#they're fun but get somethjng else first

[xadeon123]

I'm going to ramble a little here. I'm not american but I have strong opinions on this.

A lot of us can't own a gun. Perhaps we mentally can't, perhaps we live with people who shouldn't or can't be around them, perhaps we can't afford them. What is important is that if you don't think you should get a gun, or if you don't think you are ready for a gun, don't get one.

Even if you can own a gun, it shouldn't necessarily be the first thing you get (unless you're worried about laws making it harder, but that's nuanced). You should look into self defence training if possible, deescelation training, pepper spray (not tasers or those fucking kitty ears, and holding your keys is worse than throwing a punch). You should also talk to your neighbours, your friends. You should have people to turn to if you need them.

All that being said, unless you are buying two at once, your first gun should always be something in a common calibre (9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, maybe .45), have common parts (ar-15 platform rifle if you choose 5.56), and be reliable (a good polymer frame pistol, a good rifle, or a pump action shotgun).

Unless special circumstances apply (for example community protest defence), you shouldn't open carry. It makes you a target, especially if you are visibly queer.

And no matter what, fucking train!

Quick edit: if you carry a gun, you should also carry an IFAK and at least one less lethal self defence item.

Why is "don't prepare to defend yourself, learn how to lead a miserable life in hiding in the wilderness" supposed to be mentally helpful to people?

I think that's a really bad faith interpretation of what Evans is saying. He's not telling you to hide in the wilderness, he's saying that there are survival skills you can get right now to help yourself and others with literally no downside. He doesn't say to never buy a gun, he says to make sure you're in the right place mentally and emotionally, first.