Hi all,
My name is Jeremy and I live in Bradford, MA, after growing up in RI and living in NYC as well as FL. I grew up with a family of gun owners. My grandfather was a gunsmith in Canada, and all my older half-brothers took me to the range before I was even a teenager and taught me how to shoot handguns. I later belonged to the local gun club and did elementary target shooting with .22 rifles.
Most recently, I decided to go through with the Class A LTC in MA in order to qualify for certain divisions of a private security firm I do per diem work for. I have wanted my LTC for awhile, but never had enough impetus before.
I took my Safety Course from Jerry Denig at Haverhill Hound Rod and Gun Club, and am looking into becoming a member there. My application and fingerprints have been filed, and I'm hoping to receive my LTC by mid-November, early December at the latest.
I've decided on a S&W M&P 40c for my first gun, based on many suggestions, opinions and discussions with others. I know there is no "perfect gun", but this seems pretty well-rounded for my needs. However, the more I read, the more I plan on instantly doubling my collection and buying a smaller .32 or .38 for easier deep concelament.
I have alot of questions for the best holster for my needs, essentially based on the wardrobe I'm required to wear for my FT job (gym attire).
However, I'll save those for the forum!
And Oh yeah, as you can see, I'm kind of long-winded! Once I get typing, I don't know when to stop!
I look forward to learning from you all!
-Jeremy
*EDIT* - I also am excited to say that I'm slowly but surely getting my wife into the world of shooting! Growing up in her house, guns were very taboo, even "bad". She wasn't comfortable with the idea of a gun being in the house at first, but after the horrific tragedy of the woman who was killed in NH a few weeks ago by the 4 teenagers with machetes, she finally understood the personal safety aspect of it. Besides, if the gun was in the house, I want her to know how to access it, use it, and use it well.
I finally got her to go with me to Bob's Shooting Range in Salisbury, and they put her at ease, showed her how to operate the .22, and she jumped right in! She was very scared and nervous at first, as she'd never seen, felt or heard a gun in all of her 42 years. However, after I went through a mag of the Beretta .40, she was used to it and proceeded to shoot a 1" group at 7 yards with the .22 on her first time out!!
I was very proud of her, and very excited! She proceeded to go through the box of .22, then shot a few with the .40, and then we split a box in the M&P 9mm FS, and she shot a nice 3 inch group with the 9mm!
We were both proud of her and I'm excited that I might have the opportunity to share this sport and hobby with her!
As of now, I have my safe in the house and bolted to the floor, practicing the code a few times a day for speed, and just waiting for the card in the mail!
See what I mean about the long-winded thing???