this post was submitted on 20 Dec 2023
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Don't carry a gun unless you put the work into the learning curve. And it's a steep curve.
Make safety an unbreakable habit, and that takes practice. Shoot with someone more experienced, let them correct your mistakes, no matter how minor.
Putting steel on target, especially under stress, takes mad practice. If you haven't put 1,000 rounds through your personal weapon, leave it at home. How do you trust a gun you haven't shot 1,000 times?! Hell, 200 rounds is standard "break in" on a new pistol.
Can you draw it and get on target, shaking yourself shitless? Because if that day comes, you'll be scared shitless. Have you tried? Try. Run until you can't breathe, draw and fire. Try. Now do it again.
You don't have to go nuts memorizing ballistics charts, but have an idea what you can expect from $round at $range. You're going to have to watch a fuck-ton of videos, and practice, to get a real-world idea of what you're carrying and what you can do with it. Adjust accordingly.
Most people are woefully ignorant of what their state law allows in self-defense. Seen the craziest comments from such people. Hint: The law allows far less than you probably think, even in the reddest of states. Again, fuck ton of videos. Learn, or you might find yourself in a concrete and steel cage.
One more thought; A pistol is not a magical self-defense talisman. A gun is not a, "Get off me!" or "Leave me alone!", ward. A concealed gun is for one thing only, killing the person you show it to. If you cannot do that thing, I get you, and I'm with you, but don't carry.
Much the same goes for a home defense gun. Learn and train. Or do not. You're my friend either way.
(I'll plug Paul Harrell's channel. Zero politics, just the facts, stated and demonstrated, mildly amusing. Hundreds of videos on gun related subjects. And some fun presentations outside the gun world!)
Why all the exceptions? Just don´t carry a gun.
There is definitely a time and place for firearms, though most folks in the developed world have neither reason nor knowledge to do that.
My cousins for instance - they've a farm in southern Sweden, and have hunting rifles. Mostly for hunting, protecting cattle and crops (wild boar can tear up a field in a jiffy). However, I don't doubt they'd use them for protection if it came to that. The travel time for cops if they called 112 (our 911) would be in excess of an hour.
That's the same issues with pickup trucks and SUVs. There are people who really need them. But most people who own them never, ever actually use the features that make them special.
See, that's actually the part that worries me, and I have those friends to. I spend a decent amount of time at the range, and been around "farm guns" plenty.
But in a situation where I'm defending myself I'm probably NOT grabbing it. I haven't put in the hours, and every statistic says it's a drunk neighbor or some stupid kid. You absolutely should not grab a firearm for defense unless you've put in the mental work around NOT pulling the trigger, and just being comfortable with one doesn't cut it.
You don't have to look far for stories where someone was lost and pulled into the wrong driveway or the like and got blown away.
It's case by case for each person, and it really depends where you live. The vast majority of people do not need to carry a weapon to defend themselves. But for those that do have that need, be it crime, environment or something else, it's kind of like a seat belt, something you hope to never have to use, but could save your life or the life of someone you care about.
Vulnerable people should be able to defend themselves. GSRM have a high rate of being assaulted and weapons can be a strong deterrent to that, although it probably would be a better idea to carry pepper spray and other nonlethal weapons provided you know how to use them.
Not everyone lives in a developed country, some of us live in third world countries. I have a firearm and I wish to never have to use it for self defence, I will be extremely happy with that outcome.
One big thing that i learned while training for my CCW was even if you are in the right and shoot someone, your life is about to be hell. The average self defense shooting will run around 500K or something like that. It's just a life ruining event no matter what.
Don't get USCCA, lot's of bad shit from those guys not paying out.
Yeah I've heard that before. I went with CCW Safe since there's records of them paying out.
Yep, heard the same thing.
Thanks for that insight....do you have a pocket Leo you wish to share with the rest of us?
Cops aren't here for you my dude.
No shit.... that's why I carry. That was my whole point of my comment.
Are you having a stroke lad?
Leo = law enforcement officer...aka a cop, the popo, the fuzzy, the rozzers, pigs, plods, etc...
Group shooting with rednecks will get you well on your way on the basics. It's like having a shitload of uncles all excited to have you sharing a hobby. You'll get to fire a lot of different firearms, too.
Very few rednecks actually practice gun safety. I'll pass.
You're insane. I've gone shooting with them and they're spectacular about safety. Once they know you're a noob they're all there to tell you how to shoot.