There are gun owners, and there are firearms enthusiasts. Everyone is aware of how gun ownership in America has skyrocketed in the past few years. With the deterioration of our cities, the ‘defund the police’ movement, and the speed with which the justice system puts criminals back on the street, more people than ever are arming themselves for self-defense. But within this group of new gun owners are people who buy a single gun, usually a handgun, for self-defense and no other purpose. Many of these new gun owners rarely practice, and news accounts even relate stories of those who have never fired their new gun until they used it in self-defense. This contrasts with gun owners who often own multiple guns of all types and see gun ownership as not only a defensive strategy but as a hobby and a passion—people who are firearms enthusiasts.
Firearms enthusiasts own multiple guns. They are also better trained and more active in fighting for gun rights than casual gun owners. But that only scratches the surface of the kind of person a gun enthusiast is. So, what are the traits of a gun enthusiast?
Supports Second Amendment Rights
It should go without saying that firearms enthusiasts support the right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment of the Constitution. But they do not leave it at lip service. They are usually members of national gun rights organizations like the NRA, the National Association for Gun Rights, Firearms Policy Coalition and the Gun Owners of America, as well as of their state-level organizations. They are political and social activists for the right to self-defense and the preservation of personal freedom.
Advocates and Participates in Training
Gun enthusiasts take the responsibility of owning and carrying a gun very seriously. Most go well beyond the basics of operating and shooting a gun and take advanced training in shooting and tactics for surviving a defensive encounter. They also train in topics like situational awareness, the ethical use of force, and medical response to traumatic injuries like gunshot wounds. Along with taking training for themselves, they advocate that everyone who owns a gun should take training that improves their capabilities, as well as building a love for shooting that will enhance the experience of gun ownership.
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Legal Awareness
Gun enthusiasts are generally much better versed in the law than the average person, both at the national and state level. This is because they understand the legal issues associated with carrying a gun and the potential ramifications of using it in a defensive shooting. They actively research laws and stay informed of changes in the laws regarding gun ownership. This awareness reflects their commitment to observing the laws that affect their rights and responsibilities.
Highly Safety Conscious
Firearms enthusiasts have an acute understanding of guns and their potential for causing harm if used carelessly. They advocate for the safe handling, carrying, and storage of guns. They are frequently the voice supporting gun safety education programs. They are also the person on the range who will step up to correct any unsafe acts they see to prevent a tragedy.
Security Conscious
Firearms enthusiasts emphasize not just personal security but the overall security of the home and even the vehicle. They make an active effort to evaluate and improve the security of their homes. They also consider the possibility of their vehicles being targeted, especially if they have a gun stored in their vehicle when they are not in it. They are much more security conscious than the average citizen and more likely to take steps to improve the security of their homes and neighborhoods. They also take that security consciousness out into the community with them. They are the ones who always look for alternate exits to public places and sit where they can see the door in a restaurant so they won’t be taken by surprise if something occurs.
Many Have a Veteran or Law Enforcement Background
The percentage of former LEOs and military veterans is much higher among gun enthusiasts than the general population or even casual gun owners. They have spent a portion of their lives as professionals who carried a gun, and that has instilled not only an appreciation for firearms but a sense of responsibility for their proper use and the community. They bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the world of civilian gun owners, and most take responsibility for passing that knowledge along.
Advocating for Mental Health
Despite beliefs among the political Left that guns themselves are the cause of criminal violence, firearms enthusiasts recognize that mental health issues are a major reason for many tragic mass shootings. They advocate within their communities and nationally for programs that will identify and assist people with mental and emotional problems before they become statistics of “gun violence.” They also support veterans’ programs that allow veterans suffering from PTSD to get counseling without the fear of having their guns confiscated.
Expanding Their Technical Knowledge
Most firearm enthusiasts go beyond the basic operation of their guns to learn and understand the more technical aspects of the engineering and mechanics of how firearms are made and operate. They keep up with innovations and can make informed decisions about the types of guns they own and shoot. They also gain an understanding of ammunition types and their specific ballistic performance. They love to engage in discussions and even debates on firearms dynamics with other enthusiasts.
Military and Firearms History
Firearms enthusiasts are history buffs. They like to dig into the history of firearms, military history, and even the history of the Old West. Any forum where firearms played a part. They study firearm development in different countries and the overall history behind the many wars and events that shaped the world we currently live in. Some enthusiasts even take it as far as taking part in reenactments of historical battles. The American Civil War and WWII are two of the most popular settings for historical reenactment, along with the Old West.
Collecting
Along with enjoying history, many firearms enthusiasts are collectors. Guns of all types are interesting to different collectors. By far, military guns are the most popular collector’s items, but guns of the Old West and even just civilian guns developed at different times throughout the history of firearms are sought after by collectors. Collectors consider their firearms as pieces of history and art that should be preserved for future generations to view and enjoy.
Interest in Tactical Gear
Many enthusiasts enjoy having the latest tactical gear. This includes specialized clothing, holsters, and sighting systems. Good gear enhances the effectiveness of firearms and is often used in both training classes and competitions. It’s also another aspect of collecting and an interest in military history.
Competition
Dedicated firearms enthusiasts frequently take their shooting to the next level and begin competing in shooting meets and other events. There is a wide range of competition shooting to be enjoyed such as practical shooting through the IDPA and USPSA, long-range precision shooting, and trap and skeet shooting. Competing is an excellent way to improve your shooting skills and to meet other firearms enthusiasts.
Instructing
Along with competition, some firearms enthusiasts seek advanced training and become certified instructors. They teach everything from the basic classes necessary in many states to get a concealed carry permit to advanced tactical and self-defense classes. By becoming instructors, they can pass both their expertise and their love for firearms and shooting sports on to others. However, most firearms enthusiasts are more than willing to offer help and support to new shooters, whether they are formal instructors or not. I’ve had numerous people come to me on the range I frequent to ask for advice. I’ve even had people bring me their gun and ask me to shoot it to see if the problems they are experiencing are due to their technique or an issue with their gun. It’s usually a technique issue, but I have found a couple of guns that were sighted in poorly, and the people appreciated finding that out.
Community Engagement
Because many firearms enthusiasts become involved in competition and training, they also become valuable people in their communities. Firearms enthusiasts are some of the most responsible and devoted people in any community, and they can make a difference in programs that promote gun safety, self-defense, and even community improvement programs. They are also often members of local shooting clubs where they can have a positive effect on both the people of the community and the struggle to retain our Second Amendment rights at the grassroots level.
Critical Thinkers
Finally, firearms enthusiasts are critical thinkers. Because of their training and experience, they have an enhanced ability to evaluate and solve problems. They are more situationally aware than the average person and more aware of their surroundings in general. You will seldom see a firearms enthusiast sitting with their face in their phone completely unaware of what’s going on around them.
Conclusion
This article is in no way trying to say that firearms enthusiasts are somehow superior to casual gun owners. What I am saying is that delving deeply into the world of gun ownership to the level of becoming a firearms enthusiast has an overall positive effect on people. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities and helps a person develop values like a commitment to safety, respect for the freedoms our country was built on, and that are enshrined in the Second Amendment, and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and skill.
Now more than ever before, the number of new people joining the world of responsible gun ownership gives us the opportunity to spread the values we believe to people from walks of life outside our own. More and more people of color and people from different backgrounds are becoming gun owners. The stereotype of the middle-aged white gun owner that the Left pushes is no longer accurate, and it behooves us as firearms enthusiasts to welcome those new gun owners into the fold every opportunity we get.
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