...Also ask: "Do you keep your fire extinguishers fully charged at all times? I ask because my self-defense gun is always fully loaded and charged, too."
(Under my breath, I would add: "...You hoplophobic idiot!" But then, maybe you should not do that. )

Originally Posted by Steve M1911A1

...Also ask: "Do you keep your fire extinguishers fully charged at all times? I ask because my self-defense gun is always fully loaded and charged, too."
(Under my breath, I would add: "...You hoplophobic idiot!" But then, maybe you should not do that. )

YES,very good point,I'll have to use that in my pro-gun arsenal. I had to look up the definition of hoplophobic, great word, better definition.

Hoplophobia, n. Irrational, morbid fear of guns (c. 1966, coined by Col. Jeff Cooper, from the Greek hoplites, weapon; see his book Principles of Personal Defense). May cause sweating, faintness, discomfort, rapid pulse, nausea, sleeplessness, nondescript fears, more, at mere thought of guns. Presence of working firearms may cause panic attack. Hoplophobe, hoplophobic.

Hoplophobes are common and should never be involved in setting gun policies. Point out hoplophobic behavior when noticed, it is dangerous, sufferers deserve pity, and should seek treatment. When confronted about their condition, hoplophobes typically go into denial, a common characteristic of the affliction. Sometimes helped by training, or by coaching at a range, a process known to psychiatry as "desensitization," a useful methodology in treating many phobias.

Hoplophobic behavior is often obvious from self-evident irrational responses to real-life situations, and is frequently seen in the news media and public debate. When a criminal commits a crime using a gun, hoplophobes often seek to disarm, or make lists of, innocent people who didn't do anything, a common, classic and irrational response.

The idea of creating an enormously expensive government-run 90-million-name database of legitimate gun owners -- which by definition would not include armed criminals -- is a prime example of an irrational hoplophobic response to the issue of crime. How writing your name in such a list would help stop crime is never even addressed. (See, "The Only Question About Gun Registration")

An effort is underway nationally to have hoplophobia recognized in the DSM, the official directory of mental ailments. Resistance from elements in the medical profession suggest this may be quite difficult, but that does not reduce the importance of recognizing a widespread, virulent, detrimental mental condition commonly found in the populace. The actual number of undiagnosed hoplophobes is unknown, but believed to be in the tens of millions.

Read Dr. Sarah Thompson's brilliant essay on the medical nature of this afflicition, the article that got the ball rolling on serious medical study of a condition affecting millions of Americans.

Read Dr. Bruce Eimer's insightful short description of the problem.



Hoplophobes are dangerous. They should not be involved in setting public policy.
Hoplophobes are victims. They are sick and need help.
Hoplophobes deserve sympathy. It's not their fault they are afflicted.
Hoplophobes should seek treatment. Help shoot for a cure.

I have rarely been asked questions such as;
"Why do you carry a gun?"
"Do you really think you're going to need that?"
"What is the chance of you needing to use that here?"
"Is that a gun?"
"Is that real?"
(the last two are the most common questions I have been asked)

My answers are based upon who and how the questions were posed. I try to be lighthearted and a little comical when possible to both ease the questioner's mind and to show that I am no different from anyone else.

"Why do you carry a gun?"
"Because I can't carry a cop". (or) "I can no longer fight or run as I was once capable of doing".

"Do you really think you're going to need that?"
"No". (or) "Gee, I hope not".

"What is the chance of you needing to use that here?"
"Zero percent... until it's 100 percent".

"Is that a gun?"
"I hope so... otherwise I left something at home". (or) "A gun? Where?"

"Is that real?"
"Gee, I hope so". (or) "Naw, it's a cell phone disguised as a gun".

There have been other questions asked and I have generally tried to be serious and answer in such a manner as to convey a positive patina to folks who carry a firearm. But by far and away, most of the questions I have been asked are from people who are curious, are carriers themselves or soon to be, or who want to know more about firearms and the laws in our state. Informative questions.

Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

I have rarely been asked questions such as;
"Why do you carry a gun?"
"Do you really think you're going to need that?"
"What is the chance of you needing to use that here?"
"Is that a gun?"
"Is that real?"
(the last two are the most common questions I have been asked)

My answers are based upon who and how the questions were posed. I try to be lighthearted and a little comical when possible to both ease the questioner's mind and to show that I am no different from anyone else.

"Why do you carry a gun?"
"Because I can't carry a cop". (or) "I can no longer fight or run as I was once capable of doing".

"Do you really think you're going to need that?"
"No". (or) "Gee, I hope not".

"What is the chance of you needing to use that here?"
"Zero percent... until it's 100 percent".

"Is that a gun?"
"I hope so... otherwise I left something at home". (or) "A gun? Where?"

"Is that real?"
"Gee, I hope so". (or) "Naw, it's a cell phone disguised as a gun".

There have been other questions asked and I have generally tried to be serious and answer in such a manner as to convey a positive patina to folks who carry a firearm. But by far and away, most of the questions I have been asked are from people who are curious, are carriers themselves or soon to be, or who want to know more about firearms and the laws in our state. Informative questions.

Very good,lol

people who start arguments with me about guns are stupid...I build them for a living. LOL