One of my buddies in college. My parents were never too into guns; I've convinced my mom (and have carried when she and I go out sometimes, and honestly, 99% of the reason I carry isn't for me but to protect my close family... if something ever happened to one of them and I knew I could have done something to help/ save them and didn't, I couldn't live with myself... but that's another topic.) but my dad still hates them, so owning one while living at home was not allowed. Then I moved away and went to college where worrying about where I'd get the $ to eat was a little more important than buying a gun.

One of my friend's dad was a LEO in Dallas a number of years ago, and I would go with them a couple times. After I graduated and was working for a year or so, it was time for my dream gun, the 92FS.

Funny thing is, I was friends with this dude for like a year or two before I ever knew he was into guns. He just happened to see a Beretta brochure at my apartment at school one time and the rest is history.

For me it was a combination of things. I was forced into the Jehovah's Witnesses from birth, so guns were viewed as if they were the devil himself. Even television shows that had guns in them were prohibited. Always loved guns though. My brother and I used to ride our bikes over ten miles to my cousin's house because his neighbor had BB guns and would let us shoot them.


Fast forward 29years. I'm 10 years removed from the "cult", and after reading and hearing about several home and car break-ins, I decided to make sure that I was prepared in case that happened to my girlfriend and me.

In all honesty, I probably would have waited a little longer to buy if I hadn't been warned about the "Obama Effect".

I carried for a while about 35 years ago, mostly on the job and stopped because I changed jobs and didn't need to anymore. Now that I'm too old to defend myself and the thugs have gotton so out of hand I got another permit. After 5 gansta' types eyeballing my wife and I at a overnight motel I decided the old 6 shooter was not enough so I went for a 16+1 9mm for daily carry. My wife is in the "thinking about it" stage, it's only a matter of time and she'll start to pack. It sucks to even have to think about being a victim but it's a reality.

Originally Posted by nky1129

For me it was a combination of things. I was forced into the Jehovah's Witnesses from birth, so guns were viewed as if they were the devil himself. Even television shows that had guns in them were prohibited. Always loved guns though. My brother and I used to ride our bikes over ten miles to my cousin's house because his neighbor had BB guns and would let us shoot them.

Fast forward 29years. I'm 10 years removed from the "cult", and after reading and hearing about several home and car break-ins, I decided to make sure that I was prepared in case that happened to my girlfriend and me.

So did the Witnesses find out about your little BB gun escapades and shun you? My MIL converted to be a Witness about 15 years ago (and tried and failed miserably to get others in the family as well) so I definitely know what you mean about the "cult".

I've always been interested in firearms, though none were around when I was growing up (unless you count a BB gun). Not to get into a long history of my experiences with them I was probably most influenced to make my CCW application by: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1u0B...eature=related

My Great Uncle Sam!

Originally Posted by Growler67

I've always been interested in firearms, though none were around when I was growing up (unless you count a BB gun). Not to get into a long history of my experiences with them I was probably most influenced to make my CCW application by: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1u0B...eature=related

Excellent video -thanks for that post.

ive always had an obsession for blowing things up, and shooting guns definitly falls in that category. but it wasnt till i got into college that i really started to focus on guns, and hopefully ill be getting my 1st handgun as soon as i turn 21

I would say my Dad but not because he taught me quite the contrary. He was a WWII, Korean and Vietnam vet. Rarely spoke of the wars, guns or politics and never had one in the house. So I think because he never discussed guns and considering his profession, it made me wonder what they were all about. So for the last 40 + years I been investigating. He passed away in 1995 and I still don't know his thoughts.


W

Originally Posted by Pistolero

Specifically, who (or what) was your biggest influence in making the decision to arm yourself? Was it dad? A crazy uncle? A bad azz grandmother? An event in your life or the life of a friend? A casual acquaintence? Military/Police service? Your wife?! (LOL!) Please elaborate.

The times in which I grew up. Many of my relatives lived on farms, and hunting was a way of putting food on the table. Coupled with this, several of my uncles were WW I veterans, trained in use of the rifle. And cowboy movies, in which the good men wore white hats and the bad men wore black hats, clear distinction between good and evil. And, WW II was in full swing.

I can remember going to a War Bond Drive display in downtown Memphis. There a Model 1911A1 pistol was displayed, with the notation that this pistol cost three $25.00 War Bonds. I had FOUR! Greatly disappointed to learn that was not an offer to sell.

And, my Daisy Red Ryder Handbook!

And, Ken Maynard's performance at a local rodeo set me on the road to becomiong an exhibition shooter, a goal I never achieved.

Bob Wright

I would say that a combo of my dad and my girlfriends dad. My dad never wanted me to have them or know anything about them. That made me want to learn and have them more.
My girlfriends dad was the one who actually introduced me to guns, and was very strict about safety first.

My father always had a handgun close by. He was a businessman and felt the need to carry in the car and on his person. I was taught to shoot handguns starting at the age of six. My first long gun to shoot was a 20 ga side by side Stevens at the age of 11.

A lady my father was building a house for gave me my first shotgun when I was 12. I was given a .38 special S&W at age 16 by my father.

Back then, the parents took an active part of the proper safety and instructional use of firearms.

Now people buy them and just leave them laying around the house for the young to find and fire. So sad that many lives are lost and injuries sustained by the lack of education.