Concerns about getting my first gun
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Lord Teapot
Member
Guns are safe if you know how to use them. If you're not feeling confident with your ability to effectively, safely, and accurate wield a weapon (of any form) there are doubtlessly classes available for a modest fee, or a multitude of free internet tutorials, which will educate you to the point of 99.9% safe handling. There is no 100% guarantee, you're dealing with a lethal weapon, but taking the time to educate yourself with available sources to ensure adequate competency goes a long way in approaching that 100%.
Ramone
Member
I'm a lot happier to see a new gunny having these concerns than blissfully assuming that you just get a gun and everythings dandy.
material, physical, and personal safety are real and valid concerns- and I find his concerns about racist elements a lot more reasonable than 'what caliber for zombies?'.
maybe some of you guys don't know what it's like to walk into your LGS, and all conversation stops. Everybody's eyeballing you. Some one asks 'you want something?'- and no matter what you say, you get a curt answer.
Cloud, stand tall- but not tall enough to be a target.
Get a decent RSC- even a Gun vault Nano is a good start if it's just a pistol. for a long gun, a decent padlock and an eyebolt screwed into a joist inside a closet or behind a couch will at least slow 'em down.
Keep the ammo stashed separately. No sense in giving them a shoot the homeowner when he gets home kit.
good luck, and thanks for thinking things through.
personal security starts with keeping. your. mouth. shut. Let discretion be your watch word.
material, physical, and personal safety are real and valid concerns- and I find his concerns about racist elements a lot more reasonable than 'what caliber for zombies?'.
maybe some of you guys don't know what it's like to walk into your LGS, and all conversation stops. Everybody's eyeballing you. Some one asks 'you want something?'- and no matter what you say, you get a curt answer.
Cloud, stand tall- but not tall enough to be a target.
Get a decent RSC- even a Gun vault Nano is a good start if it's just a pistol. for a long gun, a decent padlock and an eyebolt screwed into a joist inside a closet or behind a couch will at least slow 'em down.
Keep the ammo stashed separately. No sense in giving them a shoot the homeowner when he gets home kit.
good luck, and thanks for thinking things through.
personal security starts with keeping. your. mouth. shut. Let discretion be your watch word.
Black Butte
Member
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By not keeping a round chambered when you carry and by not telling anyone about your gun, you will have addressed two of your biggest concerns.
Actually, there are millions of stories where handguns used by honest citizens have saved their lives and health, over the years. The left wing media rarely tell us about them because they have an agenda of which eventual gun ownership for us worker peasants and serfs would be banned.
That said, if you're worried about handgun safety, I suggest you buy a good revolver and practice both dry fire and live fire with it, until you are very familiar and comfortable with it. If you ever need it in a down-'n-dirty situation, it will get you out of it if you do your part.
Buy a couple of speed loaders -- I like HKS, but there are other good ones out there -- and practice reloading the revolver's cylinder.
I'm very well aware of the wisdom-of-the-day that only a 19 round semi-automatic can save your life if a bad guy or two decide to attack you. I find that ideology to be fallacious in virtually any civilian situation a person might find himself in. Accuracy is important: "spray & pray," isn't.
Practice builds confidence and familiarity. Have fun and don't worry quite so much. Good luck.
L.W.
Well im glad to hear nobody has had any problems at the gun store or shooting range in terms of roberies or violence. *And it doesnt seem like people here being targeted for their guns. In this economy people's houses are being robbed more frequently.*
As for the race issue, this is not a figment of my imagination. There has been activity in the area. *Nothing violent yet and nothing on a constant basis. *It's rare but there presence is known There are things like Kkk flyers being left on cars, property damage with a swastika spray painted, etc.
So far my beginners training course and my experience at the lgs have been fine. So that's another good sign. I'm just trying to be real careful, thats all.
Thanks again for all yoir advice
As for the race issue, this is not a figment of my imagination. There has been activity in the area. *Nothing violent yet and nothing on a constant basis. *It's rare but there presence is known There are things like Kkk flyers being left on cars, property damage with a swastika spray painted, etc.
So far my beginners training course and my experience at the lgs have been fine. So that's another good sign. I'm just trying to be real careful, thats all.
Thanks again for all yoir advice
3KillerBs
Member
www.corneredcat.com is a website aimed at women but the articles address many of the concerns you have and I consider it an invaluable resource for anyone, male or female, who is new to the world of self-defense.
