Concerns about getting my first gun

Status
Not open for further replies.
I'd agree with some points made in this discussion, others, well, let's say, not so much.

No carrying a firearm for self defense is not for everyone. It's a responsibility anyone should think long and hard about before taking that step. For a variety of reasons. The first being, are you sure you have it within you to pull a firearm and use it in a deadly force shooting situation. If not, if you would happen to freeze in that moment of intense stress, a firearm being present is not going to help you in any manner, and may hurt you more.

There's also the factor of deciding if and when to bring a firearm to bear in a confrontation. Over-react, and you're escalating what could well be a situation that is merely a loud argument into a violent encounter. Hesitate, and you're injured or killed without even attempting to defend yourself.

I would disagree with the idea of arming yourself with a knife unless you have a long history of training for fighting with a knife. A unskilled person with a knife will most often see it taken from them, and used on them. I've ventured into training with knives to an extent, and found quickly that I lack the skills to depend on that as an option to defend myself. That's why I opted to go the firearm route. But I also understand how many people can't see themselves drawing a firearm to defend themselves, or can't bring themselves to actually pull the trigger on another living creature, no matter how frightened they are. I've seen it happen too many times hunting, where people talk a big line about wanting to "drop" whatever they hunting for, but when presented with a situation where they have the perfect shot, can't bring themselves to pull the trigger.

I live in a city with better than a 50% African-American population, and a Hispanic population approaching about 15%. That doesn't leave too many of us White folks living here. And the range I belong to has around the same ethnic ratios as members. But the management has always made it very clear that disrespecting others there, whether they be members of the range, or visitors, will not be tolerated. I go to gun shops in every part of town, quite often I'm the only White there, and though I'm not embraced as a regular, I have yet to be treated badly. They may well discuss me after I leave, using words I wouldn't appreciate. But they realize that commerce, and that green colored paper I drop there spends just the same as that of any of their regular customers.
 
Agreed on the looking for someone to go shooting with in your area (maybe local THR member if possible). I introduce people to shooting as often as the chance presents itself and have a couple friends who want to learn in the next couple months when schedules permit. Also it's not uncommon to meet someone by chance at a range who's out with his 1911 when you show up with your Glock 26. He wants to try a G26 and you've never shot a 1911 and by the time you leave he's also let you shoot a few rounds from his handgun. But you have to show up at the range for this to happen.
 
Jump headlong into shooting and practice. As a picture I saw said, which featured a black man holding a Mosin-Nagant "Civil Rights Act of 1965 didn't stop Klan Terror; men like him did."
 
Shooters I've known in Texas judge other gun-toters on their behavior, not ethnicity of whatever sort. Pretty much the same in my wife's home area in south Georgia.

If there's no "show and tell" or talky-talk about one's guns, who's to know?

KKK? The guys with the form-fitting headgear? Maybe brave at night in groups, but cowards as individuals in daylight. They're so low in life's pecking order that if they couldn't find somebody to look down on, they'd commit suicide.

Suggestion: Via the Internet, find out about any local IPSC or IDPA club, and then find where and when they have competitions. Go there and just watch. Express general interest, and then probably be surprised at the helpful information that will be offered.
 
Cloud, Its my OPINION that KKK meetings are going to be held at a private location, not likely a range open to the public. As much as they are racist cowards, they are snobs about who they get together with.

And, paranoia and guns aren't a good combo. You don't wear a tin foil hat do you? As it has already been posted crooks are cowards. They will not follow you home from a gun store. That could be suicide.

Concealed carry is just that. You should be the only one that knows your armed. Except maybe your wife/girlfriend if you have on.

Remember, it is better to be armed and not need it than to be unarmed and wish you were.;)
 
No tin foil hat- just a baseball cap. Made of cotton. :D

I was just asking about reducing risk and not trying to stick out like a sore thumb to attract unwanted attention. To clarify, being picked for my race and being picked out because I have some guns and the risk of violence from either situation are the same risk situation to me. I'd like to avoid bodily harm. The race thing got a bit blown up; throw that out and there is still the original concern/question about reducing risk as a target because of your firearms- criminals would love to get ahold of your guns, probably more than a TV or jewelry. And there is some good advice here in this thread and the forums. There was a safe thread that was a good read for me. The situational awareness stuff is always a good read for me.
 
I hate to tell you guys but there are plenty of places the OP should have some real concerns about. Recently the DNR range I frequented to years came under new management. The next two trips to the range a member told everyone on the range how he was so glad he lived in a "light" area where there are no NON-white races, and the next time one of the senior board members saw me shooting my AK47 and said, "that with keep the ******s away." My wife and children are mixed race. I would certainly think twice before I take them to that range. I've lived in WV for over 8 years and honestly I've seen very few instances of things like that but in this case there is a very bad element that runs that range. If I was in a minority and was going to visit someplace new and remote with a lot of weapons I don't think it would be too strange to just ask about it first.
 
