I'm embarrassed to say

[gunRfun]

Family First! You are doing it right.
Now keep 1 rifle and 1 handgun to protect the family.
Now for the rest of the firearms; you can donate it to me so they do not feel neglected I will take good care of them :P

[b18bturboek9]

Lose the family they are holding you back, kidding. Its a hobby so when you get free time you can hit the range. I think we all go through a phase where we stop shooting for awhile or less than we use too because we have alot going on or have other hobbies or just no time to shoot. Are you going to be kicking yourself for not shooting more or spending time with your family.

[Steve_In_29]

Take your kids shooting...problem solved! That's what I did when mine were growing up and I was spending a lot of time away and deployed. I have seen kids as young as 3 having a blast shooting (appropriately sized weapons) at my local range.

[BluNorthern]

Good marksmanship is a perishable skill.

[Epaphroditus]

Look forward to the kids first range trip. Mine were so excited.

[T19gun04]

I have not pulled a trigger on any of my weapons since 2012. my work and family (4 kids) has consumed all my time

Is not this the same for other things that you are enthused about? I am passionate about outdoors and the results of working out, but find that there are periods of time in my life were I am not outdoors or working out and become focused or distracted on other things to the point where I almost forget what it is like... having four kids is 100x tougher than my 9 month old lab.

You don't necessarily need to put in "fun" range time, if you don't have time. However, if you're going to use a firearm for home defense, you've got to put in at least a minimum amount of "work" range time, to maintain your shooting skill. Otherwise, owning guns for protection may be giving you a false sense of security.

I agree with ^ and also do need to put more time at the range.

[L84CABO]

Don't beat yourself up. Life gets the better of all of us at one time or another. Does the family like to shoot? If they do, take them. You get to shoot and spend quality time with the Fam. Win/Win.

If not, don't beat yourself up. You'll get back to it as you're able. Family comes first.

Also, maybe just grab a single pistol and a hundred rounds. Hit the range for 30 minutes. At least you'll sharpen up for your home defense duties.

[SonofWWIIDI]

You can give me your new guns and extra ammo, I'll take the to the range and break them in for you.



Seriously, family first. You'll get the time later.

[DevilDawgJJ]

I took my kids shooting in 2012. My son and daughter were 4 and 7. We shot my colt M4 .22LR. They loved it. It's just we have been doing different
Things--Disneyland passes, magic mountain passes, and Santa Barbra zoo passes. I do need to get of my *** and take them out shooting....now that I'm discussing it!

I do dry fire my HD weapon with proper sight picture and front post alignment...but we all know it's not enough!

I appreciate everyone's input/response!

[Ant45]

"Life happens when you're busy making plans"

John Lennon


I went through about a 10 year period when I didn't shoot one single shot, life events and other priorities can do that to a guy. It's called responsibility and you sound like a guy who does the right thing family wise. You're fun time will come hang in there!

[TeddyBallgame]

When I was in the middle of 4 kids my shooting time went to zero for a good 10 years or more. There was to much going on in my situation to get any range time.

when your kids are grown you have plenty time to go play

same here...i went so long without shooting, or, buying in California, that when i decided to purchase my Beretta 92fs i wasn't even aware of the damn HSC law that had been passed in California

went into Turner's, picked out the gun, then just before we started the paperwork the lady asked me for my HSC card..."whaa", "never heard of that, what's that all about"...tells me it took effective around the year 2000...i hadn't even bought a firearm in California since 93...sigh

lot of travel for me, even in the off-season, made it hard to go out and dedicate a day for shooting

hell, Devil, it's not about how much you get out and shoot, it's more about supporting the right and passing your knowledge along

i have my first shotgun, a Mossberg 500 that i bought around 1987, out in my garage somewhere...for years i've been telling myself i need to get out there and look for it

[Full Clip]

So long as you're being a good dad and husband, you get a full pass.

[Click Boom]

My guns are my kids. Feed em, keep em safe and clean.

[Danodog]

With scouts, football, baseball, lacrosse, school activities, etc., the gun hobby takes a second position. The good news is that my 14 year old achieved his rifle shooting merit badge and his shotgun shooting merit badge, so the interest has peaked and we plan to do a BLM shoot when the rains arrive and the weather is cooler. I have been buying ammo on the cheap, so I am well supplied.

Dano

[M1NM]

You have sinned.

Your penance is 100 rounds of .223 and 15 magazine changes.

If you were an active shooter 15+ years ago you should be able to do all 100 rounds with 3.33 magazine changes. I've been trying to go shooting for the last couple years after probably a 20 year gap. Sold off 25+ guns (kept 1 of each various caliber - when the ammo is gone the gun goes) but then bought 8 more. Maybe next week I'll go - nope busy then too. At least the OT keeps the fun-funds repelenished.