Just wondering if some of you in Amish country could describe if the Amish use firearms?
Im sure it all depends on the family and I know everyone is different.
But whats the over all perception of firearm ownership with them?
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Just wondering if some of you in Amish country could describe if the Amish use firearms?
Im sure it all depends on the family and I know everyone is different.
But whats the over all perception of firearm ownership with them?
I believe it depends on the deacon for local church. Each Amish family belongs to a local church and the deacon of each church interprets what is or is not allowed. Some are more liberal and might allow cell phones, laptops, etc, Another may be more strict. Deacons in the southern Lancaster County area are determined every few year by lottery system. You literally "draw the short straw" and you are being called by god to serve your church.
I will tell you that every time I go to New Holland Sportsman (damn fine store in eastern Lancaster Count), there are younger Amish guys either buying ammo or checking out a firearm. Based on what I have witnessed, they tend toward revolvers.
My point is I would not be a perp in Lancaster County that though an Amish farm might be an easy robbery target. I think more Amish are armed than you would suspect. And most Amish work very physically demanding jobs (farming, construction, etc) so even the women could physically kick the ass of a city scum that broke into a farmhouse late at night.
They HUNT, do they not? I would think especially .22LR & black powder arms would certainly be approved for such endeavors.
Most of the Amish that live around me in Clinton County are hunters. I have neighbors who both turkey and deer hunt. They are also not oppossed to taking deer for crop damage. Most used deer rifle I have seen them use model 94 winchester. As for orange requorements they make orange covers for their black and or straw hats and a vest.
When I was buying my AR15 at a local shop, there was an Amish grandfather, father and son in the store. The bought an entire goose gun setup, as well as clays and a really nice thrower.
They use guns to hunt, but wouldn't use them to shoot another person as that violates one of the basic tenants of their church. They're real pacifists.
Thanks for all the replies.
Really interesting.
I sold an AR15 to a member on PAFOA who is Amish. I met him (and his parents) at their house in the Lancaster area for the sale and he provided his LTCF.
From what I've read, many Amish own guns for hunting purposes, but will not use it for self-defense. The latter claim has not been substantiated. If urbanamish, who was an Amish, is around, I hope he will chime in.
Al