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BookCop: 2 months ago | Last edited at 11:25PM on 3/1/2013

How do you overcome your fear of guns?

A while ago there was some shooting on the side street of our house(we live on the corner) and there many police cars searching around our neighborhood. I grew up in neighborhoods where shooting was nearly every week and really close to where I live. I know the danger, power, and protection from a gun but every time my brother loads our shotgun(we keep it locked and loaded just incase) I always get nervous. when I was a little younger I accidentally shot my finger with a bb pellet gun. how do I overcome this fear. my brother and mom love guns and since we bought a new shotgun they've become enthusiasts almost and now demanding that me and my sister carry a 22 for each of us in our room.

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Answer 1

mikeguidoj: 2 months ago via Android

i say 2 take a fire arms course and always have respect 4 all fire arms but know and remember that guns dont kill people, people kill people!

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BookCop: 2 months ago

We live in a really bad neighborhood, everytime we do move someone dies practically in our back yard, i mean literally. I just don't want it to happen anymore.

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mikeguidoj: 2 months ago via Android

oh lord, im sorry 2 hear that! what city do you live in?

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BookCop: 2 months ago

Baton Rouge, LA

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Answer 2

TheDefiantOne: 2 months ago via iPhone

Take a firearm safety class

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BookCop: 2 months ago

Yeah I should, maybe I could get even go to the shooting range but the nearest one is 10 miles away.

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TheDefiantOne: 2 months ago via iPhone

That's a good idea. But take the class first.

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Answer 3

religousman: 2 months ago via iPhone

It is only going to get worse you need to respect but own a gun for protection if our gov keep spending and causing us to lose job Growth things will get bad be safe and protect your self and family

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BookCop: 2 months ago

I have a tremendous respect for guns and I'm overly-cautious when I'm holding or around someone who's holding a gun. I'm so cautious I've become paranoid that my brother left a bullet in the chamber after he racks it clean.

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Answer 4

chouetteraccoon: 2 months ago via iPhone | Last edited at 3:09AM on 3/2/2013

I'm glad you respect the power of guns, but fear can be just as hazardous as ignorance or overconfidence.
I don't recommend that anyone (even adults) have or be around a gun without being taught proper safety in handling and use, including target practice.
You and your sister need training before somebody hands you anything like that. Once you understand exactly what you are doing, practice and use will bring familiarity. Your fear will fade, but you'll still have respect for the responsibility.
You sound like a very intelligent and cautious person. Good! But don't let fear hold you back. And don't let yourself (or anyone) be railroaded into or even just allowed to be having a firearm without having gotten enough instruction and practice so that you feel comfortable.
Ask your mother or brother to take you to the target range. If you feel comfortable that -they- know what they are doing, have them teach you.
Or, if it makes you more comfortable, arrange for you and your sister to take a class. Ranges usually hold beginners classes, or hopefully can steer you to one given near you. You can always ask the range by phone, before you trek out there. Good luck!

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chouetteraccoon: 2 months ago via iPhone

Or, you could also check the (reputable) gun stores near you. A good gun store always has some connection with, or at least can steer you towards, gun safety and shooting classes for beginners. There are more and more classes being offered especially for women and girls these days, since more women are realizing their need for protection.

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chouetteraccoon: 2 months ago via iPhone

You could always ask your mom to go with you and your sister to the class. She'd probably enjoy it, and might even learn something that had been left out of her own training, too, who knows? But it would certainly be a great kind of mother/daughters thing to do. Then you could all go off to the range together to practice and have fun as a family.
Fear of guns in a household with guns is dangerous.
Knowledge, training, and practice will erase the fear, and increase your respect for them at the same time. And keep you safe. :)

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BookCop: 2 months ago

Thanks, I will definitely be looking into this advice.

