Amish will not bear arms against others, but they do use firearms for hunting and other purposes
The Amish belief in nonresistance mean Amish will not serve in the military, law enforcement, or in any other position that requires them to use firearms against other people. Yet Amish are not strangers to guns.
In fact, many Amish homes contain weapons. Farmers in particular keep guns at home, in order to shoot pests. A Pennsylvania produce farmer uses his shotgun to clear his fields of groundhogs and other pests, for example.
Amish and hunting
Many Amish are also avid hunters. Some Amish have gun collections, and may take hunting trips locally, to land owned for hunting located outside of a settlement, or in some cases, out-of-state. A few Amish even make trips to the Western states for big game hunting.
Amish generally see little harm in hunting . Hunting allows Amish to enjoy nature. It also fulfills a practical purpose in that game shot can be used to feed the family. However, some Amish have objected to the practice of purchasing expensive hunting equipment.
For more information, see:
Amish Online Encyclopedia: Do Amish hunt?
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17 responses to Do Amish use guns?
Well done and informative. As a Quaker, we also will not bear arms against others. Personally I hate guns because of the violence it has created in our country.
I tell everyone I know that with cell phones, and with 911 service, professional help is only minute away, so the talk of protecting oneself is no longer a good argument. More people, often children, are hurt by guns in the home than any cases of actually protecting oneself.
Do Amish use guns?
911 ??? yeah right, when seconds count the police are only minutes away. The police usually show up just in time to pick up the pieces
Ignorant statement Bob...
Because you can dial 911, guns are no longer needed for self defense? Are you joking? How did dialing 911 help those ten Amish school girls who were shot to death at school. The police were able to bring the coroner, which is the most they can do in any situation like that. It is your responsibilty to take care of your family! You can call the cops and hope everyhting is ok, I will bear arms and KNOW that they will be!
Do Amish use guns?
A gun is a tool, just as a hammer, or an axe. Amish people are not violent. Guns are used for hunting food, not for violent purposes.
Do you hate hammers, axes, ice picks, screw drivers? (some of the most grisley murders have been committed with common tools everyone has in their tool box. What about knives? Do you cut your meat with scissors? Forget about calling 911 if someone is trying to kill you or your family. Your best defense is to hide silently. Instant response is impossible. Also the police can’t arrest a criminal until AFTER they have committed a crime.
Do Amish use guns?
Bob,
So you are happy to call in the thugs (AKA police) to do your dirty work for you?
Yes, guns “cause” violence. Because there was less violence before guns existed, and criminals would not be violent if they didn’t have guns. :rolleyes:
When seconds count, police are minutes away. Average response time to call is 5 minutes. How is that useful- at all? I carry a firearm because those who intend to do harm take no break for me to dial a number and for police to arrive.
Life is, above all, sacred. It is the highest value in our world. And it should be protected as such. Those who take lives without cause will continue to do so, they must be stopped with force. So why wait for three murders to lead to an arrest, when you can stop it before one?
Do Amish use guns?
Comment on Do Amish use guns?
Reply to: “Yes, guns “cause” violence…” Ignorance is bliss it sounds like Alan. You think there was less violence pre-gunpowder? Ha! There were many other weapons of choice that merely evened the playing field, and the key is the PERSON holding ANY weapon is the CAUSE of violence…be it a gun, knife, sword, hammer, pick, club, spear…(this could take a while). The tree was NOT the CAUSE of the severe clubbing of the victim now was it? Think…period!
Do Amish use guns?
Amish/Mennonites and Guns
In Genesis, when the population on the earth was 4, there was a 25% murder rate. It is the evil in one’s marrow that kills.
Mennonites realize that tools can be used for what they were designed, whether it be a hammer to build a house, or a gun to hunt a deer to feed your family; or these tools can be used for murder and mayhem. Mennonites and Amish don’t buy guns to protect their property, except for the miscellaneous miscreant groundhog. We can tell the difference. It is important to know how to use and store your firearms, and Mennonites and Amish do.
