What?
We all know this is the place for Responsibly Armed Americans only… There is no spot for naysayers 
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ouch, I love both my 1911s and while my Sig is definitely better quality than my Colt, they both shoot flawless.
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Welcome to the community, Nik!
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I just let go of a C3 that I had to fix the trigger on. My first time doing that. Just a bit too flippy for my taste. Probably a grip problem. Commander barrel and slide on an Officer frame, so I think I would be forgiven a little flip.
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Guys, move firearm discussion to proper threads… @zeroability was welcomed and let keep this thread open to welcome others…
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Hey everyone, I’ve been lurking around reading threads, laughing at memes and drooling over all of your firearms for a few months now, even posted a couple questions but haven’t introduced myself. So, allow me…
My name is Joe and I am 42 years old, married to my best friend for 17 years and together we have two awesome kids, ages 13 and 11.
We live in Massachusetts and I just got my license to carry and have been learning all the protocols and laws our state has upon us because gun control. To my surprise though, the process wasn’t too difficult, just that there were a few steps. After I took the required 4 hour class, submitted my application to the state, had my interview with my local PD and paid the fee (always a fee), I got my license back after 2 months. I was warned it could take up to 5 months. Glad it didn’t!
I’ll answer these questions from the top of the thread:
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What got you interested in carrying and self-defense?
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I live in a medium-large size city not too far outside the even larger city of Boston. I take my wife and kids to the city often. We love walking around and seeing the sites, museums and history. but the last time we went it felt different. I felt like I needed more/better protection. I naturally am always very aware of surroundings and keep my head on a swivel, and it just seemed that trip that I was keeping my kids and wife very close to me even more so. On top of that, we had gone to meet friends there we haven’t seen in 15 years. The husband couldn’t end up making it, so it was my wife, my kids, our friend who is the wife/mom and her 5 kids. I felt very responsible for the safety of both our families that like never before.
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The very next morning I saw online the defacing of a historical statue happened the night before, the night we were all there, a statue we took our friends to and was our last stop for the night. Sometime after that, the statue (of George Washington) was defaced. I just couldn’t stop thinking about if that and/or worse had happened while we were there.
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The city we live in is smaller than Boston, but people here have been getting in on rallies and protests. While they have been peaceful mostly and small now, they grow with each one that happens. And we live not too far from the downtown area where they happen. Our city is overpopulated and growing even more. Even in my own city, I’ve never felt so much that I need this kind of protection.
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The last piece of the pie is that I am a pastor and we are a smaller church and our most regular attenders are 65 and up. I began to feel that while being their shepherd means to feed and protect the flock, protecting is generally thought of as spiritual but in our day and age I need to protect physical as well.
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This all kind of led me to the place of realization that it’s time for me to have better protection and start carrying.
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How long have you been training for your self-defense?
- Literally just since I got my LTC in September
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What formal training have you had?
- None
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What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten regarding your self-defense?
- Well I’m brand new to this so - treat every firearm like it’s loaded, never point at anything you’re not willing to shoot, keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
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What’s your favorite gun?
- My first and only gun I just purchased - my FN Reflex XL
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How often do you train?
- I have gone once a week since mid September (except I think I missed one or two weeks)
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How have you gotten your friends and family involved?
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I have shared pretty much everything I have learned with my wife and kids. I have shown all the safety rules to them, and even let my kids dry-fire my newly purchased pistol.
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I have taken my wife and a buddy of mine to the range with me to shoot as well
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Since I started this journey, it has also encouraged another one of my church members to get licensed and I also learned of another gentlemen in the church who already does carry. We have begun conversations about starting a security team.
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What do you hope to learn from others in the USCCA Community?
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I hope to continue learning about different firearms, what and how they operate, their history and stories; but mostly about people. As someone who is also into watches for this same reason, I love hearing the stories that go with the guns that tell more about the people behind the guns than the guns themselves - why they bought that gun, where they got it, who they got it or inherited it from, they history of the gun, etc…
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I hope to have several more guns along the way that one day I can pass down to my kids (before I die because at the point the state will seize them), with which they’ll remember time spent with me shooting them with me, cleaning them, and feeling protected by me…
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This is a brand new journey for me. I have shot a few times over the years with family, but have never carried before let alone owned a gun. It has been awesome to learn and has even challenged me in other areas of preparedness as well.
(Sorry for the essay! 
)
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It is a pleasure to meet you, Joe, and welcome to the community! Congrats again on the new handgun!
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Great introduction, we appreciate it. 
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Welcome aboard Joe (great name, Brother!). I’m glad you were able to jump through all the hoops in Mass and are now able to carry. It’s a good feeling to know that you have a solid means to protect your family when you’re out and living life. Thanks for taking the time to make the introduction.
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What Joseph 488 said Root Beer 
for everyone Love Bobby Jean and Debbie ann twofeathers Sir
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Karacal Brother I usually pizz all da way to da kitchen sink before I introduce my self lol Remember my Letters lol was pizzin on every one and people were telling me how to write a Letter and I couldn’t even text it’s so funny Looking Back at how Rude so many can be because they know everything lol . Im hi my Name is Bobby Jean or Debbie ann wait for it. Twofeathers yes that’s me and welcome to da Community Love ya Brother when I grow up i want to buy all da bullets that Debbie ann says i don’t need ps ordering now woohoo 
here’s every one a Root Beer for the new members Love Bobby Jean and Debbie ann twofeathers Sir 
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Hi!
Here goes
I’m Sean. Retired/Disabled USAF, Desert Storm vet, husband and dad.
I was a member some years ago, and USCCA is who I thought of first when I needed liability insurance for volunteer armed duty.
I’ve carried for a long time.
I had ojt for security forces. Am fixing to have training for a security thing.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten regarding your self-defense?
Best advice I’ve had revolved around awareness and moving “off the X”
Fav gun = 1911, 5”, 45ACP
AS for how often I train, since I do not view static targets as such, as often as I may, but target shoot a few times monthly
what I hope to gain here is different perspectives on anything, maybe have the occasional question answered, and to stay up to date with the CC community
God Bless!
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Greetings and welcome, Sean!
I thank you tremendously for your service, Sir!
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Thanks for that, it reveals your patriotism!
I felt it an honor and privilege to serve our Nation 
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Thank you for your service
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Thank you for your support!
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Hello all, I’m Mike D from Iowa, joined a few days ago, and I am excited to learn. I used to work as an armed security officer in Chicago, where I grew up, but I moved to Des Moines, IA, about 20 years ago. I just received my carry permit from my local Sheriff.
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Hey @MICHAEL2208 .
Welcome to the Community 
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