Against owning a gun...

[redneckmedic]

It appears to me that not only is that sidearm unloaded (j/k as it should be) but putting your pistola that far away from your body with an attacker so close you just asking for it to be taken from you! Try tucking into your hip and using your weak hand to swat the "bad guys" away!!!

This is all satire of course, but still a good lesson!

[Joe Williams]

Originally Posted by redneckmedic

It appears to me that not only is that sidearm unloaded (j/k as it should be) but putting your pistola that far away from your body with an attacker so close you just asking for it to be taken from you! Try tucking into your hip and using your weak hand to swat the "bad guys" away!!!

This is all satire of course, but still a good lesson!

If a woman, or a smaller guy like me, tries putting a hand out to swat a bad guy away, they are simply going to be grabbed by that arm and pulled closer. Then have their gun taken. We simply cannot win any close range physical confrontation like that with any reliability.

Try taking a gun from a person in the state Cathy is in in that picture... but with her starting finger on the trigger, which is where she would be. Again... photog took enough chances taking that pic LOL. You won't succeed.

[rhino]

I think my mom still doesn't like that I sometimes have contact with firearms, and even though I'm a boy, I'm her baby (the youngest!). She's mostly good about it, but every once in a while I get a reminder. Every time I leave the house to take a class, teach a class, shoot a match, etc. she asks me not to go.

Hopefully you'll get some good instruction from a good teacher and the confidence you build as your skills grow and develop will help you deal with the inevitable objections from family members.

[JByer323]

The only advice I can give you is once you've picked/purchased said gun, get some training. Most importantly, everyone needs it.

But you an also now tell your mom/sister "Look, I own a gun, but I've taken practical courses in how to use and implement is safely and efficiently."

That's what we call ammo.

[IndyRoadie]

Originally Posted by JByer323

The only advice I can give you is once you've picked/purchased said gun, get some training. Most importantly, everyone needs it.

But you an also now tell your mom/sister "Look, I own a gun, but I've taken practical courses in how to use and implement is safely and efficiently."

That's what we call ammo.

I can't praise the NRA Basic Pistol course enough. I highly recommend it.

Rachel, you will even get a frameable certificate you can hang on the wall to point to when you say "See! I even took training!"

[IUGradStudent]

Originally Posted by JByer323

The only advice I can give you is once you've picked/purchased said gun, get some training. Most importantly, everyone needs it.

But you an also now tell your mom/sister "Look, I own a gun, but I've taken practical courses in how to use and implement is safely and efficiently."

That's what we call ammo.

I was thinking this, too. I was also thinking maybe taking a course that includes a unit on how to keep control of your weapon in an encounter would also be good. Then when they say your gun will be taken away from you and used against you you can respond that you've had training in how to avoid that (probably from the same people who train the police). A private 1-2 hour session just on that after you've done NRA Pistol or something similar might be good -- or a more "fighting pistols" oriented course, though that might be a bit too intense. Just another idea to consider. Best of luck with the fam! And don't get too frustrated and mad -- if you do that you've already lost no matter what you say!

[Jack Ryan]

Originally Posted by RachelMarie

...I'm really getting fed up.
I'm not sure how to handle this. I feel very strongly about purchasing (and carrying) and I dont want to hear the crap lines they are feeeding me.

I'm not sure the reasoning behind their comments. Maybe it's because I am the baby of the family, and at 25 they refuse to think I am grown up...

It just really boils down to one thing, are you REALLY grown up?

If you are living on your own, paying your own bills, and supporting yourself then you are a grown up ready to take responsibility for your own decisions. Can't stop advice but in the end you can do what you want. If this is the case my advice is to just not bring it up. What would be the point?

If you still live with mom and dad, they pay your bills, tuition, rent or provide you with a car, what ever, then you are not a grown up ready to make your own decisions and accept responsibility for the results.

[RachelMarie]

Originally Posted by Jack Ryan

It just really boils down to one thing, are you REALLY grown up?

If you are living on your own, paying your own bills, and supporting yourself then you are a grown up ready to take responsibility for your own decisions. Can't stop advice but in the end you can do what you want. If this is the case my advice is to just not bring it up. What would be the point?

If you still live with mom and dad, they pay your bills, tuition, rent or provide you with a car, what ever, then you are not a grown up ready to make your own decisions and accept responsibility for the results.

Are you serious? I'm a 25 year old MOM/WIFE...Of course I dont live with my parents.
I'm going to bed. I just wanted to get that out there!

[IUGradStudent]

Originally Posted by RachelMarie

Are you serious? I'm a 25 year old MOM/WIFE...Of course I dont live with my parents.
I'm going to bed. I just wanted to get that out there!

I think he was just saying "look, you're grown up, you're in charge of you, so if this is what you want to do, then do it." I think there's a lot more to be said about how you can approach them and deal with them, but I don't think he was seriously suggesting you still live with your parents. He was just saying you're on your own so you can decide

[Jack Ryan]

Originally Posted by RachelMarie

Are you serious? I'm a 25 year old MOM/WIFE...Of course I dont live with my parents.
I'm going to bed. I just wanted to get that out there!

Don't see any thing in the original post that would lead me to ASSUME that much but if that's the case, I don't see where your problem is other than if they ban you from carrying it in their house. In that situation I'd just lock it in the car at the curb when I was visiting them. Respect their house and house rules when you are there and expect the same respect in return when they visit yours.

Outside of your relatives in opposition's property and position of authority, such as your own house or public resturaunts, here's one possible reply to any statements of concern.

"Mother/father/sister I know you are concerned with my safety but I feel I need to take responsibility for my own safety rather than wait for a police officer to come fill out the paper work. I've made sure I am competent to handle this tool and intend to make good use of it. (MAKE SURE IT'S TRUE BEFORE YOU SAY IT) The topic of my purchasing it is something I considered settled and not something I wish to discuss. Now let's enjoy our time together and move on to something more entertaining to talk about."

If they ever become genuinely interested in learning about the subject rather than just initiating an opportunity to preach, then is the time to be prepared with appropriate and accurate information.