Learning to Shoot and Carry

[Mytoy4]

Seems so many of the members here know how to shoot and carry. It's something I'd like to learn but not sure at all where to start. I've never even so much as touched a gun.

I enjoy hiking which is often with my little guys and with my cabin located in the middle of nowhere, I always fear something could happen to them. Especially knowing there have been sightings of mountain lions can be a bit nerve-wracking.
I've never been put in a situation where I've ever felt a firearm is needed so I'm not 100% sure this is even the right decision. Would it be better to have a large knife in the truck instead. Maybe even some mace or wasp spray?

Was hoping to get different thoughts and opinions before moving forward with anything. Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.

 

[AudiTech]

The place to start is with an NRA safety class

NRAInstructors.org - Portal for NRA Certified Instructors, NRA Education and Training

 

[KidVermicious]

^ yup. But if it's safety in the wild you're concerned about, bear spray will be more effective against a critter than a handgun, unless you are really well trained with it.

 

[Mytoy4]

Great start, thank you! Yes, animals are my main concern. Even a stray dog. I've ventured out on my own before into areas that Ive felt a bit scared (of man) but if it came down to it, I don't think I would be comfortable using a gun against human to protect myself.

 

[junkyardbiker]

If its such things as mountain lions or self defense, Im going to advise against a large knife, however having a true quality bush knife is always a must when hiking. As far as a gun goes, in reality a flare gun has more uses for hiking than a firearm. Trust me, that will scare a mountain lion or lost meth head, you can use it to signal for help, signal for your little ones if you get separated, or start a campfire with it. And the spray is a good idea as well. With any of these get training from someone who has experience.

 

[Mytoy4]

unless you are carrying one of these

I would pick bear spray over most firearms against larger game. Side note, I really want one of those.

Knowing nothing, why do you call out that one specifically?

 

[Super-G]

I TOTALLY agree with what Auditech said. If you really want to carry a handgun, PLEASE PLEASE take an NRA sanctioned weapons course. I know a lot of guys on this site carry and this might not go over well but the most dangerous gun owner is the one who is not properly trained.

Unfortunately today there are just WAY too many Tommy tough guys out there who want to own a gun and don't feel that they need the proper training on said weapon. There is no shame in having a qualified weapons instructor teach you the proper handling techniques on a handgun. Frankly learning to respect the power of that weapon makes you a much better gun owner than a guy who thinks it's a big dick contest.

Take a course or two, get some time behind a weapon at a good safe range, and make sure you are 100% comfortable in the proper handling and firing techniques before ever venturing outside of your house with a loaded weapon. Remember if you fire that weapon and miss, the round doesn't disappear it goes somewhere and the last thing you want is for that round to go into someone or something you weren't firing at.

 

[zopperman]

I TOTALLY agree with what Auditech said. If you really want to carry a handgun, PLEASE PLEASE take an NRA sanctioned weapons course. I know a lot of guys on this site carry and this might not go over well but the most dangerous gun owner is the one who is not properly trained.

Unfortunately today there are just WAY too many Tommy tough guys out there who want to own a gun and don't feel that they need the proper training on said weapon. There is no shame in having a qualified weapons instructor teach you the proper handling techniques on a handgun. Frankly learning to respect the power of that weapon makes you a much better gun owner than a guy who thinks it's a big dick contest.

Take a course or two, get some time behind a weapon at a good safe range, and make sure you are 100% comfortable in the proper handling and firing techniques before ever venturing outside of your house with a loaded weapon. Remember if you fire that weapon and miss, the round doesn't disappear it goes somewhere and the last thing you want is for that round to go into someone or something you weren't firing at.

I also totally agree with this. You should have several hours of range time under your belt and feel comfortable with the weapon's controls and handling before you carry it. Guns and shooting are not as simple and point and shoot. Every bullet that leaves the barrel has a lawyer attached to it.

