Hey non-gun people. Why did you buy one?

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valnar

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OK, I fit in this category. I was a non-gun owner until about 6 years ago. I didn't grow up with them. I didn't know anyone who had one. I never saw one shot ever. I only saw them on policeman and in movies. 'Middle-class kid from a yuppie suburban background.

I was your typical non gun owner.

I bought my first SIG P229 9mm out of curiosity "just for the heck of it" about 6 years ago. I got hooked. I couldn't understand why society shunned this activity and I've collected guns ever since.

Six years and several guns later (mostly Smith revolvers now), I'm a happy gun owner. I still frequent my yuppie circles, and most of my friends don't shoot, but I have my guns. I don't participate in any formal gun activities and don't hunt, but I do visit my local gun range now and then.

Anyone else fit this category? I'm sure several people do (but I don't know how many would participate in a gun enthusiast forum.)

-Robert
 
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Yup, that's me too, more or less. Had never shot a gun until a friend of mine took me to the range to try his P220; from there, I was hooked. Bought a Ruger Mk II the next day, and now I have a steadily growing collection of milsurp rifles...
 
thats me too. when i lived in illinois ive always kind of had a slight interest in them until i moved down to florida a year ago. after learning about the loose gun laws i figured i would get one at 21 (i am 19 now) when i could carry it. around that time i found this place and would read it everyday. sure enough i really became hooked and decided i didnt want to wait. then with the help of my little sister i convinced my dad to take an intro gun class with us. i just finished getting enough cash for a .22 and will be getting a ruger 22/45 by the end of the week. in the future i can definitely see myself having one of those arsenals the media always talks about :D.
 
My dad and I used to go shooting when I was a kid - it was something I really liked to do. But after I grew up and left home I really didn't want to be around them, mostly because I didn't trust myself or the crowd I ran with - and in hindsight that was very good judgement.

When I was older, saner, and starting a family I realized my fists alone wouldn't be enough to defend them if the need ever arose. So after some research I bought a Walther p99 and discovered I really enjoyed shooting it. I now have 5 pistols and I go to the range once a week.
 
Once I graduated from college and got a real job I found I had money burning a hole in my pocket. Guns interested me, as I've always been pro RKBA, so I bought one. Now my wallet is significantly lighter than it would have been otherwise, but I'm much better armed. :D
 
Didn't grow up around guns either... not even toy ones. Mom & Dad read somewhere that "such activities" promoted violence. Always loved action movies, and occasionally shot a .22 at summer camp.

2003, ~early February. Went down to Lawton/Duncan area of Oklahoma with some friends to celebrate Azrael256's birthday. Some mention had been made earlier that week regarding going shooting, something I'd never (seriously, anyhow) done before. IIRC, there was a Winchester 1894, an Ithaca SxS, and two pump shotties, all in 12ga. We spent a couple of hours blasting away clods of dirt and clay pigeons, and I had a lot of fun. Didn't give it too much thought, tho.

Later in March, I received an early cash birthday present from some family member (can't remember which one) that I had no idea how to spend. I headed on down to H&H Gun Range just off of Reno & Meridian, not knowing what to expect. I sauntered up to the front counter and asked if I could rent a P99 (couldn't, as I wasn't 21 yet). Next, I asked them if they had anything in .308--the only reason for that was because my dorm room # was the same ;) . So I filled out the paperwork, listened to a quick briefing on how to work the rifle, and was handed an M-1A, one 20rd mag, two boxes of Federal, two targets, and eye & ear protection.

I waddled out to the firing line with my arms full of stuff and begin to set up. I noticed the guys in the next two lanes are firing an AR-15 (I thought it was an M-16 at the time), and one a little further down shooting a revolver of some sort. Anyhoo, I loaded up the mag, popped it into the gun, and pulled the handle back. Pointed, aimed, readjusted posture, aimed, coughed, aimed, wiped sweat off my brow, and aimed.

BOOM!

