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Interesting Conversation I Had....Your Thoughts?

G

gfan1984

Elite
Hi everyone, Happy Easter to all. So I was at my local Sportsman's Warehouse the earlier in the week. My wife and I are looking to get into fishing and I was looking at different fishing poles, lines, etc. I met a very nice man who was also looking at fishing items and we started to converse about fishing. As we talked and him giving me pointers about fishing gear, the conversation turned to firearms and home defense. Now my wife and I got the range almost every week and we have a lot of bullets downrange between the two of us. The man I was talking to had purchased a firearm (pistol) five years ago, and has never fired it. I was honestly shocked when I heard this. He stated that he bought the firearm for home defense for him and his wife. I asked why he never got to take it to a range to try it out. He stated that he bought it during the pandemic and was worried something might happen, then after the whole panic died down he just left it in his safe. We parted ways but I really wanted to tell him a lot of things, I didn't though, because I didn't feel it was my place.

It did get me thinking though, during the issues of 2020, panic buying was a huge thing, even people who never were never around firearms were purchasing them, but how many of them actually used or even got more information and training on their firearms? Also if something were to happen, could an individual use the firearm effectively, without knowing the limitations of the firearm and themselves?
When I made the decision to purchase a pistol, I also researched what I was getting and also paid for basic shooting classes and basic safety classes as well for both myself and my wife. I wanted both of us to be as ready as possible should something happen and that's also why we practice a lot.
Do you all think I am being too harsh thinking this way? I mean in the end it's his money and his life, but I just feel it's a waste.
 
You would be surprised how many folks even pre pandemic buy fire extinguisher guns for home defense (and some might carry) that never shoot them.

I know because the store I taught at (it had an indoor range) scores of folks came in trying to offload guns they never shot. Many of them bought them from us and they were upset as they were only offered around 65% of the value as that was the industry standard.

People just don’t understand a crisis situation is probably not the first time you need to figure out how it shoots or how to use it.
Those folks just want a security blanket.

If they don’t want to listen if you try They will figure it out
 
ECS686 said:
You would be surprised how many folks even pre pandemic buy fire extinguisher guns for home defense (and some might carry) that never shoot them.

I know because the store I taught at (it had an indoor range) scores of folks came in trying to offload guns they never shot. Many of them bought them from us and they were upset as they were only offered around 65% of the value as that was the industry standard.

People just don’t understand a crisis situation is probably not the first time you need to figure out how it shoots or how to use it.
Those folks just want a security blanket.

If they don’t want to listen if you try They will figure it out
Click to expand...
I guess because of where I live, I know pretty much no one like that. Everyone here has just always been around them and shot them for fun and hunting. I do encourage anyone new to carrying to take some classes though or I offer to take them to the club and teach them what I can.
 
Bassbob said:
I will tell any and all new shooters to get some training and spend the time on the range. Just having a gun doesn't make anyone safer if you don't know how to use it under duress, how to use it properly, effectively, safely and LEGALLY.
Click to expand...
BINGO!!
You'd be surprised how many folks who have shot revolvers, then you hand them a semi automatic they think just throwing the mag in means it's loaded. That goofy look when nothing happens is priceless.
 
ECS686 said:
You would be surprised how many folks even pre pandemic buy fire extinguisher guns for home defense (and some might carry) that never shoot them.

I know because the store I taught at (it had an indoor range) scores of folks came in trying to offload guns they never shot. Many of them bought them from us and they were upset as they were only offered around 65% of the value as that was the industry standard.

People just don’t understand a crisis situation is probably not the first time you need to figure out how it shoots or how to use it.
Those folks just want a security blanket.

If they don’t want to listen if you try They will figure it out
Click to expand...
Yes, I got the feeling from talking to the man that he just wanted a security blanket, but no real intention of firing or training with it.
 
Pitdogg2 said:
BINGO!!
You'd be surprised how many folks who have shot revolvers, then you hand them a semi automatic they think just throwing the mag in means it's loaded. That goofy look when nothing happens is priceless.
Click to expand...
Yes, that's why when I made the decision to be a firearm owner, I researched, and signed up for classes with my wife so both of us would be prepared, there is no substitute for good training.
 
If you though that Covid buying was bad, you shoulda been around here for Y2K. People were absolutely panicking and buying anything they could get their hands on at outrageous prices. :eek:
I sold one of my 9mms and while I didn't gouge the buyer, I did make a healthy profit. ;)
 
A lot of people see a him as a talisman which, by its very presence, will keep bad guys away.

I know some people like this; not all were pandemic buyers. I’ve gotten some of them to the range, while others still have an unfired weapon and an unopened first box (singular) of ammo.

And I’ve bought a few guns from others.
 
I have a left leaning neighbor who never shot or owned a gun until the open border invasion was in full swing. He wanted to "protect his home". He asked me for gun suggestions and I offered to take him to the local gun shops in town. I also suggested that he get training and at least read AZ Revised Statutes pertaining to self defense. He took the advice of some golfing buddies and paid a lot of money for a P365sas and accessories. He didn't know how to disassemble it to lube it, so I showed him. Then he spent a bunch of money to attend a one week class at Gunsite which is local to us. He fired about 1,000rds through that little gun with three magazines. Most attendees were shooting 1911 and Glock. That was 3 years ago. He probably never cleaned the P365 after Gunsite. He put the gun into his 'safe' and hasn't fired it since.

Also have a brother in law who bought an inexpensive Ruger semi auto. In six years he's never broken it down, lubed it or fired it. I gave him a bunch of self defense ammunition and encouraged he at least test fire it. Nope. Not even my sister has been able to convince him to do so.
 
gfan1984 said:
The man I was talking to had purchased a firearm (pistol) five years ago, and has never fired it. I was honestly shocked when I heard this. He stated that he bought the firearm for home defense for him and his wife. I asked why he never got to take it to a range to try it out. He stated that he bought it during the pandemic and was worried something might happen, then after the whole panic died down he just left it in his safe.
Click to expand...
this is how i bought 2..never fired semi automatics..

1) a Glock G-19

2) a S&W MP EZ slide, 380

my shooting buddy's sister and her husband.

they too bought them just into the scandemic, only dry fired them, never any real ammo.

kept them in the closet, collecting dust.

i offered them just under what they paid for each, i did not low ball them.

wasn't my place to offer them range time, or how to field strip and clean/lube them.

i wonder how many guns are out there, bought for the same (reasons) and collecting dust

good intentions (maybe) to buy them.

but bad idea to not at least get a few lessons, then decide the guns were not for them.
 
gfan1984 said:
I mean in the end it's his money and his life, but I just feel it's a waste
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if I'm saying this right but it's been my experience that I've just never had any good luck having this conversation with people I don't know.

I think as far as I would go would be to recommend an NRA basic handgun safety course. Other than I really don't discuss Firearms with people I don't know. I've never had any good luck with that topic of conversation.

I remember once I think it might have been 20 years ago I was at work one night and I was listening to the two guards that were relieving my partner and I, telling my partner that if she wanted them to they would buy her a gun at the PX so that she didn't have to pay tax on the gun. I told them that what they were discussing was an illegal sale and got told MYOFB. That taught me my lesson
 
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