I have never been asked this before.

[ddenny5]

I had a job interview today. The interview was going really well when a certain question came up. The question was "are you a gun enthusiast?" I was quite shocked at first and I asked that she define "gun enthusiast." She asked me if I collected firearms, own any guns, or carryed a firearm. I informed her that I owned some firearms for various uses. I told her that I was a hunter and I do have some sporting firearms. I was then asked by the second interviewer if a carry a firearm. I informed them I had a life time permit to carry a handgun. This is needed to hunt with a handgun. I further explained that all ten of my digits were finger printed and I was background checked with my prints on file at the state and federal level. This was very weird and I do believe I will not get the job. I do believe that it really is non of there business for asking me a question like that.

 

[j706]

I had a job interview today. The interview was going really well when a certain question came up. The question was "are you a gun enthusiast?" I was quite shocked at first and I asked that she define "gun enthusiast." She asked me if I collected firearms, own and guns, or carryed a firearm. I informed her that I owned some firearms for various uses. I told her that I was a hunter and I do have some sporting firearms. I was then asked by the second interviewer if a carry a firearm. I informed them I had a life time permit to carry a handgun. This is needed to hunt with a handgun. I further explained that all ten of my digits were finger printed and I was background check with my prints on file at the state and federal level. This was very weird and I do believe I will not get the job. I do believe that it really is non of there business for asking me a question like that.

Do you mind sharing the company name? I think that is very odd.

 

[Mgderf]

I don't want you to name the business, but what TYPE of business do they do?

 

[esrice]

Did the question have any relevance to the position applied for?

If not, I would've said "I don't understand the question".

 

[Z350Godfather]

it shouldn't be any of their business at all. that's like them asking if you have a hobby of rubbing one out every night before you go to bed and enjoy it? it's none of their business if i do or not. but maybe i do... ha ha.

 

[ddenny5]

I don't want you to name the business, but what TYPE of business do they do?

This is a machine tool company. They do tool and die and other engineering design work. I did call the NRA about it and they told me that people are asked those questions but not very often. I just wonder if they have had a problem in the past with an irresponsible employee.

 

[indianajoe]

I'd venture to say that these interviewers may have broken the law (ianal). This article 30 Interview Questions You Can't Ask and 30 Sneaky, Legal Alternatives to Get the Same Info - HR World gives examples of questions interviewers are not allowed to ask. If an interviewer is not allowed to ask about political, club, or social affiliations, I'm sure that the questions you were asked would be out of bounds, as well.

 

[RH822-A]

I would have had to politely tell them that it was none of their business. I am not in the habit of giving strangers who have my address on an application that kind of information.

RH

 

[Scutter01]

I would have had to politely tell them that it was none of their business. I am not in the habit of giving strangers who have my address on an application that kind of information.

RH

Which is another way of saying "yes". The trick is to deflect the question without giving them any information that they could use to deny you a job offer. And "none of your business" is another way of saying "this interview is over".

 

[ddenny5]

I'd venture to say that these interviewers may have broken the law (ianal). This article 30 Interview Questions You Can't Ask and 30 Sneaky, Legal Alternatives to Get the Same Info - HR World gives examples of questions interviewers are not allowed to ask. If an interviewer is not allowed to ask about political, club, or social affiliations, I'm sure that the questions you were asked would be out of bounds, as well.

You may be right if they use it against me. I'm not going to press the issue. I may turn the job down for the sake of principle. The interview was very pleasent and they did not have a condeming attitude.

 

[hookedonjeep]

it shouldn't be any of their business at all. that's like them asking if you have a hobby of rubbing one out every night before you go to bed and enjoy it? it's none of their business if i do or not. but maybe i do... ha ha.

I know I do! Can't think of a better way to end the day when the wife's not home from work yet!

You may be right if they use it against me. I'm not going to press the issue. I may turn the job down for the sake of principle. The interview was very pleasent and they did not have a condeming attitude.

I know it is a shot in the dark, but maybe they wanted to know if you would educate their sorry arses on the proper handling of firearms, or even better yet, if you had some spare ammo that they could go to the range with?????? Gotta look at the bright side........

 

[ATM]

I would've said "I don't understand the question".

But if you use this for too many of their questions they are likely to ask,

"Are you a Moderator by any chance?"

 

[ddenny5]

Did the question have any relevance to the position applied for?

If not, I would've said "I don't understand the question".

They do have an aerospace component to their facility. So, I do not know if I would need a security clearance or not. However, I do not know if those questions are relevant to the clearance or not. This is a large international company that has a machine tool and engineering design at this facility.

 

[lovemywoods]

All questions should pertain to the job they need filled and your qualifications to fill it. From you description of the company, I can't imagine that firearms ownership is relevant.

Asking that interview question is unprofessional and wrong!

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

"Yeah, I've got a couple of my grandfather's old shotguns. They're not in very good condition, but I enjoy tinkering with them to see if I can fix them up."

For me, that's 100% true.

It's not, however, 100% OF the truth.

-J-

 

[Arm America]

Unfortunately, its the employer's who have the advantage
with double digit unemployment.
Applying for a job during these times will incur all types of new questions.

While the OP may not get this job, it does make him and
others aware of what to expect before their next interview.

Verbal responses to verbal questions is not the
same being honest on an written application.

My response would be no Passion for guns. But if I found a deep
desire for handguns a week after I acquired the job.......well it happens.

 

[LPMan59]

it shouldn't be any of their business at all. that's like them asking if you have a hobby of rubbing one out every night before you go to bed and enjoy it? it's none of their business if i do or not. but maybe i do... ha ha.

best post ever lmao

 

[Turtle]

I would lie..... Lie... and lie again.

 

[yotewacker]

They might make some gun parts there and afraid of theft.

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

I would lie..... Lie... and lie again.

Exactly ! Act like a lawyer , lie , distort the facts and slander everybody !

A simple no should become your response to this type of questioning .