Guns and MA

[parkerlineage]

In American Kenpo's infancy, it was a requirement to have a handgun license to get your black belt.

I am very much in favor of that, as is another black belt at our dojo, who took me shooting for the first time, today. It took me a while to get used to it, and I still don't like the 9mm, but by the end, I got pretty good at using the Colt 45. When I turn 21, you can bet one of the first things I'll do is get a 45 and a concealed weapons license.

What do you guys think about having guns as a requirement for MA. My sensei's sensei - our Grandmaster - says, "You wouldn't take a knife to a gunfight - why would you take karate?"

It's funnier when he acts it out while he says it...

[cathal]

My father being a gunsmith, I've been around guns all of my life. I know their safety rules, use, and of course how dangerous they are to the human body. (Almost first hand but that's a different story.) In my experience not everyone likes guns, a surprisingly large amount of the people I've met simply don't like them. If it were a requirement of the martial arts there would be a tonne of people joining just to use them and that would cause a lot of controversy.

[UseoForce]

Absolutely positively 100% agree (with parkerlineage).

[parkerlineage]

In my experience not everyone likes guns, a surprisingly large amount of the people I've met simply don't like them. If it were a requirement of the martial arts there would be a tonne of people joining just to use them and that would cause a lot of controversy.

Yeah, I suppose that's true...but I still hold my position.

[UseoForce]

So what if there is controversey? From the hypothetical perspective of an instructor, I want my students to have the best self defense skills possible. If you don't want to train in my style, fine, go elsewhere.

[Brandon Fisher]

I had a carry conceal permit when I lived in Indiana and I am a very good shot real good with a Colt 1911 .45. But the first pistol I ever shot was a .357 magnum. Yeah it was a bit scary.

I do not have issues with people having a carry conceal or carrying a firearm as long as they are responsible and know what they are doing. I have told many people if you carry a gun you had better be prepared to fire it knowing one pull of the trigger can kill someone. I would not ever require it for a promotion to black belt though.

[Jiffy]

I'm against it, period.

I love guns, I love shooting, but only in a shooting range. Guns promote guns. If the thugs have guns, then people carry guns to protect themselves. Then more thugs start carrying guns. And the cycle continues.

I know from previous experience on this forum, I am in the minority, so please don't bother with a big long post as to why you think they are justified. I already know there are many that feel the opposite to me, but thought I'd post lettting you know there are some that feel the other way.

[Brandon Fisher]

Jiffy,

Don't ever apoligize for having an opinion on a subject. You have a right to express your feelings about things.

[bushido_man96]

This is not a bad idea at all. However, I don't think I would make it a requirement. I don't want to force someone to get a license like that if they don't want it, but I would tell them that it is not a bad idea.

Also, parkerlineage, that is very potent common sense by your GM. I don't think you will hear many GMs say something like that.

[Yasutsune Makoto]

Jiffy, You're not alone out there. I agree with you in every aspect. Not to mention all the legal issues of pulling your gun, shooting someone, and then finding out they were pulling the wallet you dropped out of their pocket (or some other incident). The ability to use a gun is one thing, but carrying just makes death inevitable (for something/one).