I had very limited gun exposure growing up. My family didn't like them and I never found myself around people who had them. To date, there has been no point in time where I felt threatened enough to need one. I feel that I live in a safe neighborhood where the most we have to deal with is occasional minor vandalism from bored teenagers. I don't, in any way, feel that I
need a gun.
But I like having one. It was bought as more of a collectable than anything else (I collect old military stuff, so that Mauser is right up that alley!). I owned it for two and a half years before I even fired it (just over a week ago, actually!).
It was fun. A lot of fun. I fired off several different guns that day, and I'll be honest, I think I was bitten by the bug.
I have already signed up for a safety course and will continue practicing shooting, although I'd like to end up with something a little more practical than the Mauser. And yes, I will pick up a few more guns down the road, including something for home defense.
Do I feel the need to protect myself against intruders? Absolutely not. But in the end, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Still trying to figure out what to get next, tho.
BB.