OK-I OWN MY FIRST GUN, NOW WHAT...

Just because I had my CPL and now purchased my first gun there was a level of discomfort going on. I called my Instructor right away and told him of my experience. I wanted more encouragement and he was more than willing to help as usual. I met him on a Saturday to show me how to break down the gun and to guide me in carrying. I mean I just didn’t know what to do, or how to do it.

I first got lesson in breaking down the Glock 17, in order to clean it. After he showed me, I actually did it. Pretty simple actually. They say the Glock is the easiest gun to break down and clean. I now do it today with ease/

I was given a holster to try and it worked like a champ. It was quite comical. Ok so now I am all strapped up and ready to go What to I do, where do I go..OMG this was really strange and exciting at the same time. Mark just said, go about your business, you will get use to it. Go everywhere, store, work, even a bank..WOW, I just couldn't believe I was going to walk out into the society carrying a firearm.

I felt strange and a bit awkward getting in and out of a car at first. I’d say it was only a few days before I felt comfortable.

Today I am a full time carrier.......

The Purchase

OMG Another fear to walk through. I was afraid to go and buy a gun. FEAR this short word somehow touches every aspect of my life [100 forms of fear] Anyway - Ok So Dave suggested to ask Mark to go with me, or Jeff at work. Yeah, I think that is a good idea. I talked to both of them and both were more than willing to go with me. The more and more I talked to these guys, I realized I needed to walk through this on my own, that I had nothing to worry about. Heck, I've been shooting the Glock 17 for about 4 months and KNEW the gun, KNEW that it is what works for me. I had to remember that all I have spoken to had all their own opinions. Some agreed and some disagreed. I was shot [no pun intended] down for wanting a Glock and I met many who loved it. The point is, everyone has their opinion and there is no right or wrong. I needed to get what worked for me, not Joe, not the store clerk, not Jeff or even Mark.

Ok, one Friday I made the decision and called Dave from work. I told him I was going on my own to buy my gun. He again was concerned that I was going alone. Well that all turned out to be his fear. I let him have it and went through my own and off I went. When I walked in the door of the gun shop I immediately zeroed in a woman behind the counter. Thank you, God. I went to her and felt very comfortable. I told her what I wanted and she got it for me. She brought it out and demonstrated it, we filled out the paper work, and I paid for it and out the door I went. THAT SIMPLE. Having a CPL also made it very simple and quick.

I’ll tell ya one thing having a gun in my possession has done. Since that night I have been a more responsible cautious driver. Even though I have a CPL and am doing everything legal, I just don’t want to be pulled over by the police for any reason. Even talking on the phone while driving has taken a back seat.

My First Gun

After returning to Wild West Academy over and over and trying different guns to see what fit for me [Size, weight, what I could handle well]. I went back to the first original gun I borrowed in class. In class if one doesn't have a gun it was OK because there was plenty to try of Mark's. And not only that, I went to the gun range where one can rent guns and there I tried many others and got more practice.

I narrowed it down to a Glock 17, a Beretta 92 FS and Beretta P-Storm all three 9mm. Each of those 3 had a different weight, and size. Look wise I like the Beretta, it is a good looking gun. I had to ask myself what I wanted this for. Self Defense was the reason. Not target shooting. Not for looks or being cute or good looking. If ever I am in a situation I do not want to be fumbling for any safety, I want smooth and easy. The less things I need to mess with in a life or death situation the better, for me. So I decided on the Glock 17 for my first gun to carry.

Now to go out and get one.......

That Was Then, This Is Now - A Year Later

One year has come and gone. It has been an adventurous year indeed. Last Memorial Weekend [2008] was the first time I shot a gun not knowing a thing and just this past Memorial Weekend [2009] I was teaching someone who never held a gun. I was able to give back what was given to me.

Some more first too. Again, for the first time with Darrel, I shot a .22 rifle. And 1 out of 2 skeet shooting was so bad for the first time, with a .20 gage shotgun. OK, so the first once was luck and the second one I tried just to hard. What fun I had. I never shot at an outdoor range, that was a first as well. Up North under the blue sky ans sunshine.

Here I am having fun and being an Instructor at the same time. In the past year I have become so passionate about teaching self defense with a firearm. It is something I am good at. It is something that gives me great joy, to see someone come in knowing nothing and leaving with more then they ever expected. Just like I did my first day.

And when people come back and keep practicing, getting better, it is good to know that there is just another person out there prepared, for something I hope and we all hope that we never ever have to face.