Immediatly I heard the people in the next few lanes curse and look around the dividers. :D I just kinda nodded to 'em, and kept booming away 'till the mag was empty. I brought my target back up, and the very first recorded group I ever shot was ~18" @ 25 yards. :uhoh: :rolleyes: Next was better, though--7". Tossed the empty ammo boxes in the trash with the first target inside, and walked back out into the lobby where I paid, thanked them tons, and left.

That first BOOM is something I will never forget. That first BOOM is why I began.
 
I've always been interested in weapons and military history and equipment, but only from afar: toys as a kid and then books, computer games, documentaries, etc. as an adult. I was never under the illusion, though, that guns were cool toys, but rather knew full well they were deadly weapons, which kept me away from them. I'm also from a social background where guns are rarely owned, discussed, or approved of.

Then I thought I'd go and finally learn firsthand what guns are like, so I went to a shop/range, took some instruction, and fired a S&W .38 Special revolver under careful guidance. (I really appreciated the emphasis on safety first!) To have that much power in your hands and under your control is an unforgettable experience. I've been back to the range and intend to keep going back, and am quickly improving. I also intend to buy my first pistol (a .22 auto) soon, something I never expected I'd do.

If nothing else, I'm really happy I understand how to hold and operate a handgun safely now. Everyone should know that info just in case the need arises, even if they never intend to shoot or own weapons otherwise.
 
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The same story here. Decided to buy a gun after 911. Wanted to buy a 1911 45 pistol, love the way they look. So I started looking on the internet for the type of 1911 that I wanted. Found THR and started doing some research. Found out that my first gun for HD probably should be a shotgun. I wanted one of the tricked out shotguns with all the gadgets so I started reading about what the experts " Dave, SM, and many others" had on there shotguns. Found out very quickly that most shotguners keep there weapons as simple as possible and that I should "buy ammo, use up, repeat" before buying gadgets to put on my shotgun. So after lots of research I ended up with a plain 870P and two S&W revolvers a model 12 and 15. The 1911 45 is next, still love the way they look. :)
 
Went shooting with a friend in December for the first time and had a "blast"

Took the course in March, got my LTC in April and bought a P99
 
Thanks to my Dad, I can't remember a time when I was non-gun. I always had a .22 rifle, and I added a deer rifle and a shotgun sometime in my teens which were stashed away somewhere in my place or at my parents to pull out in the fall whenever I got a chance to go out hunting.

Sometime after purchasing my first house, one guy tried to rob another guy in my backyard - right by the back door. My dog woke me up and I could see them and hear them arguing. One guy ran away and the other guy hung around. After calling the police, it was pretty comforting to be able to grab my Remington 740 and watch the remaining guy walk to his car and pull away right before the police showed up.

Having kids negated the ability to just keep a rifle in the closet and a full magazine in the nightstand. Traveling with a rifle can also be a pain, so I added a 1911 in a quick-open safe. While researching the best ways to keep guns safe from kids, I discovered shooters.com, thefiringline.com and eventually thehighroad.org. I found out that that I really like shooting as much or more than hunting and that there are matches for all kinds of guns.

Now I merely need more time and more money.:)
 
Not one yet...

Raised by pacifist family, always been interested in swords and more primitive weapons... got into theatre, then into fight choreography, then film (where there's a lot more demand for gunplay than swordplay)... Dad hunts, so I'd used a couple guns, and wanted to learn more.

Now I run a small prop weapons rental business, and have a large collection of fake guns as a part of that. Still no real guns yet, and since I just bought a house and have a kid on the way I probably won't have the cash to buy anything soon. I'd like to pick up a handgun sometime, though. Been just renting them when I go to the range. Found I really like some of the Para-ordinance models, and the SIG P220 was pretty nice too... haven't tried a Walther P-99 yet, but I like the feel of the replicas I've got.

Also considering work as a LEO, since it'd get me off my ass (current desk job) and pay much better than what I do now. That'd lead to a Glock.
 
