A gunist or a gun owner

[oldman45]

Owning a gun or guns will not make one a shooter anymore than owning an oven makes one a cook.

So what makes one a gunist (active in the firearms community)?

Many LEO are not gunist since they only shoot when qualifying but carry a gun daily. They often cannot effectively work a firearm unlike the one they carry daily.

Many gun owners do not shoot them at all but got them for home protection, inherited them or bought them from friends at a good price. I have a neighbor with two safes filled with guns but admits he has not shot any of them in years.

Others own only one gun but will shoot it several times a month.

So what do you consider one as being a gunist?

 

[H Richard]

A "Gunist", (is that word really in the dictionary?) in my opinion would be one who continually reads, buys, and shoots a large variety of firearms. Reloads his own ammo, does minor gunsmithing on his firearms, and goes to as many gun shows and gun auctions as he can fit into his schedule. He/she will probably compete in one or more shooting disciplines such as IDPA or Bullseye and Trap or Skeet. He/she will probably spend 2 or more hours a day on the computer at various gun forums and/or on Gunbroker and other firearm marketing sites.

Good God, I have described myself!

 

[Andy Griffith]

I like the terms curmudgeon, misanthrope old fart, hermit, crazy old coot, recluse, skeptic and "get off my lawn" type of guy.

I would figure the term gunist must have been coined by the dingy, deranged and unbalanced portions of society that are illogically opposed to certain inanimate objects- namely firearms. Either that, or maybe by some gun enthusiasts sitting around a gun show, or afterwards while having consumed some bourbon.

I would rather be known as a "person of refined taste in firearms."

 

[feralmerril]

There must be aircraft engineers that arent pilots. Maybe a couple "preachers" that arent christians. Most my shooting and experimenting is a long time ago. I dont want to demonstrate my accuracy nowdays as I have developed "the shakes", a family trait. That hasnt stopped my interest in guns or talking about them.
I recall it said old olymic diver mark spitz`s trainer couldnt swim. Supposedly someone asked him about it and he answered, "Those that can, do. Those that cant, teach!"
I just set up a gym of three exspensive machines for theresa and supposedly me. She is working out now. I am here typeing advoiding it. I wish I could hire someone to work out for me!
I also got a safe full of guns, but it doesnt make me a expert. Its kind of like my retirement. Worked a average of 65 hours a week forever, now I am liveing on my laurals.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I like the terms curmudgeon, misanthrope old fart, hermit, crazy old coot, recluse, skeptic and "get off my lawn" type of guy.

I would figure the term gunist must have been coined by the dingy, deranged and unbalanced portions of society that are illogically opposed to certain inanimate objects- namely firearms. Either that, or maybe by some gun enthusiasts sitting around a gun show, or afterwards while having consumed some bourbon.

I would rather be known as a "person of refined taste in firearms."

And just what is that supposed to mean?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[wbraswell]

I prefer "gun bug" or just "shooter".

 

[feralmerril]

Where does just a plain old gun nut fit in? Its got to be the very oldest label on the matter. I dont mind it, why should we turn PC?

 

[Fishslayer]

I usually think "shootist" when I think about it, which isn't very often.

There are how many millions of gun owners in the US? For every one of us on gun forums there are a thousand or more who buy a Glock (or whatever) and keep it next to the bed and that's about it.

I see quite a few people whose appearance would never make you guess they were shootists, but there they are at the range on their lunch hour running a box of ammo through their handguns.

BTW... gals in business attire shooting handguns is kinda hot...

 

[cussedemgun]

-ist, per my unabridged Webster's is a suffix for a verb & changes it's meaning to a noun meaning "one who".

By using the suffix with a verb such as shoot & you are describing one who shoots but I don't know anyone who 'guns'.

Short answer, "that aint speak'en good english". And I bet your wife won't let you get away with that word in a scrabble game

Jim

 

[feralmerril]

How about "Gun nutist"?

 

[johnsonl]

I prefer "firearms enthusiast".

 

[M29since14]

So what do you consider one as being a gunist?

My Dad would sometimes refer to me as "Dillinger" and tell his friends I was, "...born with gunpowder in his veins." I think he considered me one of the types you are asking about, but he never used that word. He probably had other words in mind. Some people just have a natural affinity for weapons. Who knows where it comes from?

