Should you buy a gun or not?

[firecadet613]

I got a concealed carry permit in the spring after inheriting my father's police service weapon. It was amazingly easy but apparently that's not the norm everywhere.

It was way too big to carry so I bought a pocket sized .380 that's never more than a foot away.

I have to admit that carrying was strange for a week or so but now it's on the coffee table, in my front pocket or wedged between the console and passenger seat.

Where I live anyone without a felony in their past owns/carries. Makes you think about who you mess with and nobody worries about break ins or robberies.

I'd always had rifles and shotguns though.

Concealed is concealed.

 

[Chip S]

Over 39 million guns were sold in 2020. Over 25 million guns were sold in the first 7 months of 2021. I would say a large number of people believe now is a good time to buy a gun.

As others have said, if you buy a gun, learn how to use it safely and effectively. Owning a gun doesn't make you a marksman just like owning a guitar doesn't make you a musician.

 

[Shenanigans77]

Over 39 million guns were sold in 2020. Over 25 million guns were sold in the first 7 months of 2021. I would say a large number of people believe now is a good time to buy a gun.

As others have said, if you buy a gun, learn how to use it safely and effectively. Owning a gun doesn't make you a marksman just like owning a guitar doesn't make you a musician.

True….boating is my hobby…..firearms are my passion. Have been all my life. Im stevie ray vaughn with a glock.

 

[HawkX66]

Over 39 million guns were sold in 2020. Over 25 million guns were sold in the first 7 months of 2021. I would say a large number of people believe now is a good time to buy a gun.

As others have said, if you buy a gun, learn how to use it safely and effectively. Owning a gun doesn't make you a marksman just like owning a guitar doesn't make you a musician.

Everytime a scumbag gun grabber flaps their gums, firearms manufacturers smile... They don't even need marketing departments anymore.
FJB

 

[sbw1]

I need to add everyone here in East Ky and southern WV packs anyway. Regardless of the law. That includes the x-felons.

Just curious and no disrespect intended, does your area of the country have a lot of shootings? Or, is gun violence significantly lower because folks know that it does not pay to mess with others because it can get them killed?

 

[440 Jim]

Already have enough weapons, CCP holder for 35yrs. Military/FHP Dad and grew up with it.

Would hope it does not work out that we need. That said, I have had to display my firearm twice in the last three years for unruly folks. Don't stop in the middle of the Wendys drive thru exit and get out, threaten to beat my ass (three times- went to his car and back 3 times to threaten me further) because I lightly honked to let you know I was going around you while you checked your 5 bag, 23 item order for accuracy after I waited for 10 min so you could get everything just right. Take your mayo and shove it up your A##.

We are in an explosive society these days

I even get that way sometimes, think we are breeding idiots nowadays.

But I digress...

 

[Mark.60]

The west wasn’t won with registered guns

 

[mquiet]

Own them and shoot them. Carry conceal. I would recommend to everyone just don't go to the range and shoot. If you plan to carry conceal. Have fun in the waistband and practice pulling from waistband and firing. This is also a skill and requires muscle memory. Always simulate to the best of your ability and what the range will allow. I practice both removing from holster and also right and left handed...always master the tools of the trade.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Here in Ca, getting a CCP is a PITA in urban areas anyway. I have considered it but I always have my .380 ACP with me. I should practice with it more probably but I have never been passionate about burning thru ammo. My guns are strictly for home and self defense. I keep my 380 in my back pack front pocket and keep my back pack at my desk in the center of the school hangar. I would be in hot water for sure if the Admin ever found out but I don't let anyone know it is there, If I ever need to use it, I'll be happy to defend my actions.
I'm in the the camp that thinks that anyone who is legally allowed to own a gun, should. Over the past several months there have been several examples of home owners successfully using lethal force to protect their castle and families. Eventually one would think the thugs will get a clue and think long and hard as to their exposure when deciding to B&E to do harm.
What does suck is how difficult it is to find Ammo on a regular basis. I have stocked up and have plenty since I do not shoot recreationally.
Glad that the gal the GFC posted about was trotted out as an example of someone doing it right rather than probably the norm, Chick buys a gun, kid finds it, takes it to school and gives the anti gun folks more ammo for their argument.
Carpe Diem

 

[blaster]

 

[Gofirstclass]

My question to you is, what are you doing watching the view?don’t buy a gun , buy a few guns with lots of ammunition.
You can’t have it both ways. Don’t prosecute the criminals then complain the crime is out of control.

Mark I was not watching The View. I was watching a Youtube video that discussed what was in my OP.

