Is gun control hereditary?

Question

Any time I get in a discussion about having a gun in a home, it always seems that people that grew up in homes with guns whether for hunting or "for their own protection" are admament that they should be legal with no restrictions. Those that have grown up in homes that did not have guns seem to be more adament about enforcing gun control or seem to be more lackadaisical about gun reform. Kind of...you never had them so why start now? (This is where I fit in...wouldn't want a gun here). These are only personal anecdotes, but does it seem accurate??

Answer 1

No.  I agree with the conditioning hypothesis, although it can be a peer pressure thing, too.  When my daughter was in college among anti-gun liberals, I didn't blow her cover.  She's a member of the NRA, a fact she chose to hide during those years.  She comes to me for advice now, and brought a couple of her friends along on Father's Day because they wanted to learn how to shoot.  The area they live in is overrun with deer, and it's lean healthy meat.

There are real problems with legislating a ban on guns.  It tells criminals that they don't need to worry about getting shot, which results in more invasions of occupied homes in Europe.  In the U.S., they worry much more about getting shot, and I like it that way.  I don't relish the idea of having my house burglarized but if it is, I want the burgler to be afraid enough to make sure I'm not there.

Most criminals really do weigh the risks, and gun control always tends in the direction of banning them.  That is the ultimate goal, regardless of what they say.  All you have to do is look at the progression of gun controls around the world.  For a criminal, that's good news.  MUCH less risk.

A clear example of this happened down in Florida about a decade or so ago.  A community experienced what could best be described as a rape "epidemic."  The police encouraged women to arm themselves and offered training classes.  A lot of women took them up on the offer.  Nobody got shot, but the epidemic ended practically overnight.

The insanity of gun control is best exemplified by the so-called "assault weapon" ban.  A true assault weapon has a lever so you can select one shot at a time or turn it into a machinegun.  You can buy these but it requires a picture, fingerprints, signature of a local law enforcement officer and a $200 tax, and has since the 1930s.  No, what they passed was an "ugly gun" ban.  This made it a federal offense for me to mount the bayonet that fits one rifle BUT if I would cut off the bayonet mounting lug, I would be allowed to install a 50-round magazine.

Answer 2

One's views on gun ownership are environmental (as you have stated in your question) and not biological as you have asked in your question.  

People who grew up with dogs tend to have pet dogs, people who grew up eating fish tend to eat fish as an adult (environmental).

As opposed to people with blond hair tend to have kids with blond hair (heredity).

The real question of guns is the right to own and use guns.  There is a strong and large lunatic fringe that wants to deny anyone and every one the right to own a gun because that is what they believe and how they grew up.  While "gun nuts" have no desire to force people to buy or use guns.

And before you say it nearly 100 times as many people are killed in automobile related events than are killed by all firearms in this country.  And let's face it there is a small minority of people who absolutely NEED a car.  There are options for transportation for almost everyone.

It is a personal right, take them or leave them.

Answer 3

Yes it does actually.  My dad had a huge collection of guns, used them all, and never did anything illegal with any of them.  I have nowhere near as many as my father did, and I no longer go hunting, but I still enjoy going to the range and target or skeet shooting.  I still have some old competition medals from way back.

I know that my friends who didn't grow up with them are very uncomfortable around people using guns, and those who grew up around them check to make sure you're doing everything safely and remind you if you're not.  Friends don't let friends mishandle guns.

Answer 4

People who grew up with parents who owned guns understand understand gun safety, and understand that owning a gun doesn't mean that you have to use it to kill or injure everyone in the home.

People who grew up in the complete absence of guns don't know anything about gun safety, because they've never needed to.  Therefore they're afraid of guns.

Answer 5

Thats called conditioning.  The people who raise effect how you think.  There were no guns in my house but I think they should be legal.

Answer 6

If you are ever a victim of a brutal home invasion,I would be willing to bet you would become an advocate of the second amendment.Heredity would of had nothing to do with it.It's the only right we have that will keep you and your family safe if you choose to exercise it.

Answer 7

People should  understand that criminals will ALWAYS have guns, regardless of the law.

It's up to you whether you want to own a gun, or potentially beg for your life to some stinky criminal with a gun pointed at your head.  

If everyone owned handguns, criminals would think twice about commiting crimes.

I guess those who have never known or been victims of a violent crime have a distorted view of reality.

Answer 8

Well family values are always passed on from generation to generation.  Children of liberals will most likely be liberals.  Children of conservatives will most likely be conservatives.  Same thing really with gun control.

Answer 9

No, but it's nurture....how you were raised plays an important part on many of your ideas...

I believe in the consitution and even though I don't own a gun..never have ...I believe everyone should have the right to protect themselves, as long as they have not abused that right in the past...

Answer 10

Nope no one in my family owned a gun and I'm for gun rights.

Answer 11

It is a guaranteed right afforded all law abiding citizens to own a firearm if they so choose.  Those that don't, nor have they ever, owned firearms choose to not exercise this right.  It's not hereditary, but simply a case of whether one chooses to do so.  And yes, those like me that do choose to own firearms are quite adament about protecting my RIGHT to do so.

Answer 12

Sounds like the nature versus nurture discussion. Grew up in a liberal home with many guns.And stand for the right to bear arms. Draw your own conclusions. Though personally prefer knives and crossbows.

Answer 13

This question goes well beyond the scope of gun control. A child is a product of his/her environment if the child wants to be. Political views on a variety of issues are often inherited. This is not always the case, but many times it is.

Answer 14

As in like a church devotee is probably that way because his parents are strong protestants? In some cases. My pro gun view is from my amazing reasoning capacity.

Edit. The criminal acts, for which people claim the need to defend themselves against, exist, and the capacity to use a gun to effect that defense cannot be disproven.

Edit: Furthermore, the basic design and capability of guns advantages a person, albeit not in all cases. But that advantage is the difference between having a chance in the event of need, and giving up to criminal mercy before the need ever arises.

Answer 15

My view on gun owner rights is based on my education, not on having a gun in the home.  Regardless, one's view on gun ownership rights is also based on learned experience as well as an understanding of natural rights.  

I'm retired military.  For someone like B. Hussein Obama to tell me I should be defenseless in my home galls me.  

That racist ex-crack head has never lived in a bad neighborhood.  He would have had his tail kicked on a daily basis if he had grown up in my neighborhood in Detroit because he is a wimp.

Answer 16

thats weird and i dont believe living with guns in the home or not has anyhtign to do with it... i've never owned anythign more dangerous than a bb gun, and i'm VERY pro 2nd amendment. i'll be getting a gun of my own as soon as i have the moeny and can afford to move to a state where conealed carry is permitted.

Answer 17

I grew up in a home with a single rifle, though it was never used. I don't support a complete weapons ban. I do think, however, restrictions on assault weapons and more thorough procurement procedures are reasonable.

Answer 18

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... r****d

Answer 19

of course. gun owners are raised understanding the power of firearms, how not to misuse it,.so they do not fear it.

non gun owners do not understand it, so they fear it.

add media doing very funny, but impossible things, with guns, and their fear is fed.

when some nut ,with a long prison record, breaks into your home and kills and eats your family, dont call me. i wont be throwing cream puffs at him, or saying " bad physco "  and shoo him away with a broom.