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NSSF studies first time gun buyers

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Interesting study by the NSSF.
Home defense, at 87.3 percent, was listed as the highest ranking reason for a gun purchase. The second most common motivation was self-defense, presumably outside the home, at 76.5 percent. Women purchasers were mostly motivated by those themes of personal protection. The desire to share shooting sports activities with family and friends was also listed as a reason by a large number of respondents at 73.2 percent.
Click to expand...

http://www.examiner.com/article/firearms-trade-group-conducts-study-about-first-time-gun-buyers
 
I'm curious how long after the purchase the survey was done. I find it highly unlikely 2/3 rds of first time gun buyers shoot once a month or more for any extended period of time. At least the first time gun buyers I know certainly don't.
 
Of course they only shoot once a month to start with...then twice....then every week...then at an open competition...
 
That may be the case for some new gun owners but I doubt it is the case for many. Again, it doesn't match my experience. I know several people that have purchased their first firearm since Sandy Hook. They all purchased pistols and got concealed carry permits. In my county a permit requires $20 and filling out a single sheet form, no training course is required. None of them have shot more than a box of ammo and 2 have never fired their gun. It is discouraging to me since I enjoy shooting guns and I continue to invite them to come to the range with me. I also worry about people owning guns without any knowledge of how they work.
 
Unfortunately a lot of new buyers, as well as the rest of us, came up against a massave shortage of ammunition and extra-high prices for what was (is?) available. Under the circumstances it's understandable if they (and we) all aren't flocking to shooting ranges. Hopefully time will change this and at least some of those new people will show up again and encourage others to do the same.
 
The people I am referring to are not refraining from shooting due to a shortage of ammo. They aren't shooting because they aren't interested in shooting. They purchased the pistols because someone at my company convinced them that they had to buy them before they were banned.

This also isn't something confined to the last couple of months. I know several men that bought pistols for their wives because the men were worried about their wives working downtown. They went to the range once after the pistols were purchased then they went into the glove box. I am shocked by how many people I know that have purchased a pistol for their wife even though the wife has zero interest in guns.

My mother purchased a Ruger LCP 5 years ago when they first came out. She has used less than 2 boxes of ammo since it was purchased even though she carries it every day. When we shot during a recent visit she couldn't put all her rounds into a political yard sign at 10 yards!

For every gun owner I know that shoots on a regular basis there are 10 that haven't fired a shot in years. I know it might sound strange to some of you that are members of a gun club or frequent a gun range and are surrounded by frequent shooters but many gun owners do not shoot. I'm a perfect example. I started hunting when I was 12. That continued until I moved away from home and stopped hunting. My gun wasn't fired for 13 years before I started shooting again a few months ago.
 
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