Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with guns

Guns and green card

Fiery Jack — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:26:27 -0800

I am a green card holder resident in the US. Am I allowed to buy a gun?

Stick to our guns? No thanks.

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:13:46 -0800

How do we get rid of an unregistered handgun we inherited? Yesterday, when going through some boxes in my mom's home, I found a handgun. When I asked her about it, she said that it was my grandfather's, and that she had found it in my grandfather's apartment when he died (20 years ago) and had been carting it around ever since.

My mother does not have any desire to own a handgun. If she could make it disappear with a wish, she would. But she's not sure whether my grandmother obtained the gun legally, and she's worried that she'll get in trouble for holding on to it for so long without registering it, and for bringing it across state lines (we have lived in NY, NJ, NH, and MD (where she currently lives)).

I've asked a couple of friends and they say that she should just take it to the police and explain the situation, and that they'll take care of it. But as I said, my mom is worried about getting into trouble.

So - should we take it to the police? How can we expect them to respond? Is there some other way to get rid of it *safely*? My mother and I are both kind of terrified by this thing - we're hippie pacifists and we don't even know how to tell if it's loaded.

How to correctly hand over a firearm.

gtr — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:13:32 -0800

How do you correctly hand a firearm over to another person? My mother, who lives alone, has a 38 revolver for protection. She goes to a shooting range often. I'm confident in her shooting abilities.

However, she's going to take her revolver into a gun shop to answer a few questions. I asked her if she knew exactly how to hand the gun over, and she really doesn't know. I'm fearing that she's going to whip it out and everyone in the store is going to hit the floor.

Can anyone tell me (I know very little about guns) what the proper procedure is for bringing her gun to the counter and handing it over for inspection without causing a scene?

Guns and ADD do mix

TorontoSandy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:13:52 -0800

Could being treated for ADD cause someone to lose their concealed carry permit? My brother is a responsible gun owner who has a concealed carry permit. I also think he would be happier in his work life if he was being treated for ADD. He's very reluctant to see a Dr about this because he's afraid he'll lose his concealed carry permit. I'm not sure where he got this notion but it can't be true, can it?

Shoot first?

dino terror — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:59:49 -0800

In a 1 on 1 standoff with guns pointed at each other's head point blank, the hollywood convention seems to be that neither party wants to risk shooting because there seems to be an assumption that although the person has just taken a bullet between the eyes, they would magically squeeze off a shot back at the other person and kill them also. Any real-life accounts or science of what would really happen if one person just took the shot? It seems to me that it is entirely possible that if I just took a bullet in the head at point blank range that my trigger finger would twitch enough for my gun to go off also and blow the other guy's head off, but on the other hand it's just as possible that this would never happen 99 times out of 100.
Even in a standoff at a few paces distance I still think if I just got shot I would be too shocked and wounded to be able to get off a shot back at the guy, especially considering that the first shot would likely be followed in rapid succession with as many bullets as possible until it was sure that I was dead.

Bringing "Guns" into Canada

jayne — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:27:46 -0800

Can one legally bring these into Canada as a Canadian citizen? If so, will customs "illegally" confiscate them?

an antique, cast-iron, replica handgun. It's solid, with no holes to put bullets in.
a transparent, plastic BB/airsoft gun (orange tip, fires 6-mm BB's at 304 ft/sec, 30.0 x 2.1 x 10.8 inches) bought at Walmart. (They're not bringing the ammo.)

I've read the recent article CBC: About Canadian Law and Gun Ownership but I'm still not sure. They'll be flying in checked luggage from the States. Any advice will be appreciated.

Shipping a rifle and knives from Australia to USA. Any tips?

Eastgate — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:08:15 -0800

Moving from Melbourne, Australia to Nevada, USA. Need to ship a rifle and some knives to collect when I get there. Any advice? I'm soon to be moving from Melbourne, Australia to the US (Las Vegas, Nevada to be exact). I own a rifle (fairly standard .22 bolt-action Ruger which I am licensed to own in Australia), and a collection of old knives which I inherited from a family member.

I'm hoping to ship these over to the US for safekeeping before I leave Australia. I could possibly send them to a friend or relative in the States, or send them to storage. As I understand, there will be no problem with me owning a rifle or knives in the States (correct me if I'm wrong).

What is the best way to get these items over to the US? Are there any restrictions or other problems that might come up with shipping such goods overseas from Australia?

No enemies at the gates

nomad — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:19:12 -0800

Do ranges exist where you can rent and fire a sniper rifle? A friend and I bit the bullet and shot handguns at a local gun range (in Philadelphia) a few weeks ago. Neither of us had ever shot a real gun before and it was sort of a life-experience field trip. As we were planning/talking about it, the idea of taking the next step and shooting sniper rifles arose. Does the equivalent of an all-in-one gun range for sniper rifles exist? If so, is there one in the Philadelphia area? If not, what is the minimum amount of effort/money required to be able to fire a sniper rifle?