I have great difficulty imagining the KKK as a legitimate force in the modern world, but surely you would be in less danger when well-prepared to defend yourself from any kooks whose pamphleteering or vandalism turns into actual violence than if you were unarmed in the same situation.
I have great difficulty imagining the KKK as a legitimate force in the modern world, but surely you would be in less danger when well-prepared to defend yourself from any kooks whose pamphleteering or vandalism turns into actual violence than if you were unarmed in the same situation.
I'm concerned about you and your weapon purchase as well. If you still have doubts about how you'll handle a gun in a tense situation, you don't need to be carrying. You're legally allowed to and you can do what you want within your rights, but if you're asking my opinion, I'm telling you that you're not ready or maybe not even cut out for carrying a gun. I'm not going to argue the politics of it with you.
Please. You should worry more about the Bloods/Crypts/MS-13. They commit actual violent crimes, not leave dumb literature on cars.
Imagine if a white person said they were worried about living in a 90% black area because of all the violent crime. They'd be labeled a racist.
The truth is that you are much safer in a white neighborhood than a minority one. The numbers don't lie.
Stick to gun talk and leave your latent racist feelings at the door.
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If I lived in a 90% black, hispanic, or any kind of neighborhood with a history of violence, my post would be the same. Except replace KKK with street thugs. It's not race, but the risk of violence. If the KKK had no history of violence, i can take racist names and rude behavior. If your numbers showed that a black neighborhood was as safe as a white neighborhood, i can take verbal abuse and disrespectful behavior. It's just that I dont do too well with bullets flying at me. That's how I see things and it seems like we have different opinions which is fine, I respect your post. I see where you think i am a racist and get upset at my posts. Point taken. I'll stick with the gun talk. This is a gun forum.
And I won't argue with you either. You have a unique point of view compared to everybody else who say to just get the gun and train. It's another thought and there is some validity to it. It's good to hear different opinions with people who are more experienced than me in this area. Ultimately this is my decision, but it is helpful for me to get other people's opinions.
If you're worried about racist violence at the range, find another place to shoot. I have a hard time imagining it happening, but I also have no idea what it's like to not be white. Still, not owning a gun doesn't make you any safer - it just makes you that much easier to victimize.
Ignition Override
Member
Right, maybe a waste of time.
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KodiakBeer
member
1. Don't try to predict who you will be defending yourself from. You can't know if it will be a methhead coming through your front door, or a psycho on the street who has just shot his wife. It doesn't matter.
2. Resist the temptation to associate the gun with increased risk of violence. There is no correlation. Having a gun simply gives you an option should violence present itself.
My advice is to buy a gun, preferably a .22 and strictly as a trainer. You're too focused on the object (the gun) rather than on it's purpose (defense). Buy a .22, shoot it a lot and become familiar and comfortable. When you reach the point that the gun is simply a useful tool, then shop for a defense gun.
2. Resist the temptation to associate the gun with increased risk of violence. There is no correlation. Having a gun simply gives you an option should violence present itself.
My advice is to buy a gun, preferably a .22 and strictly as a trainer. You're too focused on the object (the gun) rather than on it's purpose (defense). Buy a .22, shoot it a lot and become familiar and comfortable. When you reach the point that the gun is simply a useful tool, then shop for a defense gun.
ErikO
Member
I am going to buck the trend here. My suggestion is to get a decent 9mm and train with that or else find a range with a decent rental wall and get a membership that allows you access to that wall as cheaply as possible.
If you have never been shot, you've survived this long without a gun successfully. I totally get the feelings of being a minority in your neighborhood, I am in mine. While that may be your impetus for getting a gun in the first place, do you enjoy shooting? Folks that I know who carry love shooting so they see the gun as another self-defense tool as opposed to a symbol of violence.
If you have never been shot, you've survived this long without a gun successfully. I totally get the feelings of being a minority in your neighborhood, I am in mine. While that may be your impetus for getting a gun in the first place, do you enjoy shooting? Folks that I know who carry love shooting so they see the gun as another self-defense tool as opposed to a symbol of violence.
You have been watching TV.
Unless you are Jerry Miculek (one of the fastest shooters in the world) you are not going to be drawing down on someone pointing a gun at you.
Your situational awareness sucked if you let things get this far.
It is VERY hard to draw a gun faster than someone can move there trigger finger.
