Who here shoots (in real life, not in games!) ?

[Galant]

I don't shoot on any regular basis but when in the USA I've been invited out shooting a few times and thoroughly enjoyed it. Preferred rifles over pistols and shot guns.

Had I the time, opportunity and money I could see myself owning a rifle and enjoying becoming proficient with it.

Very enjoyable, 'tactile' experience.

[Saracen999]

^ well fairly clearly the topic only needs to be as either/or for me as 'is anything dead at the end of it?' - anything else is as you say, mere subdivision. But I'm genuinely nitpicking the question structure more than the subject, believe it or not, it could just as well be about anything I would like clarified before answering.

But unless I misundersfand Zak's question, that's exactly the distinction he's trying to avoid, because as soon as that's included, it destroys the original question.

And as the poll starter, what that question is is Zak's choice.

You could always start a thread along the lines of what you want it to be about. My guess is that a lot of people that might answer this poll won't answer that one, knowing where it's likely to lead, which I suspect to be exactly why Zak didn't go that way.

[Smudger]

I shoot arrows, target, and so naturally see anyone that shoots anything where they don't use their own body strength as a massive wuss.

[mmh]

I shoot regularly. For the County, and for myself.

By shooting for the county, what I mean is that I shoot competitively for my home county in the national NSRA (National Smallbore Rifle Association) Postal League.

I also shoot benchrest competition in the Hendon Rifle League, Practical Handgun in the NRA (National Rifle Association) League, and am a UKPSA Member.

I'm also the Chairman of a rifle club in the midlands. Aside from the smallbore shooting stated above, I shoot full-bore rifles semi-regularly and shotgun a little less regularly. If it goes bang, I'm probably going to be interested in it...

Shooting is a big part of my life, and have shot to varying levels since I was 9 years old.

[jimborae]

Don't shoot regularly anymore but used to shoot all sorts at school, CCF & OTC at Uni. Also done a bit of clay pigeon shooting in my time. Personally if I had the time I'd like to start target shooting again as I love it, must be in the genes as my old man was crack shot by all accounts in his army days.

[sammyc]

But unless I misundersfand Zak's question, that's exactly the distinction he's trying to avoid, because as soon as that's included, it destroys the original question.

And as the poll starter, what that question is is Zak's choice.

You could always start a thread along the lines of what you want it to be about. My guess is that a lot of people that might answer this poll won't answer that one, knowing where it's likely to lead, which I suspect to be exactly why Zak didn't go that way.

This thread wouldn't have lead anywhere for me, regardless - ie I would have stayed off it, and any contentiousness, as asked. If anyone wanted to get arsey, it's really no odds if there are 5 people each polled at live/target, or 10 people assumed to contain some of each (& people have mostly posted info narrowing their definition down anyway).

Yes I would have liked the distinction to be made as a nod to the fact some people might like to separate themselves definitely into target shooting only, but I've already concurred that it's Zak's prerogative not to. Failing that it could have been wrapped up with "Does yes mean hunting &c?" "Not necessarily but not excluding" "Righto, ta for clarifying (exits)."

[Zak33]

sorry it's caused an issue... it's nearly as stressful as Waitrose vs Aldi when you might shop in both

I'm interested in knowing gun ownership and use, desire for either or both, and dislike for either or both....... irrespective of what's being pointed at the dangerous end really.

[sammyc]

sorry it's caused an issue... it's nearly as stressful as Waitrose vs Aldi when you might shop in both

I'm interested in knowing gun ownership and use, desire for either or both, and dislike for either or both....... irrespective of what's being pointed at the dangerous end really.

[retracted] < On reflection my previous post does not properly represent my position so have snipped (without further comment because time & place etc) & will quietly consider myself unthanked. Cheers.

[Ttaskmaster]

Have shot an awful lot of different weapons in my time, in varying calibres and with varying results.
I even look quite a lot like Ian McCollum on Forgotten Weapons, as my friends frequently point out!

We no longer shoot regularly and we cannot install the cabinets to own anything too fancy where we live, so we're currently limited on that front. We couldn't afford what the wife favours either, mainly ornate semi-auto over & under shotguns that start around £7k, although she does have a penchant for insanely large calibre muzzle-loaders too... For now she's limited to arrows, but if we win the lottery I imagine she'll just buy Browning and Beretta outright!

[Saracen999]

sorry it's caused an issue... it's nearly as stressful as Waitrose vs Aldi when you might shop in both

I'm interested in knowing gun ownership and use, desire for either or both, and dislike for either or both....... irrespective of what's being pointed at the dangerous end really.

What might also be inferesting, for those that do have an interest, is what factors determine :-

a) for those that are interested, but don't/haven't owned or borrowed, why not? If it finances, is it circumstances, time, just not afound to it, etc?

b) For those that used to own/borriw and thus shoot, why no longer? Circumstances (space, time or finances) changed, or just got bored, or legislation, etc?



The shame is that there's so much ....carryover .... from gun abuse/misuse in the US that it's hard to have a rational discussion about an entirely different culture here.

But maybe that's whole different thread.

[Saracen999]

I'#m interested to know how many people here are either active shooters, lapsed shooters, wannabe shooters, neutral to it, or anti gun's of every kind?

This is not an "I kill animals" poll, nor an anti country sports poll. I'm gauging interest

In my case :-

- active? No.
- lapsed? Sort-of but doesn't quite fit, in that it's more complicated than that.
- wannabe? Not really. Done a fair bit. Do more in the future?? Maybe, but that's complicated
- neutral? No, pro-gun for responsible use, but of course, the potential for irresponsible use is an issue
- anti-gun of every kind? Not at all.

Whether I ever take up shooting again depends on several factors in my circumztances, of which I cannot predict the future, ans which are beyond an open discussion.

I haven't voted, because no option seems quite right, but if that helps categorize me for your purposes ferl free to add my vote to the closest option.

[Zak33]

well it's been quite a good poll actually.

nice to see so many people interested in one way or another.

the reason I am asking is in case we find a place for a shooting sports forum section in future. We have had a few very good pro shooting sports posts historically and it's nice if peopel DONT want to see /read about it, for it to be seperate if it ever canme to anything

thank you all for your input

[TeePee]

well it's been quite a good poll actually.

nice to see so many people interested in one way or another.

the reason I am asking is in case we find a place for a shooting sports forum section in future. We have had a few very good pro shooting sports posts historically and it's nice if peopel DONT want to see /read about it, for it to be seperate if it ever canme to anything

thank you all for your input

I think that would be a great addition.

The poll is a very interesting one, and well worded. It's good to see so many people that aren't currently involved with, but are interested in shooting sports. There may be an opportunity here for someone knowledgeable to write up a guide to getting started. I think Flibb posted some information in the past.

[Zak33]

Well, I left it for 6 months to "lie"

HEXUS has an mixed demographic, and it stretches the IT Crowd to the max I think

but none the less, there are many shooters/potential shooters here I think

[Ttaskmaster]

but none the less, there are many shooters/potential shooters here I think

Cool... so what's the next step, Mister Zak?

Psychological profile questionnaire, cross-referenced?
Voight-Kampff empathy test?
Capillary dilation of the so-called blush response... fluctuation of the pupil... involuntary dilation of the iris?

[Zak33]

Cool... so what's the next step, Mister Zak?

Psychological profile questionnaire, cross-referenced?
Voight-Kampff empathy test?
Capillary dilation of the so-called blush response... fluctuation of the pupil... involuntary dilation of the iris?

kinda simpler... I point a gun at you and then you blush or don't