Another New Life Experience...Today I Shot a Gun for the First Time

[Annaka]

Guns hold no interest for me. They scare me. But I am also aware that I live alone in the fourth largest city (by population) in the US. I have gone my entire life having never seen a real gun in person...until a few weeks ago.

A co-worker of mine who is also female and lives alone in a very nice home in a very nice community about 12 miles from me had no idea that in the house directly behind hers there were illegal drug activities. Last week, in the dark of night, a SWAT team raided the house. Flash bangs destroyed the silent, dark night. Bullets flew, windows were shattered, eight men were arrested, the pit bulls that provided security for the drug dealers were collateral damage. She (my friend) had no way to protect herself other than hitting the floor and calling 911 (she was unaware that it was a drug raid).

So I thought about it and realized I am in much the same position. My brothers have encouraged me to consider getting a gun.

I didn't know where to start so I found my way to a local gun show a few Saturdays ago. My heart was truly pounding through my chest. I never saw so many weapons (not just guns but also knives, bullets, rifles and mace) in one place. And for the first time, I picked up an unloaded handgun. A Ruger .22mm.  It felt, well, odd. It was awkward but not as horrible as I expected.

Before I would even consider owning a gun, I have to learn all that I can so I can make an informed decision. Today I took a basic handgun safety class which started with a 1.5 hour lecture/presentation. With an instructor at my side and protection for my ears and eyes, I shot a gun for the first time today at a firing range. I shot a Sig Sauer P229 .9mm at a paper target. I shot 50 rounds, ten per cycle aimed at different parts of the target. I did fair at hitting the smaller parts of the target but scored 100% for shots fired at the chest of the paper target.

I was startled by the sound of gun fire and the recoil of the gun. I can't say that I enjoyed it but I am now closer to deciding if owning a gun is right for me. Right now, I am leaning towards no. But I am going back in two weeks to shoot the Ruger .22mm.  The .9mm is a little to heavy and powerful for me.

Never in my life did I ever think I would shoot a gun. But I did. Life certainly has been a series of new experiences since my divorce.

[H0$$]

The fear of the unknown coupled with the left lunatics that convince the public that guns are some evil object. Guns are nothing more than tools. I own drills, saws, hammers and guns. Guns are not dangerous and are not scary. It's a piece of metal with moving parts. It doesn't jump up and shoot you or anyone else. Two hundred million guns killed no one today. Guns aren't necessary until you need one. Fire extinguishers aren't needed unless you have a fire. Never be afraid or apologetic for wanting to defend yourself from harm. Those that are will always be remembered as 'victim'.

[DrDoo]

Just a quick note.
I would not recommend a 22 for protection. It is great for target practice but for protection you want something that at least has some stopping power.

If it is just for your home nothing beats a shotgun.
 

[Wolfy]

In part, I agree with the Dr, but shooting and hitting someone with a 22 is better than missing with a 9 mm or 38. But you have to know that when or if the time comes that you will be able to shoot a person, and you shoot until the threat is gone. That means the bad guy is running away or he is on the ground unable to hurt you. With a 22 you would probably have to shoot him in the face to do it. If you can't do that then a gun is no good. Like H0$$ said, guns are not bad or evil. The person who uses them for bad is bad. Inside the home defense is not best for a shotgun. It's to easy for the bad guy to reach around a corner and have enuogh leverage to push the barrel away from pointing at him. In knock down power it is certainly the best but if your nervous shooting a 9 I don't think you will feel better with a shotgun.

[H0$$]

Put a couple of hundred rounds through a .45acp then the 9mm will feel like a BB gun. Apparently you shot the 9mm well. That's all that counts. Should the need ever arise to use it, you won't remember the weight or the recoil. You will remember whether you stopped your target or not.

[Bosco]

I agree with the boys.....  .22 cal is too small for protection. You're gonna want at least a .38 or 9mm. I know you can handle a 9mm, you just need to get used to it. Its really important to find one that fits your hand, too. Especially if your grip is smaller. Try a Glock or a Browning High Power....lots of grip choices.
What Wolfy says is important .....if your not willing to use it when it counts, doesn't matter what gun you buy....might as well get a nice baseball bat. The more you train with a gun, the more you will be able to rely on muscle memory when you need to use it. And less chance of having an accident.

[Cam]

3 hollows  3 buckshot   and remember the sequence.. front or back.  then a cute ankle bracelet 3 and a really 'special' one tucked in the back of your waistband 

or crap just go 4 the 'judge n jury' and call it good`

I do commend u on your bravery to at least reach out and discover your options for personal protection.   

Having the desire and the drive to research and discover your options is indeed a good thing. 

Don't stop with a pistol , seriously take personal self defense classes .. so vitally important in ensuring or clarifying the need 'for deadly force' self confidence and knowing how to respond is soo important in your ability to protect yoursepf
 

[AKA Betsy Braddock]

Annaka, I remember feeling terrified at the thought of holding a gun in my own hands. ANd even worse at the thought of needing to carry one.

The sad fact is, dangerous violent crime can affect you just as easy as it can anyone else, anyplace, any time. The sadder truth is, when you need the police, they can't be there until after the fact.

Who can say when you would ever need to know how to use a weapon? Would you have the guts to fire off a bullet to kill someone who is threatening you? Could you fire off that shot that cripples or the one that forever stops someone? Do you cringe at the thought, "Aim to kill, because there can only be one story?" Education is your friend - the more you learn about self protection and safety, the better your chance to protect yourself or someone else.

And did you know, you can carry a Judge or a Glock discreetly - I think they even make Spanx with holsters built in.

[New Chapter]

How frightening Annaka....and I agree with your thoughtfulness around making a very informed decision and learning how to operate the weapon you choose. I think that would be my fear...not feeling confident enought in it's use to react in an emergency.

Here in the Great White North we don't seem to have so much gun related violence or feel the urgent need to protect ourselves as a regular citizen. I still don't know or understand in clear terms what the difference is except that I think we just don't have as much violent crime that effects regular citizens. Yes there is violence and shootings but it's usually within the criminal culture itself - them turning on each other or other extreme circumstances. Guns just don't seem to be part of our everyday culture here. No one I know owns one other than those who are hunters.
I've myself have never really had cause to worry nor have any of my friends, family or aquaintances. I live in the centre one of the largest cities in this country and continue to feel pretty safe thank goodness.....your story does give me pause for thought though.

Anyway I'm glad you're taking steps to protect yourself and I think Betsy's advice is excellent  

[H0$$]

The funny thing about a gun...you never really need a gun until you need a gun. At that point, they're pretty important to have. Anyone that says they couldn't shoot someone has just never been in a situation where they feel like they're going to die unless they do. We are a self-preserving species.

[Sue-Bee]

Well.....I'm looking to buy a couple handguns now that the SOB stole ours. I really liked the 38, but am open to suggestions. I think Bill is going automatic. I just like the revolvers. Maybe it's just me, but the automatics I've shot in the past have jammed and that worries me should I get in a situation.

[H0$$]

Glock 17, no jams, 3 times the rounds of a revolver, loaded with Starfires and you have a very formidable defense weapon.

[Sue-Bee]

Yeah...probably will end up with something like that. I still want a small revolver for my purse. Do you know anything about the hammerless ones?  I am not familiar with them at all.