Never fired a gun, never been interested, never like the idea. Where do I start?

[TwiceOver]

So all my life I've never been interested in guns, well other than the childhood games and the occasional paintball game as a teen. Though the option came up often, never fired one. Never thought having one for home defense was necessary or even required. I live in small town South Dakota, nothing ever happens here, and when it does you know who/when/where/what within hours.

My wife on the other hand is a southerner. Raised in the "great" state of Texas. Guns are in her DNA. Her brother has enough firearms to arm a small nation, some of which didn't look "legal" to me, but hey what do I know. When her family walks into a house to "gather" everyone's looking for the highspot in the room to place their handguns so the kids can't get to them.

This has put us at odds. She wants, I don't want. Until recently...

I don't know what it is, but I feel I need to have protection for myself and my family. I have no interest in hunting or "sport" shooting. But I feel the need to arm myself and possibly also carry in the future. I have never felt like this before, I don't know why now is any different.

So where do I start. Obviously I need training, but I literally know nothing. I couldn't even describe how to load any firearm. I think there is one gun shop in town, do I just drop by and see what they have for training available?

Note: I'm not looking for political BS here, please leave that elsewhere or PM me and we can discuss politics privately.

 

[Tweak155]

Head to a firing range. Most employees there can answer all your questions and help you learn to shoot a hand gun. Many offer classes as well. It is a good investment for the safety of yourself and family members.

 

[highland145]

Local shop, google for conceal carry classes and see if the instructor does personal training, her family if they are capable/able/safe, NRA probably links certified trainers....

You're on the right track....training 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

 

[dank69]

Video games. Duh!

 

[LTC8K6]

A gun shop with a range is a good place to start. They can answer all your questions and let you try some guns out.

 

[jlee]

Yep, find a range with an instructor. It may be worth asking friends/family who do shoot where to go so you don't end up with someone shitty trying to teach you. Or fly to Phoenix and pay for ammo.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Why not ask your wife? She sounds like she would have some input.

Go to a range that rents guns and try out as many as you can afford. Guns are a very personal choice. Each one has a different feel due to grip, balance, trigger pull, etc.
I would stick to a 9mm for practice because ammo is cheap(er) and plentiful.
For more stopping power, get a 45 Cal.

 

[Phanuel]

Does your wife own any firearms? Have her take you to a range and show you how?

 

[Kelvrick]

Where are you located? If her family is really into guns. Is there someone you get along with pretty well and personality seems to be more in line with what would make you comfortable?

Otherwise, if you're one of those people who might have a hard time listening to someone you know (my wife), then I'd try a few a formal classes. And keep taking them, from different instructors so that you can get a wide range of training to decide what works for you.

EDIT: Or watch the magpul videos and you'll instantly be awesome at everything firearm related.

 

[lxskllr]

Why would you want to carry in a small town? Anything can happen at any time, anywhere, but the odds seem low for you. I encourage everyone to exercise their rights, but if you're ambivalent about firearms anyway, I'm not sure I'd bother. Just get a shotgun, and call it a day. Go skeet shooting. It's fun, and you'll get to work on your skills.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

The easiest way to get a feel for it would be to ask someone from your wife's family if they would take you shooting with them. That way you could get some of the basics so you know what to look for in further training.

Getting formal training is always a great idea too though, the local gun shop or range should be able to help you and Afaik the NRA should also have information on instructors in your area.

I'm fairly new to shooting as well so I know where you are coming from. I got started by going to the range with one of my friends who showed me the basics and let me shoot his guns and then since then I have done a ton of reading on proper gun safety, assembly/disassembly, etc.

If you want to learn some basics before going shooting or taking a class most gun manuals are a good way to learn some safety basics as well as get step by step instructions on how to load and operate that gun.

 

[PsiStar]

Yes, just go to that local shop & just tell them what you just wrote. Even if and maybe especially if there are customers present, have no embarrassment about baring your soul. You might be shooting within minutes ... given the area that you describe you live in. That would be just for the feel. I am sure that there are trainers of gun safety in the area that the shop owner knows.

Second, just have a conversation with a cop at the local coffee shop or just walk in to a station/town hall. Again, given your area, conversation should come easy & would be concise. Might even find out who to stay away from during your naivete. At least opinion from someone who clearly carries.

 

[TwiceOver]

Yep, find a range with an instructor. It may be worth asking friends/family who do shoot where to go so you don't end up with someone shitty trying to teach you. Or fly to Phoenix and pay for ammo.

None of my family shoots. My grandpa has plenty of firearms, it's a little scary really. But he is 4 hours away.

Why not ask your wife? She sounds like she would have some input.