Not me. My grandfather introduced me to shooting when I was six. Broke me in on a Springfield military bolt .22(wish I knew the mil designation). Have always been around firearms and learned very early(sometimes with knuggins up side the head)about firearms safety. Shortly after I found out about young ladies, my interest in shooting went down hill but still lingered in the backround. The Marines, however, revived my interest in firearms rather abruptly, and to the Corps way of doing things. My new girl friend was an M14 and an M1911. When I got to where things became real, they took away the M14 and gave me a 'Matty Mattel' which some called the M16. The Corps training got me through things however, even with the POC M16. Haven't let the interest lapse since.
 
I was "semi" non-gun.

Grew up with a single shot 20 gauge I seldom used. That was sold off.

When I turned 21, I inherited a Ruger Mark 1, didn't shoot it much, sold it.

Shortly after that, I bought a Mini-14...sold it (kind of which I hadn't).

Bought a BDA-380 (gave it to my wife).

Traded expertise for a Remington 1100...then traded that for a 10/22 (still have it).

During most of my adult life, I owned a gun, but shot very seldom after I got married in my early 20's.

Fast forward to 9/11/01...perspective changes...Summer of 2002, the fun begins...I now have a collection that is more than equivalent of 1 piece for each year of my adult life. Enjoy most types of shooting sports.

Don't hunt, but support the rights of those who do.

Started competing this year in IDPA, I now practice every week, have taken a class...looking for more opportunities on that front...expect this is a permanent part of the lifestyle.

Why didn't I shoot much for ~15 years? I have no idea...9/11 got my attention in this general direction, I wish I hadn't waited so long...beyond the practical benefits, it's great fun as well!

Safe shooting,

CZ52'
 
I'm a registered Independent that voted Democrat all the time, I hated the NRA and all guns. I was never raised to feel one way or the other and I had toy guns growing up. I started seeing what armed guards were making and decided, "what the heck?" I was 31 -- bought my first gun, a S&W 442 -- scared me and I sold it. Hated the recoil too. However I bought a Beretta compact type M -- and it was love at first shot. :D I've come a long way baby....

two revolvers
a CX Storm
three type M Berettas
a full size 92FS
a Glock 19

Still building on my collection, and to date, I got my father into guns too and he recently joined the NRA. I plan to once I find out if I got that job I interviewed for last week. Now I vote Republican whenever I can -- vote early and often -- and I despise celebs that profit off of gun movies while trying to deny me my rights as a gun owner. "FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, I'M FREE AT LAST!"

Laura
 
I've yet to buy one.

The only gun I ever owned was a Ruger revolver that a man gave me in partial payment for some work I did some years ago.

I shot it once, found out that it was worth a lot more than I was owed, and sold it.
 
Heh - my dad always had guns when i was growing up....

.30-.30 carbine (two of em) i remember the best... dont' think i ever got to shoot em - but the lever action I will always remember. He had a single shot muzzleloader he "fixed up" as well. Shotguns of course... and a pump .22 that i REALLY wish i knew what happened to. Supposedly it belonged to my grandfather - but supposedly so did the bolt action .22 i have now. Love that bolt - its got some sort of jury-rigged sight on it - and if you miss w/ it - its you... not the gun =)

Remember the first time i fell on my butt and got a BIG bruise on my shoulder cause i didn't hold the shotgun tight to my shoulder....

All long guns tho growing up - he never brought out the pistols.

Took me forever, i knew i wanted a gun - but the military said you had to keep it in the armoury - and having a gun there was about as usefull as having no gun at all - (for defense purposes) so didn't get one till i was... 26 or 27... thankfully the 1911 knockoff Llama din't put me off to guns... hehe dang thing sucked... sold it back to the pawnie =) heheh

Been 'collecting' ever since... only guns i've gotten rid of were that .45 and a 9mm (both pistols) that needed to go... I love shooting - just wish anything other than .22 didn't cost so much... prolly need to invest in some re-loading gear =) (and yer dang sure i'm keeping every brass that comes from my 1984 long colt lever action! those things spensive if you don't order on line! - sides - my gf's bro reloads those for his colt single action revolver... he found it in a river fishing believe it or not... heh)

J/Tharg!
 
