All,
I've been reading a lot of threads regarding women and guns of late. Reading most of it here, I'm admittedly pro-gun biased. I've read of the mindset required to own the gun, the responsibility that comes with it, the pleasures of plinking and practicing, and the frustrations with society in general with current American culture regarding pro and anti stances on firearms.
I posted a thread regarding a woman that was attacked in Wilsonville or vicinity and fortunately did not become a statistic. The perp was not so fortunate. My stance was that single moms should own guns. Many chimed in on both sides of this statment. And I am firm in my position having grown up with a single mom at the reigns. And admittedly, she did not own a gun to my knowledge.
Okay, enough background. What I have not seen much discussion on is the process of deciding you need a gun for home protection. Then the period shortly thereafter where it can dominate your conscience, dreams and psyche in general because of it's primary purpose, self defense. You know, the thoughts of actually having to follow through.
I've always had a rifle, but putting a handgun on my nighstand made me sleep uneasy for a week or two. I had some bad dreams, every o'dark thirty bump woke me up for a while. I almost doubted it was the right thing to do since so much anti programming present in metropolitan environments. I got over it and have now come to a position that I rely on that pistol being there and do sleep better at night because of it.
I imagine this is a normal response to the first SD/HD gun purchase, however, I don't see it communicated as effectively as it should be. I think this very process I went through is what antis are afraid of. That somehow their going to become deranged lunatics on a killing spree simply because they bought the tools to do it.
How do you comfort someone, particularly a woman in this case, that this is a prudent decision. The heady stuff is just part of the curve and it will settle in. I'd like to just stay on the point of this initial "setting in" rather than arguing the minutia of details of why it is or is not a good idea for people.
jeepmor
I've been reading a lot of threads regarding women and guns of late. Reading most of it here, I'm admittedly pro-gun biased. I've read of the mindset required to own the gun, the responsibility that comes with it, the pleasures of plinking and practicing, and the frustrations with society in general with current American culture regarding pro and anti stances on firearms.
I posted a thread regarding a woman that was attacked in Wilsonville or vicinity and fortunately did not become a statistic. The perp was not so fortunate. My stance was that single moms should own guns. Many chimed in on both sides of this statment. And I am firm in my position having grown up with a single mom at the reigns. And admittedly, she did not own a gun to my knowledge.
Okay, enough background. What I have not seen much discussion on is the process of deciding you need a gun for home protection. Then the period shortly thereafter where it can dominate your conscience, dreams and psyche in general because of it's primary purpose, self defense. You know, the thoughts of actually having to follow through.
I've always had a rifle, but putting a handgun on my nighstand made me sleep uneasy for a week or two. I had some bad dreams, every o'dark thirty bump woke me up for a while. I almost doubted it was the right thing to do since so much anti programming present in metropolitan environments. I got over it and have now come to a position that I rely on that pistol being there and do sleep better at night because of it.
I imagine this is a normal response to the first SD/HD gun purchase, however, I don't see it communicated as effectively as it should be. I think this very process I went through is what antis are afraid of. That somehow their going to become deranged lunatics on a killing spree simply because they bought the tools to do it.
How do you comfort someone, particularly a woman in this case, that this is a prudent decision. The heady stuff is just part of the curve and it will settle in. I'd like to just stay on the point of this initial "setting in" rather than arguing the minutia of details of why it is or is not a good idea for people.
jeepmor