smallbore
Member
I have always been pro gun. I grew up in a family with a strong military service/pro firearm history.
Have You Always Been Pro-Gun? If Not, What Changed?
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mgmorden
Member
Yep. I'm 30 now and was about 18 before I ever even knew there was such a thing as "anti-gun". I didn't watch the news much nor was I into politics (neither were my parents), but until I made it to college the entire concept of anti-gunners was a foreign idea.
7thCavScout
Member
Wow, this is kind of a tough question. I had about two years after I returned from Iraq that I wanted nothing to with firearms of any type. I wasn't really a vocal anti by any means. I just didn't really want anything to do with guns anymore. Slowly I came back around, and now I have a decent collection and I really enjoy target shooting (Steel and paper). I love my firearms but I haven't hunted since before my first deployment. I honestly don't think I could just shoot a deer anymore. It's a strange feeling. I used to love hunting. Now the thought of it sort of unnerves me.
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I've always been this smart.
Father was always into guns as long as I can remember. Rifles mostly. Shot and hunted with him a lot as I grew up. Lots of pellet guns and .22s. Did some trap and skeet through high school. Now I have many guns of my own, and some of his in my safe(LOL). I gravitated more to pistols lately. My father has gravitated to very accurate .22 rifles and now has a lot of them.
Father was always into guns as long as I can remember. Rifles mostly. Shot and hunted with him a lot as I grew up. Lots of pellet guns and .22s. Did some trap and skeet through high school. Now I have many guns of my own, and some of his in my safe(LOL). I gravitated more to pistols lately. My father has gravitated to very accurate .22 rifles and now has a lot of them.
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X-Rap
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I grew up in a gun family, not so much an activist bunch but more on the utility side. I can remember being 7 or 8 and my mom taking me squirrel hunting in the groves around our place and freezing my ace in a deer stand with my dad.
I was pretty much turned loose with a single shot rifle and shot gun by 10 and a single action Colt 22 a few yrs after that and the rest is history.
Hunting and trapping consumed a great deal of my time and hunting still does (trapping for the most part is outlawed in CO).
I started reading a lot from guys like Cooper, Keith, Askins, Skelton as well as some great conservative thinkers and that formulated much of my thinking and opinions on guns, freedom, and those that would take it away.
I have worked hard to pass down those values to my three kids and so far they all love guns and freedom too.
I was pretty much turned loose with a single shot rifle and shot gun by 10 and a single action Colt 22 a few yrs after that and the rest is history.
Hunting and trapping consumed a great deal of my time and hunting still does (trapping for the most part is outlawed in CO).
I started reading a lot from guys like Cooper, Keith, Askins, Skelton as well as some great conservative thinkers and that formulated much of my thinking and opinions on guns, freedom, and those that would take it away.
I have worked hard to pass down those values to my three kids and so far they all love guns and freedom too.
Charleo0192
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There was a time when I was okay with gun-control. I was young and was very uneducated on the subject. I believe this is the case for a lot of people. If they knew more and gave it some thought, most would probably see the light.
Infidel4life11
Member
I grew up with guns and always was a gun nut. My first broken nose came from a 45-70. However I was never a fan of carrying guns. I grew up tough grandpa said if u can't beat them with your own 2 hands you deserve to get whooped. I lived by that for a very long time until I got shot at, stabbed twice and realized most people who can't fight don't fight fair. Now I'm usually never more than an arms reach away from a weapon. It may not be my first of many tools to use but I'll never be a victim.
Otis is DaMan
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Was anti, but I stopped in to a shop back in 95' and the cosmoline from a $59 Chinese SKS got on me. The infection spread and I soon had a Swede M-96 rifle and a Norinco 9mm pistol.
