Replies

Thanks for replying to my post.

Believe me, I have thought a lot about whether I need a firearm. I’m always willing to change my views based on evidence.

However, I would need a lot more than basic training. I remember from my Army days that I was worse than a bad shot — I could barely qualify on my M-16. I couldn’t hold the rifle steady and my eyes couldn’t really focus on the target — and that’s with glasses that were perfectly fine for driving and all other purposes.

I’m fortunate enough to live in a low-crime area and don’t travel very often. Aside from a little volunteer work, I’m at home pretty much all the time.

While I have certain prepper tendencies, as I stated in my original post, I feel free to pick and choose according to what I think will work best for me.

Right now, I’m pretty happy about how well stocked I am with non-perishable food, toiletries, and other essentials.

Firearms will remain an open question for me. If I thought I had any latent ability as a marksman, I would have already purchased one and would no doubt be hitting the range often.

But at 62, I recognize that the Lord, in His wisdom, hasn’t given me much in the way of manual dexterity. The one thing I absolutely hate about myself is that I’m constantly dropping things. And it’s not like I’m careless or constantly in a hurry. I’m just a clumsy person, I’ve been that way all my life, and nothing I’ve tried helps all that much, aside from slowing down.

So, I think you may get an idea why I’ve always reserved judgment on firearm ownership.

Of course, all that may change. But God have mercy on whichever marksmanship instructor gets me.

understood completely.
your decision is yours to take, and rational.
on the other hand, it doesn’t really take a great deal of marksmanship to hit a dangerous burglar or any other armed or dangerous person who breaks into your home or threatens your liberty or that of your family or friends. get something like a Glock21 and you’ll have several quick chances of creating at least one or two holes where they’re needed.
I realize there is a chance that a stray shot might hit something or someone else, so getting whatever training and practice is possible should be on the agenda. But again,
if and when it comes down to your live or theirs, giving yourself a chance at least (with a good quality, reliable firearm as defense) would, respectfully, be the most sensible path, especially now that our civil liberties are “suspended” and our social order is, well, disintegrating. An ounce of prevention .. and all that, eh?

(PS: often, too, although not always.. and I am aware of the adage about being ready to shoot if you ever have to draw a weapon, but anyway on that.... often it is true that when a burglar or other threatening individual sees you are armed .. he often (not always) will leave. I don’t have statistics on this but it is fact and at least we can HOPE that it may work for you if occasion ever arises. Still, get that training as best you can and yes, be ready to fire if necessary.

I will drop the topic now, don’t mean to pry at any event.
Just a thought is all, as there’s been already some clear signs of our social order breaking down under all this pressure

If you know how to slow down and reduce your clumsiness, you can learn to be a good shot. Not sniper-level, perhaps, but good enough for self-defense up close. Start with something light. A .22LR pistol isn’t optimal for defense, but if you put the bullets where they belong, it will work. Probably been more game taken in the US with a .22 than all other calibers combined.

I’m 65 here in a few weeks. Age is no bar. Hands a bit shaky? Get a heavier gun. The extra weight helps stabilize it. My dad had Parkinson’s pretty bad late in his life. So my step-mom got him a Sharps buffalo rifle. He was still hitting what he aimed at. You can, too. Besides, shooting is fun!