We all have something that is driving us to train and learn more about protecting ourselves and our loved ones. Not two of us have the same experiences.
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Interesting story my brother, I grew up in one of the worst neighborhoods in Bronx, NYC. I think about it now and the reason i am still alive today is a praying grandmother. She raised us all me and my cousins. At the young age of 12 I discovered my uncle kept a gun in the house. I am sure back then there was no safety training on it or even a safe to keep it in. It was in a shoe box. If grandma had to use that thing it was point and shoot. I remember it was a revolver which was silver in color and had white grips. I used to ask my grandma why my uncle had a gun in the house and she would always answer ājust in caseā. She only spoke Spanish my grandma. I grew up around street gangs in our neighborhood and watched them rumble from the 2nd floor apartment window. I wondered how I made it to High School and graduated yet alone become a Police Officer/Detective in one of the highest crime cities. It was a praying grandmother, so in short, I was street trained. Just wanted to share that with you since you have been so open with the family brother.
Johnnyq60 brother in arms
2nd Amendment supporter
Carry On.
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As a student of human history and human nature who spends a lot of time living and working off the beaten path, I felt it necessary to begin taking responsibility for my own personal protection. But coming from a non firearm owning family and with a lot of moving around from State to State for work, it took me a long time to get into a position to finally have the time and money to pursue that goal.
For me that opportunity finally came over a dozen or so years ago. Itās been a long slow journey. But acquiring the necessary tools and skills has been a fun and fulfilling adventure.
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This post was from a topic from last year called āWhat were your building blocksā. Which was my journey to self defense.
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I had uncles with firearms who took me shooting when I was younger. I really enjoyed that. I could hardly wait until I had the means and opportunity to purchase a firearm of my own. So Iāve had at least 1 firearm at home since my early 20s.
I never really thought too much about self defense. Iāve been lucky to have always lived in fairly good neighborhoods. Living in a bubble some would say. Although I did have to ride my bike through Compton, CA a few times during my teenage years. Back then, you just really had to be aware and respectful and you never really got into serious trouble.
Over the last 10 years, the bubble started to burst. Random shootings, crimes of opportunity, disregard for police authority, lighter and lighter sentences for violent crimes, etc. I started noticing bad guys getting bolder and the average joe getting victimized more often.
Thatās around the time I decided to think of my firearms at home as SD tools and about 3 years ago decided to get my CCW. I was starting to realize that there are very few good guys these days who will stand up to protect others. So now I donāt expect anyone else to protect myself and my family. I will continue to train so we have a better than average chance of surviving any given situation.
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I started to notice how much animosity, and hatred is coming to the forefront of society. I am my familyās first line of defense. Therefore, I choose to exercise my God given rights, and give myself every tool I can, to gain the upper hand in a fight, when force is called for. I also, am willing to defend the lives of others, so, I volunteer to do that when it is an option for me(church).
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@45IPAC HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOO YOUUUUU! 
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It began just about one year ago ā¦ A relative short-timers when compared to many here. Civil unrest and shifts in the political environment were motivating forces for me. In the past year, with my hightened awareness I have noticed an increase in violence in the past year and found the need for self defense of my family and self to be a prevalent motivator. My journey continues backed by the experience and insight of this community. Thanks to one and all!
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ā¦ and the journey continues. Itās neverending 
. What you experienced, I got to see reported by Roger Grimsby and Bill Butell in a sleepy town in Nassau county
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@45IPAC ā¦ Birthday greetings. Have an awesome day.
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I grew up on my grandfatherās farm and at age 5 he gave me a little single shot, bolt action 22 and a box of 22 Shorts. I became my job to decimate the gopher infestation - $.05 per tail. Growing up i was a big game hunter (deer, elk, moose etc) so iāve been around firearms my whole life. Got rid of them when i had to move to the big city in the 70ās. In 2005 we retired an bought a 32ā Class A Motorhome and traveled the Southwest for 3 1/2 years. On ā¦āa dark and stormy nightā¦ā we were boondocked in a very remote location. As i said it was storming so strong that the motorhome was shaking. In the wee hours of the morning (02:00?) thereās a loud knocking on the door. Thinking it was the police or a ranger coming to tell us to move - my wife opened the door (NOT a good idea given the time, location, and conditions) and there was a scruffy looking guy asking us to come help him as his truck was broke down. We told him to go back to his truck and weād be by after sunup. Well then he tried to force his way into the motorhome! Fortunately we had a very large dog (American Mastiff and Ridgeback cross) who met him face to face with a mouthful of snarling teeth. He changed his mind and left - and without saying good bye! We both bought a handgun and a 12 gauge for the motorhome the next day. A couple of days later we took an outstanding training course at āFront Sightā in Pahrump.
