Imported military weapons

7mm_ultra_mag_is_king · January 2002

My father is a very easy going fella who almost never gets mad. He has been in the reserves for almost 20 years and served active duty during 'nam. He also doesnt share my love of guns but will from time to time do some plinking with me(my guns and ammo). We had a conversation the other day about my "bushy" and how it works compared to the issue weapons at the armory. I mentioned I was thinking about an ak-47 to go along with some other semi autos I have and he went completely nuts! He began preaching to me in a tone I have never heard from him about how many of our men died from being shot with them. He continued on about the sks I have and told me I should be ashamed of owning such a thing. He is not anti gun by any means, he likes the idea of gun ownership and has a couple himself that I bought for him. After he calmed down a little he explained to me in nicer terms that while he don't like the way we gun owners are treated he did state quite strongly that in his opinion guns that have been used in wars against our armies should not be allowed on American soil. He says everytime he hears about an ak or others it makes the lumps appear in his throat for the men that died from those guns. Does anyone else agree with him or is he being irrational? I want an ak but after hearing his side of the story I'm not quite sure. What would y'all do? I noticed the way I worded that and I should say although he has a couple of guns and will shoot with me he is not a gun nut, he likes private ownership but to him a gun is mearly a tool, like a hammer or screw driver, nothing more.

when all else fails........................[This message has been edited by 7mm_ultra_mag_is_king (edited 01-26-2002).]

idsman75 · January 2002

Your father, like all men who served and still serve, has my utmost respect. He fought in a war that today's generation does not have the guts to fight. I believe that many young men and women would walk right up to a police officer and light a joint just so they would get thrown in jail in order to avoid a draft. Many did it during Viet Nam. I think it would happen on a larger scale today. You and your father have a different perspective on firearms. You both appreciate them and the 2nd Ammendment which guarantees their ownership. However, the different sources from which that appreciation springs also conflict. It sounds as though his perspective is driven by a very deep and understandable emotion. Yours is driven, not by the history of the firearm itself, but of its capabilities. I would not condemn your father for his views. Anyone who has been through Nam has certainly earned their right to hold and voice their opinions. My father and I have had different perspectives on firearms in the past. Now he's a gun owner and a member of the NRA. He is very conservative and I don't believe that he fully understood why his initial views on firearms were liberal. It took many conversations and discussions and then I had him transfer my guns to me via an FFL in his hometown after I arrived at my first duty station. That was his first up-close-and-personal physical contact with a handgun. Now he has one of his own.

Bullzeye · January 2002

That's almost the exact same reaction I got from my father when I mentioned I was thinking about a SAR-1.People need to get over their prejudices....

competentone · January 2002

A lot of people just don't get it. (At the risk of making it cliche, I'll say it again.)"Guns don't kill people; people kill people."A reminder to those who object:The AK's and SKS's owned privately by United States citizens, might just be the tools that help to "tip-the-scales" against those who are plotting to destroy the last vestiges of freedom in this country...

madminute · January 2002

Well........compare his feelings toward AKs to your own feelings about drunk drivers. there's a context for you to put it in... There's a depth of very BAD experiences attached to the AK-47 from about everyone who's ever been on the wrong end of one, and particularly 'Nam era combat soldiers.....I don't know if it is unique to guys who were in the bush in 'Nam, or if it's universal (i.e., how do WW2 vets feel about MP-40s and MG-42s?)...I suspect there's a trauma there connected to the fact that US troops hit the ground with a small caliber weapon of dubious reliability and uncertain effectiveness in the jungle environment, while the dirt-simple AK seemed to thrive there, always seeming to work for the enemy at the worst moments while we tinkered with our M-16s to keep them working, and always inflicting horrendous damage when it found its target...........In my opinion, having owned and presently owning AKs of both Chinese and Romanian origins, and having been in the service with the wretched issue grade M-16,I personally think the AK is the single most brilliant infantry assault rifle ever made. Period.

jonk · January 2002

IMHO, Naziism was more evil than Communism. Many agree with me, many disagree, many say they were equal evils. Yet everyone seems to want to own a Luger, Mauser, etc. Vets brought them home as trophies by the bucketful. Same with Japanese weapons. And I got news, many more American Men died at the hands of the invention of Paul Mauser than did at the hands of the invention of Kalashnikov. Does this make the Mauser, or the AK evil? No way. Guns are a tool. Commies used screwdrivers, does that make a screwdriver made in Russia a threat, or somehow something one shouldn't own? Everyone gets to have an opinion, but for those who think that a gun should be banned based on origin are nuts.Ask your father- what about the AK47s and AK74s, SKSs, etc., that have been used AGAINST Communist bloc countries over the years? Not as common but it has happened. Fact is they are a good weapon and well made, better in many ways than our M16.

"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.

Rosie · January 2002

7mm. I don't feel the way your father does but I can fully understand him. The movies show a person getting shot and they just fall down. It may happen that way 1 in 1000 times. Watching someone die from being shot in certain places is not very pretty and it will stay with you the rest of your life. Shield him from these kind of guns and love and honor him for his feelings because they are running verry verry deep. This is all I will ever say to you on this subject. A friend, Rosie

Bullzeye · January 2002

The Volkswagen Co. was formed at the request if Adolf Hitler, who, his knack for dogma being what it was, wanted to take credit for a "people's car" company for PR purposes.Volkswagen = people's carWhy do you think there were so many Volkswagen plants in Bolivia and Argentina after WWII up until about 1985?Yep. The long arm of the Reich branching out....

robsguns · January 2002

I was going to post a reply earlier, but deleted it all. I am glad now I did. I believe my argument I had prepared for your father was mute. Fact is, I think you should have whatever guns you like, not say a word to him about them, and respect his feelings. If he should find out you have them, lets just hope he respects your feeling also. If you can talk to him about it some time, and come to a mutual undertstanding, agree to disagree if you will, great, if not, take it from there. I believe the gun is like what was said before, its no diff. than a screwdriver, who cares who made it, one screwdriver will do the same thing as another screwdriver. Rob.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

offeror · January 2002

Your dad's reaction is understandable, and his argument is more on the spiritual side of things while yours is more on the logical side of things. To some people, the AK "means" something to them like the American flag means something to most of us. He has a point, and I'm sure that's why many American shooters prefer the AR and its relatives to the AK variety for their own personal ownership. The black rifle just seems more "American" somehow. You can't argue with feelings. Respect your dad's strength of character for viewing things the way he does, and make your own private choices about owning the AK. Just don't wave it in his face. Choose another gun when going shooting with him. His beliefs were no doubt hard-earned, and he deserves to be allowed those views, in my opinion. It's not a debate, it's just a legitimate difference between two points of view. Be happy he can talk to you about it from the gut. You might even thank him, and tell him that whatever you decide to do, you still honor and respect his feelings on the matter. I think he would appreciate that.

"The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."

sandman2234 · January 2002

If my Dad did that, I would probably own the best collection of Garrands, M-1 carbines, BAR's,1919's, etc. Too many good guns out there to even think about hurting my DAD. Just my two cents.

Have Gun, will travel

Imported military weapons

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