California Salon Shooting Rampage

[Wisewr]

My wife was heading to the hair salon today with my 6 yr. old daughter and I just so happened to be scanning Fox News and found this. So my wife, who isn't necessarily anit-gun toting, but really doesn't care a thing about totting one herself, says, "Wow, that's scary. That's weird to think that the same thing could happen to us today."

My obvious response was to take matters into your own hands and get a gun. She does one of these moves .

She thinks that there is no chance that she could stop a situation like this. I explained to her that the chances are definitely in the shooters favor, element of surprise and they have it planned out in some cases, but that if possible she might be able to level the playing field if she were say in the back of the salon when it all started and she had time to hide and prepare herself before he got back there to them.

I work on her every chance I get about getting armed.

[74novaman]

http://corneredcat.com/

You and I, as men are never going to be able to communicate to our wives why they should carry. The website I linked is written by a woman to women who are thinking about carrying. I highly recommend the read, both to you and your wife.

Mine still doesn't not enjoy shooting either. But she's happy to have me around with my gun.

[kjolly]

Women are much more multi dimensional than men and there is much they are actually better at. some get the idea of self defense and some do not. My job is to be able to protect the family. Will she ever carry...I doubt it through I try to encourage the idea.

[erick619]

She thinks that there is no chance that she could stop a situation like this.

that's how my mother feels about the whole gun toting. she lives in commiefornia (specifically San Diego - MAY ISSUE County) so even if i convinced her to carry she would have to jump through a lot of hoops just to do so. i asked her if she would at least carry at home and she gave it a thought. unknowingly, she bought a box of 9mm ammo without telling me til later, so we're moving in the right direction! i just need to buy her a gun to feed .

i'm not married, but i managed to get my girlfriend to be quite interested in purchasing her first firearm. she kept on asking me the different laws on carrying concealed in commiefornia and was showing genuine disappointment when i told her it wasn't the same as here in Texas. she even asked me if "[she] could at least carry the gun in my car" I told her "unless you're a CCW holder you can't" and she replied "i hate this state!" i'm glad she's asking questions, and i hope she keeps on asking and eventually pursues her CCW.

as for my mother, i hope she pursues her CCW as well, but even getting a gun for her at home would be a step in the right direction.

[sjfcontrol]

i asked her if she would at least carry at home and she gave it a thought. unknowingly, she bought a box of 9mm ammo without telling me til later, so we're moving in the right direction! i just need to buy her a gun to feed .

Really? She bough ammo with nothing to use it in? Does she make a habit of putting the cart before the horse?
(Must be something missing from that story...)

[Zen Nomad]

So this brings up an interesting question for me. How much convincing do we do with our SOs to get them to consider carrying. I'd be concerned that someone might carry out of pressure from someone else and not truly feel comfortable with the idea. That seems to just create a more dangerous situation for all concerned.

I'm not implying anyone here has pressured they're SO to that degree.

[erick619]

i asked her if she would at least carry at home and she gave it a thought. unknowingly, she bought a box of 9mm ammo without telling me til later, so we're moving in the right direction! i just need to buy her a gun to feed .

Really? She bough ammo with nothing to use it in? Does she make a habit of putting the cart before the horse?
(Must be something missing from that story...)

not missing any part of the story.. she bought ammo because she was considering getting a gun, but didn't know what kind. beats me. at least she has half of the equation. like i said, it's a move in the right direction.

[7075-T7]

My S.O. strongly reconsidered the idea after a scary situation while she was getting the mail in front of our house, thankfully I came outside at the right time. A "you best be moving on" look was all the guy needed to change his mind, and thankfully nothing more.

I believe that the right pistol helps significantly. Something she's comfortable with, and that she can control, and is small and light enough to not be a burden. I bought my wife a S&W351PD, and while .22magnum isn't the best cartridge to carry, the .22mag she carries is better than the 9mm she leaves at home because of the weight.

[knotquiteawake]

My wife was carjacked at gun point before we were married. She still doesn't want to carry a gun or even keep one in the car and its a concession to permit me to carry a gun and keep one in the house. She is starting to warm up (as in not exactly fridgid anymore) to the idea of going to the range with me to get familiar with my gun.