Did not grow up around guns, Dad went hunting a few times on the large parcel of land we owned.
I was interrested in guns as a lad, but just in a "seeing them in a movie" sense.
Then I joined the Corps.
Now I own an XD9 and 870.
After the 3 kids stop draining our bank account with day-care in a few years, I'll be looking again to add to the collection.
Up next: 1911 and AR-type.
 
BTW, if anybody wants to help turn a non-gun owner into a gun owner, I'm happy to accept donations and/or good deals on a used handgun...
:D
 
I was never around guns as a kid, my dad didn't care for them, although a neighbor took me shooting with him and his son a couple of times. I can't say that I got really excited about it then and never really gave it much further thought, I was definitely a nongunner for many years. When I was 34, 20 years ago, I ran into an old friend I hadn't seen in a long time and he asked me if I would like to do some plinking with him. I said sure and the rest is history, I fell in love with handguns and became fascinated with the different types and models. I think one of the reasons was that I was a relatively good shooter, not great by any means, but I seemed to have more of a natural affinity for shooting than for some of the other things I tried, like music.:uhoh:
 
Not me but a friend of mine. I was always into guns. I bought a Rugar GP-100 as soon as I could and a Rugar P-85. Then I was moved (stationed) in NY, well, we know about the gun laws there. Then I went to Moody in GA where thank God the "gun store loophole" was alive and it was easy to get a gun (legally).

I knew this guy from NY (in the dorms) and when I moved to Moody, found out that he lived on the first floor (of the dorm).

I liked him from talking in NY but in NY he wasn't in my ring of friends.

Well, we got to know each other, liked each other, and I moved off base and took my "arsenal" with me. I invited him over to the house and decided to go shooting at the river.

Hooked him. He started getting into guns like you wouldn't believe.

Now we are both "gun nuts" and I'll be damned if he ain't buying more then me.

Had a funny story on a Glock he used to own, but for another time.

Wayne
 
I haven't had much gun-related experience either. My father owned a few (including a 20-gauge shotgun and a nice Civil War Colt Army revolver that was strictly a collector piece), but I don't think he ever shot much. A friend of mine ifrom college has a couple of pistols, but I don't know how much she gets a chance to practice either.

I haven't quite taken the plunge yet, but, as soon as my next chunk of money comes in from a project I'm working on, I'm scheduling an NRA Basic Pistol course. Then I'll be looking for something in a .22 autoloader, so I can build my skills before investing in something heavier (and more suited for carry purposes). My wife will probably also be interested in improving her skills; she actually has more experience than I do at this point...

Why am I doing this? Well, I'll spare you the complete spiel (I actually wrote about a page and a half on this subject), but basically, I've been strongly influenced by reading a number of Web sites out there, Oleg's among them, to the belief that gun ownership is both necessary and proper for the free citizen. (Not that I was ever really an anti per se; I was probably more gun-neutral than anything else, even when I lived in California.) Also, the idea of acquiring the discipline needed to shoot straight and effectively appeals to me.

Naturally, while I wait for that check that'll let me get the process started, I keep reading, looking for new insights to stretch my understanding.
 
I grew up around guns. So much so (father was an FFL) that I didn't care about them...at all.

Joined the Marines, was a good shooter (235-242/250 all four years) but never cared then.

Went to college, always vehemently pro-gun but never cared to own them.

Then in Feb, 2003 my son was born.

All of a sudden, I realized that the responsibility to defend the defenseless was upon me. My wife can hold her own, but an infant?

So far I have a Sig P229 and an M91/30. Soon an M44 to "scouterize" and some sort of "battle rifle" (Can't decide which one). Another pistol or two and I'll probably be done....
 
Valnar,
Just a couple months ago, somehow I found myself perusing the gun forums, and for some rather inexplicable reason, I was developing
an interest in guns and handguns specifically.
Well I bought my first handgun about a month ago, and shot it for the
first time last weekend. I did enjoy the experience, and plan to do
some more shooting at the range soon.
As for the RKBA issue, I was always for the 2nd amendment - it just seemed right and what the founders intended.

cheers, ab
 
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