"Mainstream" firearm owners

We go to church and are somewhere between libertarian and conservative, but into what stereotype do really we fit?
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I think the stereotype is that the majority of gun owners are white, conservatives. From what i'm reading in this particular thread, and based on the polling I've seen on gun owners in the USA, i'd say the stereotype is somewhat based in reality. I think non-conservative, minority gun owners are horribly underrepresented
 
I think the stereotype is that the majority of gun owners are white, conservatives. From what i'm reading in this particular thread, and based on the polling I've seen on gun owners in the USA, i'd say the stereotype is somewhat based in reality. I think non-conservative, minority gun owners are horribly underrepresented.
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I'm not sure that is accurate. I think a lot of non-conservative and/or minority gun owners are out there but they keep it to themselves since it doesn't fit in with their political party's public stance.
 
I'm not sure that is accurate. I think a lot of non-conservative and/or minority gun owners are out there but they keep it to themselves since it doesn't fit in with their political party's public stance.
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I said non-conservative, minority gun owners are horribly underrepresented. so yes, they're out there but they do not make up the majority of gun owners in this country. For example, I almost never see minorities in the hunting community. Here in Minnesota the only minority group I know of that actively hunts are Hmong. I'm sure there are Native Americans that hunt as well but most are of white, European descent. I also almost never see minorities in gun stores, whether it's to purchase a firearm for self-defense, hunting or for fun. Again, they probably exist but not to the same extent that white, conservatives own guns.

as for fitting in with fitting in with their party's political stance, it swings both ways if you're a Democrat. Some Dems think gun ownership is anathema to the Party, likewise, some Republicans will criticize Dems for owning guns because it doesn't measure up to their principles. I've said it once and i'll say it again, gun ownership crosses party lines and has nothing to do with how an individual votes during an election.
 
I'm a white male, 68 years old, conservative, Baptist, Army vet., married to the same woman for 48 years old, raised 3 great kids, none in jail, dope, booze or any of that crap. I own shotguns, hand guns, rifles. Shoot a little IDPA, skeet, trap. I used to hunt til I was priced out of the market. I do have a concealed carry license. Based on this I may fit the stereotype but I don't look like one.
 
I am just about as far from the sterotype as it gets, although I am an absolute gun nut :D . Firearms are my passion, just about my favorite thing to do is go to the range with friends and family for a couple hours. I own several guns and plan on owning several more. I have been a concealed carrier since the age 21 and will carry till the day I die. The anti's can try to paint us however they want, but what it comes down to is we are all just as normal as the next guy or gal. The only difference is we are self reliant in the sense that we choose to exercise the right and have the ability to protect ourselves, friends, and family if the need be.
 
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Hm, very interesting question.

Let me see: I used to live following the Buddhist way for several years before turning to Unitarian Universalism. I'm Vegetarian, don't drink alcohol (not even white lightning ;)) and consider myself a pacifist. And, after all, I'm not even American :D

Guilty, though, for wearing lumberjack shirts, short hair and clinging to Cowboy values like individualism, manifest freedom and self-sufficiency.

If the Leftie's cliché does not meet reality, something is wrong. With reality, of course.
 
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I'm a retired journalist, 68, college grad, white, AF vet, been with the same amazing woman for 35 years, avid motorcyclist, no religious affiliation, conservative with libertarian leanings, house is paid off, bike is paid off ... I'm not fat, don't have a beard -- or a duck. I have a small collection of handguns, a carry permit and one carbine (my wife insisted we get it in case we had to harvest some of the tame deer on the golf course behind our house in the event of ... well, you know). Got into firearms about 25 years ago after a murder in the house behind the one we lived in at the time. Been hooked ever since, my collection rapidly expanded after we left CA behind 10 years ago and moved to the wonderful state of Texas.
 
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54 year old handsome black man from the great state of West Virginia.

No use for politics or politicians.

8 1/2 Air Force Veteran.

Married for 28 years/one child/15 years old.

Employed 28 1/2 years by local government.

Educated.

Don't want to die and go to heaven.

Don't believe in a burning hell.

Interested in your opinion regardless of how stupid it sounds.

Reloader, target shooter and hunter.

Occasional drinker.

Don't smoke.
 
I'm 39, white, father of 2 (ages 2 and 3), middle school special education teacher. I drive a Toyota RAV4 (soccer mommy type car). I am also a cyclist, photographer and play guitar. Live on the family farm, kind of a hobby farmer. I also homebrew beer. My political views run from one end of the spectrum to the other depending on the issue, so I suppose that's a bit of an oxymoron. Still, I am hardly liberal. I could never run for political office, I'm too much of a "mutt"

My firearms and their intended uses:
Marlin Model 25 [/B].22 bolt action rifle: groundhog/critter control
Savage Model 93 Heavy Barrel .17hmr: long range groundhog assassination
Savage Model 11 .308 bolt action rifle: deer hunting
Benelli Nova 12g pump: turkey hunting, clays, blowing stuff up for fun, bad guys in the house
Ruger SR9C: everyday carry, IDPA, Run and Gun

If there was a "typical gun owner profile" I am guessing I do not fit it; neither do many of my teacher buddies who are also shooters
 
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White male, age 43, Jewish, not married. NRA member.
Went back to college later in life and have a BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in biology. I have studied Chinese, Arabic and Hindi...at least well enough to make introductions, ask directions, order diner and get my face slapped. :D
I have an EBR, but my real joy is collecting and shooting Smith & Wesson revolvers.
My favorite is my Model 21 Classic in .44 Special.

I am interested in Cowboy Action Shooting and I've been saving brass to start reloading.
 
