How Did You Get Into Guns?

[Lt. Dan]

first time i ever shot a gun was in boy scouts, shot air rifles to start with and then took rifle shooting and shotgun shooting merit badges...shotgun was a whole lot of fun, i hope i have the chance to shoot clay again soon.

dad has a few rifles/shotguns from the family and ones he bought as a kid, but i just started shooting again here at the Purdue rifle/pistol club...have a couple handguns now but hope to get a shotgun and AR when I can round up some extra cash this summer.

never really that interested in hunting, but i enjoy shooting and figure that it's better to have a knowledge/possession of firearms than not, because by the time you know you need them it's too late

 

[Griffeycom]

BB guns when I was younger, shot cans and birds that my friends grandpa wanted out of his horse barn (they'd put holes in the walls/roof). Turned 18 and always wanted to get a gun but never did till this last Christmas when I talked my grandma into giving me my grandfathers old .22! I've added a few more sense then and have a few more I'd like to add to the collection!

 

[citizenvain]

I’m not really into “guns” as I am into the right to protect myself, my family and my property. I’ve gone shooting at ranges in the past with various friends growing up, but never really found a love for it. However, I feel like I sat on the sidelines too long. I am one of those who always believed I was safer in room with 10 armed people, than just one. When the VT massacre happened, I honestly believe that if students were allowed to carry, there is no way that this guy could casually walk around and reload in front of his victims. If only someone could have returned fire, if only that threat existed maybe he would have never suited up that day for his “mission”. And there have been several other examples over the years as we have seen helpless victims with no chance.

Then when Obama got elected, I went and got my life time carry permit. Yes, I guess I’m one of those who got scared, but felt it was time to get involved and I’ve been studying every since and picked out what I think is the best options for me. And so far, I’m enjoying the learning process and hope to make many friends here. I have no interest in hunting or looking “cool” but I have to admit, the gun “porn” is growing on me and I saw a youtube video training video of a hot girl (at least I thought she was) demonstrating an AR-15 (my next purchase).

Wow, I hope my reason doesn’t bring anyone down, just my reason I got into this. The plus side is this venture into gun ownership may bring me closer to my younger brother who has been a gun owner/enthusiast since he was 18. We finally have something in common. We went to BG firearms this week and from there to an indoor range to break my glock in and to fire his kemper 45 (I think that is what it was). Those three hours is the most time we have spent together total (without other family) in over 15 years. We plan to go again next week and trips to camp atteberry (sp?) in the summer.

 

[tv1217]

I can't say a specific age, but when I was young, I would say 7-8yrs my Grandfather bought me a "RedRyder" BB gun. I was pretty fascinated with guns after that. After I turned 11 he took me to a DNR "Hunters Education" course, that was taught by conservation officer Allen Fix. My Grandfather said if I passed the class I could get my choice of a .22 rifle and a shotgun, and he would take me hunting.

I passed the class with a 98% on the final test, I missed one question. So we went to some local pawn shops and shopped around. I ended up with a Ruger 10/22 and Winchester 1400 20ga.

He took me squirrel hunting a few times over at Jasper Pulaski. Ever since then I have been interested in guns and have slowly expanded my collection. He has given me the guns that are in the safe which is where I got my 1911 and Nylon66.

At 18 I bought my first very own gun, it was an AR-15.

Holy crap, you remember your hunter's safety instructor down to the name

All I remember about mine was that it was at the Merrillville Gander Mtn in that log cabin looking section and I think the instructor was a gunsmith there or something. I think I missed one question also, probably one of the archery ones.

I even had to look on the card to figure out that I was 12 at the time(7/25/08)

 

[Truckerman79]

Last year a couple guys from work would talk to me about their guns. I had at different times been interested in guns but never pulled the trigger so to speak (derp ). In November, I joined this board and discovered a wealth of information. Scutter01 took me shooting one day and I got to shoot some 9mm, an AR-15 and his M-44. Needless to say it was on from that point.

