Why not get rid of the 'arms locker' ad?

[Gregg]

I'd love to see that advertisement replaced. It bothers the crap out of me to see that ad every time I visit this site. I can't quite reason out how killing weapons are associated with a corn snake site.

 

[Clint Boyer]

That is Rich's other site.............

"Killing" weapons are what won us our freedom and keep it!

It just so happens that Rich is an avid collector and has other hobbies besides the snakes.

 

[Darin Chappell]

More than just a few of us enjoy dual citizenship on both cites (as well as on Faunaclassifieds dot com!), because more than a few of us enjoy our guns as we do our animals! I don't get over to that site near enough, actually.

Quite frankly, just because you don't understand the connection doesn't mean there is not one at all. But I appreciate your willingness to speak out on something with which you disagree. It means that the past use of "killing weapons" was not in vain.

 

[Rich Z]

I think the proper application of a strip of masking tape on your monitor, Gregg, will take care of the problem. I think I am within my rights to advertise my own sites on my other sites, don't you?

I happen to enjoy having "killing weapons" as well as talking with other people with a similar interest.

 

[Marcel Poots]

I am with Gregg on this one. Not that it really bothers me that much but I rather look at Kathy's banner or the mouse clicker..

 

[Rich Z]

Well, I guess I have to say it again in a different way.

I happen to enjoy firearms, and since I can certainly use my sites in such a manner as to provide interest and enjoyment to myself every once in a while, then I will do so, and in any manner I feel inclined to do so. That includes letting people know on my message boards about such interests and a manner in which to discuss them with me and others. If some people want to come on over to ArmsLocker.com and talk "guns", I am providing them a manner in which to become aware of my other site.

Anyone not liking such things are invited to just ignore the banner ad. If it offends them to such a degree that they cannot bear to come onto this site and see it, well, hate to see you go, but goodbye, and have a nice life.

 

[Marcel Poots]

I guess if I had a cool site like this one I would have some things on it that might not interest you too. It does not bother me far enough to stop visiting. I am adicted to this site. I simply appreciated Gregg for voicing his opinion on the matter. Not that many US people seem to be against weapons or giving up their right to shoot people or own guns or what ever.

I love this site and it would take a lot more to stop me from visiting. But I can see why Gregg can't place the connection between a cornsite and a gunsite commercial. Maybe shooting corns could be a new kind of sport. LOL

Are most of the gun owners avid hunters too btw? Before I got into snakes my whole life was about fishing. Fishing every day before work and after and spending my holidays in far away countries (such as Red sea in Egypt). But once I stepped into snakekeeping I stopped fishing alltogether. I could not stand hurting the fish for my own pleasure. I guess if I where a hunter I would have stopped hunting too. I would like to know if people on this forum do keep snakes (and treasure them) and like to hunt. That is an interresting topic.

 

[Clint Boyer]

Ya know......

It really is a shame that some folks seem offended by firearms.
I guess I just can't see it thier way. I was raised around guns an tought that they were a valuable resource and can be fine pieces of artwork.
I just wish that the people that hate guns would realize that the evil that they attach to the guns is not the gun, but the PEOPLE!

Hold that thought......I've got to go to work!

To be continued!..........

 

[Slik]

Greetings Marcel,

I realize most of you are long time members and maybe I am jumping in on a private conversation but I felt like I had something to add and contribute so I decided to take a gamble and add it anyway.

I've only been keeping Corns for a little over a month now, I have loved EVERY minute of it and spend many minutes if not hours here on Rich's site a day (thanks Rich for this great resource).

Some of my other hobbies include Flyfishing, waterfowl hunting, decoy carving, big game hunting, etc...as you can see I both hunt and keep animals. I have practiced Falconry for a time, kept African Cichlids, raised German Shorthaired Pointers to hunt Upland game over, etc...I am tied to animals, whether it be the pursuit of them in hunting or the keeping of them in my home.

I feel that man is a better creature for both understanding the living and the taking of life in animals...it grows a deep and appreciative understanding of all things. I do not know if one day my heart will change and I will no longer be able to take a life in hunting but today it brings me much fullfillment, in both the time spent out of doors, the memories it creates, the responsibility it fosters in our enviroment and the food I eat.

This has started to become a ramble but I wanted to add my .02 to your post Marcel in hopes of sharing a little of what makes some of us tick...

Clint, I too share your appreciation for fine guns and such...nothing mechincal is as gorgeous as a fine English SxS balanced and forged for fowl...from the wood work to the metal work to the engraving...great pieces of art indeed. I took the liberty of visting your website and also wanted to comment in the gorgeous collection you have displayed there...I hope to one day build my own collection of healthy corns like those...