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BookCop: 2 months ago

My mom and brother would like to go to a gun range but it is very far from where we live; however there is a gun show that comes around once in a while. My concern is not being able to use a gun properly when I need to and the correct storage, cleaning, and such. My brother is yet the only one who handles our shotgun which is unfortunate being that 3 more of us need experience. He and my mom says that I'm very accident prone and suggest I break out of fear. Over many emergencies to the hospital for injuries which seem almost impossible to occur, I agree that training is indeed needed before I can operate a gun.

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chouetteraccoon: 2 months ago via iPhone

Excellent. I applaud the way you are thinking about this.
The range may be a distance away, but if you guys plan for it as all-day family outings (recurring visits are essential for proper practice and familiarization), I bet you all could find a way to swing it. -- Where there's a will, there's a way, as the old adage goes. :)
For classes, you'll need more than a 1-2 hour type thing at a gun show, which are basically just "introduction to" and not meant to cover all safety/use points. Do check any gun stores or "outdoor sports" stores in your area for class offerings (or leads). In many parts of the country, the local police might have some or be able to steer you toward some, too. Good luck!
I think you'll actually find out that target shooting is fun! Females often have a surprising (to guys) high natural aptitude for it. ;D

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chouetteraccoon: 2 months ago via iPhone

Aha, I found a link for NRA (certified) instructors, with a course list, info on youth programs and a search by state/zip code to find one near you, if possible.
Http://www.nrainstructors.org/

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Answer 5

huntbill: 2 months ago via iPhone

Having been a certified trainer in safe firearms handling for several years , it is my opinion that before you do anything else, please take a firearms safety training course. You will learn proper techniques for safe handling and storage of firearms , this should help you with your fear of guns, good luck!

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Answer 6

medic614: 2 months ago

I would recommend a conceal carry course, even if you have no intention of getting the permit. Take a hunter safety course, or any safety course. Read the owner's manual thoroughly. Learn how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble them. Finally, you must practice, regularly. A gun is nothing more than a tool; like a knife, screwdriver, stapler, or saw. If you don't treat any tool properly, you can get hurt.

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Sincerity: 2 months ago

Medic. I took my stress test and they found damage of the heart muscle around the left ventricle and it's working too hard there so now I take one big pill a day which makes the heart not work so hard to push blood through that ventricle. It's not a beta blocker and it's not for high blood pressure-not sure how it works but anyway just wanted you to know. Thank you for all your advice when I asked that question .

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medic614: 2 months ago

Do you know what that "big pill" is? It's probably going to slow you down, make you feel a little tired. It will take some getting use to. You will adapt. Give it some time. Don't get discouraged.

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Answer 7

ManavT: 2 months ago via iPhone

Take the gun
Hold it up to ur head
And threaten itself to shoot if the fear doesn't leave

Jk just take a class

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BookCop: 2 months ago

The first few phrases in your comment had me worried about your sanity until I read it through; lol

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Answer 8

Coyote_Hunter: 2 months ago via iPhone

Pick up the shotgun, unload it, work the action, shoulder it and aim at things. Load it again and put it away. Do this at least once a day and soon it won't be a big deal. During this time learn from your brother how to take it apart and clean/oil it.

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BookCop: 2 months ago

My brother does this a lot, he uses dummies and "shoots" them. Even though they are fake bullets I still tell him to be careful where he points it.

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chouetteraccoon: 2 months ago via iPhone

Excellent advice, CoyoteH! Although she still needs to get used to shooting it and any other gun they get/have in the house. Shotguns need getting used to, for actual firing.
@BookCop, you are exactly right!!! Proper gun handling, and never carelessly pointing it, unloaded or not, is the first and most important rule! Even some "blanks" used in the movies can seriously damage or even kill if shot at close enough range.
-- Being careful, and standing your ground on it, is not part of any other fear you might have -- it's just excellent common sense!

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Answer 9

Veryold: 2 months ago via iPhone

It sounds like you live in a big city, which means places you can go to learn firearms safety and learn to shoot defensively will be few and hard to find. The first resource I would suggest is the NRA website, which has a section on training where you can put in your ZIP code and get a list of facilities that offer training.
The link is at
http://training.nra.org

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