Guns

[Mina]

@KwanYingirl - I'm really sorry to read about the safety situation at your office. That's way rough :( Do you work for a company, or do you rent an office for your own business use? If it's the latter, you might want to look into leasing elsewhere, because that rehab center probably isn't going away anytime soon...

Good on you for signing up for firearms training! Most other women would probably consider me a gun-nut (a label which I don't really mind). To echo what others have said, start with a smaller caliber since it's your first go at it. A .22 (aka "twenty-two") is a common choice and an excellent start for a beginner, and will allow you to get comfortable with general mechanics and how you work with it BEFORE there's much of a "bang" and recoil to manage. I'd honestly question any instructor who starts students on a larger caliber.

From there, you have all kinds of choices on what to try out! It's a matter of what fits your frame, what you like (as far as safety mechanisms, actions, capacity, grip interchangability, etc.), and what you shoot well with. I'd be happy to provide you more info and have an ongoing conversation via PM if you'd like. Oh, and at least out in this part of the country, ranges have "Ladies' Day" where your range time is free, your rentals are free, and you just pay for ammo and targets. If anything like that is available to you, it's a great way to get in some practice and try out a lot of different choices. Hope your class is great!!

 

[Sighs]

All my firearms training says shoot centre mass. None of this fancy knee capping. If this person is advancing towards you with intent to harm shoot centre mass.

 

[KwanYingirl]

@Mina I rent office space. I'm self employed. I wear a lab coat and look medical. I think the junkies saw me around and decided to get into my office to see if I had drugs or syringes. Nothing of value to them found so this round is over. Thanks for the advice @Sighs I keep being told to aim at center mass.

 

[Eagle3]

Yep! Always aim center mass, since the fine-motor control required for small-target aiming will not function under such stressful conditions...that's biology. I agree you need to start small caliber-wise and work your way up to at least a 9mm. I personally carry a .40 S&W, but I practice a lot with it, and the ergonomics fit me perfectly. Try out lots of stuff, and enjoy the process!

Sorry you have to deal with such low-life's, and double sorry the cops are so dismissive!! That is a breach of duty in my opinion, but they see stuff like this happen all day, every day, and get kind of jaded to it.

Stay safe!

 

[katz]

i have always abhorred guns, but today I signed up to learn how to handle a hand gun. In the past m...

I commend you for going about it the correct way!! Yeah, for you! Training, practice, ect.

There are far too many people out there having/using guns that are not responsible - or trained to use one.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I've almost completely imploded. I am so hypervigilant it's exhausting and I am very dissociative after so much therapy and reiki to learn not to be. It's like everything I gained has evaporated and I'm once again that terrified little girl with no options. I am seriously doubting that I am sane enough to carry a gun. I'm going to the class , I will take lessons and practice shooting. Until my instructors tell me I'm competent, I will not purchase a gun. I hope it's like you say @joeylittle that I will feel empowered. My anxiety is off the charts, I want to quit therapy, crawl into bed and sleep forever.
I have left messages with my landlords sign maker to get a new sign that just has my first initial and last name and eliminate the word Electrolysis. Quite certain that girls at the rehab said we use needles. Nothing weird has happened for a week and I notice that there have been no people smoking over there. In fact, all the butts have been raked up and the trash too. Maybe the police did make a visit over there. Annie is still alert and sits on my lap a lot.
Vi had reiki Tuesday night and she said my aura was sucked in and she expanded it for me.

 

[scout86]

Sorry you're having a rough time! (But it's completely understandable and might even be "normal".) The sign thing got me thinking, have you considered posting warning signs suggesting you have security measures in place beyond what you actually have? They make fake security cameras. You could also have a sign made that says "Protected By Incredible Hulk Security Service", so they think breaking in would be a bad idea. Even a light hooked to a motion detector could be helpful, if there's a place for one. ("Good dog, Annie!":)

 

[The Albatross]

Kwan, this is a period of inordinate stress for you... so all the work you did in therapy isn't lost... it's just being sorely tested. Glad to read that the loiterers have left and yeah local authorities might be making occasional random checks.

Glad that you're continuing your lessons, but think too it's wise to recognize that you may not be stable enough yet or at this time to purchase.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I did find online some nice handbags with concealment for a small gun. One I liked would also be big enough for my Day Minder so all I'd be holding is Annie's leash which I can easily drop if needed. I like the idea of a security camera at my office door, even a dummy one. Things are quiet today at the rehab. Maybe the condo association prez made a no loitering rule.

 

[KwanYingirl]

@The Albatross your post is very comforting. Thank you. Yes, it has been stressful and when I slide back down the mayo jar, I don't know if I'll ever get back to the top. This is what I find so helpful on the forum. That I am validated and people speak to the core of what living with PTSD entails.

 

[Pakadlangitok]

i have always abhorred guns, but today I signed up to learn how to handle a hand gun. In the past m...

There are some very strong dog sprays cops use. They cost about $45. They will take down a bear. You might look into that if you hate guns.

 

[KwanYingirl]

The shooting range where I was going to take Part 1 of guns cancelled the class I signed up for. The thing is, now I'm feeling stronger, and I've lost interest in it.