My brother changed his mind.....

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Speedo66

Speedo66

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Talking to my brother who lives in an affluent community on Long Island, just outside NYC. Wanted my advice on buying a shotgun. Wait, is this really my brother?

Going back to when he moved into the house maybe 10 years ago, he called me to say he found a box in the basement hidden among some junk the previous owner had left. It said Benelli shotgun on the outside and there was a gun inside. He wanted me to come over immediately and get it out of his house.

He knows nothing about guns, I mentioned he might want to try and contact the previous owner and return it, but he didn't know how to contact them. "Please, come and get this out of my house."

So I hustle down from CT where I was living at the time, happy grin on my face at the prospect of a new shotgun. Get there, and sure enough, there's a Benelli box. Open it and, wait, that not a Benelli, that's a Crosman BB gun! Smile came right off my face. Inexpensive Crosman 760 pump gun. Expletive! Why didn't you tell me it was a BB gun? "I opened the box, saw a gun, closed the box."

Anyway, Mr. No Gun In My House now wants me to recommend him a shotgun. Why? His doctor who he's friendly with told him he just bought two, one for his house and one for his boat. He thought he should have one now, too, for the current situation.

I mention a couple of models of pump guns, explain how they work. "No, I just want one that shoots every time you pull the trigger." I'm having second thoughts now. I remind him he doesn't know anything about guns, or the laws regarding self defense, and he should take a course on both, first. He doesn't seem interested.

I live hundreds of miles from him, so can't personally train him. I don't know if he is serious about this, or just a passing thought. But I found it interesting how his attitude changed when he thought he might be in danger of civil unrest. Suddenly Mr. No Gun wanted one in his house.

I gave him a crash course on the phone on basic self defense law, but I don't know if he was actually absorbing it. Be curious if he talks more to his Dr. friend and actually buys one. I can only hope he does the right thing and gets proper training.
 
Speedo66 said:
Talking to my brother who lives in an affluent community on Long Island, just outside NYC. Wanted my advice on buying a shotgun. Wait, is this really my brother?

Going back to when he moved into the house maybe 10 years ago, he called me to say he found a box in the basement hidden among some junk the previous owner had left. It said Benelli shotgun on the outside and there was a gun inside. He wanted me to come over immediately and get it out of his house.

He knows nothing about guns, I mentioned he might want to try and contact the previous owner and return it, but he didn't know how to contact them. "Please, come and get this out of my house."

So I hustle down from CT where I was living at the time, happy grin on my face at the prospect of a new shotgun. Get there, and sure enough, there's a Benelli box. Open it and, wait, that not a Benelli, that's a Crosman BB gun! Smile came right off my face. Inexpensive Crosman 760 pump gun. Expletive! Why didn't you tell me it was a BB gun? "I opened the box, saw a gun, closed the box."

Anyway, Mr. No Gun In My House now wants me to recommend him a shotgun. Why? His doctor who he's friendly with told him he just bought two, one for his house and one for his boat. He thought he should have one now, too, for the current situation.

I mention a couple of models of pump guns, explain how they work. "No, I just want one that shoots every time you pull the trigger." I'm having second thoughts now. I remind him he doesn't know anything about guns, or the laws regarding self defense, and he should take a course on both. He doesn't seem interested.

I live hundreds of miles from him, so can't personally train him. I don't know if he is serious about this, or just a passing thought. But I found it interesting how his attitude changed when he thought he might be in danger of civil unrest. Suddenly Mr. No Gun wanted one in his house.

I gave him a crash course on the phone on basic self defense law, but I don't know if he was actually absorbing it. Be curious if he talks more to his Dr. friend and actually buys one. I can only hope he does the right thing and gets proper training.
Click to expand...



well honestly if it were me I’d told him he needed a training course before I’d even recommend anything but ymmv
 
Pretty telling that an anti gunner and his doctor buddy both now want guns. Doctors are SO educated I can’t believe any of them would stoop to buying such a primitive, barbaric killing device.(sarcasm). I guess this is a look at who some of the current panic buyers are. One highly educated and the other completely untrained. Interesting.
 
