I don't (or didn't) like guns...but now I am thinking of getting one.

There really isn't anything to worry about with kids and guns. Accidents happen when parents leave loaded guns where kids can get to them; unsecured and unsupervised.

Be safe, be careful, secure your firearms when the little ones start running around, and you'll be fine.
 
...she is also weighing the likelihood of needing to defend herself with the likelihood of some kind of gun related accident
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The more familiar with handling firearms one gets, the more one realizes that accidents don't just "happen." Guns don't just "go off." A properly holstered gun is very secure and essentially inert. Some simple rules, like "at home, the gun is either on your body or locked up" means it is no danger whatsoever to children (or other unauthorized people).

Off-body carry presents many risks not found with on-body carry when children are present. Remember, carrying a firearm is not meant to be "comfortable," it's "comforting." That doesn't mean it has to be uncomfortable, just that it takes a long time before it become second nature.

Again, go to CorneredCat.com and read, read, read.
 
Good luck in your adventure.

I would get to a full service gun store and just go in and look around. IMO, you would be best to look into $50 - $200 worth of training. I spent money on this twice, even with lots of gun know how and thought it was fun and an excellent use of time. The class should be something like NRA basic pistol, CCW or some other get me trained up on handling pistols safe class, with a few hours of gun handling, a few hours of what to do/how to do it and finally, a few hours of shooting their guns.

After that bit of fun, I would start renting guns for fun and kind of feeling out what you like. Sometimes this is not possible. In that case, I would recommend jumping in and buying a S&W Model 10 or other 4" 38 special revolver. Also, used police guns can be a good find.

Police guns or military guns are a good choice as modern police and military have to fit male and female hands, carry them daily and teach people new to guns how to use them for combat and defense.

Likely whatever you buy first will be adequate, but you will decide you want/need something else as you get more knowledgeable with guns.

I bought a Taurus PT101. That is how I learned for me that adjustable sighted defensive guns are a waste of money.

Then I bought a S&W J frame 640 357 mag. I have bought a few guns since then, but this one is with me most often.
 
Shortwave,

We live in Lexington KY.

If anyone has any recommendations in terms of classes in the area, I would welcome the advice. Also, I have come to realize there are several large gun shops in the area...I will probably go check a couple out in the next few weeks with some buddies more informed than myself, but I also welcome recommendations there as well.

My job, however, will likely require that we move in another 2-3 years...with no real idea where, so I would not want to end up with a gun that was not legal to own in other areas.
 
As long as you steer clear of California, New York, Illinois, and a few other "blue" states you shouldn't run into much legal trouble with a pistol. You may have to swap out your magazines (if you get a semi-auto) for some that only hold 10 rounds, or get a special license/permit at most.

Don't go gun shopping anyplace like Bass Pro Shop or other big box stores. Some of the guys working there know what they're talking about, but most are making it up as they go along. Find a good local gun shop.
 
I would not want to end up with a gun that was not legal to own in other areas.
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I wouldn't let this control my choice, but if it remains that much of a concern to you, look at the California list of "safe" (i.e., approved) guns. That has got to be the most restrictive.

22LR pistol or rifle.
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While excellent for the first few hours of training and later for low cost plinking (shooting for fun), this is not an appropriate self-defense caliber.
 
Clovus,

I'm not familiar with any classes in your area. There are members here that are from around the Lex. Ky. area that I'm confident will help you with some good advice. Be patient, they'll chime in.;) If you know any LEO'S in your area, they could also be a valuable source of info. for classes and reputable gun shops.
Also, glad to here you are going to gun shops with some experienced friends. As many here will tell you, finding a good gun shop that has everything you want... I.E. very informed staff(informed not only in all their products but have knowledge and consideration of your needs and reasons your purchasing a firearm). As you may know, same as any other business, some gun shops will promote specific guns for various business reasons without consideration of the buyers needs.

I would suggest that you(and wife) shoot as many different handguns(semi autos and revolvers) along with seriously considering and shooting some shotguns(my fav. HD weapon,nightstand handgun only escorts me to shotgun) as possible before laying your money down on something.

If you/wife opt for a shotgun, remember, you should still practice with it as you would if you opt for a handgun. Staying very familiar with whatever your choice can mean the difference between a serious 'bump in the night' resulting in your favor or the BG's.

If this weapon is going to strictly for HD, consider your home layout when choosing your weapon. How close your neighbors are... do you have people sleeping in other rooms in your house, should enter into the equation. Over penetration can be a problem and the reason some opt for the shotgun with the right load. Too, a shotgun can be more forgiving as far as shot placement...remembering, that in the 'heat of the moment' @ 0200, your house is dimly lit , the best trained will be nervous and scared....

Just a few thoughts

FWIW, we are a few miles apart but if you get around the Lancaster/Logan, Oh. area, I'd be glad to help you in any way I can and can probably arrange for you to shoot many different guns (disclosure: I'm by no means an expert by anyones standards. :o Just like to shoot and am always excited when someone gets interested in the sport.;)).
 
