General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I'm 55 years old and have never owned a gun in my life. [View all]ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)The level of violence of all kinds is also lower than in the US. Its also hard to get a handgun in most parts of Europe.
Most people who carry don't tell anybody, regardless of their sexual orientation. Its a need to know kind of thing. If you are experienced, sometimes you can spot it. There is also more social stigma in the GLBT community about guns that there is in the rest of society. Its something we discuss in my classes. As one student said, "If you are going to pack heat, you will get some heat", and that is a good summary, just ask the Pink Pistols. At the end of the weekend, not everyone goes out and buys a gun either. If someone is not willing to take on the responsibility, then they should not have it.
To the best of my knowledge, none of my students have become gun nuts. The vast majority own one gun each and keep it safe when its not being carried. Some have been so outrageous to get a .22LR pistol but that is about it. Few that I recall ever got a long gun of any kind. The exception is a couple who have become serious skeet shooters. They are both better at it than I ever was