 

[junkyardbiker]

If its what I think it is, it can shoot .44 long or 410 shotgun shells. A favorite among hunters and bush folk. Not for beginners though. If you do decide to go the route of a firearm, I would suggest starting at a NRA certified class, and probably start with a .22 revolver. Simple to use, cheap to purchase, ammunition is cheap, easy to handle and carry, and honestly if you are a halfway decent shot, it will do all you need at a close range. Remember guys, this lady has never touched a firearm, lets stop showing her pictures of hand cannons that are going to give her a heart attack and a concussion at the same time. Practicality is key. My missus learned to shoot with an airsoft pistol believe it or not. Has the same functions as a real firearm, teaches the same skills needed for the real deal, you can practice in your garage or back yard, and its incredibly nice for teaching your kids the dangers of a firearm. Start small and inexpensive, go from there. If you decide its not for you, your not out a wad of cash.

 

[Mytoy4]

You're funny, Zak! I thought you were serious at first. Thinking maybe, don't laugh, that this kind would be safer for a beginner because of the way it holds bullets. Told you, I have no idea so basics to you is all new to me.

A class would be a must! No doubt about it. I'm certainly not the kind that can just buy something like this and think I know what I'm doing. Especially when I have kids in my home. My brother is a police officer and he has offered to take me to a shooting range, which is great, but I don't know the extent of training here. Shooting a target vs having to use a gun in a real situation is different, I'm sure.

It's one of those things that I'm just confused about. I'd want it kept in the truck. I don't want it in the house, because I don't want to have to remember to take it with me each day.
I just don't ever ever want an accident in the truck either, with kids being in there from time to time. I wouldn't even want my sons to know I own it.

I think that's why I'm here for advice too. To find out if this is the right thing to do. If I can feel just as safe with a spray (had no idea about bear spray) then I'm okay with that.

 

[02SE]

I TOTALLY agree with what Auditech said. If you really want to carry a handgun, PLEASE PLEASE take an NRA sanctioned weapons course. I know a lot of guys on this site carry and this might not go over well but the most dangerous gun owner is the one who is not properly trained.

This can't be stressed enough. The most recent example of improper or insufficient training is the death of the young Mother, at the hands of her 2 year old, that got ahold of her gun in Walmart the other day, and killed her.

Because she didn't have proper control of the gun, her 2 year old now has to grow up without their Mother, and no doubt will be scarred when they eventually find out what they did. Even though it absolutely was not the child's fault.

 

[Super-G]

I think that leaving a loaded or unloaded weapon in your truck is a BAD idea. Way too many bad things can happen. Remember that weapon is registered in YOUR name. If someone takes it out of the truck you could be in for some serious issues.

I own several weapons. I have a safe in my home for these weapons and I am the only one who has access to them. I also have a small safe in my nightstand drawer for my .45 which can be accessed by my fingerprints or by a key. I am the only one with access to the key as well.

I too have 2 young children. A 12 year old daughter and a 9 year old son. I've had real world discussions with them about a weapon in the house. They both know the cold hard truth about how dangerous a weapon can be and that daddy's weapons are locked up where only daddy can access them. Honestly, my kids aren't affected in any way. They've expressed zero interest in seeing or touching my weapons.

Education and training is key when owning and respecting a handgun.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Get trained.

Also and this is most important .... Never ever leave a gun accessible to a child (my opinion this means 16 and younger) that isn't locked somehow. And especially not accessible with one in the chamber.

The women who was just killed by her 2 y/o at Walmart was reportedly safety trained and smart. She was a nuclear scientist so no idiot. Yet she still carried a loaded pistol in her purse with one in the chamber. She certainly wasn't following any training by leaving a gun accessible in her purse like that and if she hadn't kept ONE IN THE CHAMBER she would 100% be alive today.

This is all over the news.

Also please don't be one of those idiot parents who trusts their child with access to dangerous weapons or take them to the range to shoot heavy weapons they can't handle on their own. Read - the 9 y/o in Las Vegas whose parents had her shoot a fully auto gun and she drifted , killing the instructor.

 

[RandyDaytona]

You guys have Mt. Lions in NE? Rest assured in the fact that the vast majority of wildlife is far more afraid of you than you'll ever be of it. Attacks on humans - outside of carnivorous brown bears in AK - are extremely rare and nearly always driven by desperation on the part of the animal: usually starvation or the perception of their offspring being attacked.

But it sounds like you're not so much looking for a firearm, but simply the best way to defend yourself (which most times isn't a firearm, anyway: trumped massively by common sense).