9mmfan
Member
Grew up around them. Both grandfathers were hunters, my dad and uncle owned guns, my former stepfather would go hunting with my grandfather, etc. I always thought they were kind of cool and interesting, but never figured I would own one myself. Then in 2006 or so the Dallas City Council decided that there were too many commercial false alarms, so they announced that the police would only respond automatically to residential alarms. If'n your business alarm went off, there had to be a witness that a crime was occurring, or had occurred. I live about 700 feet from the bar I manage, give or take, so's when the alarm goes off, the monitoring company calls me.
I then weighed my options. Do I really want to show up with just a determined grimace? Effective as my scowl can be, moseyed on over a pawn shop and picked up a 4" Smith & Wesson 64. Took it to a local range, and remembered that I enjoy shooting, even though I stink-diddley-ink with a double action revolver. Still do. Working on it.
Couple months later, a friend of mine ragged on me for having a revolver, so I went to Academy and picked up a Taurus 92. Took that to the range, and my inner Texan came flying out. Yes, with a Brazilian gun. Though it was eventually replaced with an Italian made Beretta.
Even though the police show up now, the damage was done. I now own quite a few more, from .22's to a couple .30-06's with many choices in between. New fangled plastic fantastic tech to replica 1873 single action revolvers to a CMP M1 and even an AR. Even bought a safe to keep 'em all in. Just got a reloading setup, gonna take that plunge. Taking my CHL renewal class this week. The wife has even talked about getting hers. From zero to Prepared American in just a few short years. It's been a fun ride.
I then weighed my options. Do I really want to show up with just a determined grimace? Effective as my scowl can be, moseyed on over a pawn shop and picked up a 4" Smith & Wesson 64. Took it to a local range, and remembered that I enjoy shooting, even though I stink-diddley-ink with a double action revolver. Still do. Working on it.
Couple months later, a friend of mine ragged on me for having a revolver, so I went to Academy and picked up a Taurus 92. Took that to the range, and my inner Texan came flying out. Yes, with a Brazilian gun. Though it was eventually replaced with an Italian made Beretta.
Even though the police show up now, the damage was done. I now own quite a few more, from .22's to a couple .30-06's with many choices in between. New fangled plastic fantastic tech to replica 1873 single action revolvers to a CMP M1 and even an AR. Even bought a safe to keep 'em all in. Just got a reloading setup, gonna take that plunge. Taking my CHL renewal class this week. The wife has even talked about getting hers. From zero to Prepared American in just a few short years. It's been a fun ride.
I am one of those who grew up with guns and just thought it was part of being normal. Several years in the military did nothing to change my mind only to accept someone will probably always have a bigger gun they want to bring to a battle. I was never much into political B.S simply because I figured some one further up the food chain than me had most of the answers....A couple of things changed somewhere around my 30s. I became more of a history buff but still really was not into the Constitution etc etc because I was stupid enough to believe some one else had it figured out and I was too busy with my life. I still shot and hunted but on a much reduced scale simply due to being around Buddhist and their way of thinking; still carried in the Corp helicopter and Jet on occasion. 40s passed and I realized that if I got stopped and had a pistol in my glove box it was off to the city jail so I just stopped going around with any firearm. Some where in my 50s my house was broken into and all my 'everything' was stolen by some meth heads who were the lowest of the lowest scum you would want to avoid.
I started doing research on what type of weapons I might get to replace those that were stolen; went ahead and became a CHL and got back into shooting on a regular basis.....I still do not consider myself a gun nut, however one man drinks a cup of coffee and is finished while another drinks the whole pot and he still wants more.
I grew up with some guys that had literally 100s of weapons from all over the world. Watched them die and the relatives auction the weapons of for quick cash. I actually pulled all mine out a few months ago and was going to sell at least half my stuff (some of which has less than 10 rounds through them) and I just could not bring myself to part with any of them. My wife just laughed at me! If I would have wanted to sell her AR I bet she would have gotten serious real quick?
I started doing research on what type of weapons I might get to replace those that were stolen; went ahead and became a CHL and got back into shooting on a regular basis.....I still do not consider myself a gun nut, however one man drinks a cup of coffee and is finished while another drinks the whole pot and he still wants more.
