Is it wrong to get into guns?

[BobCatholic]

Are you looking for a rifle or handgun? The recoil of a 9mm handgun can be handled by anyone using the proper technique. It’s not that bad. For home defense you would be much better served with a 9mm than a .22 LR.

Next time you shoot, try the Weaver stance like this. It will help you control recoil and get back on target easier. It’s the most commonly taught handgun shooting method out there.

This is for a right handed shooter; just reverse it if you’re a lefty.

I’m looking for a handgun - one for each of us (my wife and I). I’m going for a 22LR since I can’t handle the 9mm recoil at my level of experience. I’ll eventually graduate to 9mm one of these decades if this ammo shortage ever clears up. Right now, getting 9mm ammo is a pipe dream. 22LR is even harder to get.

 

[bsf]

…I can’t handle the 9mm recoil at my level of experience…

I think you & your wife would find it beneficial to rent some different handgun & caliber combinations at a shop/range with competent assistance before making a selection.

 

[jwinch2]

I’ve had a lifetime of never owning a gun, and recently I’m getting into guns. I’ve watched videos on safety, doing research on what kind to get, proper handling, etc. I’m soon going to buy two guns - one for each of me and my wife. I do plan on getting more training and practice time in. I met a new friend who owns guns and he allowed me to try out some of his weapons (reimbursing him for ammo) - and it was fun to shoot the 22LR’s but the higher ones were too powerful for me to handle (so I’m looking for a 22LR at this point, maybe later on graduating to a 9mm)

Currently I’m living in a relatively safe neighborhood, but there are some people in the apartment building who have done things like stealing bikes, and other minor crimes.

I’m not a violent person, but when I tell my non-gun-owner family and friends about this, they’re acting like I’m going to buy a nuclear bomb or doing something bad. I got the sense that they think I’m some violent guy because I will own guns.

My prime motivation is to protect my family at home. Concealed Carry is illegal in Illinois but that may change. I do not think I will concealed carry, and not sure about my wife, but we are open to it. I am not a violent guy, I don’t go out and get into fistfights or other scuffles like that.

So, my question is: Is it wrong to get into guns? Am I some violent guy who is horrible?

As long as you are doing things safely, get the right training, and follow pertinent laws, there is absolutely no reason that a Catholic cannot own a gun, for recreation, hunting, or self-defense purposes. The simple truth of the matter is that the Catholic Church has no teaching whatsoever on private citizens owning guns for any of those purposes.

 

[Inego_de_Loyola]

As long as you are doing things safely, get the right training, and follow pertinent laws, there is absolutely no reason that a Catholic cannot own a gun, for recreation, hunting, or self-defense purposes. …]

Not to mention for martial or police purposes.

 

[BobCatholic]

I think you & your wife would find it beneficial to rent some different handgun & caliber combinations at a shop/range with competent assistance before making a selection.

Of course. I intend to do more research. I’ve already tried out some guns with a new friend I met at a gun range. Awesome collection he has.

 

[Chantal25]

Isn’t that what you are doing?

If i do, then Mother Teresa, the apostles, Saint Joseph and many others (Including the priests, religious people) do or did.** I am talking about having faith in God and not making armful decision and making assumption that God will protect me.**

Anyway, this is a personal decision.

Blessing and love!

 

[Bob_Aliano]

I’ve had a lifetime of never owning a gun, and recently I’m getting into guns. I’ve watched videos on safety, doing research on what kind to get, proper handling, etc. I’m soon going to buy two guns - one for each of me and my wife. I do plan on getting more training and practice time in. I met a new friend who owns guns and he allowed me to try out some of his weapons (reimbursing him for ammo) - and it was fun to shoot the 22LR’s but the higher ones were too powerful for me to handle (so I’m looking for a 22LR at this point, maybe later on graduating to a 9mm)

Currently I’m living in a relatively safe neighborhood, but there are some people in the apartment building who have done things like stealing bikes, and other minor crimes.

I’m not a violent person, but when I tell my non-gun-owner family and friends about this, they’re acting like I’m going to buy a nuclear bomb or doing something bad. I got the sense that they think I’m some violent guy because I will own guns.

My prime motivation is to protect my family at home. Concealed Carry is illegal in Illinois but that may change. I do not think I will concealed carry, and not sure about my wife, but we are open to it. I am not a violent guy, I don’t go out and get into fistfights or other scuffles like that.

So, my question is: Is it wrong to get into guns? Am I some violent guy who is horrible?