That said, I'd echo the advice of others and go with the bear spray. It's simple to use, and 'safe' in the sense that if you accidentally spray a person with it, they will simply be miserable and dislike you an awful lot - they usually won't die.

If you do opt for the firearm, I'd get some training first - not necessarily from the NRA, but from any legitimate entity with experience in the use and carriage of firearms.

 

[02SE]

Read - the 9 y/o in Las Vegas whose parents had her shoot a fully auto gun and she drifted , killing the instructor.

That was entirely the Instructors fault.

Hopefully she can recognize the fact the the Instructor died due to his poor training technique.

 

[Taco04]

I think that leaving a loaded or unloaded weapon in your truck is a BAD idea. Way too many bad things can happen. Remember that weapon is registered in YOUR name. If someone takes it out of the truck you could be in for some serious issues.

100% agree! I would not want to see one of my guns used on some innocent person by the person that stole it.

If you do buy a gun find something you are comfortable with you don't needed the biggest and baddest if you cant use it proficiently.

 

[wake_rider]

You don't need a gun, you need Bear Spray. End of thread.



Seriously. BEAR SPRAY. It takes no accuracy and will whollup anything in it's range. If youe really looking for safety instead of bravado, just. Get. Bear spray.

 

[Mytoy4]

You don't need a gun, you need Bear Spray. End of thread.

Seriously. BEAR SPRAY. It takes no accuracy and will whollup anything in it's range. If youe really looking for safety instead of bravado, just. Get. Bear spray.

I think I'm going to have to agree here. The one who posted about that gun being left in the truck, even unloaded, is what really hit. Being stolen and registered in my name...not something I want to deal with.
I will enjoy the fun of the shooting range, but leave the carring to those who need them. The more I read all of your responses, I don't think it's for me. I'm a very responsible, smart parent and the safety of my children comes first. This is what put the whole idea in my head to begin with. Though, the more I think about it the more I think it's best to just go a different route.

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice. Much appreciated!

 

[KidVermicious]

I think I'm going to have to agree here. The one who posted about that gun being left in the truck, even unloaded, is what really hit. Being stolen and registered in my name...not something I want to deal with.
I will enjoy the fun of the shooting range, but leave the carring to those who need them. The more I read all of your responses, I don't think it's for me. I'm a very responsible, smart parent and the safety of my children comes first. This is what put the whole idea in my head to begin with. Though, the more I think about it the more I think it's best to just go a different route.

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice. Much appreciated!

A very reasoned decision. I'm pro-2nd and I frequently carry, but it's not for everybody all the time, and there's definitely drawbacks to responsible carrying. I think for your purposes, a can of bear spray will suit you well.

 

[KidVermicious]

I think that leaving a loaded or unloaded weapon in your truck is a BAD idea. Way too many bad things can happen. Remember that weapon is registered in YOUR name. If someone takes it out of the truck you could be in for some serious issues.

I own several weapons. I have a safe in my home for these weapons and I am the only one who has access to them. I also have a small safe in my nightstand drawer for my .45 which can be accessed by my fingerprints or by a key. I am the only one with access to the key as well.

I too have 2 young children. A 12 year old daughter and a 9 year old son. I've had real world discussions with them about a weapon in the house. They both know the cold hard truth about how dangerous a weapon can be and that daddy's weapons are locked up where only daddy can access them. Honestly, my kids aren't affected in any way. They've expressed zero interest in seeing or touching my weapons.

Education and training is key when owning and respecting a handgun.

My nine year old loves to shoot. He has my old .22 rifle, and his grandpa just gave him a .410 shotgun for Christmas. You bet your ass he's had the talk, more than once and he'll get it again several times. He knows he's not to touch firearms unless he's under adult supervision, he knows what to do if he's at a friends house and guns come out, or if a friend is over at our house and somehow gets his hands on one of my rifles, etc. I love that firearms hold no mystery for him - he knows that any time he wants to go shooting he can, so there's no temptation for him to sneak gun time when daddy isn't around. I think that's the most dangerous situation for a youngster, for weapons to be in the house, but hidden and not discussed. That's just asking for an accident.