Ok, I hesitate to wade into this discussion. I posted on one thread and the thread got locked. I don't think it was anything I said but, isn't that what they all say? I am also Canadian and for some reason it makes discussions about guns with my southern friends a "loaded" topic. So lets try and stay apolitical and please read, keeping the following in mind.
I like guns. My father was the Canadian quick draw champion before he shipped off to WW2, my Grandfather was a decorated sniper in WW1. I was trained, and served, in the Canadian Armed Forces. I carried a personal sidearm for work for 25 years. I have used firearms in the course of my duties and responsibility to the Canadians I was sworn to protect. I enjoy the science/physics, and art of long range shooting, over 1000 yards. It is kind of like golf, but for grown ups. Just being funny golfers. I'll smoke a cigar with you on any course.
My humble advice is don't.
But this in no way should be construed that I am telling you not to.
Confused?
It is a confusing and deep commitment, and one that needs a great deal of brain work. It is something you need to really think about. If you carry a handgun it is awkward and regardless of the size shape and great holster takes years of getting used to. I haven't carried for four years and I still elbow bump the missing limb. A long gun needs to be stored, safely, and this presents issues. MOST IMPORTANT! Having it changes the way you think. You have an equalizer that makes you FEEL safe. Sometimes fear is a good thing, it is our natural response to something we perceive. I use the word perceive instead of see intentionally. We see some things but we perceive far more. Train as you fight and you'll fight as you trained. The more bleeding you do in training the less you do in a fight. Past putting little holes in paper targets, even human silhouette targets. The military made those targets to desensitize us to shooting humans. It shouldn't come natural right? Training like this is not a weekend or month long endeavor. It is a lifelong commitment. I have put a million rounds into paper. Easily a million, as I was instructor and usually put 100 pistol rounds in at lunch as I couldn't leave the range, and usually 50 5.56 after work. I did this for years.
In 2001 an incident made our service change the way we did things. We always fired on the target when the whistle blew. In real life situations the bad guy might surrender when aimed at. We never trained this way. Our first course of fire was six rounds in six seconds at ten feet (we used revolvers back then). Yeah, bad day for bad guy that made a bad initial decision and then changed his mind. Defense attorney; "So why exactly did you empty your revolver into Mr. X. It isn't just us up in the frozen north. The FBI used to train their officers to put their plastic speed loaders back into the leather pouch after reloading. Dropping them broke the plastic bullet holders and those cost money. Until too many FBI were hit or found dead with empty speed loaders in their pouches.
Marksmanship was important back then, we bragged about perfect targets like my buddies on the golf range. Then we added Sim Munitions to the training. Suddenly the targets shot back, and moved. These shots hurt like a bugger. We all quit bragging about holes in paper targets, and were happy not to be nursing a welt caused by a plastic bullet. Active shooting drills became the norm. Don't shoot scenarios and hostage close scenarios became routine. Some of our best marksmen, failed these new courses of fire. No longer could they Hold, Hang, and surprise shoot paper.
Ok a bunch of stuff about shoot training, more than perhaps you wanted. But, this is the commitment required. Simply having a big gun and being able to draw and point safely might be enough 50% of the time in a van dwelling or camping situation to pull you out of the muck. But what happens when the targets start moving? Worse one rushes you and he is close, 3 meters, and you are trying to to do; " grip, front site into rear ramp, finger to the trigger, squeeze."
BANG!
His moving other friend just shot you from the side. You weren't watching the side. The side is safe; guns only point down range!
Another very real scenario.
You and your fellow vaunbuddy argue over the Merlot wine that you have stupidly paired with a loin roast. The argument escalates and s/he takes their strawberry baked Alaskan and goes home. Upset you finish the wine alone and crawl into your down bag for a good nights rest.
A light awakes you, and you can hear voices. (You are unaware the loud merlot argument has been reported as a domestic, women calling for help!)
Pounding fist high on the van, and you realize this is not the first time you've heard this. It must be what woke you from your wine induced deep sleep. Blinking in the low light you see your gun. Relaxing with the security it brings you start to call out and challenge the voice.
The rear door opens a blinding light catches you!
Shouts "Don't Move!"
The light shifts. You see your hand outstretched toward the gun.
Bang, bang. bang. "Control this is one alpha five, shots fired subject is hit, roll a bus this locatio............"
Are these likely scenarios? Absolutely not! Would they happen? Probably not! Could they happen? Totally! Because we added a firearm to the equation we have something more to be afraid of. Many have posted you have nothing to be afraid of things rarely happen. So let me ask a question and propose an idea.
How many in our community, or on this thread, have had a fire they needed a fire extinguisher to put out while on the road?
How many people have killed any body, heard of anybody killing anybody, or had a friend of a friend's uncle hear about anybody being killed with a fire extinguisher?
How many people have heard of anybody accidentally getting shot, shooting someone else, or shooting themselves with a gun?
Get a fire extinguisher size of bear spray and mount it next to the never used fire extinguisher and rest easy knowing you are very very very unlikely to need either one. But if you do they are there, and you will never have to live with a bad mistake.
Please don’t take this as me telling you not to buy a gun. Shooting is fun. Buy it and one day if we meet up I’ll be happy to show you, and anyone else, some very cool and fun drills and skills.
Please don’t take this as a “I know better than you, what you should do.” I have taught and trained for years and unfortunately have seen “bad day” outcomes. Bad day outcomes with officers that trained for years. Momentary lapses in safety that hurt themselves or the ones they loved. The no win scenarios that happen in a second and then get microscopically analyzed for two years in criminal and then civil courts. I know what is good for me. My choice.
What is good for you is your choice. I hope that what I’ve added adds to your choice making knowledge in a positive and supportive way!
