Posted: 5/14/2007 8:44:47 PM EDT
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So I finally did it, I finally did it, I finally did it. The fruit of years, and years, and years, and years of pushing, talking, rationalizing, I finally did it wahoo! So we were in the Chiropractor's office the other day and she looked at me and said "I want to buy a gun, I'm tired of being a victim." I about jumped out of my skin. I nearly died, all of the years, ALL OF THE YEARS, from the progression from pop guns, nerf, paintball, airsoft (not that I've done either in the last 6 years, to defend myself) and finally firearms, from going shooting with my dad and friends, from explaining it to her and rationalizing it to her. My mom, who had grown up under a man who really, to be totally honest, abused firearms, and his family (physically and mentally), who had pretty much been the worst advocate for guns ever. In that he threatened her, always had them around, had fired over her car at some points, etc. ( I loved my grandfather, but he was a hard man to love, so did she, even past the point of disownment but that's neither here nor there nor related. ) She grew up in the Hippy era, and was one, she went to college in SC, after moving here when she was 17-18 with her family with no alternative, her would be husband was killed in Vietnam, she hated all things about war and violence. She thought I was a nut for liking guns, and I always have, since I was a kid. I learned everything I could, but she hated them none the less, anyway, she met a neighbor down the street and he's a regular guy, in IT (like myself) drives the same make car, etc, a lot in common, he likes guns as well, other people in her professional community who like guns, etc. We converted her, eventually. I told her, guns aren't the problem, society is. I brought up the point right after that about arguing with a guy who lived in the UK, who said that guns were bad, at least he could run from a knife, and I said to him "How short-sighted are you? You see the immediate, the moment, the scenario, you're already a victim in your own example. You see in environments like Kennesaw Georgia (long story short, they legislated firearm ownership as mandatory for all citizens) and with harsher punishment on crime, you wouldn't ever be chased by criminals, criminals wouldn't exist, they would be deterred they would go to areas where the weak were. Our cities are a utopia for criminals in that, they have lax laws, because of the liberal legislators, and a disarmed populace because of liberal legislators, so not only do they have the best source to enterprise upon, but they also will get away with it." (that was off topic, but I got into a rant) So here's my thinking, she said she'd like to go to a gun show with me next time one is in town. I'm thinking, what I told her, is we go to gun shops, and find guns that she likes, that fit well in her hand, and then go to a large gun range, or commercial gun range and rent multiple firearms that she likes or is interested in and let her try them. I've been pushing for her to get armed because, I'm going to be gone in a few years and I don't want to worry about her, or at least I'd like for her to have a better chance of fighting for her self than without. I think I might be even able to talk her into a CCW one day, but like with the initial conversion, it will take time, rationalization, discussion. Rome wasn't built in a day, I have a feeling if we are to really change minds, this is how it will have to be nation wide, rationalization will eventually over run hysterical ramblings about "assault weapons" and the irrational fears that plague our larger cities, etc. But anyway, I talked to a friend of mine, who is in the gun business (well he works for a dealer anyway while he's in college) I'm thinking a Sig, Glock, Something in 9mm or .40 S&W, like I told her tonight, she may not even want a semi-auto, she may want a revolver, I brought up another topic where it basically ended "you pick what works best for you, that's the best weapon." I want her to try .45 ACP, but, I think that's the roof of our operation, and I don't want her with anything lighter than a 9mm. So there's our parameters, in short, what worked for you ladies what didn't? What are some things to steer clear of, what are some things that'll reinforce it, etc? EDIT: P.S. and as much as I like this forum and the people in it, she will never find her way here, if she ever saw a "G-String, Thong or Granny Panties Thread" and the amount of harassment you ladies go through, I'd shoot every bastard involved, and yes, I mean that in the illegal, immoral, back of the head execution that we all know and fear. (Not that I condone murder, but, in a heart beat.) |
First of all, congrats on being patient and waiting for her to come around. You can't force people into liking, or even tolerating, something. You just have to wait for them to see the logic and need, and come around on their own time.  Secondly, you seem to have hit all the major points regarding the logistics...Take her to a range and see what's comfortable for her. I would start slow with her. I wouldn't put a .45 in her hand first and see what happens. It's best to work up to it if she's not used to being around it, but you know all this. As for the type of gun, my first thought was a revolver, b/c that takes out slide racking issue. I don't know how old your mom is, but some older women have a hard time racking a slide. If they know they're not very good at it, they're going to panic more if a situation were to arise, whereas a pea shooter isn't going to pose a problem. It's point and shoot, no worries. Just take her to the range and see what she gravitates towards. You go, mom. 
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I think a 9mm would be great for her to start with. Can you find a woman who works at the range? or do you know a woman who shoots regularly? I know that at the range I work at a lot of women who come in, even if they really want to be there, have told me that they\ are greatly relieved to see another woman (especially one who is carrying or on the range shooting). If you cannot find a woman for your mom to talk to, before you go out on the range, have her practice picking up the gun and dry firing at home. Show her how to load and unload. Let her become as familiar as you can with one of your guns. If she is already familiar with the basic operation of a gun that will be one less hurdle at the range. And don't be disappointed if she only wants to shoot a little bit the first few times out. Make a "mom date" once every week or ten days to go to the range. She will start to associate guns with getting to spend time with her baby. What mom wouldn't want that? Most of all, HAVE FUN!! |