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

[Zak33]

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

[sammyc]

This is not an "I kill animals" poll

So target shooting only? Otherwise it leaves "I kill animals" unspecified (or implied) for all the yeses.

[TeePee]

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

I shoot often. Weekly when at home, less often at work. I did a lot of rifle target-shooting as a teenager in the Uk (I was a cadet!), got back in to it after moving to the US, and started pistol shooting also. I've shot IPSC and IDPA competitions in the past, but mostly just shoot for fun. I particularly enjoy shooting historical rifles. I own few firearms, some historical, some custom competition guns.

I've hunted in the past (Only for meat, not sport), but I haven't been able or motivated enough for a few years. Maybe this year? My State has a longer season for people wanting to hunt with muzzle loading firearms, and the historical aspect of that does appeal to me.

[directhex]

It's been on my "thing I should do" list for a while. I used to do target shooting at secondary school (we had a rifle range), and it's probably easier now I live in the US.

It's fascinating for me how guns basically don't exist as a "thing" here in Massachusetts, and I drive 30 minutes up the road into New Hampshire and there are billboards for gun shops lining the road.

[Zak33]

So target shooting only? Otherwise it leaves "I kill animals" unspecified (or implied) for all the yeses.

no, it doesn't... follow the questions and vote.

I just don't want it to turn it into an anti hunting poll is all I ask.


my wife owns two guns, shoots monthly, is better than me as often as not... and has never shot a living thing.... yet.

but one day she might ..or might not..

she's vote accordingly.

[Spud1]

I shoot clays when I can, usually around once a month at the moment. Usually with over and under shotguns - typically variations of the Beretta Silver Pigeon, which is a lovely shotgun.

I really enjoy the competitive nature of it, as I usually go with a friend or two where we run a healthy competition I have joined up at our local club and intend to progress to owning my own this year, once I have saved up enough for the gun I want and a suitable cabinet (circa £1500), but for the time being the guns I can borrow from the club do the job whilst I am learning. Our local club runs an excellent tuition programme all geared towards safe & legal shooting, and it should be simple enough to obtain my licence once I am ready.

I do also own a number of airsoft pistols. although I am not really able to take them out of the house at present as they are styled as "real" handguns (classed as "Real Imitation Firearms" - RIFs - without any of the orange/blue paint etc) and I have let my airsoft club memberships lapse, since taking up clay shooting. (technically I could, but it's really not worth the hassle!)

It's a great hobby when you keep things safe and legal - I don't have any inclination to go after anything "living" as such; all of my shooting has been strictly target based or in the case of airsoft, non-lethal competitive "gaming".

[DanceswithUnix]

Used to target shoot many years ago, was fairly good with a rifle but got bored and stopped. Last shooting I did was muzzle loaders, loads of smoke and drama, target didn't have much to worry about

Can't hit a thing with a pistol, now you can't have a proper pistol in this country I guess I will never learn.

Couldn't see a vote category for BTDT though, so didn't vote.

Edit: Did an intro course at the local archery club as well, but figured that wouldn't hold my interest long term either.

[sammyc]

no, it doesn't... follow the questions and vote.

Well if you "haven't shot a living thing, but may one day", and you vote "yes I shoot", then you are indeed answering yes to a question that leaves it open. So I don't know how that equates to "no, it doesn't [leave it unspecified]".

If I liked to shoot but not anything living I wouldn't have an option that made that clear. Fair point imo and not anti-ing in itself.

[OilSheikh]

What about someone who works as a Firearms police officer ?
What option would they choose OP?


( Not that I am one )

[Zak33]

What about someone who works as a Firearms police officer ?
What option would they choose OP?


( Not that I am one )

good question.

my FAO doesnt shoot anymore.... he would vote "Own my own guns and shoot, (or used too)"

[Zak33]

Well if you "haven't shot a living thing, but may one day", and you vote "yes I shoot", then you are indeed answering yes to a question that leaves it open. So I don't know how that equates to "no, it doesn't [leave it unspecified]".

If I liked to shoot but not anything living I wouldn't have an option that made that clear. Fair point imo and not anti-ing in itself.

OK...lets begin again

the question is :Who here shoots (in real life, not in games!) ?

and the options are

Own my own guns and shoot, (or used too)

Borrow guns/ am learning to shoot with other people and their guns

Not currently but I'm interested

Nope. I dont' and won't be shooting guns.


so...no discussion about target or live quarry

[ik9000]

so...no discussion about target or live quarry

yeah chaps, keep it sensible.



Seriously though, presumably this is one for the overseas users? It's not like many folk in the UK have access or opportunity unless they join the TA. Was interested but the wife vetoed that a long time ago and doubt I'm young enough to get a look in these days. On the other hand I have been to several live quarries over the years. Noisy places, and sometimes heard blasting in some of them, but not of the rifle variety.

As has been said in other threads, as a detached view I can see why they would appeal, and that the sport of target (non-live) shooting and becoming a competent accurate marksman would appeal. Sadly though i can't view it in abstract as I still think it is better overall that we not have access to guns. That seems the better option given the harm they will do at large. It's the same as gambling or drugs. In abstract as an ideal I understand the arguments for laissez faire and each to their own etc, but the harm they do to people prevents me from endorsing or desiring a society where we let them go unbridled and unregulated, or in the case of guns - banned without good reason e.g. farmers, rangers etc.

[Saracen999]

There's still not an option that quite fits me.

Have shot quite a bit (pistol + revolver), rifle (.22, 30.06, etc) and shotgun.
Don't currently shoot, or own, except airguns.
Not currently interested in shooting (except airguns). That might change. Or might not

Target only,.

[Spud1]

It’s surprisingly easy to shoot rifles in the uk - you just need to go to a gun club and either join or shoot with a member in the appropriate location. Very cheap in the main (circa £20-£50 with a tutor depending on how many shots you want).

Even owning a rifle is straightforward - the rules are strict but simple to follow. There are restrictions but you can own semi automatics up to .22 for example,such as a H&K 416 (an AR15 basically), the famous from video games MP5 etc, and there mare many bolt action and other single shot/straight pull rifles you can legally own in much higher calibres.

Pistols and full automatic weapons are prohibited, but the law is not as restrictive as you may think..

Owning a weapon rather than just going to a gun club and borrowing one does get expensive mind, but still, surprisingly easy as long as you don’t ha e a criminal record.

[Phage]

In Australia - yes.
12-gauge, .223 and .22LR for feral pests. No semi autos as they were banned following Port Arthur shooting

EDIT: Would love to get into Clays. But don't have the cash

[peterb]

I’ve done a bit of clay shooting. It was OK but it soon gets a bit boring.

Work related I’ve fired a range of weapons from a 4.5” Mk 8 automatic though to a 40 mm automatic anti aircraft weapons down to1
1/2” machine gun, 7.62 SLR and 9mm SMG and 9mm browning pistol. All quite interesting at the time, but I have no need to repeat the experience - it was purely for professional reasons and a tiny part of my professional life (apart from the 4.5 Mk 8 and the 40mm) where they and the ammunition were my responsibility)