QuakerInfo.com Forum

[jnsn]

Hi Folks. Here is the quick story. I have been considering joining a meeting for a few years , but hadn't because I thought my interest in firearms would violate the peace testimony somehow. I hunt with firearms, have competed with shotgun, rifle and pistol, and also have worked as a rangemaster and taught firearm safety.

I used to think that Quakers thought was monolithic , but the more I read (about the Free Quakers,passivism, abortion and same sex marriage disagreements among members) it became apparent that there is a range of opinion, and even disagreement about what the peace testimony and other testimonies exactly entails. This all made sense to me and I grew heartened. I started going to meeting and everything was going well. The more I came in contact with others, the more I was thinking it wouldn't be a problem. I mean, I have heard of members who were active duty military in other meetings.

Anyway, jump to a year later and I am in a hours long meeting with a clearness committee about my membership. We were talking about testimonies when this all came up and a few people were horrified. it completely derailed the meeting and they spent the next half hour arguing among themselves until we ran out of time. I guess I will hear in awhile what is going to happen but I have to say I am saddened about it.

I was hoping to hear some opinions about this stumbling block. The people who objected seemed to be saying that simply owning a firearm was a deal-breaker.

Thanks for any insight or interest

[Pulpculture]

I have had guns all my life and used to represent my county as well. As it happens I gradually grew less and less comfortable owning guns (for what they stand for.) In the end I sold my last one. I still have a licence here in the UK to hold them. I simply grew to dislike them for what they represented and all the death an misery I caused with them as well. (Animals that is!)

If I were in your meeting I would be more than happy having you join. I would hope that over time you would be influenced from within the meeting. Not necessarily to take a different path (as you may well earn a living from firearms) but at least to consider what they represent and the damage they can and do do.

In friendship

Matthew
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I said don't forget Burma!

[michaeldavidjay]

I believe most rural (agricultural economy) Friends own firearms. Whether we like it or not -- a shotgun is seen as a useful farm tool (even if its just loaded with salt)
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Do Friends speak to today's condition, or are we only a historical footnote?

[Anthony]

[jnsn]

Thanks for the thoughts. I do not make a living from firearms at all, just that they have been a lifelong hobby. I guess they do not represent or stand for the same thing to me as you have stated. To me they are a tool, a mechanical advantage like a hammer, a knife, a chainsaw, an automobile etc.

I do live in a rural area, but it would seem to me that most of the people in the meeting are more of the "retired professional from the city" folk.

I guess I will find out pretty soon. Thanks again.

[Shay]

I have been struggling with this, as my husband has bought a rifle for shooting as a shooting range, and while I really don't like guns (and I was against it) I cannot see anything wrong with a non-hurtful sport I just don't like.

[Anthony]

[Anthony]

[michaeldavidjay]

A tool for killing Coyotes, mountain lions, and other wild animals who decide that your livestock is prey -- OR if dangerous wild animals decide to share your living space -- though the Mennonites I know carry shotguns loaded with salt (of course, the reload likely will not be salt).

A shotgun loaded with salt is used to remove grazing animals from cropland... and to discourage other animals such as feral dogs.

My guess is my sense of rural -- growing up in a place where a community of 500 is considered urban is different than some other people's. Also -- many rural Friends in the United States still live on the farm. "Retired professionals" don't move to places like western Kansas, Eastern Colorado, et c.
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Do Friends speak to today's condition, or are we only a historical footnote?

[michaeldavidjay]

By the way -- being an urban dweller, with just a couple acres of trees... I had no reason to own a gun. I never see anything worse than skunks. -- OK -- I saw a very big cat which over-ranged once... some people I know lost some big animals about that time... but, in even small urban areas, the municipal government handles animal control.
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Do Friends speak to today's condition, or are we only a historical footnote?

[Anthony]

[Shay]

[michaeldavidjay]

@Anthony --

As long as there is a meat eating economy, there will be livestock / predator issues. Unless everyone becomes a vegetarian, farmers will have a pragmatic attitude, both cattle and coyotes will die to make our hamburgers.
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Do Friends speak to today's condition, or are we only a historical footnote?

[RJFoster]

I live in a small town, but I like to go shooting regardless of the area I live in. Actually, it's unlikely I would live in a large city, as they make me feel claustrophobic. My ex-husband got me interested in shooting trap. (for non-shooters that is using a shotgun to shoot clay "pigeons" that look like a small frisbee) I also like target shooting. My dad taught me to shoot using a black powder pistol. My ex was a hunter, so I have no arguments against hunting.

I don't see any conflict with the peace testimony.
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Robin Foster

[Anthony]