Regards all,

Lee

 

[Rich Z]

As far as guns are concerned, no I am not a hunter. I do not enjoy killing anything, but if I must, I will. For instance, I really like the antics of squirrels and enjoy seeing them around here. But they have taken to destroying my groves of exotic bamboos when new shoots come up every Spring. And, unfortunately for them, I like my bamboo more than I do squirrels. Anyone who has ever tried to keep a squirrel out of a bird feeders knows that you CANNOT convince them to do something they set their mind to do. Even live traps will not work, because you will catch exactly one of them and every other squirrel in the area will know instantly to NEVER go into that trap. So I have no other choice.

In reality, I am a gun collector. What I have found is that nearly everyone interested in tools or machinery will have at least a passing fancy for fine firearms. It is a culmination of many skills, study, and practice to handle a firearm with expertise. Few people not interested in guns could understand that deep pleasure a person can get by putting five bullets all into the same ragged hole at 100 yards. Just as few people whose only true experience with guns is by what they see on TV and the movies can fully understand what a feat that is.

But most people will find someone else's hobby that they do not share as being incomprehensible. I once talked to a guy who was making a LOT of money off of a new milk snake morph. When he told me he was putting all that money into model trains, I could not comprehend something like that. Because I don't have even the slightest interest in them, and probably never will. But he was passionate about his interest and probably could not comprehend my total disinterest. To each their own, I guess.

As mentioned above, I am a gun collector. I have lots of guns I have never even fired. Some I never INTEND to fire because of their collectible nature. This can be an incomprehensible situation to many people, I am sure. But others I have simply because they are fun to shoot. Take a look at the figure of the gun in my ArmsLocker Forums logo. That is a .50BMG Barrett rifle. Yes, I have one of those and it is an absolute thrill to shoot. For some people.....

Anyway, enough of this, I guess. I think I have stated my thoughts sufficiently about this topic. The banner ad I am running here is not trying to make any sort of political statement or intended to try to change anyone's mind. It is simply a call to anyone who might be interested to come to my gun related message board system, if they would like, and join in on any discussion they might find of interest.

 

[Darin Chappell]

I have never understood the concept that we, as a group of people derided by the majority for the practice of our chosen hobby (the keeping of icky reptiles ... Ugh!!!), cannot understand that others may also enjoy something we find less than appealing. That being said . . .



Marcel,

You wrote: "Not that many US people seem to be against weapons or giving up their right to shoot people or own guns or what ever."

Unfortunately, far too many people here in the US are against the idea of private ownership of firearms. That is another concept I find interesting: People against the very items that give them the freedom to be against anything at all.

I would suggest that cultural differences between the US and the Netherlands, being what they are, may be clouding your views on the issue, Marcel. Just as they are clouding mine. But then again, I am not trying to tell you how the culture of the Netherlands ought to be.

 

[Marcel Poots]

Hi Silk,

Judging from your english you must be a native speaker. Or else I must complement you on your most excellent way with the English language. Where are you located in Holland? I see you have a Hypo and a normal. Good choise to start with since both are very interesting corns to start with. I have kept normals for more than 10 years before I started to like other morphs. Now I seem to prefer other morphs better (such as Lavender, Bloodred and Butter).

My life is also turning around animals. Having 4 cats and 4 dogs make my house look like a small circus. I don't mind killing an animal. For a purpose that is. I must have killed hundreds of rats, rabbits and Guinea pigs for my pythons. Twisting the neck of a rabbit doesn't make me feel bad anymore. I remember I hated doing it the first time. But killing for pure entertainment such as fishing and hunting is what I can't do any more. I have grown weak.. LOL

Rich,

I understand shooting them bloody squirrels completely.. I would have no problem with that eighter.

 

[Slik]

Ahh, sorry Marcel, my location is misleading...that is Holland, Michigan, USA. However, with that said...I am dutch and we do have a Tulip Time Festival here every year. In fact this year is our 75th anniversary of the event.

I too enjoy the looks of the Bloodreds but cannot afford the Lav's as yet...or at least have not completely justified the cost of them in my mind. I am sure that will change

I would not say you have grown weak, you have grown to appreciate life more...that is all and that is an admireable trait imho.

