Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and many of us are thinking about giving something to our spouses or, to be politically correct, our significant others – okay I don’t like it either – to your boyfriend, girlfriend, son, daughter, lover, mistress or toyboy. And some of you might think it the perfect opportunity to give her/him a gun.

Don’t.

This applies not just to Valentine’s Day, but to Christmas or birthdays or any other time.
Particularly don’t give a gun to a mistress or toyboy. Many straying husbands have been shot by their mistresses and even toyboys may seek revenge after being dumped. Also remember there was a time in Texas when you could shoot your husband/wife if you found them in bed with your best friend – or anyone else. Those were the days when a man couldn’t get elected to public office if he was found in bed with a live man or a dead woman.

Giving a spouse, son, daughter, a gun falls in the same category as teaching a close relative to drive. Again, don’t.
You may have been encouraging her/him to get a gun and perhaps get a concealed carry license for months/years. Don’t pick out the gun for your child or the love of your life. Even if you are the shooter in the family and know the difference between a single stack and a single action, or a double barrel and a double action only semi-automatic, a gun, particularly for defending yourself, is a very personal thing and should be chosen by the person who will shoot it.

Yes, they can get advice about what gun would be best but it should not come from you. When you took the course to get your Texas concealed handgun or right to carry license, do you remember being taught the difference between child, parent and adult? Even if your son or daughter is in their twenties they still resent being told or even advised by a parent. And particularly nowadays, marriages or long term relationships are supposed to be between equals.
Find an instructor or someone who shoots handguns a lot to advise on getting a gun. It is essential that the person shoots the gun before it is bought. It may not fit the hand, the recoil may be too severe, the gun may be too bulky or heavy to carry conveniently. But remember, as Clint Smith says: a gun is supposed to be comforting not comfortable. However these decisions are always a compromise – if it is too uncomfortable, she/he won’t carry it.

By all means pay for the gun they choose but the gun must be their choice. And if they know little about shooting, don’t let them go alone into a gun store until they have decided on the gun they want.

“Why, hello little lady, have I got a gun for you,” says the salesman who has an over supply of .44 Magnums.
Another decision that should be made before she/he gets the gun, is how are they going to carry it? Is it going to be in a belt holster, shoulder holster, ankle holster, purse or is it going to stay in the car or home until it is needed. If the gun is for a woman, another woman can give the best advice on carrying.

And once the gun is purchased, she/he will need training. Don’t do it yourself. Find a good instructor and let her/him teach how to use the gun.

So, don’t surprise her/him with a gun. Buy her flowers or him chocolates. They are cheaper.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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