It depends on the reason you want to “get into guns”. There is nothing wrong with owning firearms for sporting use like target shooting or hunting nor is there anything wrong with owning a firearm for personal protection but there is a personal responsibility and maturity that is necessary for your safety and that of others. I strongly recommend getting proper instruction from a certified instructor through a local shooting club, police department or the NRA which has printed use and safety manuals available for every class of firearm.

 

[BobCatholic]

It depends on the reason you want to “get into guns”.

My reason is home self defense.

I can’t concealed carry yet in this state. This is likely to change in the near future. But even then I’m not likely to CC. My wife wants to CC, and I’d like to get her a pistol.

We don’t hunt but both of us had plans to be target shooting at a local gun range to practice. The first time I went out I did pretty well with a friend’s 22LR revolver and I would love to get one.

Unfortunately, I just found out I am losing my job so there goes my plans on obtaining a firearm at all. I guess my plans to own a gun are not in God’s will, and thus my job is gone.

 

[jelpmac]

Old and New Testament referrals suggests it’s recommended to have the weapon of the era as a defensive weapon…

Douay-Rheims Bible - Luke 22:36 Basically sell your cloak and buy a sword

Douay-Rheims Bible- Joel 3:10 Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning-knives into spears; let the weak say, I am strong.

 

[dedo]

I don’t know if it is wrong and I am not anti-gun.

I am not currently a gun owner mainly because I have not taken the time to get a proper safe although I do have my CCL. If some local friendships develop, I may get back into it.

If you are going to own a gun you will be assuming some major risks and you should think about those and decide if it is worth it:

1. Liability. With a gun you may feel like intervening in something where you otherwise would just call 911 (such as a property theft or trespass). It is better to call 911 because some people are mentally unbalanced, high, or just aggressive and will attack you (gun or no gun) forcing you to shoot or resort to unarmed self defense. That is the situation the guy in Florida found himself in. The result was a dead teenager and a criminal trial. If you have a gun, only draw it if your life is threatened and you cannot retreat. Apologize and retreat rather than draw a gun – if that will get you out of a situation.

We had a situation in our region within the past year where someone confronted trespassers with a rifle. He was disarmed and beaten into a vegetable.

1. Learn gun safety and never chamber a round in a semi-auto in an occupied dwelling. Most gun owners I know (myself included) have experience accidental discharge at one time or another. I personally have seen a semi-auto “slam fire”. That means the gun discharges from chambering a round without touching the trigger. It was a known defect of the weapon reported by others. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
2. Consider learning non-lethal or unarmed self-defense if you own a gun so you will have other options besides resorting to drawing a weapon.
3. Keep guns under lock, especially if children come into your home. As a child, we played with every gun in every house. Even locks did not stop us. We found the keys. Fortunately, we were trained in gun safety even though we were brats with a capital B.
4. If anyone in your family is prone to depression, don’t own a gun.

 

[Hovannes]

If you haven’t been raised around guns or hunting, this presents a problem. Good for you for seeking proper training. I’ve been a US Army Officer, a Deputy, a BSA Shotgun Instructor and a DA Investigator at various times in my life and having a firearm for defense is a responsibility, albeit an honorable one. There are enough guns floating around you might consider asking an older relative for suggestions—they may have a family hierloom which, if it is safe,and shoots currently produced ammunition, it would be a good option instead of buying a new gun (which are over-priced and difficult to find anyway.)
The thing is, if you get a gun, shoot it often enough to be competent in handling and accurate in shooting.
Keep it secure, and safety first!
Don’t fall into the trap I did as a young deputy and think the latest model or caliber is a “must have.” You’ll waste a lot of money, time, and…money. Don’t do that!
Right now, ammuntion is scarce and if you do find it----costly. That makes learning to shoot on a budget tough to do (the smart thing to do was get a good .22LR because they were cheap and easy to shoot, and hone your skills before getting something more powerful if need be, but the political climate has changed all that.) Prices should stabilize—but it may take many more months or even years.
If you live in an area that is dangerous and can’t move away, you might consider a shotgun----ammunition is still available—at least in my town—and a properly weilded shotgun is both intimidating and formidable for defense. PDs trade in thier old shotguns fairly regularly so you might be able to get a deal, but these do kick quite a bit so if you’re infirmed or slightly built it might not be your best choice—but if you really feel the need for a gun it’s an option worthy of consideration.
In the mean time ask members, especially older members of your family about firearms they have owned. Don’t be surprised if you’re gifted a Radom or Walther brought home as a WW2 souvenier, or a ubiquitous Colt or S&W .38 Special, or even a 1911.