In my area there is training available for inexperienced folks. Google up something like "firearms safety training" or just "firearm training" for that area. Or talk to local gun shops who no doubt could steer someone in the right direction.
 
I disagree with mandatory training requirements, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'll jump to recommend a specific type of gun to a newbie, especially one who previously was terrified at the mere sight of one (and likely has a history of supporting efforts to restrict private ownership.)

I think I'd simply tell him what's out there, and remind him that the onus is on him to get whatever knowledge is appropriate for its ownership, storage, and use.
 
grampster said:
Have him call Joe Biden for advice on shotguns. Juuust kiddin'. I'd tell him that he needed to find someplace where he can get training and instruction. I'd also tell him that you aren't going to reccomend any sort of firearm until he does.
Click to expand...

horsemen61 said:
well honestly if it were me I’d told him he needed a training course before I’d even recommend anything but ymmv
Click to expand...

I got to the point where I told him if he wanted a shotgun, he should find a gun store with a range that offered instruction.

Whether he will or not, I can't say.
 
Our family doctor is a big gun enthusiast. We knew each other in another clinic at another time. The HMO he contracts with now requires him to ask patients if they have access to a gun or one in their domicile. He asks me to meet the intent of the policy to which I always reply “Do you?”. We chuckle and then he moves on to asking about depression etc. etc.

I’d have him go to the local concealed carry course given by Sportsmans or Cabelas etc. Not so he can carry but to learn some of the basic applicable laws in his state for use of force etc.

I’d then tell him what I use and why and leave him to it.
 
Frulk said:
Our family doctor is a big gun enthusiast. We knew each other in another clinic at another time. The HMO he contracts with now requires him to ask patients if they have access to a gun or one in their domicile. He asks me to meet the intent of the policy to which I always reply “Do you?”. We chuckle and then he moves on to asking about depression etc. etc.

I’d have him go to the local concealed carry course given by Sportsmans or Cabelas etc. Not so he can carry but to learn some of the basic applicable laws in his state for use of force etc.

I’d then tell him what I use and why and leave him to it.
Click to expand...
Don't answer the depression question either. Just sayin...
 
We are getting folks in wanting to buy a "gun" for protection and they grimmace when they say the word. When they can't produce the Illinois FOID (Illinois firearm owners card) and are told that in four or more months after they get it they can fill out a 4473, undergo a background check, wait three days and then pick up their gun they say, "Hell, I'll just order it online or buy it at a gun show". I face palm and laugh my butt off. Libs.
 
I mention a couple of models of pump guns, explain how they work. "No, I just want one that shoots every time you pull the trigger." I'm having second thoughts now. I remind him he doesn't know anything about guns, or the laws regarding self defense, and he should take a course on both, first. He doesn't seem interested.
Click to expand...
Tell him that guns aren't magic. Tell him that if he's so totally uninterested in them that he can't even be bothered to learn the basics about them in preparation for purchasing one, then he's not interested enough to actually own or learn to use one safely and effectively either.
 
I would not be the gatekeeper against your brother buying a shotgun. While you are acting quite civil and appropriate, he could be involved in a home invasion and....

Long Island has some pretty nasty pockets of citizens and the guns law are not good, although nearby NYC is in a class all by itself (outrageous.)
 
MANY, for me too many, seem to get all over people who "woke up" and now want a gun. Yes it's sad that so many who made fun of, or whispered and gave me sideways glances all my life now ask me about "a gun". I am always glad to help. For those who live near me I of course say I shoot weekly, you are welcome to join me. For those who do not I of course tell them to find a class, preferably a place with rentals, and have at it. Tempting as it may be I try to not gloat or "see I told you" people like this. It often makes me sad that things had to get this bad to wake them the hell up but, if they are waking up I will take that and run with it.
What bothers me far more is gun owners who remain ignorant of what law makers are doing to them until some new law hits them. Often years after it passed, then get mad at places like the NRA who they never joined. :fire:
 
Speedo66 said:
Talking to my brother who lives in an affluent community on Long Island, just outside NYC. Wanted my advice on buying a shotgun. Wait, is this really my brother?