 

[Jack Ryan]

With a Red Ryder BB gun.

 

[Dogman]

Military

 

[Backpacker]

My Dad was a shooter long before I was born. He began teaching me safety and shooting at an early age.

 

[hardtrailz400]

Family never was into guns or had them, but friends hunted and one day someone neded money and asked if I wanted to buy their 12 ga and if i did they would throw in a 50 cal muzzleloader. I did and have been hooked since. Had a handgun awhile ago and got rid of it , but lately have been back into handguns and carrying daily. Every time I get a gun, i realize..I need one more. I guess I should be attending GA..gunowners anomymous.

 

[shooter@5(4)life]

OUT

 

[OneBadV8]

I'm pretty sure I came out of the womb with one in my hands

Honestly, my neighbor would always go hunting and I'd walk along. Plus a lot of friends whose dads were in L.E. and used to take us shooting or plinking.

 

[ATF Consumer]

I shot big guns in the navy...the kind on mounts..the kind you climb inside of and control with hydraulics. I have been the gun captain for the 5" and 3" gun mounts while serving in the Navy. I've also shot the 50 cal's mounted on deck. Those are really fun to shoot.
Didn't really get any new interest in guns until my brother encouraged me to go to a gun show in Ft. Wayne about 3 years ago. Bought a Walther p22 and later upgraded to a Glock 27. Now I have a Kel-Tek Sub2K 9mm and am loving it.
I still need to get a few more before I'm happy...no, strike that...I can never have enough guns to be happy, the itch will never go away!

 

[HICKMAN]

Dad, Uncles and Grandfathers. Born and raised to hunt and fish... went on from there.

 

[Rattlesnake46319]

Started off with a Daisy air rifle at 5, a Crosman air pistol at 8, a Marlin 60 at 12, and Mosin-Nagant M38 at 18 - all gifts from my uncle. Thanks to Scouting I got to try my hand at skeet shooting. Wasn't very good as I recall, don't think I hit one clay, but it was fun to try. Bought my first handgun at 24 while home on leave from Iraq. Just been really getting into purchasing in the last year. I grew up in a family of shooters, competition and recreation. Was never taught to fear firearms, simply respect that they can be dangerous if used improperly.

 

[spartan933]

I got into guns when I was 26. I had always held a "liberal" view of gun ownership. However, I work in an industry where several clients were gun shop owners. I had to work with them daily and got to know them. Basically, they were just like me, but carried guns. Same interests. Sports, women, cars, drinking, music, whatever. They were regular guys. Also, my weekly trips to their gun stores fueled my curiousness about the merchandise. One day, with a friend who did not own a gun but had prior military experience and knowledge with them, I went to rent a gun at the range and really enjoyed myself. I then started studying up on what I would like and what I thought would be best for me. Later on, I purchased my first handgun and began to study guns more. How they work, types, calibers, mechanics of guns, just generally educating myself. I now own four pistols and a shotgun and I am looking to add other types of weapons and calibers.

I am still a democrat, but I hold a conservative view regarding gun ownership and regulations. It has only been three years since my first purchase and experience with firearms. But, I think what is important is that through education about firearms and talking to others who own guns, I found that there is no particular reason why firearms need to be banned. I am not a criminal, I have no criminal background and I don't hang out with criminals. I am just a regular guy who likes guns and I feel it is the right of every law abiding citizen to be able to own a firearms and defend themselves, their family, and their property.

GO WHITE SOX!

 

[clt46910]

Not sure, always been a part of my life. Always had toy guns and then real guns later in life. Was from a hunting and shooting family.

 

[spainy79]

For me it was my grandpa. He had the guns. I now have 2 of them since his passing; my uncle got the rest.

 

[Lt. Commander]

My step-dad bought a simple youth pump .22 for me when I turned 12 and I was hooked ever since....


Scott

 

[shooter@5(4)life]

OUT

 

[gglass]

The voice in my head told me that I had to... I ALWAYS listen to the voice.