It’s a weird world out there.
Grocery prices are climbing like they’re training for Everest, politicians on both sides are screeching louder than a malfunctioning smoke alarm, and every time I check the news, I half expect to see something like “Locusts Invade Walmart.” So yeah—uncertain times might be putting it mildly.
And in these uncertain times, more people than ever are turning to firearm ownership. Not because they’re itching for conflict, but because they want one simple thing: peace of mind.
Not My First Rodeo… But Close
I didn’t come into firearms as a complete stranger. I was brought up in gun culture. I grew up shooting a .22 Long Rifle, plinking cans and pop bottles, and hunting pheasant, rabbits, and squirrels with my dad and uncles. Guns were fun, exciting, and sometimes utilitarian—like a wrench you only pull out for a specific job. But they were never something I viewed through the lens of personal defense.
Handguns, in particular, were foreign territory. I had little to no practical knowledge of them. To me, they were more movie prop than everyday tool. It wasn’t until I was 41 that I seriously considered buying a handgun—not for fun, not for sport, but for protection.
And let me tell you, that shift in mindset changes everything.
It wasn’t about paranoia. It was about preparation. Like buying a fire extinguisher and hoping you never have to use it.
The Rise of the Everyday Gun Owner
Over the past few years, I’ve met dozens of new shooters—moms, dads, retirees, college students, you name it—who all echo the same thing: “I never thought I’d be a gun owner.”
But after 2016, the world just felt… different. A slow, creeping instability began to settle into everyday life. The news seemed louder, more chaotic. Natural disasters, mass shootings, and moments of national division piled up like bricks in a wall you didn’t see being built until it blocked the view. Then came 2020—the lockdowns, the shortages, the protests, the uncertainty of a pandemic no one had a playbook for—and suddenly everything felt a little more fragile. A little more real. The systems we trusted were tested, and the answer to “what now?” started to feel like: maybe it's time to take a little more responsibility for my own safety, my own preparedness, and my own growth. People started rethinking what it means to be self-reliant.
And honestly, that’s a good thing.
I’ve always believed the Second Amendment wasn’t written just for hunters or sport shooters. It’s about regular folks—like you and me—having the means to protect what matters most. It’s about ensuring that power doesn’t just flow one way.
And it’s about community, too. The gun community (once you get past the online trolls) is full of a lot of people who genuinely care about safety, training, and doing things the right way. I’ve had strangers at the range offer ammo, tools, or advice just because they saw I was new. That kind of support isn’t something you find everywhere.
Responsibility Comes First
Of course, firearm ownership isn’t something to take lightly. The moment I brought my first handgun home, the weight of it—not just the physical weight, but the responsibility—hit me like a brick.
You’re not just buying a tool. You’re taking on the responsibility to be safe, to train, and to constantly evaluate your mindset. Owning a firearm means securing it properly, learning how it functions, practicing regularly, and understanding the laws that govern its use.
It’s not Hollywood. There’s no dramatic music or slow-motion action shots. Real-life self-defense is messy, complicated, and something we all hope to avoid. But if you’ve done the work—if you’ve trained your mind and your muscle memory—you’ll be better prepared if you ever find yourself in that split-second moment.
A Personal Perspective on Ownership
Now, I want to pause and make something very clear: what I’m about to say is my personal opinion. It might not reflect the views of others in the community, and that’s perfectly okay. Firearm ownership is a deeply personal decision, and no one’s journey looks exactly the same.
If you aren’t comfortable with the idea of owning a firearm?
Don’t.
Full stop.
You shouldn’t feel pressured by fear, peer groups, or political rhetoric. Your safety and peace of mind matter, and if a gun doesn’t add to that—don’t force it into your life.
Now, if you think you need a firearm because you feel you’re in danger, I urge you to take a step back and truly assess what’s happening in your life and environment that’s creating that sense of vulnerability. This isn’t to discourage you from contemplating ownership—but in my personal opinion, that particular mindset can become self-fulfilling. If fear is your sole motivator, it can color your judgment, and in a defensive scenario, that’s the last thing you want.
If you do choose to purchase a firearm, I cannot stress this enough: you have an absolute responsibility to learn how to use that weapon practically, safely, and responsibly. That means more than just knowing how to load it or operate the safety—it means training. If you buy a gun, shoot it once, and toss it in a drawer, it’s not just ineffective—it’s potentially dangerous. To you. To your loved ones. To anyone who might come across it.
Shooting is a skill. And like any skill, it depreciates. It takes diligence, discipline, and a commitment to constant growth. How many of us own a fire extinguisher? How many of us actually know how to use it? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Too many people own a tool and just hope that when the time comes, they’ll figure it out—and in a scenario where seconds matter, that’s just not a risk that is prudent to take.
(This is your reminder to make sure you actually know how to use your fucking fire extinguishers—and that they’re properly maintained and fully charged.)
And perhaps most importantly: there is absolutely no amount of preparation for the worst day of your life—the day you may have to use your firearm to defend yourself or a loved one. Legal justification or not, that moment will change your life. Permanently. Emotionally. Morally. It’s not a movie scene or a video game checkpoint. It's real, it's raw, and it leaves a scar even if you "do everything right."
More Than Protection
Interestingly, once I got into firearms for protection, I stuck around for all the other reasons: competition, training, community, gear reviews (you knew that was coming), and pushing myself to improve a skill I never thought I’d develop.
It’s become a hobby, a discipline, and even a bit of therapy—something about sending rounds downrange just quiets the noise of the world for a moment.
But at its core, my journey started with a single, quiet truth: I wanted to be ready. Not scared. Not angry. Just ready.
And in uncertain times, that feels like the most certain thing I can do.
Whether you’re just thinking about getting your first gun or already on your third safe, I hope this post reminds you why so many of us take that step. Not out of fear—but out of love for our families, our freedom, and our future.
Stay safe. Stay sharp. And as always, if you’re going from couch to competition, I’ll be right there with you.
— Jonny
CouchToCompetition.com
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