All I can think about is buying a gun! How do I stop thinking about this?

Question

It all started when I took my girlfriend to the gunrange for the first time a couple months ago. I've been in the Army Reserve since 2001, and was deployed and all that, and I thought going to the gunrange would be a cool date, something out of the ordinary. But now that we went, I took her again a couple weeks later, and I almost bought a gun. Now, buying a gun is all I can think about, and it's kind of scaring me. I don't think about killing myself or other people, I just really want a gun. Just last week, I bought two guns, and I'm in the middle of the waiting period right now, and I feel like I've never wanted to buy anything else more in my whole life.

Is there something wrong with me? Do I have some gun fetish or something, or did I just become a gun enthusiast? Should I go to counseling?

Ironically, if I go to the counseling center at my university, everybody knows me in there since I used to work there. They know me as the happy-go-lucky guy, not some gun nut.

Answer 1

If you went rock climbing with your girlfriend and got hooked would you feel so guilty? No. You feel guilty because there is an agenda being pushed by the Liberal left to make gun owners out to be deviant, homicidal freaks. This is of course untrue. Shooting is a sport just like any other. It's fun, it relieves stress, it's exciting, it's challenging, and it's perfectly normal. As with any new found interest people tend to get really excited. This doesn't mean you are crazy at all. Also, there is always some fear in guns. It's part of what makes it exciting. This has a lot to do with your questioning of your sanity. Once again, it's perfectly normal.

What I would suggest that you do is get involved in local shooting competitions. There you will be able to meet others that share your interest and see that they too have an addiction to shooting and yet are perfectly normal. You can find out about these at your local range or gun dealer.

Have fun, good luck, and welcome to the gun crowd!

Answer 2

I get this urge very strongly....'bout every two weeks (payday!)

To date, I have almost a dozen gun safes that hold over a dozen each...do the math. I wound up geting my FFL 03 C&R license so I could buy wholesale from distributors and shipped directly to me. I also trade a lot with other collectors.

Now, I specialize in old military bolt actions and old .22s, so nothing I have is worth much over $500 and most were bought at $60-$100. Some were incomplete 'projects' that I refinish and restore. Many are shot, but many are merely collectors items. Values rise, so my current value is much more than I spent. It's a hobby that fun and I've made lots of friends doing. Still, it's less money than having a Harley in the garage and a lot more fun. Besides, I have an old Norton....prefer British bikes, my gardener has a hog!
I also have a concealed carry permit and a few personal defense handguns, but prefer to shoot at the rifle range.

BTW, I have no mental instabilities or desires to kill anyone or take over the country, etc. I like guns and I like shooting. I am a successful businessman, graduate degree, involved in my community, church-going, travel frequently and well-read. It's perfectly normal.

Answer 3

Your a gun enthusiast. So what ? I like to gamble .All I do is plan trips to go gamble .I only go a few times a year but its always on my mind.If you truly dont want to kill people maybe you just like the idea of having some big flashy peice of metal.Only you can be the judge.If you think your dangerous seek help please.