 

[MattinTex]

No. I’ll cite the Vatican’s website, posting a paper to the UN:

Unfortunately, however, it is impossible to ban all kinds of small arms and light weapons. “In a world marked by evil … the right of legitimate defence by means of arms exists. This right can become a serious duty for those who are responsible for the lives of others, for the common good of the family or of the civil community. This right alone can justify the possession or transfer of arms”. (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, “The International Arms Trade: an Ethical Reflection” in Origins 8 (24), 7 July 1994, p. 144).

vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_doc_20010711_trade-arms_en.html

If you are responsible for the defense of your family you have have a duty. If that duty means small arms it is within your prudential judgment to arm if allowed by law. There is nothing amoral or sinful in owning a firearm per the above.

 

[Evania]

Nope! It’s not like you’re planning on doing anything illegal. Most gun owners are responsible. They hope they never have to use them, but are grateful to have them if their family ever is threatened.

 

[BobCatholic]

Over the past two months I’ve been researching which guns I want to get, even practicing firing them with a friend’s guns. So I came up with a short list of guns.

But none of them can be found. Or if they are found (which is rare), they are $100+ over MSRP. I’m not desperate for a gun, trying to remain detached here.

So it is clear that this is not God’s will for me to have one.

 

[Bill_Martin]

Over the past two months I’ve been researching which guns I want to get, even practicing firing them with a friend’s guns. So I came up with a short list of guns.

But none of them can be found. Or if they are found (which is rare), they are $100+ over MSRP. I’m not desperate for a gun, trying to remain detached here.

So it is clear that this is not God’s will for me to have one.

What models are you interested in?

 

[BobCatholic]

What models are you interested in?

I’m looking for a 22LR to start with for both my wife and I. They need to be easy to maintain (field strip should be easy), be high reliability, good warranty and high accuracy, minimal outside safeties which get in the way.

I’m open to a 22LR revolver (must have swing out cylinder) my wife wants a semi-automatic.

Models I had in mind were:

For my wife:
Ruger SR22 (must have laser), Smith & Wesson M&P 22 (maybe others?)
(all with 10 round magazines, they need to be legal here where I live in Cook County)

For me:
Taurus 94, or M94; Smith & Wesson K22,

Eventually we’d like to graduate to a 9mm - Glock 17/19 for me, and 26 for my wife.

 

[mdleagedguy]

A .22 LR is not a good defensive round unless that’s all you have. Self defense depends upon stopping an assailant, and a .22 LR will frequently result in a lot of small holes that take a long time to bleed out. You can end up dead because the person was drunk or on drugs and didn’t even realize they were shot. A larger round will stop someone much more reliably. I have a .45 ACP pistol, but again ammo is hard to find right now. I stocked up cheap years ago. That round has about 4 times the muzzle energy as a .22 LR. A 20 gauge shot gun will also stop an assailant reliably without as much kick as a 12 gauge. What you are looking for is the amount of energy that is carried by the round. A .22 LR is just too small to reliably stop an assailant, which is the goal of self-defense. I would consider that more of a round to slow down an assailant in order to facilitate an escape, which of course isn’t a bad option either provided escape is possible.

A good forum to visit with many knowledgeable firearms enthusiasts is thehighroad.org. They are mostly pretty friendly and happy to answer questions from people who are new to firearms.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I find it fascinating how people find it perfectly normal to collect items whose primary purpose is to be used for killing. I guess this issue is very context specific.

I’m not a gun nut but I am quite fascinated by weapons in general. Sure, they’re meant for killing but killing isn’t wrong. Murder is.

Once people get over that, you kind of start appreciating the look and feel of the design behind many of man’s weapons. As far as guns are concerned though, my taste only seems to favor pistols given they’re the only guns I’ve seen that are used as stylishly in fiction.

 

[BobCatholic]

A .22 LR is just too small to reliably stop an assailant, which is the goal of self-defense.

A rule of guns is that the best round to shoot is the one you can hit with.

I’d rather shoot and hit with a 22LR than shoot and miss with any other.

I do plan on graduating to other more powerful rounds when I master the 22LR.

 

[thomasf]

A rule of guns is that the best round to shoot is the one you can hit with.

I’d rather shoot and hit with a 22LR than shoot and miss with any other.

I do plan on graduating to other more powerful rounds when I master the 22LR.

A 9mm is not that powerful of a round where you can’t shoot accurately. The best rule of guns is to remember that if you want to stop someone, shoot something that will stop someone. Many people argue that even a 9mm isn’t strong enough to stop someone and a 45 is better. A 22 is best for target practice or shooting small animals. Not for stopping a human or large animal.