Regards,

Lee

 

[Marcel Poots]

I would suggest that cultural differences between the US and the Netherlands, being what they are, may be clouding your views on the issue

That is so true. You (not only you but you Americans) speak about freedom. That concept must be totally different in Holland. You and Rich have tried to explain me before that owning a gun and freedom seems to be very strong related. I honostly do not know squat about American history other than it was discovered by Europeans 600 years ago. I must say I am not an avid anti gun guy. In fact I enjoy the look of a powerfull gun (such as Dirty Harry with his gun). I simply would feel very disturbed if all my neighbours would own one. One of my neighbours does own guns and he is a freak of nature. I have run into trouble with him many times and the fact that he has guns has kept me up many nights.

 

[Rich Z]

You know this is an interesting cultural difference to think about. The only places I feel very uncomfortable are places where guns are strictly not allowed. Sounds odd, doesn't it? But the reason it makes me uncomfortable is because if anyone DOES have a gun there, then they are probably doing so for very bad reasons. And there will likely be no one there with the ability to do a thing about it. After all, the good guys are probably obeying the law.

The original names applied to some of the now antique firearms were "Peacemaker" and "Equalizer". It would be a constructive thought process to ponder about why such names were applied to the firearms of that time period.

Anything that can be used as a weapon in a bad guy's hands should make anyone uncomfortable. The fact that no one else had anything at hand to neutralize the potential threat of such a person should make you even more uncomfortable.

I carry a gun in my pocket nearly everywhere I go. Will it solve all problems if something bad happens? No, of course not. But it certainly may solve some of them, where the results otherwise would not be pleasant to experience. Suppose something happened that my having a gun at hand would have prevented the death of my wife at some other person's hands. I would forever regret the decision I made prior to that, that could have prevented that from happening.

I guess maybe it is an American thing, perhaps. Maybe I would feel differently if I grew up in a different country with a different cultural view. But somehow I doubt it. I have always been rather indifferent to external influences all my life.

 

[carol]

And now for something completely different...

I am probably going to build quite the reputation of having a different take on things. More likely than not people just nod thier heads and thank god for thier sanity when they read my posts. LOL.
I was never really into guns, I wasn't anti-gun, I just never saw a situation where I would need one. I am more anti idiot, the real cause of gun misuse. A few years ago, my husband and I decided that someday, somehow, we were going to aquire a decent amount of property to live. It is our goal. One of the first things that came to mind is that some sort of fire arm would be a definate necessity. Just in case. I decided I was going to learn to use one someday, but I have quite a few years before we get any type of land.
However, due to my husbands sudden and unexpected unemployment, I had to take up a full time job. Oddly enough, the job I landed was running a skeet/clay shooting range. The owner must have liked my people skills because I admitted I am clueless as to guns. I've had to have a "crash course" if you will, on shotguns. Absolutely fasinating! Before the interview I thought long and hard if taking this job betrayed my love of animals. Besides the obvious "Well at least I am getting them to shoot at clays instead of birds". One other thought came to mind. Unless you 1) Raise your own meat, 2) Know very well who raises your meat, or 3) Are a vegetarian. You really have no right to call hunters cruel. *Of course I am not talking about the thoughtless hunters who shoot everything in sight JUST to kill and waste the animal for no other reason* But I sincerly believe most hunters make good use with thier kill and don't over do it, after all, they want some to be left for next season. If you have ever seen what the beef industry does to our food before it gets to the supermarket you know what I am talking about. The cattle in MOST cases, leads a very sad inhumane life. It is almost toturous. And chicken... well you better buy free range and no KFC. We all support it, myself included, everytime we go to Mc Donalds. At least when people hunt game, Bambi has a very fine life up until its time to go.
Also in many places, since Americans have taken it apon themselves to take land and preditors away from the ecosystem, there is often a large need for deer control to keep them from starving themselves to death.
I don't think a group of people should be classfied just because they enjoy one thing. It was already brought up that many do the same with reptile keepers, however, we all know how different opinions and personalities can be among herpers. Just because their are a lot of idiots with guns, doesn't mean thier arn't good, sensible people with guns, who use them safely. I enjoyed gathering some info browsing through the armslocker forum. Of course their were some threads that offended me, made by users who do like to destroy, but they were far and few between. I just remember the names of thoses who have different views and stay away from reading thier threads. All reptile keepers should realize the danger of trying to ban or censor something just because "We don't like it". Large boas and pythons can kill as well.....This can go on and on... but I won't go there, I just wanted to give some perspective as an animal lover. :cheers:

 

[Alicia]

Well said Carol

I think hunting and caring for animals goes together naturally. I don't kill anything for entertainment but I do like having deer meat in my freezer each year. I care very much for animals but I know that wildlife must be managed and hunters take care of that. I treasure my pets but I don't have a problem eating Bambi burgers

The issue with squirrels is another matter. They are destructive little pests and must be delt with:fullauto:

 

[Clint Boyer]

Down time........