For the record, I spent 15 years as a cop. Most of that as an NRA trained firearms instructor, also an FBI trained Hostage Negotiator. I shot in competition for over 10 years and reached (IIRC) the Grand Master level which was about as high as a shooter could get. I usually shot about 25,000 rounds a year between teaching, training and competition. I was also a WA state trained firearms instructor and taught courses to departments around the state who did not have a firearms instructor but their officers still needed to be certified.

I spent 2 weeks at the S&W police armorer school in Springfield, a week at a Remington armorer school, 3 or 4 days at a Glock school and a couple of others I can't recall.

As an owner, I had every barrel length of S&W .44 mag in blue and stainless, a few assorted .357's, some .41 Mags, .38 specials and a Model 41 .22 mag target pistol. Also an assortment of rifles and shotguns. I have shot 2 caribou with my .44 mag 6" that had a scope mounted on it, the longest shot was about 125-150 yards.

I keep a couple of guns around the house, hidden and loaded but hope I never have to use them. IMHO an unloaded firearm is not much more than a small, impractical club. If you keep your guns unloaded get yourself girl's softball bat to keep near your unloaded gun; it'll work better and it's quieter.

I've been in one shooting where I introduced the bad guy to my "One and Done" program. He had a 12 guage, I had a .38 (dept issue) S&W.

Over the years I have given most of my guns to my son, as well as my 30 gun safe. I bought a smaller safe (12 gun?) that I keep a few guns and important papers in.

And, as Paul Harvey used to say, "now you know the rest of the story."

 

[bobeast]

I'm not one of those end-of-days doomsayers. However I do believe society is deteriorating at an accelerated rate. I don't know where the tipping point is, but yes, I believe each of us needs to be prepared to protect ourselves.

 

[MoonRiver]

"guns don't kill people, people kill people" I've always believed this to be true. The problem today is that too many stupid people own or have access to guns. I carried a weapon for over 20 yrs in the service of my country and I continue to carry legally today. Everyone should be prepared to protect themselves and their families.

I too keep multiple weapons most of them are stored in locked safes, but there are some that are placed strategically (loaded) if needed. As stated by another an unloaded gun is useless. Goes with the defensive weapons strategy of don't point a gun at anything you are not willing to shoot.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

 

[Fill Ess]

 

[Fill Ess]

Love to go shooting at the range -- but don't have any in the house right now because my kids are little. The way my youngest son handles toy guns, with zero trigger discipline, he has a lot to learn before I or anyone else brings real firearms into the house

 

[Tucker K5]

Own them and shoot them. Carry conceal. I would recommend to everyone just don't go to the range and shoot. If you plan to carry conceal. Have fun in the waistband and practice pulling from waistband and firing. This is also a skill and requires muscle memory. Always simulate to the best of your ability and what the range will allow. I practice both removing from holster and also right and left handed...always master the tools of the trade.

There is a scene early on in the movie Collateral with Tom Cruise where he pulls a gun from concealment and in an instant his adversaries are falling to the ground and the shell casings are still hitting the pavement when it’s over.
Maybe we don’t have to be that quick but we have to be that decisive and that has to already be in our head before we ever find ourselves in that situation.

 

[JayhawkCurtis]

I have owned guns all my life, and have had CC for 15 years. Looks like I have 7 handguns, Ammo and several long guns and shotguns. I rarely carry concealed, but always have a pistol in the pickup with me. My wife has a pistol and CC permit as well. Practice practice practice, always be aware of your surroundings.
Oh yea, From my cold dead hands!

 

[Soulshine]

Concealed is concealed.

If you're referring to the console thing, I drive to and from work in the dark. During the day, when driving its in the pocket in the door. In my pocket or waistband is useless when belted in.

Either way, it and everything around it is flat black and in an Uncle Mike's size 4 holster its invisible.

 

[HawkX66]

Love to go shooting at the range -- but don't have any in the house right now because my kids are little. The way my youngest son handles toy guns, with zero trigger discipline, he has a lot to learn before I or anyone else brings real firearms into the house

I spent a lot of time teaching my sons about firearms when the were very young. Even if you don't have them in your house, what if they're at a friend's and you don't know the parent is irresponsible?
I tested them too. ie. Leave one out every once in a while unloaded to see what they'd do.

 

[HawkX66]

If you're referring to the console thing, I drive to and from work in the dark. During the day, when driving its in the pocket in the door. In my pocket or waistband is useless when belted in.

Either way, it and everything around it is flat black and in an Uncle Mike's size 4 holster its invisible.

Opinions vary on the safety of this type of magnetized holder, but I'll tell you for this one, it's not going anywhere until I pull it.