# Gun question in GQ **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 13, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173 "2011-09-13T17:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/41 "2011-09-14T01:23:03Z")
Why would you possibly need a cat in New York? It would only get eaten by the rats and cockroaches. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/42 "2011-09-14T01:27:25Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I’ll continue to feel about you as I have for some time; that you are a sociopath. What else can I do? > > If I knew you personally, I could tell you that to your face. I don’t. > > If I feared that your thoughts and viewpoints made a difference on this board, I could argue with you more frequently and more vociferously. I don’t. > > So I guess I’ll just continue to make snide remarks as the mood strikes. You and your ilk have such a talent for getting things exactly backwards. You favor policies that would lead to the destruction or at least diminishment of society and yet somehow I’m the sociopath. And I would welcome the opportunity to have you say whatever you want to my face, tough guy. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/43 "2011-09-14T01:40:25Z")
> [@Zany\_Zeolite\_Zipper](#): > > Hey guys, I’m having my cat de-clawed tomorrow. Is it okay to fly with it to New York on Thursday? > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > That depends. Is the cat circumcised? More importantly, is the cat and/or airplane on a treadmill? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/44 "2011-09-14T01:49:56Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > You and your ilk have such a talent for getting things exactly backwards. You favor policies that would lead to the destruction or at least diminishment of society and yet somehow I’m the sociopath. > > And I would welcome the opportunity to have you say whatever you want to my face, tough guy. Just so we’re clear, you would physically assault someone for calling you a sociopath, is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/45 "2011-09-14T01:53:15Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Just so we’re clear, you would physically assault someone for calling you a sociopath, is that correct? You, sir, are an idiot, is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/46 "2011-09-14T01:57:55Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > And I would welcome the opportunity to have you say whatever you want to my face, tough guy. > [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Just so we’re clear, you would physically assault someone for calling you a sociopath, is that correct? > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > You, sir, are an idiot, is that correct? Well, I’m mildly curious, as I’ll be coming to Chicago soon. Should we meet at the Museum of Science and Industry, I will happily call you a sociopath to your face. How does that make me a tough guy? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/47 "2011-09-14T02:02:19Z")
Somewhere there exists a factual answer to the question, and therefore GQ is the appropriate place to ask the question. Factual answers do not consist of questions of why you would want to do such a thing or the usual bevy of insults about gun owners. Was he trolling? Absolutely not. But I do sense a small amount of sneak-bragging there. I can see how that would annoy someone, but that is not reason to attack him like he was attacked in that thread. This is really simple, guys: if you don’t have a factual answer to the question (or follow-up, like the one I answered), don’t bother answering. Why you guys can’t simply fight the urge to post the usual anti-gun diatribes in the most inappropriate places is beyond me. It’s like you can’t wait to drop the hammer on gun owners. If that’s the case, bring it here so that we can all ignore it and you can insult away among yourselves. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/48 "2011-09-14T02:08:17Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > You, sir, are an idiot, is that correct? No. Now kindly answer my question, if you please. I mean seriously, with the persona you have presented here over the past couple of years, you are shocked, _shocked_, that someone might get the impression you are something of a sociopath? I mean, it hardly seems a minority opinion here. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/49 "2011-09-14T02:12:24Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I mean, it hardly seems a minority opinion here. That’s because there are a lot of absolute blithering idiots here. They are so wedded to their own ideology that they can’t see what’s right in front of their faces, that their ideology is kicking several European countries in the ass right now and has been doing so for years. And yet somehow I’m the sociopath because I don’t want the government to solve every single problem I can think up. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/50 "2011-09-14T02:13:27Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Well, I’m mildly curious, as I’ll be coming to Chicago soon. Should we meet at the Museum of Science and Industry, I will happily call you a sociopath to your face. How does that make me a tough guy? You are proposing a meeting where you will be confrontational, and somehow you don’t see how that makes you a tough guy. You’ve got problems, bro. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/51 "2011-09-14T02:23:10Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > That’s because there are a lot of absolute blithering idiots here. I think people have gone through this with you before, but you have never really managed to establish that your opinion as to who is an idiot and who is not carries any weight. I’m just saying. Anyway, you gonna answer my question or not? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/52 "2011-09-14T02:32:31Z")
I’ve answered it sufficiently. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/53 "2011-09-14T02:37:08Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > You are proposing a meeting where you will be confrontational, and somehow you don’t see how that makes you a tough guy. You’ve got problems, bro. Me calling you a sociopath is confrontational? After all you’ve said on this board? Give me a fucking break. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/54 "2011-09-14T02:38:48Z")
For what it’s worth: 1. I think the original question is kind of interesting, and I’d like to know the real answer; and 2. I’m nowhere near tough enough to call anyone a sociopath to their face. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/55 "2011-09-14T02:39:11Z")
> [@Rand Rover](#): > > I’ve answered it sufficiently. Well, answering it sufficiently would actually include a ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘maybe’ response, since that’s the sort of question it was, but whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/56 "2011-09-14T02:41:16Z")
You don’t see any difference between a real-life confrontation and some anonymous posts on an internet message board, tough guy? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/57 "2011-09-14T02:43:55Z")
LHOD, why do you think there’s a “real answer”? Why did you eat whatever you ate for lunch today? Probably because you wanted to, but what’s the real answer? Several of the SDMB dumbasses are all wrapped up in this idea of “necessity,” that someone shouldn’t do something they want to do (e.g., own a big house, own an SUV) if it’s not “necessary.” I think this question gets at that same dumbass idea. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/58 "2011-09-14T03:05:59Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > You don’t see any difference between a real-life confrontation and some anonymous posts on an internet message board, tough guy? In fact, I don’t. I spend my time on the SDMB being as exactly as I can as I am in real life. I’ll call you a sociopath on the board, and (given the opportunity) I’ll call you a sociopath in real life. What’s the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/59 "2011-09-14T03:12:03Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > In fact, I don’t. I spend my time on the SDMB being as exactly as I can as I am in real life. > > I’ll call you a sociopath on the board, and (given the opportunity) I’ll call you a sociopath in real life. What’s the difference? This is kind of sad. Seems like you really don’t have any friends (by which I mean “real-life friends”). Ever examine why that could be? ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173/60 "2011-09-14T03:14:00Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > Somewhere there exists a factual answer to the question, Yeah and the factual answer is that despite what the federal law says there is a good chance he’ll be hassled and possibly arrested. Almost certainly charges later dropped, but still doesn’t seem like a fun way to spend a supposed shopping trip to NYC. Check the links I posted about in the original thread from [Handguns.us](http://Handguns.us) “NYC is known to arrest anyone with a firearm traveling through the New York Airports. … This should be straightened out but never forget they can arrest you any time and give you your day in court.” Which does lead to the obvious question? Why would you even attempt it if you don’t have a very good reason? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-question-in-gq/596173.md?page=4)