Here's the simpler stepping stone. Get a good knife, if you don't already, and put it in your pocket. I've lived places I wasn't allowed to carry for most of my life, and even now that I've moved to a free'r place, I haven't gone through CCW class to get a carry permit.
But my knife is always at hand.
Tools enable a person to do more than they could with their bare hands. The type of tool, in my mind, is less of a concern than the familiarization with the idea of having a tool eminently capable of causing harm readily at hand. It doesn't have quite the "shoot yourself in the foot/OH MY GOD HE'S GOT A GUN" significance, but it's every bit as grave a weight in your pocket.
Get comfortable with that, practice your aware mindset, and then perhaps you can segue into carrying a ranged weapon more comfortably.
I recommend reading at least this, if not the entire Dark Arts For Good Guys series:
http://straightforwardinacrookedwor...2/dark-arts-for-good-guys-right-to-knife.html
You may also find Kenn Blanchard's website, BlackManWithAGun useful:
http://kennblanchard.com/
But my knife is always at hand.
Tools enable a person to do more than they could with their bare hands. The type of tool, in my mind, is less of a concern than the familiarization with the idea of having a tool eminently capable of causing harm readily at hand. It doesn't have quite the "shoot yourself in the foot/OH MY GOD HE'S GOT A GUN" significance, but it's every bit as grave a weight in your pocket.
Get comfortable with that, practice your aware mindset, and then perhaps you can segue into carrying a ranged weapon more comfortably.
I recommend reading at least this, if not the entire Dark Arts For Good Guys series:
http://straightforwardinacrookedwor...2/dark-arts-for-good-guys-right-to-knife.html
You may also find Kenn Blanchard's website, BlackManWithAGun useful:
http://kennblanchard.com/
I don't want this to be taken the wrong way, as I abhor everything the KKK stands for, but really, when was the last time a KKK member was involved in a race based shooting? Not saying it has never happened, or never will, but I think you are more likely to be accosted by gang banger thugs on the street than some random white guy at the shooting range where, incidentally, everyone else is armed.
I know us white guys are scary, but most of us are really harmless.
I know us white guys are scary, but most of us are really harmless.
justice06rr
Member
It seems you may be to paranoid or just thinking too much about this.
The same situation of being robbed or followed from the store can happen if you came from a jewelry store, name-brand shop, bank, etc. So your odds are the same, gun or not. It is actually better to have the gun than not have it.
One of the reasons I bought and carry a firearm is for personal safety in such situations like going to the ATM and withdrawing a large amount of money, or walking/riding alone in a park or bad area. But in general you should carry a firearm anyway because bad guys are everywhere.
The same situation of being robbed or followed from the store can happen if you came from a jewelry store, name-brand shop, bank, etc. So your odds are the same, gun or not. It is actually better to have the gun than not have it.
One of the reasons I bought and carry a firearm is for personal safety in such situations like going to the ATM and withdrawing a large amount of money, or walking/riding alone in a park or bad area. But in general you should carry a firearm anyway because bad guys are everywhere.
Please read post #1 (OP) before responding
And then read the rest. And then respond if you've got something to add.
I've gotta say I am enjoying this thread so far. Lots of good posts. If the OP hangs in there and the membership behaves itself (sticks to forum guidelines) well this could be a really good one.
To the OP: I won't begin to guess how you feel about this suggestion in either security or basic anonymity. Though if your profile listed anything about your location, and of course the more specific the better, you would amost certainly get PM offers to take you shooting. If I found out you were my "neighbor", I'd certainly offer to take you. Lot's of friendly folks in here.
And then read the rest. And then respond if you've got something to add.
I've gotta say I am enjoying this thread so far. Lots of good posts. If the OP hangs in there and the membership behaves itself (sticks to forum guidelines) well this could be a really good one.
To the OP: I won't begin to guess how you feel about this suggestion in either security or basic anonymity. Though if your profile listed anything about your location, and of course the more specific the better, you would amost certainly get PM offers to take you shooting. If I found out you were my "neighbor", I'd certainly offer to take you. Lot's of friendly folks in here.
Strange Bob
Member
Thanks Magoo ... good points made.
Some really good advice in this thread ... excellent thoughtful advice. I agree that the OP's fears are mostly in his mind only. Having said that I have fears in my mind too. In fact I probably have some areas of paranoia in the recesses of my mind. It just makes me more aware of my surroundings I'd think plus makes me think about preparedness.