How do I cover my ass?

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:57:27 -0800

I have reliable second hand information regarding the in-transit theft and subsequent sale of weapons in the SF Bay Area, I would like to present this information anonymously, preferably to the press. How do I best do this so as to protect myself and the source of this info? While this information is obviously about a crime neither myself or my sources are involved, and we do not wish to get involved with either side of the situation.

What's the most comprehensive book on weaponry?

Steph1en — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:57:34 -0800

What's the most comprehensive/best book on weaponry? I was at a flea market this morning and came across a nice but limited book on weaponry by Chuck Wills. I'm interested in getting a book that details weapons used throughout human history especially from stone, bronze and iron ages. Illustrations are a must.

I'm guessing modern/guns would probably be more comprehensive in a separate volume. If you happen to know a book for that too I would appreciate it.

I enjoy the craftsmanship, the artwork/design, and the awesome/brutality/killing factor of them.

You'll shoot your eye out kid!

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:14:01 -0800

Where can I go to purchase a Red Ryder BB Gun? The sale of BB guns are apparently restricted in New York and New Jersey so ordering one online and having it shipped won't work. This is a gift. I have no one who lives outside of these two states to ship it to and I'm on a tight deadline. Where's the closest store I can get one from?

Handguns for Dummies

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:49:46 -0800

What are some good resources for a novice looking to purchase a handgun? I am considering purchasing a pistol for 1) home protection and 2) general target shooting. And I will probably only buy one (right now, I'm leaning toward Sig Sauer, but for strictly aesthetic reasons), and have it serve double duty (I don't want to be a "collector"). But I am fairly new to firearms. Where can I go to learn more? About guns in general, but also info on topics like; what makes a good gun for a particular use (not maker, but issues like caliber, stopping power, weight, etc.), price paid vs. overall quality, expert opinions, safety/etiquette, training, etc. Think "if you're a newb, you MUST read X". Even (especially?) if it's overly technical. Online info is good, but printed material is also welcome - as are your recommendations/advice.

Can gunshots be triangulated with sound analysis?

odinsdream — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:16:03 -0800

Pinpointing gunshot locations by triangulating sound waves: Would this be technically feasible? Would it be legal? Would it be technically possible, with an array of sound monitoring devices placed on utility poles, to determine the source of loud sounds, such as gunshot reports, by relying on very exact time signatures and possibly volume levels? Would this be super-expensive?

Would it be legal for a city or business to deploy such devices?

Water sports help

chickaboo — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:57:05 -0800

Please help me and my friend develop a water gun target for a 5 year old's birthday. My friend's son is turning five on Saturday and she's staging an Olympics theme party. The kids will have to throw a basketball through a hoop, run between some cones, kick a soccer ball through a target, throw a water balloon at a bucket and shoot a water pistol at.... what?

I feel like a paper target won't show whether they've hit a mark or not.

Keep in mind there will be 6 kids - so ideally they would be lined up doing this simultaneously.

And bonus points if you think we should add a game we haven't thought of.

Any helpful info for a first-time handgun buyer?

hannah09 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:43:10 -0800

Any helpful information for a first-time handgun buyer? posting a question from my husband:

I didn't grow up with guns, and I have no idea what the gun purchasing process is like. I'm inclined to really take my time with it a) so I'm confident that I'm completely prepared for gun ownership and b) to be sure I get the best gun for me. What helped you best prepare?
Obviously, classes are in order, but in my head I'm also imagining some sort of gun mentor type, who I can meet with a few times. Is there such a person?

I'm in Austin, if anyone has any local recommendations. Thanks in advance.

Ever fired an 1850s pinfire revolver?

Sidhedevil — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:34:25 -0800

Has anyone here ever fired an 1850s pinfire revolver? Or a pinfire weapon of any sort? If so, could you describe the process of loading, firing, and unloading for me? The Google is not helping me, nor are any of my re-enactor sources. It's for ~~science~~ a novel.

C'mon SCOTUS throw me a bone!

Science! — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:03:27 -0800

Dear US Supreme Court Fans, when will the opinion on Columbia v. Heller be issued? In the last year I've become a fan of the supreme court. I listen to oyez.org podcasts of the arguments and opinions when I can. I'm almost done with Toobin's book "The Nine" and I am becoming increasingly fascinated with the court. I've browsed through scotusblog, oyez, and justia but they all seem to be wholeheartedly dedicated to reporting the facts. Fair, and honorable enough. I however want to know what date this ruling is likely to come out on, and what website I should be hitting refresh on to get the opinion as fast as I possibly can.

If I've missed a forecasting page on one of these sites or any other please point it out. References or a history of accurately predicting opinion release dates preferred.

Trolls: For the purposes of this question the outcome does not matter, I just want to know when it's going to be released.

That's just wrong!

sixcolors — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:45:54 -0800

How common is it for young people to conceal (weapons and drugs) and steal? I know stealing and concealing drugs/weapons are kind of different subjects, but what they both have in common...if they get caught other people (innocent) can get in trouble too. Guilty by association.

