WHY???

[Evad]

I'll play:

I grew up in the burbs. There were zero guns in my childhood. When I was 15 I found the gun my dad had disassembled at my mom's request. High standard 22...wish I still had it BTW. I am good at putting things together, and I did. It really wasn't far from ready. Mom hated guns. She warmed to the idea when she saw me owning them. I think because I'm prone to planning and thinking and she realizes I had good, safe reasons. She fired the .22 before I was born. Never touched a gun again, up until the day I got her to the range. She had a great time and wants one for herself.

At 17, I started going to the range with a friend. We did that for a couple years. In my 20s, I wanted another gun, but beer and sports cars were more important. I was just over 30 when I got a 9mm. Then a .40. No carrying, just some range fun. Life got very busy and until 18 months ago they sat neglected. Now I am back at it. P2C and all.

Why I like them, in no particular order:
The range is a fantastic stress reliever.
I am drawn to them...sort of a fascination.
I appreciate the mechanics and build. Even my revolver. It's not about complexity, I just appreciate it.
I feel safer knowing my gun is around, than when one isn't.
I can protect myself and my kids better than with a bat if need be. Not to mention bats are hard to carry around town.
Part of me wants to try hunting one day.
It represents freedom and my choice to own one. 2A gave me that, and I appreciate it.
With every fiber of my being, I hope I never need a gun. I hope it always stays how it is to me now.

That's how I would explain it to anyone, not just an SO that doesn't get it.

[Spartan]

Every Man, Woman, Child over 13 yrs who can legally should know how to survive!

1. Build a fire, make a shelter and perform basic first aide
2. make a snare/improvise a make shift rig for fishing and use a knife and a bow
3. Orient in the woods/collect water/identify the differences between edible and poisonous fauna
4. learn to swim/drive a standard transmission
5. operate a firearm, pistol, revolver, shotgun and rifles of most action types,

No one should walk around with out knowing how to survive ....

[sawgrass]

Every Man, Woman, Child over 13 yrs who can legally should know how to survive!

1. Build a fire, make a shelter and perform basic first aide
2. make a snare/improvise a make shift rig for fishing and use a knife and a bow
3. Orient in the woods/collect water/identify the differences between edible and poisonous fauna
4. learn to swim/drive a standard transmission
5. operate a firearm, pistol, revolver, shotgun and rifles of most action types,

No one should walk around with out knowing how to survive ....

Anti's would likely agree with most of that.

[jshuberg]

Why does a person want or need to own a firearm? Because it's necessary for the security of a free state. You might not win many arguments with this statement, but the founders got it right.

[Snakeman721]

Every Man, Woman, Child over 13 yrs who can legally should know how to survive!

1. Build a fire, make a shelter and perform basic first aide
2. make a snare/improvise a make shift rig for fishing and use a knife and a bow
3. Orient in the woods/collect water/identify the differences between edible and poisonous fauna
4. learn to swim/drive a standard transmission
5. operate a firearm, pistol, revolver, shotgun and rifles of most action types,

No one should walk around with out knowing how to survive ....

Unfortunately, most of the leftist anti crowd would probably be only able to collect water (how safe would it be???) and use a knife...some might even be able to drive a manual transmission.

[JTapper]

It's funny people bring up the manual transmission. Only one of my cars since I have been married has been an automatic. I just prefer manual. My wife HAD to drive on in drivers-ed, but that was just for a few minutes and 17 years ago.

My point to her was that what if we were out at the cabin and something happened to me. She would HAVE to drive my car. I try and get her to drive it once and a while just to build the repetetive habit of it. Her rebuttal was "oh,I'll remember how to do it", but I had her convinced that if we're in a sitaution where I cannot drive, she'll likely have many other things going through her mind that those skills will be easily forgotten if they're not instinctive.

Same thing applies to firearms. I know someone who keeps a loaded handgun in their nightstand, yet has never taken it to the range. If SHTF, is he going to be very effective in using it to defend himself?

[FJ540]

Same thing applies to firearms. I know someone who keeps a loaded handgun in their nightstand, yet has never taken it to the range. If SHTF, is he going to be very effective in using it to defend himself?

Same reason I sold the Mrs' 1911. She chose it as the one she preferred most when we were exposing her to handguns, and so I bought her one. She then failed to turn the safety off (numerous times) when "practicing" at the range. No mental retention of the weapon's function - none... She'd look at me when it wouldn't fire "It's not working" - "Is the safety off?" - "how do I do that?" So I sold her gun.

When she expresses more interest in guns, we'll revisit acquiring one for her. I have no delusions of her picking mine up after my being killed and continuing the fight. She's more concerned with the $200 spent to get her permit than remaining alive to have any need for that money. It's not something I can get to gain traction, despite her working for someone who deals with crazy people every day. If anyone in our family should be armed all the time, it's her. She's also aware of the dangers of her occupational situation and still refuses to address it.

[MWAG]

Because shooting is a fun hobby

[gun_fan111]

My SO enjoyed her trip to Gander's virtual range so much we stopped by the counter to "browse" right after. Guns are not a game but learning through playing is so seamless it sneaks up on you