any suggestions?

[bear0u812]

Well folks, I have made it back to the peoples republic of Illinois, in the capital of socialisim itself, Chicago. Bieng that Mayor Daley is convinced that this city is a "crime free utopia", I of course have had to secure the "Teeth of Liberty" w/ someone trusted in the far north suburbs. Now, here is my quagmire, My girlfriend is a self proclaimed die hard Republican, but has not had her "Teeth kicked in" to become an armed libertarian. She over her fear of firearms,(she loves my 1911A1), but does not want a shotgun in the house for protection, (a hot home invasion happened to her 3 weeks ago). Currently she is working on her Masters in Education, and should have her teaching cert by fall of next year. She visited Georgia and fell in love w/ the country, and she is starting to get fed up w/ the rat race here. What can I do to show her the benifits of WY and of the FSW, without driving her away. She wants to get married soon, and start a family, and I am working towards that, but could use a bit of assistance. For instance, what is the school system like out there, is there a need for teachers?, etc. Basically could she make a living out there, I know i could, but me personally I will probably be doing a lot of dive work internationally, if possible, I hope. Is it possible to show her that we are not paranoid gun-nuts, but individualls that are trully patriotic and willing to fight for our beliefs? I need help.

Patrioticly yours,

Kirbey Hook

Father and Patriot

[jnojr]

I keep reading articles about how jobs in Wyoming are booming, and there's a shortage of housing, which means there'll be another boom there.  All of the people coming in to take advantage of all the prosperity will need the same services as anywhere else, which means they'll be building and staffing schools, too.

You could plan to head out for the jamboree in June '07 and check things out in person!  That's what I'm planning on doing.

Why does your GF "refuse to allow a shotgun in the house"?

[FSW Forum Administrator]

Why does your GF "refuse to allow a shotgun in the house"?

Yeah. With proper shot placement, the 1911 will prevent the thug from harming anyone else... ever. That requires you use it though. With the shotgun you might not have to use it. Just pump it and if the thug has any brains at all, he'll turn around and quickly leave.

Personally I prefer the more permanent resolution of the 1911. 

[Paul Bonneau]

Well, handguns are not legal in Chicago, right? Thus the shotgun?

If someone experienced a home invasion, and still ain't up to arming herself, I don't know what can be done. Although I did manage to convince a very gentle lady that guns are worthy tools, so maybe patience is in order. I guess it is not so obvious to women as it is to men. 

As to schools, see what she thinks about starting a private school. You won't find many around here pushing her to work for a government school, since probably a majority of us think this institution is one of the primary factors in the decline of civilisation.

Well, I think that, anyway.

[wyomiles]

Kirby, just as she fell in love with Georgia by seeing it and spending time there, so will she only fall in love with Wyoming by seeing it and spending time there. You need to tell me what it is ,exactly, she fell in love with there so we can give you ideas of simalar places in Wyoming. Was it the trees, the people,lakes etc. ? You two definitely need to come to the 2007 JAM and spend some time touring. I had to go to the 2006 JAM to be sure I wasn't in with a bunch of "gun nuts" and I felt very comfortable  once I started meeting everyone. I think she will too. If she has not been to Wyoming it is a big unknown to her and most people will pick the known over the unknown. 

Something else. If you plan on spending time off shore does that mean she will be alone for long periods of time ? If so that will make it harder for her to move somewhere untill she has made some sort of connection with the poeple there. You may have to work in Wyoming for a while, let her get settled, before you leave her alone ?  I am sure she will be able to find work in her field ,especially with a Masters. If she finds a job she loves she won't even know you are out to sea. 
Take a look at Americas Job Bank once in a while to get a feel for jobs for her.    Miles   

http://www.jobsearch.org/seeker/jobsearch/quick

[Boston]

The primary asset of the FSW is not really so much Wyoming itself,
but its people--us and the natives.   Meeting us at the Jam is the
best sales tool on many levels.  Our Jams have convinced me to
continue the FSW, and have convinced others to join.

Y'all come check us out!

Boston

[laurel]

Kirbey,

The best words of advice I have regarding getting her to love guns are these: teach her that they are merely tools at her disposal. Seriously. They can't hurt anyone by themselves, and if she understands the mechanics of how they work, she might give up some of her fear. My best friend is a serious hoplophobe (the "oh my God, don't get that near me!" type) but I got her to hold - briefly - my XD-40 by completely tearing it down, showing her approximately five million times that it wasn't loaded, explained WHAT loaded meant, how the firing pin works, what racking the slide does, etc. etc. etc. I made her realize that it was safe unless I made it otherwise. If I can get her to come around, I'm pretty confident just about anybody could.

Your girlfriend might need to hear from other gun-toting women, however. The aforementioned best friend had guns explained to her several times by men, and was still afraid. I took the kindler, gentler approach and it worked. If your girlfriend would like to talk to someone online, send her my way. I'll do what I can.

Though I have to admit, I don't understand how anyone could remain voluntarily disarmed even after a crime was committed against them. I already have a shotgun, but if someone broke into my house and I didn't, it would have been purchase #1 the next day.

