Yup, carrying a gun is one of the criteria for hillbillyhood, along with makin' yer own likker and marryin' yer kin! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That's what stickers are for. :P

The average handgun buying hillbilly is college educated. All concealed carry hillbilly's are certified by the FBI as good guys.

I know because I am one! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Ah, Jim, you didn't just step on toes, you jumped on them. Wearing golf cleats. Bare toes.

Guys, be nice, he's from Europe.

We've had this happen before, boys and girls. It's a matter of perception, and a flat out different world on the two sides of the Atlantic. Particularly when people are being idealistic. So let's put our wockets back in our pockets and play nice.

Yup. Yup. Yup.
I didnt want to answer him 'cause it wasnt going to be very nice either.

I can see the validity of both sides of the argument. My truck kit has a .22LR handgun and 1000rnds of ammunition; it is small, light and accurate enough to take small game. If I had to leave town my M4gery and as much case of ammunition and my .45ACP hand gun with a few hundred rounds would accompany me. If I had to venture out of foot, I would probably choose to carry my M4 and the .22LR pistol. 210 rounds of .223 is heavy, but gives me a weapon I can take larger game with provide protection close in and at a distance if needed.

A lot of people don’t think that a fire arm is a valuable survival tool, but since fire arms have been commonly available they have been carried as a tool of survival. Fire arms can be very useful for gathering food, signaling, and protection. Some tend to forget the protection aspect of survival, having a BOB well equipped and stocked on your back does you no good if someone takes it from you. Make no mistake; this isn’t a far fetched possibility. And like you said, better to have one and not need it…

Jim – Do some more research before you start calling people Hillbillies. Are there some who feel more like a man when they are carrying a gun? Sure, but the majority of the gun owners in America are law abiding, educated and thoughtful individuals. The people you will find on this forum are these gun owners, not your “Hillbillies”. I don’t judge those that choose not to carry a gun; please don’t judge those of us who choose to carry.

You can believe what the media tells you or you can discover the truth on you own; allowing law abiding citizens to bear arms makes a SAFER civilization. And, yes most people can pull the trigger when their life depends on it! It is our nature to survive, and sometimes pulling the trigger is your only chance to survive… God forbid.

Jim, Be careful here... this is as nice as I get.

Guy's, I was only trying to say that if everybody carries a gun, it would become very dangerous indeed. Thats probably the reason that it's illigal in Holland.
The expression Hillbilly was made to indicate such a situation.
It wasn't meant to offend anyone. If anyone felt himself offended, I'm sorry.
Allthough I still think that it isn't a good idea to carry a firearm in public

No offense taken JIM. Just having a little fun with you, that's all. We can agree to disagree. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

quote from JIM "Allthough I still think that it isn't a good idea to carry a firearm in public"

In the US the major studies that have been done show that in places were guns are carried, the area is safer. These studies have been done by both pro and anti gun groups here in the US. States that have issued Shall Issue conceled carry permits have seen crime go down by significant numbers. Just an FYI.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and I respect it.

But I am also entitled to disagree. I have a Master's degree in engineering, and I am a "hillbilly." To me, it is just about taking responsibility. Bad people exist, and some want to hurt other people. I do not have a policeman assigned to protect my family, so that job falls on me.

Besides, firearms are just part of a specturum. You have firearms and one end. Just beside that you have swords and maces. Then, you have clubs and knives. Finally, you have large pointy sticks and rocks. If you deny a person intent on doing bad things access to firearms, they just move further down the spectrum.

OK. So we may never see eye-to-eye on this. But you are still welcome here, and no hard feelings. I will certainly respect your opinions, and just ask that you respect mine.