[Westfield]

My wife is afraid of guns. She has no issue at all with me carrying and in fact she feels comfortable knowing I carry. She just does not like to shoot. I tried to teach her...Taught her the correct posture and stance and how to properly hold the handgun and pull the trigger and what to expect. She just did not like the outcome...Too much bang !
Here's an example, may not be a good one but here goes....There is no way in heck I am going to learn parachuting and jumping from a plane. Some of my friends have tried to get me to jump but there is no way ! At least my wife gave it a try with a handgun but I won't jump out of a plane !

[TLE2]

Don't they have gun control out there in CA? This sort of thing can't happen if you "control" guns, right?

[erick619]

@ aluminum:
i'm glad nothing came of that situation.. out of curiosity, were you armed with something other than your "mean mug"?

agreed. it's better to carry something rather than nothing. i love what nutnfancy has to say about that: " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

@ knot:
my mom was the same way. i think small steps in the right direction makes our loved ones who initially didn't want anything to do with guns feel more comfortable and willing to learn.

@ west:
too much bang. have you tried a smaller caliber? or maybe even airsoft guns? not trying to get you to force your wife to like something she doesn't want to, but it's just an idea. and i love your analogy. i wouldn't jump out of a perfectly good plane either!

@ TLE2: [sarcasm] yeah, they have those laws out there.. it's set to prevent any type of gun related violence. it's been working really well! [/sarcasm]

[Wysiwyg101]

When I first started my quest to own and possibly carry (still haven't taken the class and gotten the CHL yet) my wife was adamant that she didn't want a gun in the house. I kept talking about it and researching it and one day she made a comment about how she knew it was going to happen bu she was still fighting it. Finally, I got one and she hates it. She doesn't want to have anything to do with it still. Kinda funny, I took her 14 yr old to the range for her 15th birthday the other day and let her fire about a 100 rds thru it and she absolutely loved it. She fired my 9mm like a champ. With more practice, which she wants, I think she will be a great shooter. She also signed up for Krav Maga lessons. Gonna be one tough little gal before she reaches adulthood.

Too bad my wife is so against it.

[Running Arrow Bill]

I guess I'm real lucky! My 3rd EX had a .22 magnum revolver...

My current wife is all PRO-GUN. She has a Tarus Judge .410/.45 Colt, a .38/357, and a Baretta Bobcat .22. Pretty good shot at that. She's also rather fit, for a short lady and has trained in martial arts some. Me...I have 2 semi-autos, .40 and 9 mm plus shotgun. I finally got my 43 yo daughter to take a gun course and I think she has a handgun...she lives in Colorado. Tried to "activate" my 2 granddaughters to gun world...so far, no response or comments...their life, their decision. Wife carries where she goes per MPA law, but so far no interest in getting her CHL. On the other hand, she travels on business periodically and I think due to her stature and being a female, LEOs would cut her some slack if she had to defend herself...after all this is TEXAS! Our County and area is very gun-friendly. Being in a very small town rural area helps a lot.

Not "too" worried about bad guys messing with us...we have alarm systems and video surveillance, plus two dogs to assist.

I also carry daily (or) within arms reach at all times, 24/7/365...

P.S.: One of us is here 99% of time. If any BGs are reading this post...TRY TO GUESS WHEN THE 1% OF TIME AT LEAST ONE OF US IS NOT HERE... :)

Long Live Texas!

[chasfm11]

My wife is afraid of guns. She has no issue at all with me carrying and in fact she feels comfortable knowing I carry. She just does not like to shoot. I tried to teach her...Taught her the correct posture and stance and how to properly hold the handgun and pull the trigger and what to expect. She just did not like the outcome...Too much bang !
Here's an example, may not be a good one but here goes....There is no way in heck I am going to learn parachuting and jumping from a plane. Some of my friends have tried to get me to jump but there is no way ! At least my wife gave it a try with a handgun but I won't jump out of a plane !

Try a .22. Yes, I know that it isn't a defensive gun but if you can get her to shoot a .22 pistol and enjoy it, it might lead to her being willing to try a heavier caliber. I have a Hi-Standard and took my wife to the range to use it. She enjoyed shooting it but wasn't willing to try one of mine. I figure I've won if she is willing to go back to the range and shoot the .22 again. Baby steps.....