Just wanted to share the excitement I feel to have finally.. pulled the trigger (I'm so sorry) on ordering my first ever firearm.
It's been a slow burn for me since 2015. I was a Bernie-obsessed progressive who believed all of the nonsensical progressive positions. I thought guns were a mistake to protect as a right. I wanted free shit. I had no appreciation for what freedom really meant.
Then, one day, I realized I wasn't actually knowledgeable on guns. I didn't know the first thing about them. All I knew was that they were scary "death machines" that "made us a joke" on the world stage.
Cue visiting one of the gun subreddits. I reached out, explained my ideology, what my position was, and said that I was open to changing my mind if anyone felt compelled to engage with me.
Cue a front page post filled to the brim with users, starting with the skeptics who were helpful, but weary as far as my sincerity was concerned. Once it was clear I was discussing in good faith, comments and DM's flowed in faster than I could keep up. Not only were they incredibly kind and written in a way that they clearly wanted to clarify misconceptions I had, but they were incredibly well argued.
I left that thread having flipped entirely. I was a pro gun lefty.
But even then I was in a slave state that's tough to get a beef gun, let alone anything capable of defending yourself with. On top of that I was having some issues with depression and felt that, while I might like to in the future, it wasn't responsible for me to bring a gun into the picture until I dealt with my demons.
Since then, that day of realizing that I didn't know shit is what put me on the path to conservatism. I read about the constitution. I read about our founders. I came to appreciate every word of the constitution, and eventually became a full blown conservative. It wasn't an outfit change based on talking points, but a genuine philosophy that naturally came to fruition as I based my positions on arguments instead of "its the system, man!"
That lead me to you guys on Reddit, which lead me to weekly Sunday Gundays. Weekly Sunday gundays made a firearm seem less novel, and more like a tool. My personal life improved massively and I havent been depressed for years. I have a good and steady job, a home, and live in a much freer state than before.
And now, I've got a new baby looking for her forever home on the way. A Smith & Wesson MP15 Sport II, 2 30 round 5.56 mags, and 400 rounds of 5.56 ammo to supplement (because God damn, ammo is expensive as a mother fucker right now).
I dont believe I'll make the next Sunday Gunday, but I'm excited to show her to the world during the following one.
Thank you all for making this community so great. I can't wait to have the comfort of a rittenhouse-special being available to protect my home and family, and you guys played an integral role in chipping away at the hesitancy I felt toward making the move.
You mean PRACTICE (then pose in the mirror), PRACTICE (then stare at it like its a child you're proud of), PRACTICE (accessorize it with 11 scopes, 5 flash lights, a toaster oven, and blender attachment), right?
Yes, I believe that's the usual process.
You'll find the high majority of gun owners to be friendly and willing to help, hell the man who taught me to shoot was a stranger at the range. I've always believed that an armed community is a safe & friendly community. Also welcome to the firearm family.
Also some of the coolest heads from what I've been picking up. Go figure - when you have a tool that can end a life, you tend to be the first to remove yourself from conflict.
If only the leftist masses had the same ability for redemption and growth as you have, the world would be a better place.
Be careful posing in front of the mirror. We all did it when we were new!
I only recently realized that the gun issue is what began the chain reaction for me. It was the first time I ever challenged my beliefs, and its unbelievable how certain I was of positions that I can now dismantle off the top of my head.
I sometimes wonder where I'd be had I not followed through on that spark of curiosity. It's like I had a single moment of being suggestable to a new position, and the community responded in just the right way that I felt the need to question every other position I felt.
Unsurprisingly, the Bernie crowd turned me off at the same time too. The industry my family is in was at risk of being basically destroyed with a Bernie presidency, and my concerns were responded to with, "its unfortunate, but trimming the fat and hurting your family is a small price to pay for improving millions of other lives."
Thanks for the comment :)
Edit: your user name is nauseating lmfao
Welp, I'm glad you came around. Yours is an example of human redemption, which is great. It softens my harsh policy on leftists which involves helicopters and back hoes.
I apologize for my username - I really had no control over what my parents named me, though, and some people's comments are very hurtful.
For the record, I was named after a little-known New Zealand beekeeper who would later climb Mount Everest, and was a fan of chowing down on that yummy clam.
An AR can be challenging for someone who lacks experience with guns, SAFETY first, SAFETY second, repeat over and over.
Learn that weapon system, always think SAFETY and learn that weapon system.
Firearms ownership requires a great deal of personal responsibility, that sometimes is difficult for recovering leftists. The mental aspect of gun ownership is difficult for many people, but you must examine yourself closely and be certain you are comfortable with using that rifle. LARPers tend to shoot themselves or poor innocent schmucks standing nearby without actually meaning to do so, sometimes. Examine every scenario you may encounter in your head, you will never have time to ponder the situation, if you need that rifle you probably will need it quickly, not 'in a minute'.
Good luck, SAFETY first, learn that rifle, learn about 'you' yourself. Ask other shooters whenever you have questions or thoughts, concerns - every other gun owner wants you SAFE. There are no dumb questions, so don't be shy, we all had to learn.
Be SAFE, be legal, and welcome to America, we are bidden to bear arms and now you embrace citizenship. We expect you to stand beside us if we must pick up our arms and defend Freedom, resist governmental tyranny, repel terrorists and others who would attack our Families, neighbors, Society.
God Bless you.
https://kekpe.pe/i/5f8dab84572be.jpg
I appreciate the comment :) your emphasis of safety is precisely why I've waited until now. I'm usually pretty in-tune with myself, and until recently I knew that while I would always be safe with a weapon, I didn't trust myself to not slip up at some point. Lately, there's been a shift in that mentality (like I hit a brain development milestone or something, haha) and I know that every step of getting to know the rifle is going to be the most conservative approach I can possibly take.
I'm excited as hell, but I won't let myself get carried away. I'll allow myself one hour of posturing in the mirror and feeling like a badass, and after that's up, no more games. Its a tool, its a potentially lethal tool, and ill only treat it with that in mind.
The FFL I'm using is a one man show and has been a massive help. I tend to get shy when I'm new to something and the gun stores around here can be a bit unwelcoming to newbies, and he's been awesome with making the process as comfortable as it can be. I think I'll look around for a group or a course catered to new owners to schedule something as well, since youtube and Google can only take you so far.
Thanks again. Safety and responsibility will be the upmost important thing I consider (as soon as my mirror pose hour is up, of course).
My husband was a Marine sniper, so he's teaching me how to be his spotter, and he's teaching me all his sniping skills. He comes cheap. All I have to do is make a good meal for him in return, and he's happy.
You need to get that i-Target program. It's a laser pointer, and it tells you whether you've hit your target or not without wasting ammo.
I've seen that (heard of something similar on Bongino's show, too).
Do you use it yourself? I'd love to have that available if it actually works as advertised.
It costs more, but take a look at MantisX, too. It will tell you if you're holding the gun too tight, anticipating recoil, jerking at the trigger, holding it incorrectly, etc. I believe it's around $150-200 for dry fire-only; $250 for the version that assesses your performance with live fire, too (it syncs with an app on your phone).
Haven't used it but am gonna be getting it soon. I trust Bongino. If he says it works, I believe him. Remember the most important thing: Shooting comes down to muscle memory. For that reason, you want to aim perfectly every single time. Otherwise, your muscles will remember imperfectly. Your speed will come naturally the more you practice.