Ohh I'm sure she does. 13 years of me saying "NO", I'm going to eat a lot of shit for this one...

Does your wife own any firearms? Have her take you to a range and show you how?

No, I have always kept a stance of no guns in our house. While she was raised to handle firearms, she has only fired my grandpa's rifles twice in the last maybe 10 years. So, we would both be attending training together.

 

[exdeath]

I can help anyone in AZ become addicted to firearms in the Tucson/Phoenix area.

 

[TwiceOver]

Where are you located? If her family is really into guns. Is there someone you get along with pretty well and personality seems to be more in line with what would make you comfortable?

Her family is all in Texas and New Mexico. I'm cool with her brother and for that matter her entire family. But it's just so foreign to me how much they love their guns. The first time I met her brother it was like show and tell day, I think he dragged everything out of the safe to greet me.

 

[highland145]

I can help anyone in AZ become addicted to firearms in the Tucson/Phoenix area.

Your guns, your ammo? Let me book a flight.

 

[highland145]

Her family is all in Texas and New Mexico. I'm cool with her brother and for that matter her entire family. But it's just so foreign to me how much they love their guns. The first time I met her brother it was like show and tell day, I think he dragged everything out of the safe to greet me.

No. That was "don't hurt my sister" day.

 

[jlee]

No. That was "don't hurt my sister" day.

Hahah...yep.

 

[Phanuel]

Second, just have a conversation with a cop at the local coffee shop or just walk in to a station/town hall. Again, given your area, conversation should come easy & would be concise. Might even find out who to stay away from during your naivete. At least opinion from someone who clearly carries.

Don't ask the police about guns, seriously.

9/10ths of them aren't gun people and will not give you positive advice about the subject.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Her family is all in Texas and New Mexico. I'm cool with her brother and for that matter her entire family. But it's just so foreign to me how much they love their guns. The first time I met her brother it was like show and tell day, I think he dragged everything out of the safe to greet me.

Once you get into shooting you'll understand. I'd never been around guns growing up or anything but in the last 6 months since I stared shooting I've already bought one rifle, inherited a revolver, and have a long list of other guns I want to get at some point.

 

[exdeath]

Your guns, your ammo? Let me book a flight.

Ammo is limited right now, but under normal circumstances sure! Its worth a few bucks to convert people.

Its worth a box (case?) of ammo to answer the "why does anyone need an assault rifle?" question.

Because.

 

[bigrash]

I practice my shooting skills playing Call of Duty.

 

[Puppies04]

Video games. Duh!

I lol'd

 

[jagec]

Why would you want to carry in a small town? Anything can happen at any time, anywhere, but the odds seem low for you. I encourage everyone to exercise their rights, but if you're ambivalent about firearms anyway, I'm not sure I'd bother. Just get a shotgun, and call it a day. Go skeet shooting. It's fun, and you'll get to work on your skills.

+1. Do what works for you, and certainly try out some handguns to see what you think, but the shotgun is the better home defense weapon.

Pick up a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. Lots of stores will sell a package with two (easily interchangeable) barrels: A long one for skeet shooting (fun, good practice to get comfortable with aiming and firing), and a short one for home defense.

 

[Kelvrick]

Her family is all in Texas and New Mexico. I'm cool with her brother and for that matter her entire family. But it's just so foreign to me how much they love their guns. The first time I met her brother it was like show and tell day, I think he dragged everything out of the safe to greet me.

Where are you located though? You might even get a local ATOT'er to take you out (probably good manners to pay for their ammo and range fee).

My guns are tools. But they are dangerous ones and I invest a lot of time and effort in order to be safe. They also are a lot of fun. Combine time and effort with the result of fun means people start getting attached to things. Think of it like a car. For someone who loves their cars, it is more than just transportation from point A to point B. Especially the weapons that I would reach for first for self defense, I put A LOT of time and effort into training with them. It is something I trust to possibly save my life one day, so at least for me, that means they are more than a hunk of metal that sits in a metal box.

No matter what they're used for, all firearms deserve a lot of respect. Something you should always remember. Oh, and I just realized the safety rules haven't been posted yet. They usually come in a lot of forms but are basically the same. Here are three versions from wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_safety#Rules_and_mindset

All guns are always loaded.
Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
—Jeff Cooper[1]

The NRA provides a similar set of rules:
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
—The National Rifle Association, The fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling[2]

The Canadian Firearms Program uses the concept of The Four Firearm ACTS:
Assume every firearm is loaded.
Control the muzzle direction at all times.
Trigger finger off trigger and out of trigger guard.
See that the firearm is unloaded. PROVE it safe.
—Canadian Firearms Centre, The Four ACTS of Firearm Safety[3]