Welcome cloud.

As for the race issue, this is not a figment of my imagination.
Click to expand...

That seems like an argument FOR owning a gun, not against it.

Here's my advice.

Go to a gun show. Stroll around and pick up and hold a bunch of different pistols. You'll find one that fits your hand.

Then shop around and drive around until you find a local gun shop in which you feel comfortable. If you can't find one go back to the next gun show and buy a gun there. There will be so many folks leaving there with guns you're not likely to be followed. Or go to WalMart. They don't care about your race, there. You can't get handguns at WalMart, but they have ammo... and probably someone working there who knows where the good range and gun shop are.

Get a gun you like and shoot it a lot.
 
Well, you remind me of folks I know that worry about percieved things. I want you to go to gunstores and tell them what features you want and that you want to try his recommendations before buying them. You could do similarly with a renter gun at the range or borrowing someone else''s gun . Just git one and start shooting. Carry yourself well, projecting confidence to warn off predators. And always have your eyes searching for things out of place that could affect you or yours. Enjoy your new armed life, You now have a tool that makes you much more efficient!
 
Okay, if we completely ignore the race issue you've pretty much got a concensus answer from all relevant responses. Your fears of being singled out by being a responsible gun owner are largely unfounded. Don't go telling everyone you meet what guns you have. Don't "advertise" the fact you're a gun owner. Ammo purchases are physically small and "conceal" nicely in the bag they give you. At WalMart :)barf:) you even check out in the back.

At the range I think you'll find most everyone friendly and helpful. As has been said, criminals like easy targets and and armed one is not. You'd not likely be targeted by any criminals from a range visit. This is assuming you don't unload tens of thousands of dollars worth of firearms out of your vehicle. Anyone who displays to the public a show of great wealth is going to raise some eyebrows. A couple of run of the mill guns, hardly at all.

I'll say again that if you'd disclose even a hint of where you live (SE,NE,SW,NW) you'd likely get some offers to have a shooting buddy. Shooting with other folks is most always more fun.
 
theCloud said"I was just asking about reducing risk and not trying to stick out like a sore thumb to attract unwanted attention." So say we all,Welcome ,come on in the waters fine.
robert
 
Until you feel comfortable about the whole process, don't carry. Just get used to wearing the gun around the house, and sooner or later you will either go forward or just keep it at home, "better than a sharp stick". It isn't for everyone, even some who thought it was.
It's not constructive to think of imaginary situations that you may encounter. Having a gun dosen't prevent them, it just gives you a better chance of living through them.
I feel undressed without mine, for 37 yrs now, it never leaves my side. So you either get it, or not, time will tell.
Also a pocket pistol is a great way to handle potential serious problems, due to the fact that you can have your hand on your gun, the entire time you feel you may be threatned, and no one will know. This way you just fire from a concealed pocket if something happens fast. It takes about a second for the bad guy to register that you just shot him, "if he's still alive", as the last thing a perp does is pull a gun on someone who already has one in his hand. If he knew that he would move on.A little 380 makes a good second carry for such times. You also now have time to get to your main carry should the situation require it.
 
Last edited:
It sounds like you have three primary concerns:

1. Safety
2. Robbery
3. Harrassment/Racism

You can take steps to mitigate each of these concerns. I highly recommend taking the NRA handgun safety course. If you follow the rules, no one will ever get shot with your gun. Experience breeds confidence. I too was nervous the first time I brought a gun into my house. After a while you realize they don't just jump off the table and shoot people on their own. Practice safety until it becomes a habit.

For the robbery question, the two big things you can do are to get a safe (even a small one) and don't publicize the fact that you own/carry. Just use common sense and take basic security precautions and you'll be fine.

As for the racism & harrassment, I'm sure I can't relate to your experiences. You'd know better than I if a bunch of people are up to no good. If there are a bunch of jerks at the range the best thing to do is leave and come back when they're not there.
 
^I agree. After thinking about it and doing lots of research on where the friendly and helpful ranges/shops are, I strolled in and just talked to a few places. No problems. I'm not getting any younger and I do want to exercise my 2a right. I did enjoy my first shooting experience and like I said earlier, it was just considering the potential risks that was holding me back.

Shot my sp2022 yesterday. Good times!

So thanks to everybody that posted here and I found the varying opinions helpful. A good discussion that helped me out.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
CCW concerns relating to ammo
2 3
Replies
57
Views
3K
mustang_steve
M
U
  • Locked
First incident of CCW used in WI shooting.
2 3
Replies
50
Views
3K
WilleRupert
W
W
  • Locked
A bias about newbies and sd guns
2 3 4
Replies
91
Views
3K
Justin
Justin
P
  • Locked
Ooooo...Ooooo....Anyone ever thought of doing this?
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
Ebbtide
E
F
  • Locked
New gun owner with OC/CCW questions and concerns
2
Replies
25
Views
928
Kevin108
K
Back
Top