I grew up with some guys that had literally 100s of weapons from all over the world. Watched them die and the relatives auction the weapons of for quick cash. I actually pulled all mine out a few months ago and was going to sell at least half my stuff (some of which has less than 10 rounds through them) and I just could not bring myself to part with any of them. My wife just laughed at me! If I would have wanted to sell her AR I bet she would have gotten serious real quick?
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St8LineGunsmith
Member.
Owning a gun is just part of my southern born and bred heritage so yes I have always been Pro Gun and always will.
I started shooting as a kid and have been at it ever since. At age 65, I have a case full and soon to have more. I hunt and target shoot, all small game, birds, and varmints. Went thru a brief flirtation with liberalism in my college days, but ran into the anti-gun rhetoric, among other things, and lost interest quickly. Now belong to a shooting range that requires NRA membership as a condition of joining. As a result I have learned lots more about the value of gun possession and use. Interesting tidbit here. My wife of the last 21 years is from NY city and was mostly neutral about guns and leaning toward anti-gun until she met me. Fast forward to the midwest....Recently, we have had a series of burglaries in our town where brazen criminals are breaking into houses at night when folks are in bed. My wife said, "I don't necessarily want a loaded shotgun next to the bed, but could you get to your guns quickly if you needed to?? I assured her I can do it in about 30 seconds. A 12 gauge with 00 can discourage a burglar everytime.
Great thread.
I didn't grow up in a pro gun home. My father used to own a cattle ranch before I was born and he had a rifle for pest animals. That's it. My parents weren't pro gun, nor were they opposed to guns, they just didn't feel they had a need or use for one.
My parents remain indifferent to guns, but are supportive of my hobby.
I didn't grow up in a pro gun home. My father used to own a cattle ranch before I was born and he had a rifle for pest animals. That's it. My parents weren't pro gun, nor were they opposed to guns, they just didn't feel they had a need or use for one.
My parents remain indifferent to guns, but are supportive of my hobby.
pockets
Member
I never thought in terms of 'pro-gun' growing up in the 50's/60's.
There was always my father's gun rack on the wall, with his Arisaka WWII bring-back, JC Higgins 16ga pump, and a nice original percussion long rifle. Those stayed after he left when I was 8. Around age 10, I bought my first BB gun. Took me most of a summer to work and save for it.
Later on, my mother traded the Arisaka and shotgun for a Savage 24D 22/410...which I received for Christmas at age 12. She didn't care much for guns, but she did care for me. The original long rifle was stolen 3 years later unfortunately.
I've been shooting and a gun owner for many decades since then.
Note: I have never understood the concept of fist-fighting equating to 'fair fight'. There is no such thing. One of the combatants will always be bigger, have a longer reach, more experience, better technique, friends behind him waiting to beat the crap out of anyone beating up their friend....etc etc etc. Or, they may just be armed after all (so much for 'fair-fighting') and I might end up with a blade in me (been there done that, and didn't get the t-shirt).
Not to mention that streets do not create kids who touch gloves, square off, and fight by the 'Marquess of Queensberry rules'...even back in the 50's and 60's.
Now the concept of "speak softly and carry a big stick"...THAT is something I could live by (and I do mean 'live' as opposed to the alternative).
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There was always my father's gun rack on the wall, with his Arisaka WWII bring-back, JC Higgins 16ga pump, and a nice original percussion long rifle. Those stayed after he left when I was 8. Around age 10, I bought my first BB gun. Took me most of a summer to work and save for it.
Later on, my mother traded the Arisaka and shotgun for a Savage 24D 22/410...which I received for Christmas at age 12. She didn't care much for guns, but she did care for me. The original long rifle was stolen 3 years later unfortunately.
I've been shooting and a gun owner for many decades since then.
Note: I have never understood the concept of fist-fighting equating to 'fair fight'. There is no such thing. One of the combatants will always be bigger, have a longer reach, more experience, better technique, friends behind him waiting to beat the crap out of anyone beating up their friend....etc etc etc. Or, they may just be armed after all (so much for 'fair-fighting') and I might end up with a blade in me (been there done that, and didn't get the t-shirt).