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@MoonDog that dog was your best friend and that day he saved you from something bad. Glad it worked out and the very next day you became responsibly armed citizens. 
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Getting shot at a couple times. Once at work and the other time at the car. I thought I was having car problems then when we stopped we found bullet holes in the rear door and rear quarter panel.
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Iām starting to feel not so new. I think I had posted before, how I got started, well into past my youth, before I took up firearms as a hobby, from grandparentsā collection. But thinking about it, I was born into it coming from a poor and crime ridden community, then taking classes.
Recently, took another family out to the range, who brought his 13 year old son. It was his first experience, so a lot of the advice I had read in our community board ā I remembered. I think he did a good job on safety (though still learning), and enjoyed his experience. He hit a bullseye on his first try - I think I had not much to do with that, but Iām amazed how family can create bonds and memories from such experiences - to me that says a lot about this culture.
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I needed a āForce Multiplierā
When I got older and realized I could not āOut Run or Out Fightā most predators/invaders.
Plus being Shot-AT a few times and me with No Gun.
Now trained and practiced to Competition Level Shooter.
State and DHS Certified Instructor.
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I grew up on the farm shooting.
After about 21 years old, I unfortunately lived in urban areas. never gave much of a thought of getting a gun.
My brother still lives out in the country and once at 2am,several county sheriffs knocked on his door asking to search his out buildings for an escaped, violent felon. Thatās when he started to stockpile and armor up and I decided to at that time as well.
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About a year ago I watched a video (about what I donāt know) and it was recommended to own a handgun. I mainly did this to protect my family and my valuables. Had no background with handguns except for my time in the Navy. In the service we requalified every year but it was a case of point and shoot (target 15 yards away or a pile of dirt). Father mentioned hunting when I was very young but it was not a topic for discussion growing up. With the defunding of the police and the rise of lunatic groups in the USA, I purchased a handgun and applied for a CWL (Florida) and got the license about 10 months later. I am very new to all of this. Still training.
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My self defense journey began about 3 years ago. After living in the Peopleās Republic of California for 60 years my wife and I retired to a state in the southwest. I have osteoarthritis that is quite severe. I cannot run and walk with a noticeable limp. I walked into a local gun store and was encouraged to take a safety course before purchasing a firearm. Completing that I purchased a glock 43X. After a incident on one of my morning walks I looked into getting a carry conceal permit. I received my permit about a year ago. Although shooting another person is something I never want to do I will defend myself and loved ones if needed. I carry every day now and train and practice offen. The best advice I ever received about carrying is "you donāt chose when you need a firearm, someone else does it for you.
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I mean this to be Helpful, Not Critical:
Getting your Permit is a good 1st step.
But typically the Permit process involves very little if any Actual āTrainingā.
You are at the āTip of the Iceberg Pointā.
For you and your family safety I recommend you asap get some Actual/hands-on instruction/āTrainingā in actual Real Life Self Defense with a gun - ie Defensive Shooting - way more than typical Conceal Carry course.
Covers actually how to Defend yourself and family with a gun.
There is A LOT more to it than most think.
The Course should cover:
- Firearm Fundamentals - Guns, ammo, safety issues, etc
- Fundamental Techniques of the āDrawā, Grip, Sight Alignment, Sight Picture, Defensive Positions, etc.
the TTPās(Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) of āDefensive Shootingā - Fundamentals of Defense of The Home - TTPās - Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures.
Call NRA or Local Gun Club or USCCA, ask about Defensive Gun Instructors in your area.
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I grew up instilled with the idea that I had a sacred duty to protect my family, probably stemming from the fact that most of my ancestors were murdered during a genocide.
Firearms were always present in our house and kids were given instruction as soon as they were deemed mature enough to be trusted.
It remains so today.
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