone into unconsciousness or worse. Nobody kicked someone when they were down. Maybe video game really are a problem. I wish I had the answers.

I am sure there are a lot of contributory factors which is what makes it very difficult to address. You are right though, there is a reduction in regard for the value of human life amongst certain segments of the community.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

It's not in the least bit difficult to imagine. Quite the opposite. If you like guns and shooting then there is no reason for you not to indulge your pass time. I only wonder about those people who buy a gun for protection but have no interest in guns or shooting and don't do anything with the gun but have it around the house 'just in case'. That seems to me to be insane and with 40% of households owning guns and more than 25% of gun owners admitting that they have no interest in guns and bought them on an impulse as a means of self protection and this is a rising number, the number of gun owners who are not at all like you is high and rising.

IMO, anyone who owns a gun should be trained in it's use, maintenance, etc. They should also practice with it, learn to shoot and become proficient in its use. Education. Just like learning to drive safely.

[lostinblue 1,989]

It's not in the least bit difficult to imagine. Quite the opposite. If you like guns and shooting then there is no reason for you not to indulge your pass time. I only wonder about those people who buy a gun for protection but have no interest in guns or shooting and don't do anything with the gun but have it around the house 'just in case'. That seems to me to be insane and with 40% of households owning guns and more than 25% of gun owners admitting that they have no interest in guns and bought them on an impulse as a means of self protection and this is a rising number, the number of gun owners who are not at all like you is high and rising.

more than 25% of gun owners admitting that they have no interest in guns and bought them on an impulse.....

I never heard that before in my life ,post a link to back up this claim.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I know a ton of responsible gun owners. Its just too much man. Too many, far too many guns at this point. Its like food in America. Way too much for one person just because we think its our right? All the while its killing us. I dunno man, they do more harm than good in an individual's hands IMO

America certainly has a love affair with guns and automobiles. For some reason it is part of the culture. I try to look beyond that. I see a change in society during my life time. We have some areas and trouble spots throughout the country where something is definitely wrong. Life means nothing to some. Kids think nothing of killing someone they have a beef with. Where does it start, at home? Single parent homes in bad areas? Generations of poverty and no education? Why does a minority that makes up 15% of the population commit 50% of the murders? All serious questions.

[Peikko 1,575]

IMO, anyone who owns a gun should be trained in it's use, maintenance, etc. They should also practice with it, learn to shoot and become proficient in its use. Education. Just like learning to drive safely.

Total agreement

Spread the good word. By all means own a gun if you want to, but with that ownership comes responsibility. take that responsibility seriously and it's a win win all the way around. Good for gun owners and those who do not want to own guns alike.