I don't hunt. But I'm curious about the people who do.
What is hunting to you?
See, I see hunting as nothing more than a sporting hobby. I like golf these days as I'm getting up there and can't do the contact sports I enjoyed in my youth. I also like playing chess. Hunting goes right in this category with those for me. A nice hobby. Not a career or perhaps a vital public service (in most cases). Not a religious belief. Nor a general public good or a key component of a modern economy. Nor a moral imperative. Not a necessity for survival. Just a nice thing to do when you have the time.
Is there any reason I should not have this view?
Because see, its like this: whenever someone puts forward gun control as a public safety matter, we are told that we have to understand hunters as if hunting were equal to public safety as a policy matter for a public official.
So, for example, say if were to say that nobody in America need own semiautomatic weapons and they should be banned from public use as a matter of public safety. I would be told that yes, that might in fact save the lives of lots of people but what about the impact on duck season? Now my reaction would be, effectively, fuck duck season. Get a new hobby.
Is there any good reasoning I should be aware of that would cause me to consider hunting as an important factor in making gun policy?
I'm interested in hearing from hunters, especially.
Thanks.
Sun Jul 12, 2015 at 6:40 PM PT: Excellent responses so far. I'm going to walk the dog. Please keep it civil.