Any community that lives in mortal danger should own and carry guns in This Great Nation™. When my friend transitioned, I pleaded for her to get a purse-gun—California conceal-carry laws be damned. She got some tiny Glock .22 or 9mm. Made me feel better at night that's for sure, especially where she lives. Edit: Where she lives isn't the hood... It's red/purple conservative that's very behind the times.

[–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 70 points 9 months ago

I used to sell guns at a major gun store, but I'm also not a traditional gun salesman, as I'm super liberal.

We had a trans woman come in to buy a gun, and a bunch of the other guys at the gun counter were snickering at her.

I went up to her and talked to her about guns, where she could get training, etc. She was a former marine who had been discharged when she transitioned and was really cool. She found out that I was a trustee of a church that was super progressive and that we hosted the annual transgender day of remembrance, and she and I both had a great experience.

Turned out she'd been shunned by her church, and she was super excited to learn that there were prone who shared her faith and hobbies that weren't bigots, and we both had a great time.

She ended up telling others about her experience, and I ended up becoming the regional gun sales guy for the transgender community, and that kinda spread into the queer community in general.

The coolest part though was how it affected the other sales guys. When she first arrived, they said they were dirty I had to deal with the freak. Then when they realized I was fine with it they'd joke about "Chilie's new girlfriend" any time a trans person would come in.

But sometimes I'd be busy with another customer, and another salesman would end up helping them. Eventually, some of them became more open and realized that people are people.

I'd say of the 30 gun line guys, 10-12 changed his they treated queer customers throughout my time there, and a few were fine before. When I moved on, probably 3/4 were fine with it.

While those numbers aren't amazing overall, it was a huge improvement from the 10% early on. I don't think I'd go back to gun sales. I have a career job now and make more than triple the money with great benefits and predictable hours. But I like to think that my time behind the counter made the gun-buying experience better for customers of all kinds at that particular mega-store.

[–] fidodo@lemmy.world 40 points 9 months ago (4 children)

I want a bunch of new gun restrictions, but I'm not against gun ownership. I want required training, required gun safes, background checks, and extra strict laws around higher magazine and fire rate weapons. So while most people would describe me as "anti gun", (I think it's just common sense), I totally support responsible gun ownership especially if you're in a marginalized group that is legitimately in danger.

[–] JasonDJ@lemmy.zip 19 points 9 months ago

Perhaps the gun nuts know they wouldn’t qualify for most common sense restrictions.

Or they’re concerned that the restrictions will be tailored against them on a political basis.

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 15 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I think better checks is must have. I live in a dark blue state and, my uncle (who is a diagnosed schizophrenic to the point where he's not allowed to have a job because he can't tell what is real versus what the voices in his head is telling him) is able to walk a few miles down the road to the gun shop walk in and be out with any gun of his choosing in roughly 30-40 minutes, and he has done so on more than one occasion.

What's even more obnoxious is the gun shop owner who we know as a family friend, finds it funny. I find it fucking scary.

[–] MossyFeathers@pawb.social 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'm kinda like you, but I believe it should be tiered. Kinda like how someone with a normal driver's license can't (or at least, isn't supposed to) drive a big rig. If you want a belt-fed machine gun then you gotta get the license that lets you own a belt-fed machine gun, but the requirements are gonna be a lot heavier than the license that lets you own a typical break-action double-barrel shotgun.

I also think there need to be legal requirements for storage, a legal definition for what constitutes a gun box/safe (because many containers advertised for "gun storage" are extremely flimsy), and automatic charges against the gun owner in the event their firearm is used in a crime. It's your job to make sure your kid doesn't get your gun and shoot a school. If it happens, your ass is on the line and you'd better have a really good excuse, like your kid knocked you out, tied you up, got a blowtorch and cut through your safe.

Why not just restrict magazines and call it a day? Because my thought is that proper gun control can allow the enthusiasts still have fun with their brownings, AKs and tommyguns while still ensuring the weapons don't fall into the wrong hands. I'm certain it's possible to walk that line, I've heard Finland already has a similar system in place, where you have to be a registered collector or museum to own anything other than a basic hunting rifle (which, iirc, requires a license to begin with), yet it seems like Finland doesn't have anywhere near the same problems as the US.

[–] fidodo@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

Many countries with gun control do have a tiered system. There are normally still some guns that are totally prohibited, but there are normally distinctions between hunting rifles and handguns and semi autos.

[–] phx@lemmy.ca 6 points 9 months ago

I'm a Canadian and recently got me (non-restricted) permit. Basically let's me have a certain variety of long-guns, no handguns, automatic, etc.

There was a required course on safe gun ownership and usage I had to take in order to get a signed paper necessary to apply for the permit (actually getting the permit has some other paperwork, criminal/mental-health check etc to fully qualify). Nothing onerous, it was done on a Saturday.

If I wanted a restricted firearm, that's an additional and somewhat more in-depth course and check.

There are various legal stipulations for when I buy a firearm, including requirements for safe-storage/transport, whether they can be used. We don't have carry laws. If I'm not at a range/show/etc, out hunting, or getting the firearm serviced I shouldn't have it on me. I can't load it until I'm on the range or at the hunting/target area. It can't be discharged within city limits except at a range, etc.

This has all seemed pretty reasonable to me, and US style carry-culture where some dude at a Walmart night be carrying a loaded firearm frankly freaks me out, but I fully support the idea of responsible gun ownership for the purpose of target shooting, collection, or hunting.