You Learned To Shoot Because...

[ny32182]

Ever done something that just kinda imprints itself on your consciousness? I mean, something that, as soon as you do it for the first time, you know you were born to do?

That's me, with firearms.

By all rights, I should almost NEVER have come into contact with guns. My mother was a staunch Democrat, and my father didn't mention much. I grew up in the geographical center of the City of Chicago. As a teenager, my mother arranged for me to join the Operation PUSH choir

Yes, it was THAT far to the left.

But, I got ahead of myself. One night, off the porch of our old apartment building, my father let me wrap my hands around the stocks of a .32 Hand Ejector, and then let me pull the trigger. At the flash, and the crack of the revolver, I was hooked. For life.

Next, I procured from somewhere (don't quite remember how) an old Manual of Arms. This manual had the inner workings of the Garand, M1 Carbine, the BAR, cal. 30 machinegun, and the 1911A1. I found another manual too, with the M79 and some experimental rifle called the XM177E1.


Little did I know how that manual was going to shape my life. I excelled in ROTC because I studied D & C from that manual. I yearned, I hoped, and the pictures in that manual--and the love for firearms that I developed--led me to join the Army in 1977.

Why do I shoot? Because I like to. Because it is my right. Because I can!

This is basically my story as well, except for the joining the military and growing up right in the middle of a city parts, lol...

My mother is a 98% anti-gun liberal Democrat, and has always been over protective of myself and my brother... even today, now that I haven't lived with my parents since turning 18 years old, and back before that it was pretty bad. My brother is turning 18 in December, and I feel his pain, ha.. Anyhow, my father isn't like that, and comes from a much more conservative family than my mother, but he doesn't see a neccessity to voice his opinion, and pretty much just goes with the flow. He owns two rifles, a .22LR and a 30/30 lever action, but hasn't fired them in years. I wish I could say I was taught by long family tradition like most of you, but such is just not the case; I think I've probably only been shooting with my father a couple times in my life.

As to how my interest in guns developed, I have no idea. I can remember wanting (back then, very real looking) toy guns more than anything else from the time I was old enough to retain memories, so I guess it was just always there. Of course, my mother never allowed my desires for toy guns to be satisfied. Later, I acquired pellet guns and played tournament paintball in secret as a teenager. The only formal firearms class I've ever had was my CCW class. Everything I know was either completely self taught or learned from computerized resources such as this place, and I have to say that I think I'm doing pretty good considering I mentored myself.

For a while after moving out, I had the freedom but not the means to get into firearms. Now that I have both, my collection of gear has grown at an acceptable rate but is still sorely lacking compared to most of you, judging from the "how many calibers do you own" thread. But don't worry, my 4th caliber is on order as we speak.

I'm going home to visit my parents for Thanksgiving later on today, and I'm gonna take a couple AR-15's with me for my brother to look at.. might even take him shooting. I'll probably be just as excited about it as him, since .22LR is the only gun he's ever fired. Should be fun.

 

[Jonesy9]

I learned to shoot for something to do with my dad who was an avid shooter and competitor in his early days, never fired anything but 22's in Boy Scouts till I tried to get him back into it when I was around 25 (about the time I grew up and started to realize how much he meant to me).

We had a good time but his dimished eyesight and shaky hands got him down a bit.

So we bought a 21' walk around boat for ocean fishing together and have a great time together and can't wait till my son is old enough to come out with us.


I'm still shooting though and I'll shoot with my son before my eyesight goes

 

[Newt]

Because, like Ed, I grew up in the south. I have many memories when I was a child shooting/hunting with my dad, but can't seem to recall which memory came first, possibly because I was around guns from the time I was born and it was just always a part of my life.

Newt

 

[BerettaNut92]

College freshman; needed a new hobby.

Didn't pick up till after I turned 21 though.

 

[Dave R]

Because my Dad thought it was something every young boy needed to know.

 

[JohnBT]

Because...

You know kids, once they can walk pretty well they want to get into everything, see what everybody else is doing and master the useful skills of daily living.

I guess I could have stayed on the porch with my grandmother and helped her churn butter and snap beans and such.

A better question would be why I wanted to learn to drive a tractor and a truck. That led to work as soon as I could see around the wheel.

John

 

[MrAcheson]

Because skeet shooting is the most fun I have ever had, because guns are cool, and because specialization is for insects.

 

[Mornard]

We lived on a farm, we all got BBguns when we were 8 or 10. Graduated to a pellet rifle at 12, .22 at 14 -- way back in the days when my 16 yr old brother and I walked into the local Rummage Barn, and bought it ourselves!

 

[Bob Locke]

... everyone else in my family (dad, grandad, cousins, uncles, you name it) did, and I wasn't about to be left out (or be made fun of because of poor ability)!

I still recall an incident with my grandmother one morning when I was about 6 or 7. I went to the chicken coop to get some eggs one morning, and there was a snake inside with three or four eggs in him. I about crapped my pants and went running to the house. She calmed me down, went and got a little .22 revolver from her dresser drawer, gave it to me, and told me to deal with it. I dragged the bugger out with a rake and shot him right in the head. Felt about 10 feet tall, too! And not because I had killed the snake (well, not totally anyway), but because my grandmother trusted me enough to know that I was competent with that firearm.

Sometimes recalling that memory saddens me, because there are places in this country today where she would almost certainly go to jail for doing that.

 

[Gewehr98]

Because Mom & Dad didn't have a lot of money...