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I am 43 almost 44 and fired my first handgun about 3 years ago but had bought a rifle in 2005 ( failed attempt at hunting ) . I was not afraid of them but I ( at the time ) did not see a need for them.Also I had a friend killed by a gun about 23 years ago. And I could have been very anti gun. I came very close. When I moved to North Dakota I was exposed more to guns from people who knew guns ( even if they did not teach me much) and got me started in enjoying guns. I first got a gun to just have fun at the range. But then I decided to get my conceal carry . Granted most of what little I know comes from self learning and looking up information. One thing I had to learn from losing a friend is that the gun did not kill my friend but someone did. And I also learned that people when their firearms are taken from them end up being easy prey.
 
Its great to hear you are warming up to firearms. I could use some advice from you; my younger brother is somewhat not inclined towards firearms and wont even go to the range with me (28yo).

Thanks in advance, and good luck on your firearm search!
 
Justice06RR,

As silly as it may sound, exposure via the History/Discovery channel was probably the largest single factor in terms of the reversal in opinion. The history and mechanics of firearms are interesting (even to someone that does not otherwise "like" them).

The more familiar something becomes, in general, the more people tend to like it.

I also played paintball and such many years ago when I was in high school. I am sure that helped too.
 
The wife is somewhat more apprehensive than I am. However, she has fired a gun before, and seem somewhat interested in them.

She is very focused on the safety aspect of the decision. She realizes that a gun would give her the ability to defend herself if needed, but she is also weighing the likelihood of needing to defend herself with the likelihood of some kind of gun related accident.
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I find that most women want to take the necessary precautions to protect their children more so than men when it comes to guns. A lot of men seem to think that educating your children should be enough to leave a gun just sitting on their night stands. In my opinion that's an important part, but just one part. Most women aren't comfortable with guns just laying around and will secure the gun better. Of course this doesn't apply to all men and women. As a result of more women owning and carrying guns, they are becoming a larger segment of my business. Be sure and store your gun where she is comfortable about the liklihood of your kids getting hold of your gun, but where she can also access it when she needs to.
 
i would like to say welcome to the world of the 2nd amendment.

it is only natural in a man to want to keep his family safe but you must also keep yourself safe as well by common knowledge, firearm awareness & safety.

knowledge is power

first inquire about the laws on firearms in your location
like what is allowed in your location to be registered & if you need
any special permits or id's.

for example the city of chicago requires that you have a foid card, 5hr training course, & a chicago firearms permit in order for you to register a handgun in the city. of course they have a ban list of what is permitted for registration and so forth.

once thats out of the way find yourself a friendly firearms class for
the wife and yourself.

practice makes perfect when it comes to shooting

if your worried about the kids of course there are options for keeping them
out of harms way. buying a safe and keeping it in a discreet but reachable location for yourself if you need to use it is the key.

keeping the mags at the ready & gun unloaded in a safe would be an ideal safety tip since you have children.

id go with a 9mm handgun because it is inexpensive to shoot and
also effective as a home defense caliber.

if people tell you other wise remember the size of the bullet means nothing
if you cant hit center mass ( center mass being the chest area on a person)

in the end look into the legality of owning a gun, take sum classes, practice shooting an firearm safety, and research means of keeping your firearm safe at home.

and always remember to treat every gun as a loaded gun
safety first
 
If you are buying with defense in mind, I commend you on taking a step in the right direction for you and your family. However...

You're going to have to practice a LOT to get proficient with it....

Practice.
Practice.
Practice.

Practice shooting with both hands, with one hand, strong hand, weak hand. Practice shooting quickly, accurately, and ultimately, at being both at once. Practice clearing a malfunction, changing a magazine, and safely drawing from a holster. As stated in other posts, find a good instructor, and practice, practice, practice.
 
First Off I would recommend going to this website http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx search for NRA classes in your area they will train you how to use and how store firearms safely, also some classes will help you get more proficient in shooting. thats the first step. then go to range practice practice practice and ohhh buy lots of ammo to practice with good luck besafe take care.
 
I get the feeling this is going to be an expensive hobby.
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Hi Clovus, It doesn't have to be that expensive.

Although ammo prices have gone up, 9mm is still fairly cheap and is plenty capable for self defense as well. I have a .45, but the 9mm is still my self defense choice for both home and carry (the .45acp is just for fun at the range). If it turns out you like shooting a lot, then adding a .22 can really bring the price down. But if you want a '1 gun fits all' type of solution, then I suggest the 9mm.

I have a range up north by my father-in-law that is free (a sand pit). In town there are several ranges that are reasonable. I buy a membership at 1 of them for $100 a year and that gets me range time for $4 a lane. If you don't shoot about once a month then the membership probably isn't worth it. I also do a .22 league 2x a year and with that you get to shoot for $10 a time (targets included). So there are a number of reasonable options out there.

Others have already suggested it too but many ranges offer training and one of the courses is usually an introductory handgun course. A great place to start if you're new to guns and they usually supply the gun at this level.

Welcome to the sport. :)
Phil
 
I get the feeling this is going to be an expensive hobby.
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Yes - it is....

However a guy was at our house last week & gave us a sales pitch for AT&T Uverse or whatever it's called.

For the fabulous price of only $157.00 a month, we can have our brains toasted by 200 some channels of garbage, have out landline ring off the hook with telemarketers calling and surf the internet..


Expensive is all relative...

;)
 
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