Going back to when he moved into the house maybe 10 years ago, he called me to say he found a box in the basement hidden among some junk the previous owner had left. It said Benelli shotgun on the outside and there was a gun inside. He wanted me to come over immediately and get it out of his house.

He knows nothing about guns, I mentioned he might want to try and contact the previous owner and return it, but he didn't know how to contact them. "Please, come and get this out of my house."

So I hustle down from CT where I was living at the time, happy grin on my face at the prospect of a new shotgun. Get there, and sure enough, there's a Benelli box. Open it and, wait, that not a Benelli, that's a Crosman BB gun! Smile came right off my face. Inexpensive Crosman 760 pump gun. Expletive! Why didn't you tell me it was a BB gun? "I opened the box, saw a gun, closed the box."

Anyway, Mr. No Gun In My House now wants me to recommend him a shotgun. Why? His doctor who he's friendly with told him he just bought two, one for his house and one for his boat. He thought he should have one now, too, for the current situation.

I mention a couple of models of pump guns, explain how they work. "No, I just want one that shoots every time you pull the trigger." I'm having second thoughts now. I remind him he doesn't know anything about guns, or the laws regarding self defense, and he should take a course on both, first. He doesn't seem interested.

I live hundreds of miles from him, so can't personally train him. I don't know if he is serious about this, or just a passing thought. But I found it interesting how his attitude changed when he thought he might be in danger of civil unrest. Suddenly Mr. No Gun wanted one in his house.

I gave him a crash course on the phone on basic self defense law, but I don't know if he was actually absorbing it. Be curious if he talks more to his Dr. friend and actually buys one. I can only hope he does the right thing and gets proper training.
Click to expand...
I'd tell him, "Told you so.....I suggest dialing 9-1-1."
 
A good friend was working private security in LA at the time of the Rodney King riots, and his phone started to ring off the hook with attorneys wanting to borrow a gun so they could get home safely.

He thought it was pretty funny, and suggested that they might want to work on getting laws passed that were more sensible.
 
Just outside NYC should mean Nassau County - what are the legal requirements to buy a gun in Nassau County?
 
Speedo66:
Did you tell him that he's lucky he doesn't go through several "gun theory" classes (and pay money) and take a test, before first studying practical handling, as most of the "D" (;)) voters might prefer?

Some countries require this.

My dentist has his practice Near a fairly bad Memphis area. The bldg. is a compact, former home. He keeps a Sig P229 inside, for protection of other dentists and his staff. He briefly showed me the gun.
Dr. "X" has taken at least one-two "mall shooter classes" instructed by a former Memphis native, Ben Goldstein, who has lived for years in Israel, served in the IDF etc.
 
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Explaining to your brother that he needs serious and deliberate training prior to taking on a powerful firearm is not only the right thing to do , but will also let that former anti-gun person know that his pro-gun brother is not a careless gun slinger. Tell him that he is considering taking on a serious responsibility , and that he needs to approach it in the same responsible , safety minded fashion that you - and thousands of other 2nd Amendment proponents - have been holding yourself to for all these years.
 
<not contributing anything substantial, all of which has been pretty well covered previously>

I'm soooooo glad I left NYC and moved to Colorado back in the early 60s... even before GCA68.

I was shocked to discover you could just buy a gun. That was it.... just buy a gun. Like you would buy a screwdriver.

Soooo glad.

</not contributing anything substantial, all of which has been pretty well covered previously>

Shane: A gun is a tool, Marion, no better or no worse than any other tool, an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.
Click to expand...

Terry, 230RN
 
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