Not to mention that streets do not create kids who touch gloves, square off, and fight by the 'Marquess of Queensberry rules'...even back in the 50's and 60's.
Now the concept of "speak softly and carry a big stick"...THAT is something I could live by (and I do mean 'live' as opposed to the alternative).
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Creature
Member
I was born pro-gun. Seriously.
Godsgunman
Member
I'm not as "pro-gun" as I am pro-freedom and pro-common sense and pro-self defense. I grew up coon hunting with my grandfather and have always been around them and taught properly about them. I understand what they are used for and what they can do. The issue is more than a "like" or a "dislike", its an absolute freedom and right granted to us by the founding fathers. More than that its falls under a basic human right to defend and provide for onesself. These are very efficient tools to provide food on ones table and, God forbid, to defend ones life from a criminal who means to take it. So I guess I did turn "pro-gun" when everyone else turned "pro-stupid".
I remember being in middle school and realizing that the other students' dad's did NOT carry firearms everyday; that was kind of a shock as every adult male in my life, (family, friends, or acquaintences,) put on a pistol, (along with wallet, keys, pocketknife, lighter and cigarettes,) every single time they left the house, every single day. About half of the females did, too. I thought EVERYONE lived in that world.
ol' scratch
Member
Always pro gun, not always pro semi auto rifle
The first rifle I bought was an M91/30 Mosin the second was a Turk Mauser. I had no intention of owning a semi automatic. The SKS changed all of that for me. The inexpensive price is what attracted me to it. Next was the AK, the Garand, The....
The first rifle I bought was an M91/30 Mosin the second was a Turk Mauser. I had no intention of owning a semi automatic. The SKS changed all of that for me. The inexpensive price is what attracted me to it. Next was the AK, the Garand, The....
Chevelle SS
Member
I have always been pro-gun.
Didn't grow up with guns
My dad fished, never hunted and didn't have any guns of his own. He had some 22's of his dad (who liked to shoot when he'd been drinking). I figure that's why no guns-- his dad wasn't a real good role model. Had enough fishing gear for two bait shops though.
Shot my first guns (22 pistol and rifle at a church retreat), enjoyed it but, nothing special.
Between then and now, just neutral about guns. Thought they were "neat" but, not necessarily something I would want around the house.
Then, 2 1/2 years ago I noticed a shift in the political winds. Too much talk of "Hope & Change" that involved messing with our Constitutional Rights. Free speech, RKBA, unreasonable search and seizure. So I bought a 22lr semiauto pistol and went to the range to learn how to shoot. I read alot (books, mags and forums) to find the "best" methods/skills. Got a 9mm semiauto and the "bug". Found out how much fun shooting is. Also, have come to realize that protecting my family and loved ones is MY responsibility, not the government's. Which opened my eyes to why we have the 2nd Amendment -- it's not about hunting, it's our God given right to protect ourselves from oppression. Also realized that once given up, our rights are not returned without a fight. My wife and in-laws are supportive and know where we stand.
Am looking to get my CCW in the near future. Heard a good argument comparing carrying a gun and wearing a seatbelt. You'll never know when you'll need them, before you'll need them. I always wear my seatbelt so CCW is a logical step.
Great thread!
My dad fished, never hunted and didn't have any guns of his own. He had some 22's of his dad (who liked to shoot when he'd been drinking). I figure that's why no guns-- his dad wasn't a real good role model. Had enough fishing gear for two bait shops though.
Shot my first guns (22 pistol and rifle at a church retreat), enjoyed it but, nothing special.
Between then and now, just neutral about guns. Thought they were "neat" but, not necessarily something I would want around the house.