Laurel

[bear0u812]

I think The main issue is, That I am "passionate" about firearms and the concept of freedom, and it scares her sometimes

. Although I did manage to convince a very gentle lady that guns are worthy tools, so maybe patience is in order. I guess it is not so obvious to women as it is to men.

Paul, You hit the nail on the head, patience is the key. However, after this last round of elections, to say that I am worried, is an understatement. and I am beginning to see that the "cartridge box" will probably be coming into play soon. Who knows, I might have to leave this "crime free utopia" called Chicago while under fire. My girlfriend says I am paranoid, but I do retort, bieng paranoid is like a condom. It's better to be paranoid and prepared and not need it, than need it (firearms) and not have it.

I will be trying to get out to the Jam next year, with my son, and hopefully with my girlfriend. I really do appreciate everyones input and advice.(btw my shot placement w/ my 1911A1 are all doubble taps to the head and chest, for some reason I cant shoot anything else )and I will keep trying to work on her and help her to see the light. and I will keep everyone posted on the actions of "Big Brother" here in Chicago.

In Occupied Territory,

Kirbey C. Hook

Father and Patriot

[Sean_Galt]

A Ruger 10/22 makes a lovely engagement gift. So would a Cricket.
A .22 long gun is not likely to intimidate her too much-
1 shot at a time. Go out in the country; shoot pennies off of tree stumps, cans, etc. Spend TIME.

Once she realizes she is a better shot than she thought, and gets comfortable with the .22, doors will begin to open.
Do NOT try to start her out with your .45, or you may regret it.
I saw this link elsewhere-it may be of use (heck, I may have seen it on THIS very board!)

http://www.corneredcat.com/ForMen/HateGuns.htm

I would also calm down on the pro-gun rhetoric. Likely she "gets it." Just as likely she doesn't want to think about things ever being that BAD. My wife has her limits, too-and is in school to be an educator as well. and carries a .357 sometimes-but it did not happen overnight. I have seen women scared off before by men being too "gung-ho" over guns. I have even heard of some that tell everyone they meet how "crazy" their boyfriend is-even to the point of investigations being started.

Logical, reasonable guys with lots of knowledge & skills though...hmm...how do you top that?

Just my 2 pesos.

[Paul Bonneau]

The Cricket has the worst trigger in the world though, and not fixable. Mine's that way, anyway. There are better entry-level guns; the CZ .22 is my favorite.

[bear0u812]

I had origionally started her on a Ruger Mk-I, then a ruger P89 DAO, then a Taurus PT-99, She asked me for the .45 to shoot, then she shot a S&W model 29, go figure. I agree on the rhetoric, but its not all pro-gun, usually when a rant gets started, its on political matters. I've been quiet this past elections here, mainly because she didn't want me to go off about the bleeding heart, mob influenced, corrupt, communist,  liberal democrats here in the state and city. She does say I am sometimes too political, and that there is nothing we can do to correct it, and that is the root of everything. I do feel like we can correct it, just like everyone here. Wether it be w/ the soapbox, ballot box, the jury box, and quite possibly soon w/ the cartridge box. I don't know when I would be able to move out to WY as a member, but when i become an associate, and the digestive excrement collides w/ the rotating atmosphereic oscillator, I will be on the way, w/ or w/o the girlfriend, but definatelly w/ the son.

changing gears, I found a Rossi break-open, w/ interchangeable barrels, a .22lr, .243 , and a 20 ga. I was thinking of it for my son as a starter rifle, any comments/opinions/warnings etc...?

[FSW Forum Administrator]

Do NOT try to start her out with your .45, or you may regret it.

Not necessarily true.  My little girl (10yrs old) has shot my compact .45 on several occasions. She really likes it. It fits her hands better than it does mine.    Ah well, I've still got my 1911. Of course after we shot her aunt's AR-15 this summer she liked the rifle even better than the pistol. Go figure.

As several others have said... It is more a matter of spending the time with her and just letting her shoot without the pressure of correcting every minor error.

[Lavender]

   I think the fear of weapons comes, Mostly, from unfamiliarity.  I love shooting, especially rifles, but it did not comes easily.  I compete with an AR-15, and will for as long as I can.
    I have an inherent respect for a weapon, even to the point of being a little paranoid about muzzle orientation. 
   I have a friend who was told that a gun is only good for killing, and he answered he wouldn't want one that wasn't.
   I believe that starting small, like Laurel stated, from the basic metal parts, and showing them just pieces would help reduce the fear.  And then of course, small caliber, .22, little recoil and noise.  She might be surprised how good she is at shooting.  I have found women who want to, are very good shots.
   I think the idea of your GF starting her own school is a good one.
   Keep up your optimisim and look to the future for you, your son and our nation.
                                  Beverly
   

   

[Jared]

Speaking of the Cricket, I recently saw one called the Chipmunk, from an outfit called Rogue Rifles.
http://www.roguerifle.com/Chip%20Article.html

[John Corry]

My girlfriend says I am paranoid

For awhile there, I watched the ammo deliveries arrive and pile up in my garage and started thinking to myself, 'you might be a little off the deep end'.

Then the surplus 7.62 NATO was all gone.

I found myself wishing I'd bought at least 3x as much as I did.

Paranoid is a very relative term.