What is the purpose of all the guns, gear training?

[Charles]

I didn't really know where to put this, so.........



I just had a conversation about this, and it has been bugging me for quite a while, so I thought I would ask... What is the purpose of all the guns, gear and training? Lets overlook "self-defense", and the Mil. guys that get paid to do it for a bit, and discuss why is it that people spend thousands of dollars on guns, gear, and training, hours a week on forums talking about the same, for an event that is not likely to happen?

Is it enjoyment? The "coolness" of it? A repressed 12 year-old Red Dawn fantasy? Why do you do it? Really think about it.

[exitinyourhead]

because I enjoy it.

[obucina]

Marksmanship is a diminishing skill, keep the razor sharp. After all, if you arent gonna keep it real, someone else will.

[exitinyourhead]

I didn't really know where to put this, so.........

I could make suggestions

[rob_s]

I have no problem being honest about this.

I attend training for the same reason I shoot in matches; first and foremost it's for the people. I have met some of the best people ever at matches and classes, and am the most relaxed and at ease when I'm at those events and with those people.

Second is for the obvious reason; to (hopefully) get better at shooting. Now what the purpose of getting better is seems to be the crux of your question.

I do honestly believe that I may one day need to use a firearm to defend myself. I also happen to believe that I'm more likely to die in a car accident, of a preventable fatal illness (heart disease, lung cancer, etc.), or of otherwise stupid shit (like cutting my leg off with a chainsaw when nobody is home). I believe that if I do need that firearm it will be a handgun, and I'll probably be carrying my NAA .22 mag on that day.

Situations like this happen in my backyard almost weekly, and they are not always contained to "bad" areas. These kinds of situations remind me every day of why I carry. I or my family could have been at that Wendy's on that day. I know for an absolute fact that if I was there and had the opportunity I would have done what I needed to do in that situation to protect us, and training classes and competitions help give me the confidence in my abilities, and the abilities to back up that confidence, to be able to do just that.

With all of that said, this is "m4carbine.net", and both this site and most others seem to emphasize carbine/rifle training and shooting. I think that the likelihood of my ever needing a carbine, or having one available if I do, to defend myself or my family is so remote as to be almost laughable. I say almost because this is Florida, and I have been through the '04 and '05 (or was is '05 and '06?) hurricane seasons and I saw just how stupid people were about to get, and had things escalated I would have felt a whole lot better with my AR in my hands than my 1911 in my shorts. It would be nice to know how to use that AR if that time comes.

Ultimately training for me is the same as carrying and owning. I don't kill people for a living. I don't protect people for a living. The "job" of a firearm and training with that firearm for me is to provide peace of mind to me and my family. If I get some enjoyment out of that training along the way, then so much the better.

[Buckaroo]

Take a look at this thread titled: Why we do it...

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=8175

Buckaroo

[NCPatrolAR]

In addition to the obvious job-related benefits training, etc provide; I do it because it is like a vaction for me.

[markm]

I could make suggestions

Yeah. Me too!

[John_Wayne777]

why is it that people spend thousands of dollars on guns, gear, and training, hours a week on forums talking about the same, for an event that is not likely to happen?

I believe that FBI stats at one time showed that 80% of people in this nation will at some time in their lives be a victim of a violent crime.

In that moment having more than your johnson in your hand would be a good idea.

Learning to use a life saving tool is never a bad idea. I may never need my Red Cross first aid training either....but if I *do* need it I sure as hell won't have time to go get the training.

Firearms are a hobby for me, that's true. Self defense isn't. All those bad people the cops need training to learn how to deal with? All those critical incidents they have to have training to respond to?

...they don't just happen to cops.

EDIT --

Do you meet nice people at training? Yes.
Do you sometimes have fun at training? Yes.
Is it entertaining to hear Larry Vickers tell someone to do gay porn if they have to in order to obtain a red dot? Yes.
Is it nice to fellowship with some like-minded folks over a nicely barbecued half of a chicken, making "FIGHT!!" jokes? Yes.

Do I spend time going through a shoothouse with a bunch of other guys simply because I think it is fun?

Hell no.

Is it funny to recount how screwed up the run went with doors that shut when they are opened and flashbangs that don't bang? Yes.

[SHIVAN]

Ultimately training for me is the same as carrying and owning. I don't kill people for a living. I don't protect people for a living. The "job" of a firearm and training with that firearm for me is to provide peace of mind to me and my family. If I get some enjoyment out of that training along the way, then so much the better.

There it is, for me in a nutshell. Thanks Rob!