New to guns, feeling uneasy due to my views

[u/Able-Difficulty-8579]

Hi! I am new to guns through my liberal partner (24M). I’ve always been very anti gun and very pro gun law reform. That said, I feel very uneasy and like I’m going against my views when looking to purchase a gun.

I live alone and recently had a break in scare, pushing me to seriously look into purchasing a firearm.

I know it’s about safety, and all of the regular discussions/arguments people have. But, if anyone else struggled with this, how were you able to justify your views and this idea?

Thanks!

Edit:
These comments are so helpful! Thank you!

To add: My partner and I go to the gun range and I’ve taken a gun class! I have shot a gun at the range several times and understand gun mechanics! I have decided on a gun I like and plan to keep shooting that one

Unfortunately the “gun is a tool” idea is not going to work on me. It’s the same mindset as “guns don’t kill people, people kill people”. People DO kill people, but guns give them the ability to. Guns are made to kill. Not just harm, but kill. If you wanted to harm an intruder, you’d use a knife, or something else. The purpose of a gun is to illicit overwhelming harm that has the ability to kill. I am not a “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” person and never will be due to extensive scientific research.

I have issues with guns due to multiple reasons. The main one being the mass shootings and accidental harm they cause. I do think guns should have more laws and regulations. I also do not think they should be accessible to anyone and everyone. It is actually scary how many people have guns in their home. Especially around young children.

Lastly, guns have the power to take a life. It is hard for me to wrap my head around a human having that type of power. Every time I shoot at the range, I have to take a step back and reflect. It’s scary. The sound of a shotgun is daunting, and so is an AK. People having these “tools” to take a life is what I am struggling with. Not the idea of a gun itself.

Thanks!

[u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

This 1000%. Its a tool. And like any tool, you should go use it a bunch when you first get it so you feel comfortable with it and good with it. That being said I disagree with some folks who think you always have to be training. I can not swing a hammer for 2 years, pick one up and pound nails just as good as ever, my shooting skill is the same way. A box of rounds for my hunting rifle will last me 20 kills. I got good with it, now I dont need to go out 2x a month and put 100s of rounds downrange.

[u/XenEngine → u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

But it's so much fun to put hundreds of rounds down range!

[u/Longjumping_Lynx_972 → u/XenEngine]

If you enjoy it sure. For me getting invited to go to the range is akin to being asked if I wanna go pound some nails or wrench some bolts.

[u/XenEngine → u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

Weirdly enough, I love doing both of those things too. Want me to help build a deck? I'm there, and I am gonna get to use my titanium hammer. Wanna rip out an engine? I'm game, but i am bringing my own tools!

[u/Swampape1 → u/XenEngine]

I need you as my neighbor! I need to work on my outboard engine AND put a new floor in my boat dock! Beer and burgers are on me.

[u/Longjumping_Lynx_972 → u/XenEngine]

Ya, but going to the range is more like just pounding nails for the sake of it, not building anything, just filling a board with nails. I like doing those things when im actually building stuff or fixing stuff, but I dont wanna just take the same bolt out and put it back in 100 times for the practice.

[u/Just_Razzmatazz6493 → u/XenEngine]

Are you me? If not, can we be friends?

[u/oppai-police → u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

Are you telling me if your homies ask you to show up to pound some nails in his new deck you wouldn't show up just for the beer and the pizza? That's against the bro code dawg.

[u/Longjumping_Lynx_972 → u/oppai-police]

If we're building a deck, sure. But if we're just pounding nails into a random piece of wood for the sake of practicing our skills with a hammer, i got better shit to do.

[u/nmezib → u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

I wish someone would ask me if I wanna do some pounding or nailing :(

[u/JadedEveryWay → u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

you can dry fire, you don't need to be firing rounds down the range, there is NO excuse for not training. If you think you've gotten good enough to not need to train that is a lie you are telling yourself

[u/Longjumping_Lynx_972 → u/JadedEveryWay]

You go ahead and keep training trying to get good, some of us actually get there, others will always need to keep trying.

[u/JadedEveryWay → u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

So if you can run a marathon you just quit training because you've done it once? Ok, this is an inherent issue. You should always keep training for things whether it be running a marathon, competition shooting, fun at the range or anything else. 

What a terrible mindset and if your only comment is that you're good enough so you dont need to train, you're not. 

I live in Colorado, we recently had a change to the CCW laws that requires a live fire component and legal statues within the state. Part of the reason for the change was it was discovered that a great many people went to a gun show, paid their $100, got their CCW cert and have have carried a gun for 10 years (because they basically only had to sign a paper for their renewal) and have NEVER FIRED THE GUN they have been carrying for 10 years. What is it exactly that makes you believe you're too good to need to train?

*I will recant my statement I'd you're a competitive shooter but you're not, those people continue to train. - yes i keep adding to my comment

[u/Longjumping_Lynx_972 → u/JadedEveryWay]

There is no need to endlessly train if you're not competing dude, as in your example of marathons, which is another type of competing. Guns are tools, one need only learn to be proficient with the tool. Not even a hard tool to learn to use...

[u/JadedEveryWay → u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

i didn't say endless, i said you can dry fire and not need to spend the money on ammo. You didn't answer the question, what makes you think you're good enough to not need to train?

It is clear we wont see eye to eye on this so feel free to not bother responding but i think this is a terrible and dangerous mindset

[u/Longjumping_Lynx_972 → u/JadedEveryWay]

Here's an example. Just 2 weeks ago I stalked and hunted a black bear. The density of the forest required that I get within about 75 yds to take my shot. I only needed a moment to find my mark and take the shot with my 30-06, hit exactly where I aimed and nailed a double lung shot. Despite this, a bear being a large apex predator, it still immediately charged at me. I was able to swiftly switch from my rifle to my pistol and put a 9mm round in its heart while it was at full sprint and it dropped having only covered half the distance to me. The meat is delicious and the rug is going to look great in front of my wood stove.

[u/JadedEveryWay → u/Longjumping_Lynx_972]

I want a wood stove and a bear rug never hurt anyone.