ShooterMcGavin
Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2007
- Messages
- 629
I met a girl a few weeks ago and we really hit it off. We spent a couple days together. She lives in San Fran. We have been talking for a while and she bought a ticket to come stay with me for a long weekend. I was excited, but I had concerns about her reaction when she found out I own guns. I figured it would not be the best way to break it to her, to just let her find the gun on my waist (by touching me) or to see a tall safe next to a bunch of ammo when she got here. So, while on the phone before she flew here, I asked her if she had ever shot a gun and told her about my gun ownership. We talked a bit and I asked if she was afraid of guns. She responded "no!", to my relief (the relief didn't last long). She asked and I told her that I own guns for target shooting and for self defense. She went on to say that "you'll never have a gun when you need it, because it will be at home". I replied "why do you say that?". Then, she got a little crazy... "you're not going to carry it, right? ... Are you saying that you would carry a gun? ... Please tell me you don't carry a gun around". I admitted that I do carry a gun. She asked that I not carry while she visits; she was sad and almost desparate in her request. I didn't answer immediately and I went on to explain that she is asking that I remove my ability to protect myself and to protect her while she visits. She openly acknowledged that. Since I wanted to make her stay a great time, and since she had already bought the ticket, I told her that I would not carry while I was with her. She was overcome with joy that I would do that for her....
I did tell her that there was one condition... that I take her to the range while she is here and I teach her how to safely handle a gun. I told her that I would not preach to her or use it as a reason that she should allow me to carry around her. She agreed. In the back of my mind, I had concluded that I would never invite her to visit me with the idea that I would not carry again.
On our very first night out, I took her to a show in the city nearby. We had a great time, and we happened to pass by some sketchy looking characters when walking back to the car. [I did not choose that location/activity with the intent to get her to see a need for self defense.] After starting to drive home, without any prompting, she said to me "I would feel ok with you carrying your gun". I asked what brought that thought to her mind and she responded that she felt she could trust me to be safe with it.
Two days later, we went to the range with a friend and his girlfriend. We all had a great time and my girl was a great shot! When my friend and I were washing up after the shoot, he told me what his girlfriend had said to him... My girl had told my friend's girlfriend that we went out on Friday night, and that there were some sketchy looking people on our walk. She said that she began to feel really bad, coming to the realization that she had requested that I be removed of my ability to defend us if we needed it.
I was very happy to hear my girl tell me that she feels that I will handle a gun safely. I was even happier to hear that she acknowledges the need for a gun in a life threatening situation, and she is beginning to accept that preparing for self defense is a reality.
She flew out this morning. I think I have a convert
I just wanted to share this story because many times I hear posts where people say things inline with "if she can't deal with you carrying a gun, you just need to move on" (in regards to dating and guns threads). Sometimes that advice is good, but I think often there is another solution.
I did tell her that there was one condition... that I take her to the range while she is here and I teach her how to safely handle a gun. I told her that I would not preach to her or use it as a reason that she should allow me to carry around her. She agreed. In the back of my mind, I had concluded that I would never invite her to visit me with the idea that I would not carry again.
On our very first night out, I took her to a show in the city nearby. We had a great time, and we happened to pass by some sketchy looking characters when walking back to the car. [I did not choose that location/activity with the intent to get her to see a need for self defense.] After starting to drive home, without any prompting, she said to me "I would feel ok with you carrying your gun". I asked what brought that thought to her mind and she responded that she felt she could trust me to be safe with it.
Two days later, we went to the range with a friend and his girlfriend. We all had a great time and my girl was a great shot! When my friend and I were washing up after the shoot, he told me what his girlfriend had said to him... My girl had told my friend's girlfriend that we went out on Friday night, and that there were some sketchy looking people on our walk. She said that she began to feel really bad, coming to the realization that she had requested that I be removed of my ability to defend us if we needed it.
I was very happy to hear my girl tell me that she feels that I will handle a gun safely. I was even happier to hear that she acknowledges the need for a gun in a life threatening situation, and she is beginning to accept that preparing for self defense is a reality.
She flew out this morning. I think I have a convert
I just wanted to share this story because many times I hear posts where people say things inline with "if she can't deal with you carrying a gun, you just need to move on" (in regards to dating and guns threads). Sometimes that advice is good, but I think often there is another solution.
) People who accidentally discover that you are carrying can become very distrusting and upset, with almost a sense of betrayal. She was staying with me, so the last thing I wanted to introduce was a sense of dishonesty.