Within the last month, I found out some crazy things about a few of the people I hang out with.

-I gave a couple a friends a ride down to the bar. Little did I know that the person sitting behind me was drinking from a flask. It is illegal in my area to drink alcoholic beverages in a moving car. Fortunately another friend "told" on her.
-There are rumors that some more people sneaked in flasks at an overnight service project.
-One of my friends discovered that some people sneaked pot in his car.
-A couple people, mostly the guys, carry knives and sometimes guns to everyday places, such as malls and parks.
-Two people admitted to shoplifting.
-One friend caught another friend stealing at her house.

Now, not all of these people are close friends, thank God, but I do hang out with them on semi-regular basis. And I have been hanging out with them for a while. I was just unaware of their "deviant activities" until recently.

Am I just associating with a rough crowd? Or, am I naive and it is quite common for young people (20-28) to do those sort of things?

No guns allowed, y'hear?

mrmcsurly — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:54:26 -0800

Looking for old westerns with a scene where cowboys have to surrender their guns to the sheriff in order to enter the town, or on their way into an event. e.g., Back to the Future Part III (at the town dance), or Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven.

Will a gun make a a gas leak asplode?

vraxoin — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:06:24 -0800

Would the act of firing a gun cause an explosion in a room filled with natural gas? I'm writing a story and I'm trying to figure out if gunfire is enough to cause an explosion given an ongoing gas leak in a home. Yes? No? Physics?

How safe is a Glock?

Burhanistan — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:54:07 -0800

PistolFilter. I know there are lots of gun related forums/resources on the web (and am looking at those also), but I'd like to query AskMe about Glocks. Specifically what are the practical advantages and disadvantages of the Glock safety trigger mechanism versus traditional safetys? I'm kicking around buying my first gun. I've had experience with handgun shooting before and am fairly competent with 9MMs. I'm just thinking of buying a gun as part of a broader package of survival/emergency gear so I'm not really looking for something that is high maintenance and can handle being stowed away for long periods. So, bonus points for gun recommendations. Thanks!

Small single-stack handgun with a DA/SA trigger?

vorfeed — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:47:18 -0800

I'm looking for an affordable single-stack pistol suitable for concealed carry, preferably in .40 S&W. The only problem is, I'd like something with DA/SA... This is sort of a followup to this question: are there any small single-stack handguns with a DA/SA trigger? I've got small hands, and I find the wide double-stack grip on Glocks and the like uncomfortable. The Kahr CW40 is a perfect fit for me, but it's double-action only, and I like the feel of a double action/single action trigger.

Can anyone recommend a gun shaped like the Kahr CW40 (i.e. single-stack magazine, 3.5" barrel), only with a DA/SA trigger? I'm looking to pay around $500, plus or minus $150 or so. Thanks!

Do the cops kill on The Wire

The Radish — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:20:22 -0800

On The Wire, how many of the cops have fired their weapons at someone? I believe there is an episode where Bunk might fire his gun while drunk down by the railroad (he may not have though, he may have just waved it around). Also, Prez fires his gun on two separate occasions with disastrous consequences both times. Other than that I can't seem to recall the cops in the show firing their weapons. They certainly draw them frequently enough but don't seem to actually fire them that often.

So, is your memory better than mine Ask.Me?

Trespassing hunters

Baby_Balrog — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:26:47 -0800

How to deal with trespassing hunters. Before I begin - please let me state that I am not "anti-hunting" - I have hunted. However, my mom's property extends in a 14-acre rectangle back into the woods, and we've done a good job preserving it as a natural space. It includes a large field surrounded by dense forests where deer like to hang out. My mom loves her deer and feeds them, so there are many deer. Unfortunately, the property is difficult to monitor because it is pretty rugged terrain. Recently, the adjacent 10-acre parcel was split into half-acre lots and sold to to a bunch of other Michiganders, many of whom love to hunt and are pleased to have a nice big forest behind their houses in which to do so. Illegally. Today, we walked the property and found evidence of two treeblinds. We placed additional signs that said, "No Hunting. Premises Monitored. Violators will be Prosecuted."

I don't want people hunting out there because my mom's house has a bunch of windows that face the woods. Also, recently two hunters went tromping through the back yard to recover a kill that had run up by the house. It freaked her out and she called the police, but she's afraid of "making a fuss" because where we live people can get a little... retaliatory. And I can't really enlist the neighbors because I think some of the neighbors are the biggest offenders.

This whole situation vexes me. Frankly, I don't want people shooting guns in the woods behind my mom's house. My mom abhors deer-hunting. The signs don't seem to be stopping them. Ideas?

Best Westerns? (i.e. movies)

zaebiz — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 01:57:10 -0800

Moving out to the country and have a hunger to watch some good old (or recent) Westerns. What are your favorites and why?