To the OP ... if paranoid about being followed you can always do online purchases. I don't think though it is a reasonable fear.
Also, living in SE Texas I know of 2 Klan groups. They most certainly DON"T hang at any of the local ranges. I would think they go out to some remote wooded areas to shoot. They are also not involved in any nefarious activities or have been in 40 years that I can remember. Certainly no violence. I am not a member of the KKK but am acquainted with a couple of guys that make it known they are affiliated with such (could be just talk to make them feel tuff). In my opinion the KKK is a real non-factor in the US today.
Get you a gun and practice with it ... the best skill you can ever acquire with it is accuracy. Enjoy gun ownership!
Check one of these out as a place for your gun to sleep if you decide to leave it at home while you are away!
http://www.hideagun.net/
Some really good advice in this thread ... excellent thoughtful advice. I agree that the OP's fears are mostly in his mind only. Having said that I have fears in my mind too. In fact I probably have some areas of paranoia in the recesses of my mind. It just makes me more aware of my surroundings I'd think plus makes me think about preparedness.
To the OP ... if paranoid about being followed you can always do online purchases. I don't think though it is a reasonable fear.
Also, living in SE Texas I know of 2 Klan groups. They most certainly DON"T hang at any of the local ranges. I would think they go out to some remote wooded areas to shoot. They are also not involved in any nefarious activities or have been in 40 years that I can remember. Certainly no violence. I am not a member of the KKK but am acquainted with a couple of guys that make it known they are affiliated with such (could be just talk to make them feel tuff). In my opinion the KKK is a real non-factor in the US today.
Get you a gun and practice with it ... the best skill you can ever acquire with it is accuracy. Enjoy gun ownership!
Check one of these out as a place for your gun to sleep if you decide to leave it at home while you are away!
http://www.hideagun.net/
Dr.Mall Ninja
Member
The Op would still have to go to gun store.......
Seriously though a very small percent of thugs are going to want to rob you, after you walk out of a gun store....
Yoda
Member
A thought that occurred to me that is both on topic and relative to the K K K....
You may be able to do a great service for your community (and I mean your extended, multi-racial community) if you take a risk and help break the stereotypes of the supposed racists and show them that you share their interest in guns and concern over basic 2nd Amendments freedoms. Some racists, but admittedly not all, may find it difficult to see you as a threat and as a like-minded ally at the same time.
Is this a risk for you. Certainly. But as I said, you could do a lot of good. And I must also point out that most folks at a gun range are really very friendly. It's very common to let perfect strangers try your gun. If racial tensions are really a concern in your area, you may be able to use guns to help break through the barriers.
But as I said, it would require that you take the risk of taking the first step... But SOMEONE has to take that first step, and what better ground to stand on that a mutual love of freedom?
- - - Yoda
You may be able to do a great service for your community (and I mean your extended, multi-racial community) if you take a risk and help break the stereotypes of the supposed racists and show them that you share their interest in guns and concern over basic 2nd Amendments freedoms. Some racists, but admittedly not all, may find it difficult to see you as a threat and as a like-minded ally at the same time.
Is this a risk for you. Certainly. But as I said, you could do a lot of good. And I must also point out that most folks at a gun range are really very friendly. It's very common to let perfect strangers try your gun. If racial tensions are really a concern in your area, you may be able to use guns to help break through the barriers.
But as I said, it would require that you take the risk of taking the first step... But SOMEONE has to take that first step, and what better ground to stand on that a mutual love of freedom?
- - - Yoda
Rocketmedic
Member
Cloud, you're overthinking this. Could someone break into your home and steal a firearm? Sure. But are you responsible for their criminal acts? No, they make the decision to steal themselves- and if you do a few things for your own security, you can keep yourself from becoming a victim.
I'd recommend a cheap pump shotgun and a cheap 9mm. If you don't feel like carrying, don't- it is a huge responsibility to carry a firearm, and you can (and should) think long and hard beforehand. Don't make your life about carry, but don't be too quick to carry and potentially draw when it's not a good idea, or freeze up. Train, train, train.
I'd recommend a cheap pump shotgun and a cheap 9mm. If you don't feel like carrying, don't- it is a huge responsibility to carry a firearm, and you can (and should) think long and hard beforehand. Don't make your life about carry, but don't be too quick to carry and potentially draw when it's not a good idea, or freeze up. Train, train, train.
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