Have you ever given up on a gun friend?

[ClonaKilty]

The truth may be I'm just going to run out of things to do with him and move on.

I think that's the case, mljdeckard. I am not going to pile on here, and I think I know what you're getting at in your OP. Your friend just seems to have different priorities from you. It could also be that he's just not very motivated about do anything about anything. I don't know, and neither does anyone else here know.

If he is unsafe, then yes I agree you should have a heart to heart talk with him about it and even suggest he sell the guns if he is unwilling to become safe.

I also had to decide as I got older who I was going to remain friends with and who I was not. Like in JWarren's post, I was pretty motivated to hit certain goals, but some of my friends were not. Some of those wasted their lives and talents, and some did not as in JWarren's friend's case. Those who wasted their lives & talents, I just have nothing in common with anymore.

It's OK to drift away from friends if you just have very different values, principles and goals. Just try not to burn a bridge because there are probably other things about your friend you like very much aside from shooting, and you might pick up the friendship later on.

 

[N3810F]

I have 8 guitars and still don't play very well.

Ha exactly, like Dave Barry says I have “one of the world’s highest ratios of noise to talent”

 

[dakotasin]

He has an AK and a Desert Eagle, but not for the right reasons.

He has an Ithaca shotgun which has had a bad extractor for years. His Desert Eagle ate some bad ammo and needs some work on the feed ramp, if not a new barrel. He never trains, has been shooting like one time in three years. He's known these things for years, doesn't do anything about them.

He came from a different state almost 20 years ago, and can't get around to showing his hunter's safey card to the DWR so he can get a license here. He hasn't gotten around to getting his CCW despite having taken the class and losing the paperwork two times that I know of, because he 'can't find a public figure who will write him a letter' to vouch for his character. He talks a lot about politics, but isn't a member of any organizations, hasn't ever gone to a town hall meeting or written a letter.



I wouldn't trust him to be able to do the bare minimum under pressure. This makes him more of a liability than an asset.

I do in a gunfight.

I expect them to be able to shoot and reload weak-handed and one handed if necessary.

I expect them all to do the minimum of training.

for these reasons alone, you are most definitely correct. forget these guys calling you names, they are simply not enlightened. the day will come that you will have to have each others' back, and when the two of you are full sabrina back to back, you'll appreciate a partner that trains and owns guns for the right reasons.

I don't expect them to learn it all overnight, but if they won't at least try, they aren't serious. I don't think that's an unreasonable expectation.

absolutely not unreasonable. your friends should meet your minimal expectations. that is why they are your friends. you are giving them an adequate timeframe to meet your expectations, too.

I just cringe every time he mentions his guns, that's all.

as you should.

 

[Threeband]

Your friend could still be a big help to you.

He could duct tape the trauma plates to your back.





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[dakotasin]

3-band has a point, too... if your friend won't meet your gun training expectations, maybe he could keep duct tape handy...

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Well done, JWarren.

You and I have a few things in common.

A decade ago I was doing high-end work at a large firm in a major market for quite a few companies in the telecommunications, energy and finance business(es), some of which companies eventually ended up on the front page, and not for the reasons they'd wanted. That all blew up very shortly after I blew town, after my career literally went up in flames one Tuesday morning.

Missed me by that much.

My old colleagues (those still exhaling carbon dioxide in a room they are permitted to leave on their own volition) think I'm nuts to do the type of work I do, where I do, and how I do. And they think my next major move is sheer lunacy. Whatever. I am sane and content, and live an interesting and fulfilling life with roots and branches. And while I'm a couple years older than you, I feel like a young man again.

 

[rainbowbob]

So you consider your friends assets instead of people?

I do in a gunfight.

I'm wondering how many gunfights you've been in lately where your tactical assests (i.e., "friends") didn't pull their weight?

 

[Threeband]

I'm wondering if you require your friends to keep their CPR skills up-to-date.

It would kinda suck to watch your buddy go through his malfunction-clearance drills while you writhe on the ground, dieing of a heart attack.

You have set me to thinking though. From now on, NOBODY gets in my house without proof of up-to-date qualification in Firefighting. When the SHTF, I don't need some lummox fumbling with the fire extinguisher.


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[pmeisel]

I am picking up a lot of ideas if I ever decide to select friends by having them fill out an application and interview for the position. On the other hand, if I did that, I wonder if there would be any applicants?

 

[XD Fan]

To the OP: I say this with nothing but love in my heart. With respect to your friend's gun priorities, mind your own business, buddy.

To the rest of you: Some of your answers are way too funny.

To JWarren: You are both wise and deeply ammusing. Thank you.

 

[Sam1911]

The truth may be I'm just going to run out of things to do with him and move on.

Actually, I have a pretty good idea, I think. Schedule some time to spend to him and leave the guns home. (Well, except your carry piece and BUG, of course!) Just do whatever he wants to do that day.

It just might turn out that you're boring him to death because you never want to do or talk about anything but gun stuff.

Maybe he's in the same boat as you. He likes you but doesn't feel much in common anymore.

What if he's posting on some R.C. cars forum, or video game chat room, or cooking- or book-club site,

"Is it all right to give up on a friend? I've been pals with this guy for a long time but we just have nothing in common any more. All he talks about is guns and "Tactical TRAINING" -- like we're living in freaking Beruit! He's only got one book -- and he HATES it. He only even bought that one because his mother was standing right behind him and MADE him buy it. His cooking is strictly "microwave-in-the-wrapper." He can't tell sushi from a sous-chef! He hasn't owned a remote-controlled vehicle since the third grade and thinks "Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start" is hot new gaming tech! I can't even carry on a conversation -- he talks at me like I'm supposed to feel bad that I'm not preparing to hold off a human-wave attack at Denny's. The truth may be I'm just going to run out of things to do with him and move on.

Moving on might be the best thing for both of you.

Thanks g0d you don't have kids together yet!

-Sam

 

[larry_minn]

Just reading OP post. According to you I should get rid of my guns. I took a Utah CCWP class but never sent it in, I have taken other classes but not bothered to send them in either. I guess I took the class for INFO.
I have not taken a "tactical" rifle/pistol/shotgun class in 3 yrs. I have had cataract surgury, as well as some other more serious medical issues. I know I can hit whatever I need to that is threat to me.
Heck I often don't even carry. (HORROR)

GUess what ITS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. I can buy a race car and park it in my shed (or in show drift) if I want.

 

[OcelotZ3]

There are a number of people in my car club whose cars aren't running and they haven't worked on them for a few years while their kids are in school, etc. I guess the cars should be seized and/or their memberships revoked.

 

[OcelotZ3]

There are a number of people in my car club whose cars aren't running and they haven't worked on them for a few years while their kids are in school, etc. I guess the cars should be seized and/or their memberships revoked.

 

[greenr18]

I don't want his Desert Eagle.

good, ill take it