How many out there have come across this problematic situation? My current girlfriend and potential wife is super anti-firearm. I only recently have gotten into the hobby, but she opposes me at every turn. I go to the range every week (no problem), but I was sick of renting and now I'm in the process of buying, and she is livid.
Has anyone ever converted their significant other? I'm trying my damnedest, but she is one tough cookie to crack. Part of the problem is that she has her family backing her up on the subject, and while my own family is in my corner, I really would like her to understand and respect my choice on her own...
Any advice? Any inspiring stories of revelation and epiphany? It would do my weary spirit some good to hear.
Well, not sure how "inspiring" this may be, but sure, I converted a couple of women into pro-gunnies. Including a few of my now ex's. (Most of my breakups were due to my work and often going on long trips, not firearms) Of course, they were on the fence. They weren't "super anti-firearms", they were open minded and willing to learn. This is a trait I prefer when dating women in general, not specific to firearms. But that's just me.
On a side note, my recommendation on a guy teaching his girlfriend on how to shoot is simple, don't. Send her to a class or have a female friend do so.
This isn't over guns, per se. You have a strong belief that happens to be owning firearms. Could be religion, politics, hobby, whatever. Decide how important it is to you, and decide how important she is to you. You could try explaining its importance to her, and making her aware that you will not change your mind to its importance. You could try explaining that you disagree with her, and is she willing to make any compromise whatsoever? If not, you'll likely have to move on. If she is willing to compromise, give it a shot. Whatcha got to lose?
If she is not willing to compromise, you cannot change her mind. Lemme repeat this, if she is not willing to tolerate a belief you hold deeply, there is not a damn thing you can do to change this. You'll have to make up your own mind on how you will deal with this should it be the case. Ditch her, ditch the firearms, whatever.
Here's a trick I learned, and that I recommend to other guys that are single or merely dating. Find a translator. I have a long time friend that's a lady and has been dating for some time. I ask her to decrypt things from "femalespeak" to "guyspeak", and in return I bribe her heavily. Plus she very much enjoys smacking me upside the skull and letting me know how much of a complete freakin moron I am at times. Asking for relationship advice from an audience of fellow pro-gun guys is pretty much like asking advice from a mirror. If you want good info, you gotta go to a source that thinks like the opposition.
That's why I'm staying single forever. "Freedom Forever".
