Anti-gun mom finally coming around

[dberg8907]

For as long as i can remember, my mom has been very anti-gun, hated it when my brother bought his first rifle and wouldn't allow his guns or mine to be in the house, had to store them at dad's (at least until older brother moved out)

she was always very pro-strict gun control etc etc, until more recently. Our house was broken into (thank god no one was home, i came home to two back doors kicked in) and an increase in violence in the county we live in.

she is nearly convinced she wants to buy a firearm for home defense. i think myself and my brother need to educate her a bit about making a decision, and she needs to shoot ALOT before making a purchase, but im glad to see she has finally "seen the light" and realized guns don't create violence and crimes, people do.

anyways, what kind of advice do you guys have to offer? any particular favorite home defense weapons (no need for CCW, Illinois resident can't do it)? she wouldn't be able use any of mine, unfortunately i am yet of age to own a handgun, and have yet to buy a shotgun. maybe some good exercises to practice at the range for preparation for defense? hopefully, while trying to teach her, i can learn a few things myself.

[afmo]

did this one with my mom, its pretty blunt, but its the most effective demonstration of the safety of the physical firearm that i can shamelessly steal from a scene in american dad. Put the gun on the table and command it to kill someone. When nothing happens, let her know that the gun is defined by the intent of its user, not the other way around. Then take her to a range and do the rigorous safety safety safety safety routine, go over the 4 rules, etc.

As for home defense weapon, shotgun with a pistol backup. To practice at the range, set the gun on the shooting bench, just like you'd have it, close your eyes, and have a range buddy call out "threat." Then open your eyes, grab your shotgun, assess your pre-determined target and fire. If you have lots of room, you could even put up colors on your targets and have your range buddy call out "threat blue" or "threat red" etc, and you'd have to identify the proper threat and address it appropriately.

[dberg8907]

i like that threat red, threat blue drill.. sounds like it would alot of fun to do... maybe set up the targets and not let the shooter see where they are until the "Threat" call is made?

space is not an issue, Dad's a farmer, lots of open land with huge hills on the sides to use as backstops, having a personal range has certainly been nice.

[Spawnz]

Not sure of the Illinois gun laws but I take it you are not yet 21 so a handgun is out? What about shotguns? I would think you could get a nice 12 ga. shotgun like a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 and both would be very good for a home defense weapon. Both are reasonably priced and not overly expensive. No need for 00 buck if you are just starting out and a game load in #6 shot would be more than adequate for you and your mom and wouldn't be as intimidating as a full power load. When you are of age to get a handgun, an excellent choice would be any Springfield XD.

I am sure others will be along to offer their opinion of what you should get. There are a lot of members here who are very knowledgeable and they can probably give you better choices than I.

And welcome to the forum!

[Dhunter55]

All due respect to your mom but funny how folks change their minds about guns when they become a victim of crime.

[Breadfan]

I don't think your mom has come around. She's just being scared for the moment but the fear / repulsion she feels about firearms is still there and will pop out as soon as the situation calms down.

Of course I could be wrong but that's just my opinion.

[jmichna]

Deberg8907,
Where are you at in Illinois? We live just N and W of Chicago.

My wife had been very apprehensive about firearms in the home. Last year, we took the NRA Beginners handgun class (approx 5 hours) at a local gun shop. The instructor was a 30-something mom (and had just had her second child). She was a marvelous instructor, the class instruction covered all the basics (safety, types of handguns and ammunition, safety, cleaning & maintenance, safety, and so on... did I say safety?)... there was also about 90 minutes of range time where the whole family was able to shoot a variety of revolvers and semi-autos, from .22 up to .357 & .44 mag. Gave us a good idea what we each liked and disliked.

Bottom line, my wife is much more comfortable about weapons in the home, and I now have a life-long shooting partner in my 15-year old daughter (she's a good shot with an S&W .357 mag, and has her own Walther P99 .40S&W and Buckmark .22).

You might consider this approach... maybe both you and your brother could take the class with your mother.

[drgonzo]

Originally Posted by dberg8907

i like that threat red, threat blue drill.. sounds like it would alot of fun to do... maybe set up the targets and not let the shooter see where they are until the "Threat" call is made?

space is not an issue, Dad's a farmer, lots of open land with huge hills on the sides to use as backstops, having a personal range has certainly been nice.

Just make sure Mom's not color-blind.......

[LKB3rd]

Originally Posted by Dhunter55

All due respect to your mom but funny how folks change their minds about guns when they become a victim of crime.

*Cliche ALERT* :
"A conservative is a liberal who has been mugged."

My mother has never been anti-gun, but she is personally a little squeamish about them. We recently had a breakthrough though. I am not happy to report that my little old mom told me she was nervous about being home alone when my step father was out of town, BUT... it was during a conversation where I was showing her my converted Saiga, and letting her hold and aim it. She thinks it is "pretty" and is coming around to the fact that a gun in a good person's hands STOPS honest people from being victims, and that if handled responsibly can be handled, carried, etc... and believe it or not they just sit there and mind their own business until someone picks them up and pulls the trigger.
If your mom shows an interest in shooting, maybe an outing with a .22 rifle would be a good start. She could get used to handling and firing a firearm, and the noise and recoil of a centerfire rifle, or shotgun wouldn't be something she would have to deal with right off the bat. Maybe work her up to a 20 guage, or even a 12 guage, if you've got an athletic mom lol. If my 6 and 8 year old nephews can handle and shoot a 20 guage well enough to bag a turkey with it, your mom should be able to shoot one well enough to defend herself if god forbid there is ever a need for that.
Good work so far! I have jokingly (so she thinks) told my mother that I won't stand for my mother being defenseless and vulnerable. She laughs still about it, but we're making progress

[LUVMYSIGP225]

Originally Posted by Breadfan

I don't think your mom has come around. She's just being scared for the moment but the fear / repulsion she feels about firearms is still there and will pop out as soon as the situation calms down.

Of course I could be wrong but that's just my opinion.

Yes, but he could take advantage of her fear, and get her to the firing range, get her acclimated with a gun, and reduce her fears of the gun. Get her broken-in while the getting is good.