Then, 2 1/2 years ago I noticed a shift in the political winds. Too much talk of "Hope & Change" that involved messing with our Constitutional Rights. Free speech, RKBA, unreasonable search and seizure. So I bought a 22lr semiauto pistol and went to the range to learn how to shoot. I read alot (books, mags and forums) to find the "best" methods/skills. Got a 9mm semiauto and the "bug". Found out how much fun shooting is. Also, have come to realize that protecting my family and loved ones is MY responsibility, not the government's. Which opened my eyes to why we have the 2nd Amendment -- it's not about hunting, it's our God given right to protect ourselves from oppression. Also realized that once given up, our rights are not returned without a fight. My wife and in-laws are supportive and know where we stand.
Am looking to get my CCW in the near future. Heard a good argument comparing carrying a gun and wearing a seatbelt. You'll never know when you'll need them, before you'll need them. I always wear my seatbelt so CCW is a logical step.
Great thread!
I have been a shooter since I was a child. I have been pro gun since I figured out there were people in this country who would do anything, including lying about statistics, painting law abiding gun owners as evil every chance they get, saying guns (inanimate objects), cause crime/murder/whatever. Once I realized that without people like me fighting for my rights, the anti's would take away my gun rights/guns, and eventually, my freedom. I guess that was around my mid twenties. I also came to realize I had to stand up for all gun owners, regardless of whether or not I had any interest in the type guns they used. All guns are the same to the anti's, all of them. Over the years, I have become solidly and unflinchingly pro gun.
I grew up around guns in down-state Illinois, with family in Missouri, and pretty much took them for granted. I didn't even know there was an anti-gun movement, or even any reason to fear my own government, until Ruby Ridge, and then the Clinton candidacy/run-up to the '92 Presidential Election.
Then came the Assault Weapon Ban under President Clinton; what really woke me up was the language (rhetoric, actually) employed to pass the AWB.
Then there's Kellerman's "43 times;" Brady's "13 Children a Day," the overt politicization of the CDC in the effort to ban guns; all these painted a very unlovely picture of the lengths the antis are willing to go to in order to ban all firearms. Period. Full-Stop.
Eyes Open, and Never Give an Inch to the !@#$%.
Then came the Assault Weapon Ban under President Clinton; what really woke me up was the language (rhetoric, actually) employed to pass the AWB.
Then there's Kellerman's "43 times;" Brady's "13 Children a Day," the overt politicization of the CDC in the effort to ban guns; all these painted a very unlovely picture of the lengths the antis are willing to go to in order to ban all firearms. Period. Full-Stop.
Eyes Open, and Never Give an Inch to the !@#$%.
grampster
Member
My dad was a hunter and fisherman. Then came WWII and he was a combat infantryman and POW. He had a .22 target rifle and a 20 ga shotgun, but he never wanted anything to do with hunting with guns anymore when he came home. He said he had hunted the most dangerous "game" and wasn't interested in killing anymore. He did keep a long gun handy in the house and when he and my mother traveled around the country when he retired.
He taught me how to use the long guns and we target shot in the basement with the .22. When I was about 12 or 13 I began hunting with them on my own. I had had BB guns prior to that. The guns, to me, were for hunting.
I went in LE at age 19 and became a police officer at 21. During that time I became interested in handguns and the value of knowing how to handle guns of all types. I'm 69 now and have played around with handguns mostly ever since. I hve several. I do have some shotguns and a couple of rifles, though I don't hunt anymore.
He taught me how to use the long guns and we target shot in the basement with the .22. When I was about 12 or 13 I began hunting with them on my own. I had had BB guns prior to that. The guns, to me, were for hunting.
I went in LE at age 19 and became a police officer at 21. During that time I became interested in handguns and the value of knowing how to handle guns of all types. I'm 69 now and have played around with handguns mostly ever since. I hve several. I do have some shotguns and a couple of rifles, though I don't hunt anymore.
My dad taught me to shoot rifles and shotguns. I was into shooting through high school, but lost interest and money in college. About six months ago something clicked, and I realized I needed to be able to protect my family better. I bought a pistol, and I'm hooked all over again. I can't believe I waited this long to get back into shooting.
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