My dad said I could have a gun when I was 14. I saved up all my lunch money and misc funds I could get, and talked him into lettimg me have a handgun, specifically a WWII CYQ P-38 (I was wild over the Man From U.N.C.L.E. at the time). In 1966, it cost $55, and surplus ammo was $2-$3 for a 64 round pack from Finland, or someplace in Europe. It shot fine, but I couldn't hit a gallon paint can at 25 feet at first. Then I got some book on shooting, and slowed down, hunkered up, and did what the author said, and pretty soon the groups got smaller, and I moved back to 25 yards, etc. Then it became FUN. My dad always thought I was nuts, and thought I should've gotten a .22 rifle. I never regretted it, and I'm sure I am nuts, but it made me the shooter I am today. I do remember that a Luger was $75, and an artillery Luger was $125 at the time............