I am a white 51 yo Catholic male of direct German descent, divorced, multiple degrees, and an Air Force veteran.

I'm 5'-10" and 182 lbs as of yesterday morning. I carry gun everywhere I'm allowed to by law, I don't hunt anymore but I enjoyed it when I did. I own semi-automatic & bolt action military rifles and adequate ammunition for each.

I don't wear cammo, but in the cooler months you will likely find me wearing my unit Nomex flight jacket or a leather A2 if I can conceal the weapon. I have shorter than average hair and a flattop in the summertime. I live in a small Midwestern town but was born and raised in a medium sized city near St. Louis.

I don't fit the stereotype. I don't really fit any type. I'll tell you like it is and if you don't want the truth don't ask. I'm not overtly friendly to strangers and I don't trust many people farther than I could throw them until you have earned my trust and I get to know you better than saying Hi in the mornings.
 
I am a Libertarian minded Lutheran who thinks Ron Paul would have made the best President our country has ever seen since the founding...at least Rand still has a chance! That said, I dont think I fit the stereotype
 
No use for politics or politicians.
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Heartilly seconded!

I can't remember the last time I voted for any politician but I sure have voted against a lot of them. I actually wish the voting system was set up so you could cast a negative vote against a candidate rather than to vote for their opponent - I wonder how many elections would show negative rather than positive totals?
 
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I'm a 25 year old white male, Conservative but leaning towards the libertarian side of the spectrum, single and employed by the Boy Scouts.

I'm also a National Guard Sergeant, with 8 years total service. I'm a (somewhat) decorated combat vet who is the son of a highly decorated combat vet.

I shoot skeet semi-competively, but will never make the Olympics are anything like that.

I drive of a pick-up truck, but carry a brief case and wear a tie to work.

I don't own an AR-15, don't really care to, but I think anybody should be able to if they wish, heck, even a full on M-16A4 if they so desire.

Most of guns are walnut and blued, though I carry a Glock everyday.
 
53 years young
White male
Divorced - she was crazy!;)
Some collage
Same employer for over 10 years
Been hunting and shooting since I was 15 years old.
Collect military battle rifles.
Own numerous hand guns.
I am a CHL holder.
I believe in God, Guns and Rock n Roll:D
 
From what i'm reading in this particular thread, and based on the polling I've seen on gun owners in the USA, i'd say the stereotype is somewhat based in reality. I think non-conservative, minority gun owners are horribly underrepresented
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Respectfully disagree. I think you are seeing a bias representing readers of a gun owner aficionado site.

I think with the GSS and gallup studies you are also seeing a bias on who aadmits to gun ownership. (this also probably affects reporting of gun ownership generally.

I am from the northeast originally. My dad taught me to never mention it to anyone. My sister is a die hard Democrat and owns two handguns. She has told me her friends would be mortified to know she owns guns. Probably some of those same friends also won guns and feel the same way.

My circle of social and professional contacts is the exact opposite of the stereotypical gun owner. I have trained a lot of them to shoot and helped a number get their weapons. They are very discrete about it. Even more so in todays stigmatization
 
Typical? Maybe

OK, I'll play along.
I'm a white male, age 70. Gray hair and a little on the short side (5'7") but average build. I've been told by some that I look distinguished. I'm always clean shaven and reasonably well dressed. I'm college educated and I worked in management for 2 international corporations, retiring in 2007.

I'm a former US Marine (Sgt) and a Nam veteran. I support our troops. I love my country but despise the current administration. Tend to be politically Independent, having given up on the Republican party. I am a member of Oath Keepers and I am a Patriot. I vote in every National, Sate and local election. I have worked on the election committees of a couple of friends that were running for local office.

I didn't own a firearm until about 2 years ago. I now have a Mossberg 20ga, a Henry lever action .22, A Kahr CW9, a Ruger Mk3 Hunter, A Sig 1911-22, a Beretta ARX160 and a PLR-22. (OK, I love .22 cal.)

I go to the range a couple of times a week, sometimes with my son-in-law, who is a detective (Inspector) with the Atlanta Police Department. I also take my wife on Ladies day. She likes the Mk3 Hunter and the Sig 1911-22. She refuses to shoot the Kahr. Too much recoil. She thought the PLR and the ARX look scary. Where have I heard that before? :)

I read several online news sites every day and often make online comments about what I read and what others are saying.

Almost forgot. I am an NRA member and an Amateur Radio Operation (Ham).
CERT trained (Community Emergency Response Team)

Am I typical? I don't really know. I do know that I don't suffer fools gladly,
meaning I have no patience with incompetence or stupidity.
 
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We're seeing a lot more women and kids at the range these days. Who could argue against this "stereotypical" shooter. :D

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White male

46 years old, 47 in 1 week

Got my first .22 at age 13

Pro 2nd Amendment, an armed populace is a good thing

Pro gay rights (though I'm straight), none of my business who you love

Anti-drug war (I think it infringes way too far on personal liberty)

A hawk on national defense (I've never served, though fully support those who do and did)

Pro capitalism - anti communist/socialist

Despise both Democrats and Republicans (neither has a good track record here in Illinois)

I have 3 cats

I saw 50 Grateful Dead concerts

College grad (NIU '90, go Huskies!)

A carnivore who's never hunted (I'd love to though, just never had the chance/opportunity)

I live in one of the most diverse neighborhoods on the planet

I am a landlord and have fantastic tenants who happen to be Muslim

I'm an atheist, though raised Catholic

No facial hair, though I love Duck Dynasty

I think the girl in the pic 2 posts above mine is hot hot hot!

So how does that fit the stereotype? :D
 
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