Well, with the server being down, I've had quite some time to reflect and think about some of the things said in this thread. There really are much deeper issues at work here then just the right to own a gun.

I can see that there is a HUGE cultural difference with the way some of the European countries are run compared to the USA.

Marcel, your statment about our "right to shoot someone" hung heavily on my mind. I'm not sure where that comes from?!? We have the right to protect ourselves. If that means that I must shoot someone to stop an evil doer from doing harm to me or my family, then yes, we do have that right. Maybe in your country the authorities are close enough and respond fast enough to stop a rapist from knifing you and doing unspeakable things to your family. Here in the USA, we are lucky enough to have the authority ourselves to protect ourselves with deadly force if that's what we are confronted with. I just hope that you are NEVER put in that position.

I find it hard to understand some of the veiws from places where the nieghbors (Nazi's) almost destroyed whole races of people. It was brute force and weapons in the hands of people who did the RIGHT thing to saves lives. Why would anyone want to disarm good people?

A survey was done by a none gun group and found that about 50% of the homes in the USA have guns in them. That means that if everyone were to shoot others willy nilly, then we'd all be dead! Other tools like cars and knives kill more people every year then guns do. You just don't see those on bans because EVERYONE uses them.

I'm with Rich, I would feel very insecure in a place where I knew no one had a gun. Terrorists-Murderers-Rapists do NOT follow the rules. I don't want to be left standing there with nothing to defend my family, home or country with but my bare fists.

Anti-Idiot is the term Carol used, I like that!

Which reminds me of a issue I ran across in the ks forum. Some IDIOT over there told me that this country needed to make all of our laws for idiots then we should all have to follow them for our own safety! I'll tell you what, I'd hate to be this guys kid!

And that leads me to my thoughts on freedom. It's not just a word given to us by the government to keep us happy. We the people are the government (well, that's the way it's supposed to work!) It's not just a group of elite people who know whats right for us making decissions on how we should live. Our personal rights are preserved so that we may live the way we like. THE WAY WE LIKE! That means EVERYONE! NOT just the minorities, NOT just the downtrodden, but EVERYONE! No one should have to live under anyone elses opressive rule. I guess that's an American thing. We fought and died for our rights to be free and live as we choose. We also fought and died for other countries rights as well. And yes, we used guns to do it. I guess if you take my guns I feel as if your are about to take whatever else you like also, and then I'd have no way to say NO.

Well, I tried to stay on topic. I guess I'll have to go reread it to see if I did!

Thanks for the compliment Slik (Lee)! Someday I'll do some more with that site. It's really just a place to show off a few pics.

 

[Marcel Poots]

I have a hard time reading between lines in English posts but did you just call me an idot? LOL.. You said you would feel insecure in a place where no one owns a gun. That is so strange. That sounds like the most secure place on the world. That is if lawenforcement has guns. Being a martial art guy my whole life I have never felt insecure in akward situations. I glady take up on any rapist with my bare hands. In Holland it is not allowed to beat up an attacker however. If a burglar comes in your house you just shoot the guy. In Holland you would go to jail for shooting the burglar. The only thing to do according to the law is hold the guy untill the police arrives. Of course many people (including myself) do not agree with that law. I would seriously beat the guy up so he would think twice about doing that again. but shooting him? No way... I could not shoot anyone. Not even real bad guys as Osama, Hussein or whatever.. Overhere no one feels insecure without a gun. The old people who do feel insecure and affraid... do we need to give them guns? So they would feel secure again? How many times have you need to pull a gun upon a murderer rapist? I guess that is an American thing too. We do not have all that much criminality. Of course each and every country has it share of bad people but overall The Netherlands is quite a civilised country. We have quite an invasion of robbers. People getting robbed when they are getting money from the wall (how do you call those machines). I guess bad economy is to plame on that. But I think supplying every Dutchman with a gun is not the solution to that problem.

 

[Clint Boyer]

No, not al all.......

I did not mean you are an idiot, Marcel. You seem to be a very thoughtful and considerate person.

I'm not big or tough or into martial arts. I'm not a fighter at all. I guess that puts me at the mercy of anyone bigger and tougher then me unless things are equaled out some how.

No, we are not allowed just to shoot a person for entering our home. I said specifically that we can only use leathal force if we fear for our lives or those around use. We are also required to hold intruders for the authorities.

I guess the bad guys there in Holland don't have guns? But I guess a civilized criminal wouldn't do such a thing.

I hope to never have to pull a gun on anyone, but it only takes one time to make it all worth it if it saves the life of someone I love. I hold that right to defend myself very dear.