What, if any, type of media helped you first gain your interest in firearms?
- Thread starter greenr18
- Start date
- Status
I just remembered a much earlier influence for me:
Watching reruns of Fess Parker as Davy Crockett when I was 4 years old. Never did have a coonskin hat...that level of following was in my parent's generation.
Watching reruns of Fess Parker as Davy Crockett when I was 4 years old. Never did have a coonskin hat...that level of following was in my parent's generation.
I grew up on wild west cowboy movies. I'd say it started there. Dad got me an old used Daisy lever action BB gun, then later a nicer crossman pump gun and a Co2 repeater. After a while a became interested in hunting and eventually took my course and purchased my first serious firearm. Who says kinds arn't influenced by television.
I read a library book while in high school titled "Outdoor Life Complete Book of Shooting." It had sections on rifle, shotgun, and handgun. The handgun section was written by Jeff Cooper and, in contrast to the rifle and shotgun sections, had a startling amount of text devoted to self-defense. That book got me interested in handguns and self-defense.
I was shooting before Fess Parker made it onto the tv in 1955, but I'd say he helped, along with Hoppy and Roy and all the guys. Whatever happened to Sky King anyway?
But the one who made the biggest impression was...
But the one who made the biggest impression was...
I am 34 so I spent my formative years watching 80s TV shows that had a lot of gun-centric action and themes. Miami Vice, A-Team and Hunter just to name a few.
However most of my knowledge and later interest (obession) came from the gun magazines of that time which faded into near obsolescence. I somehow convinced my mother to buy me magazines like G&A and Combat handguns at the news stand. I even vaguely remember getting huge catalog type books, titled something like "Small Arms of the World" for my birthday.
Interestingly enough it was 3 years spent in the infantry that somewhat killed my fascination with firearms. Now its more or less a minor hobby of mine now that I have more disposable income.
However most of my knowledge and later interest (obession) came from the gun magazines of that time which faded into near obsolescence. I somehow convinced my mother to buy me magazines like G&A and Combat handguns at the news stand. I even vaguely remember getting huge catalog type books, titled something like "Small Arms of the World" for my birthday.
Interestingly enough it was 3 years spent in the infantry that somewhat killed my fascination with firearms. Now its more or less a minor hobby of mine now that I have more disposable income.
A combination of survival type books read as a kid - such as "The Day After" and just realizing that survival means having TOOLS. Also role playing games such as Shadowrun or Rifts. And finally movies with guns like the Terminator or the Road Warrior or Bladerunner - movies where guns make the difference in fighting back and surviving. I even had a bb gun as a kid.
Oddly, I was anti-gun in my naive youth and even into my later years in college. I distinctly remember thinking that only the police and military should have guns and remember a debate I got into with a very pro-gun person and that debate alone made me rethink my naive position. I attribute that debate with setting my pro-gun gears in motion.
I bought my first handgun in college and my collection has grown ever since.
Oddly, I was anti-gun in my naive youth and even into my later years in college. I distinctly remember thinking that only the police and military should have guns and remember a debate I got into with a very pro-gun person and that debate alone made me rethink my naive position. I attribute that debate with setting my pro-gun gears in motion.
I bought my first handgun in college and my collection has grown ever since.
We had a few guns on display at home, but the thing that made avidly interested was old WWII movies on TV. Black and white films shown in the afternoon on weekends. That and the old "The Big Picture" TV series, a documentary series produced by the US Army. Those old b&w shows on television triggered an interest in history and the arms and armor in it.
^ This. The Firearms mod for Half-Life was IMO, the most addicting online FPS game of my high school years. Boy was I good. I also liked the fact that as you gained more points, you added new skill sets to your player. I really liked being a medic. My favorite level was ps_sand.
I don't play computer games any more. I've played a couple of games here and there, but the last time I played any computer game for more than 20 minutes was in 2001. I have a VERY unhealthy addiction to them and I find that self-denial is the only treatment.
I was born in 1958, so guns in media were normal and ubiquitous. My first trip to "Camp Thunderbird" included "rifle-range" and I loved it. I don't know if my parents "signed me up" for it, or if it was just part of the regular routine there. Then I got a 22 bolt-action Marlin for my 12th birthday. It was just part of growing up back then. Ahhh.. the good old days...
Les
Les
- Status
Similar threads