Do Amish use guns?
amish and guns
Living where I do out in the middle of no where and the boonies on the corner of the sticks and bfe.. the response time when we have had to call the sheriff or for matter of argument the emergency squad our average wait time was an HOUR AND HALF! Now had someone been causing harm or trying to kill us or someone seriously hurt we would be in big trouble. My not so nice neighbor (not amish by a long shot more like ignorant poor excuse of a human being) was knowingly shooting a high powered gun towards our home while knowing we were outside with our 2 year old son, his bullets just so happen to come onto our property (maybe because he was shooting purposibly in this direction) and hit something close to where my husband and 2 year old son were standing and it bounced off and hit something else you could hear it. THANK GOD my 2 year old got scared when the 2nd shot happen and came running scared looking for mommy on the other side of our house. my husband said the bullet hit right where our son had been standing and my husband had been right there but dove into the ditch he had been digging. Then there was another event similar same neighbor its just crazy. we moved into the country to get away from the crazy city violence and happen upon this crazy neighbor and one other 4 houses up. Other than that its wonderful mostly amish all around see buggys go by all the time or just them riding horses. My thing is we dont own a gun have never wanted one for fear of my sons safety. I have been rethinking this with some issues we have had since living here. then also have the reality of if we have to put a horse down we have to always call someone when that time comes because we humanely put them down ourselves so they can be donated to a wild cat rescue sanctuary so their loss isnt in vain. I can see both sides of the fence about guns for defense being good and bad. Just wanted to get it known that response time even with a cell phone is not always quick. Even the sheriff the other day told us to protect ourselves and property as if in fear of our lives with what the neighbors are stalking us and doing…..he said usually cant get to us any sooner than an hour to an hour and half!
Do Amish use guns?
Gun not bad
Guns don’t cause vilence or crimes! I own 200 weapons, and raised
4 kids without one mishap. I carry consealed 24/7, and never shot
anyone. It’s people that are a danger if not trained or just bad
to start with.
DID THE AMISH KILL A YOUNG MAN IN TRUMBELL COUNTY WHILE OUT HUNTING?
On January 10,2012, a young man from Brooklyn, Ohio was shot in Trumbell County while supposedly he was hunting. Details are sketchy about the shooting and authorities are saying that it was accidental. However, the caller’s name was DAN MILLER (an AMISH name) and he mentioned that his brother had shot someone 45 minutes prior to the call.Also in another article online, a JAMES MILLER mentioned that he was out hunting with his 15 yr old son.So do the AMISH use guns…absolutely. There are so many CRIMES being committed by the AMISH and they believe that they are EXEMPT from the law.I believe that the young man was killed by one of the AMISH folks and his orange vest and gun may have been stolen by the AMISH folks or someone else. There are too many inconsistencies in the information that is being put on into the media. Also, the authorities in TRUMBELL COUNTY are not releasing the name of the SHOOTER. Is this possible because the shooter might be an AMISH. What I have learned about the AMISH and the MENNONITE but especially the AMISH, it seems like they think that the government can’t touch them under any circumstances. So do the AMISH use guns? ABSOLUTELY, and they hate the ENGLISH (those folks who are not AMISH). They should all be put in jail for suspicion. The AMISH want to use the ENGLISH but they hate us all!!!
Do Amish use guns?
I’ve heard there was a shooting as well, but I haven’t seen much reported on identity yet. It’s possible the person was Amish, though being named Miller does not automatically = Amish
http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/566430/Man-dies-in-woods–video-.html?nav=5021
Much of what you are saying (Amish hate us all, etc) is ridiculous. Take a deep breath.
Amish and guns
Erik, in regards to the the incident in Trumbull Co, OH, I’m trying to get some clarity from a third party. I am related to the victim, and investigators are not very forthcoming with some of even the most basic questions my family has. So, in general:
With your experience with the Amish and firearms, are you familiar with what types of muzzleloaders they own? Do they tend to use older types, i.e. smooth bore flintlock, or are some not opposed to using newer rifled types? Do any that you’ve come across use scopes or optics? I noticed the scoped rifle in a picture in one the other pages here, though I’m unaware if this picture is from your experiences or just a stock photo.
Do Amish use guns?
Amish firearms models
Nic, I am sorry to hear about your family’s loss. The photo you are referencing is a stock photo. I wish I knew more on firearms specifics but do not. I do know there are Amish-owned shops which sell scopes and optic devices and as far as I know (at least some) Amish would not have anything against using them.
One idea might be to post your question on any of the following posts (regarding the Dec. Holmes County shooting)–this blog has some Amish and former Amish readers, who sometimes comment and might be able to answer:
http://amishamerica.com/ohio-amish-shooting-explained/
http://amishamerica.com/amish-shooting-accident/
http://amishamerica.com/ohio-amish-girl-shot-killed/
Do Amish use guns?
Thanks, I appreciate the input
Hunting
Nic, I am sorry for your loss. It appears to me to be a tragic hunting accident. Amish people do use antique as well as modern guns for HUNTING FOOD, not for killing people. Amish people are not violent. Hunting and fishing are simply a way of supplementing the family food supply. Wild game and home raised meat are much more healthful than meat from a store.
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