Did I react Poorly?

[bruceflinch]

Nice Job OP!

[Mickey D]

I have to agree with the mentality stated. Self defense of self and family needs to be willing to do what it takes to stop the attack. If death occurs, that's just one part of the equation you need to deal with.

I would still encourage him to get into handgun shooting as a recreational pastime. As he continues to educate himself on the activity and owning a firearm, he may change his mind on his ability to use deadly force if needed.

[pennys dad]

This was going to be the persons first purchase, I would say you over reacted and may have turned off someone to being a shooter. I think you should apologize and if you havent already done so restate your thoughts in a non black n white manner.
Not everyone has a well developed concept about guns and if they are asking you about guns then they are looking for your guidance. You could have done a better job at.

[r3dn3ck]

applause. Guns are for putting lethal holes in things. Not for discouraging them. If you'd like the man out of your house and don't want him dead, try a garden hose.

[Lumpia is sarap!®]

I was just with a friend last night with a similar situation. He was given a shotgun and revolver from someone who was suicidal. And my friend doesn't know what to do with it...and cannot fathom of shooting someone, but just wants to shoot the bad guy in the arm. So he'd rather just use a bat.

I shared a bit about my quote on my signature: Career criminals and psychos. But he was still stuck on not wanting to end someone's life. That's understandable. So I asked if he wanted to give them to me.

[JB-Norcal]

I think the honest and to the point opinion of the OP is best. I don't want any suger coated stroll around the point when seeking advice, straight up is best. Just be prepared to back your points.
No you weren't harsh or rude in anyway, you might have the customer rethinking their views, which is a good thing. Maybe you should of suggested some intro training of some kind, just a thought.

[pontiacpratt]

After the statement we talked about different handguns for a little bit. Talked about shotguns as an option. I showed him different storage options, to keep the handgun away from his kids. He expressed concern about his wife learning how to shoot, and I pointed him toward the "ladies' night" that our local range puts on. I showed him ammo options for HD (Glasers and HP). I don't think I turned him away from being a shooter.

[shadowofnight]

Nope, you were spot on in your response.

[bob7122]

nope, how you said it was right. it should of been harsh and then an explanation that it was more dangerous to have a gun and not be ready to shoot it; than not have one.

[Wonka17]

You did the right thing!
Reminds me of people saying they want to buy a gun just to "scare" an intruder.

[bsg]

you gave the logical feedback.

[bodger]

Not harsh, just realistic.

When the LA Riots broke out, I had a friend call me to ask if he could borrow a firearm. But no need for ammo, thank you, he said he "didn't want to load it or anything."

I told him to just stand on his roof and shake his fist at any assailants.

[pennys dad]

After the statement we talked about different handguns for a little bit. Talked about shotguns as an option. I showed him different storage options, to keep the handgun away from his kids. He expressed concern about his wife learning how to shoot, and I pointed him toward the "ladies' night" that our local range puts on. I showed him ammo options for HD (Glasers and HP). I don't think I turned him away from being a shooter.

Then you rebounded well and hopefully help a person become a responsible shooter, making good choices.

[GettoPhilosopher]

You may be able to solve his delusions by taking him shooting.

In my (limited) experience, a lot of the "I'm ok with defense but not deadly force" people are rooted in a movie-and-video-game sense of the perfect accuracy of firearms. They're the guys who seem to think it's entirely your choice whether you want to perfectly shoot a guy in the heart/head or perfectly shoot him in the leg/arm....like in the dark, adrenaline pumping, with a BG running at you with a knife and your family behind you, you're deliberating "Hm...do I want to disable this guy or kill? Eh, I'm an angry man. I'll kill him".

Get them to shoot and realize accuracy issues, and there's a chance they'll *get* why you aim for center mass. (Hint: it's not because you're overtaken with bloodlust. :P)

[odysseus]

I have had those conversations before repeatedly, like the inevitable person saying they will "aim for the leg" or just "maim" them. Pure ignorance. You just need to be firm and real, explaining how erroneous and dangerous that thinking is and how they need to get a real education and stop thinking like a child before they consider arming themselves for defense. Sometimes explaining the cold hard reality is the refreshment of choice for those people.