If a person has nothing more than a casual or working relationship with guns, he wouldn't qualify. The passion and irrational enthusiasm have to be there. I think you don't necessarily have to be an "active shooter." I have been fortunate to have met many geezers over the years who no longer shoot, but who had an impressive knowledge base - and still enjoyed sharing it. I would say the determining factor is that irrational enthusiasm.

 

[Marshwheeling]

As it is spelled, I would pronounce it goon-ist. Somehow, I don't think that is what you want. "Gun Nut" works for me. Or how about "gun enthusiast" or "gun aficionado"?

Food enthusiasts have "foodie", but "gunny" is already taken.

 

[old bear]

A "Gunist"= anyone who is proficient with the firearms they own.

 

[oldman45]

A "Gunist", (is that word really in the dictionary?) in my opinion would be one who continually reads, buys, and shoots a large variety of firearms. Reloads his own ammo, does minor gunsmithing on his firearms, and goes to as many gun shows and gun auctions as he can fit into his schedule. He/she will probably compete in one or more shooting disciplines such as IDPA or Bullseye and Trap or Skeet. He/she will probably spend 2 or more hours a day on the computer at various gun forums and/or on Gunbroker and other firearm marketing sites.

Good God, I have described myself!

Exactly.

I stole the word Gunist from a firearm article and you pretty much nailed the definition.

Checking on it, the word was in a late edition of American Handgunner.

 

[oldman45]

As it is spelled, I would pronounce it goon-ist. Somehow, I don't think that is what you want. "Gun Nut" works for me. Or how about "gun enthusiast" or "gun aficionado"?

Food enthusiasts have "foodie", but "gunny" is already taken.

Too many people refer to gun owners as nuts.

A poster said there were millions of gun owners and that is correct. However most of those millions are not shooters. All of us have heard of or bought guns bought years ago by a husband, father, uncle etc that never shot it.

Many of those here are actively shooting or shoot as often as possible. I know three here that have emailed me about wanting a gun or learning to shoot a gun but does not currently own a gun. One of those will go shooting with me this Sunday, if my work does not interfere. But if one buys a gun, does that make them a shooter unless they get involved in shooting?

I believe many gun accidents are caused by gun owners but not shooters. The term "gunist" may one day be an actual word. Until then, it likely describes most here.

 

[Onomea]

..BTW... gals in business attire shooting handguns is kinda hot...

This guy definitely qualifies as a gun nut.

Hey, bro! They can look hot on other occasions, too! Check it out!

I don't think "gunist" is in any dictionaries, but if ya like it, have at it. "Shootist" is in dictionaries, as one who shoots and especially a marksman.

I like "gun crank," which I recall from reading the gun writers of the mid 20th century.

Personally, I don't mind being called a gun nut. "He's a gun nut," said about me, is simply an accurate description. Sorta like when a certain someone referred to "clinging to their guns and religion" to a crowd who thought it was superior to that sort of people. On the other hand, that sort of people embrace being so described. "That's us. Damn straight!"

 

[jkc]

I wish I could hire someone to work out for me!

You can, and it's easier and more economical than you might have thought! Simply remit payment, at the rate of only $25/hour for as much working out as you wish, and I'll send you a certificate attesting to having done the amount of working out you've paid for! Simple, painless (for both of us), and cheap! Glad I could help you out...

 

[StatesRightist]

I prefer the term Shootist. I practice with and shoot every gun I have, and I shoot them well. I can take them down and put them back together, they are all spotless. Every gun has a purpose, nothing is just for looks. "Experts" who get paid to like things/recommend this or that brand and all of that BS aren't just useless, they are counter productive in my opinion. The real world is the best teacher.

One other thought, shooting at nothing other than static targets, no combat shooting, trap etc disqualifies you from being a Shootist in my mind, you and things move in the real world. Ranges are great, just not all there is to it. Making a shot on an elk, after working up a mountain, is another example of all of the skills. I'm not trying to offend anyone, you asked for opinions, I gave mine.

For you older guys, you may not still do it, but you did at one time, so you acquired the skills. Therefore, you are Shootist in my book.

 

[jkc]

Making a shot on an elk, after working up a mountain, may make you a shootist. Having the savvy to push, lure, or just find a shootable elk near to where it doesn't involve packing it far on foot, makes you a lazy, smart, and experienced elk hunter... Killing an animal as large as an elk without thought about where, and how you're going to pack it out is foolish. I realize that many folks have the use of pack animals for the purpose, but DIY hunters need to be smart about where they kill animals...