Paying a mortgage on a big 2-story house, 5 acre former farm, and between them they held down 2 full-time and 3 part-time jobs. But the garden provided the veggies and fruit, while Dad & I, and later my kid sister, provided the bluegills, and kept the freezer full of cottontail, venison, pheasant, duck, and goose. That worked well because my folks enrolled my scrawny little butt into the Junior Rifle Club - my sister joined 4 years later. I still have the trophies, and the Remington 521T, sort of - I gave it to my wife last year for Christmas. If we ever succeed in having a little sprout of our own, the legacy will continue, that's a guarantee.

 

[WvaBill]

It is what is done.
There is not a reason.
Like saying Sir and Maam.

Why do we continue to shoot?

For the reasons some choose to drive fast, engage in EXtreme sports. I don't mention defensive reasons because, IME, this is the result of the mindset shooting provides me. Shooting is the ends. The ability to be responsible for self is an advantage that comes from knowing how to shoot. I would not begin shooting to learn to defend myself. I have yet to be touched by violent crime, even remotely.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

[duckfoot]

Because I was hungry!

 

[Freedspeak]

My brother an I both learned early, it was a bit of family tradition (folks since the 1600's in Pa. (still have some of the B.P. stuff)), and dad was a small arms instructor in WWII. We were both good skeet shooters by 13, plus varmint, and local small and big game hunting at an early age (under 10).

 

[Dr.Rob]

Grew up doing it, Was shooting a bb-gun at age 5, 22's soon thereafter. Family tradition? We didn't go camping without burning a couple bricks of 22's. i didn't get 'serious' about guns/shooting/etc until I started hunting. I didn't get "serious" about defensive shooting/competition until I started thinking about getting a CCW. I made a decision to learn to shoot better. Every time.

Why SHOULD you learn to shoot?

Because someday you might have to. Because its fun. Because you are a citizen. Because someone doesn't want you to. Because you might be better at it than me.

 

[Ol' Badger]

I never realy had any interest in firearms as a child. Then I got beating and put in the Hospital when I was 12 by two men who thought it would be fun to beat a kid!

From that point on I started carrying a knife(Buck 110) and went on from there to handguns and then was shown the best outdoor activity in the world HUNT'N!!!!

Know I'm never without a blade and always within easy reach of a handgun in my Poke Bag.

Never Agian.

 

[WvaBill]

From that poit on I started carrying a knife(Buck 110)

Badger,
I'm still carryin the 110 I started cayyin when in 1975. I carried that knife in school
Went to MI for college and couldn't carry
Proudly carry it on weak side again.
Prolly technical violation, but no one has said anything.

 

[Ol' Badger]

WvaBill

I still take mine Hunt'n with me every season. I started in 1982. But not tactical enuff for today. My Father still carries his that he bought at the PX in Da Nang and its still going strong.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Sport. Pure, simple fun.

 

[Double Maduro]

I learned to shoot because it put food on the table.

I learned to shoot for fun because I had friends who were into varmints and targets.

I learned to shoot for protection, of myself-my loved ones and my country, because it was my job.

DM

 

[MountainPeak]

It was what we did. I'm 52, grew up in a farming/ranching community in ND. We shot for food. We shot for money(fur). We shot to protect our food/income(varmints). We shot for fun. We shot because we could, and because of that, weren't likely to be preyed on!

 

[Vasilia Zhietzev]

"Why did you learn to shoot?"

...One day I found myself in a place where I realized I had no defenses. I damn near died from lack of them. I did everything possible in my physical power to stop what was happening, yet I could'nt. And I'm no dainty piece, all lily buds and tinkling crystal...I'm as big as most men. I cannot tell of the feeling of awareness that the pain won't stop just because you're defeated & are on the ground. Maybe some you guys that are soldiers whom has seen battle would understand that. It did make me want to live, though. It also taught me something about the nature of humans.

Years later, I asked a co-worker whom was ex-military about firearms & shooting. After some conversations, I realized maybe just a martial art was not enough, though it got me out the bad habit of behaving like a victim. So I asked to be taught.

The wounds & anguish are long gone, but I shoot often & enjoy it as sport; it's not just 'self defense', 'just in case', or 'empowerment'. It's actually fun to me & has influenced my lifestyle in a positive direction.

 

[Orthonym]

I was already older than 40, when it dawned on me

1. If one pretends to be a citizen, and is registered to vote, he'd better be able to back it up.

2. Better late than never.

 

[geeman]

Scales and Chopsticks, Tin cans and ten rings

I learned to shoot for the same reason my mother-in-law learned to play piano.

1. I had the time.
2. I grew up with it.
3. I enjoy it.
4. I took lessons.
5. I'm good at it.
6. It serves a purpose.

"But you are not a policeman."

"Nor are you a professional musician."

Garry

 

[michiganfan]

I'm a lawyer, about 20 years ago the fellow who served all my process for me who was a deputy sheriff took me to the pistol range. It was a lot of fun. So I got a pistol. Went two three times a year. What was the point of going more often because in Michigan at the time it was a may issue state. When it became a shall issue state I got a permit and I go to the range two three times a month. I'm not bragging but I've become pretty good to about 25 yards out.
It is good feeling knowing you have the capability to protect you and your loved ones if push came to shove. You know at least if you are confronted by someone who has a weapon, at least that person won't be the only one who brought a date to the dance.

 

[T.Stahl]

...when I left secondary school at age 19 I was drafted and joined the army. Papa Staat gave me a G3 and told me I shoot learn to shoot with it (he also told me I should learn how to maintain and repair vehicles) to defend our country and the rights and freedoms of our people against the evil red hordes (well, it was '91 and they were already transitioning from Red Land to Green Land as the name of the imaginary enemy). If they only knew which seed they sowed.