I've had 3 experiences in my 56 years, all unpleasant, to say the least, and I've never wanted to own or shoot a gun.
The first was when, in my early teens, I spent a couple of months with the father who didn't raise me, who I didn't even know. There was a stepmother and step siblings who hated me and resented my presence. The very first weekend, the father and step mother went fishing for the weekend, leaving all the "kids" at home alone. As they were walking out the door, my father reminded all the kids that his loaded hand gun was in the headboard of his bed, should we need it. I spent the weekend with my back to the wall, being very quiet and doing my best not to anger the steps who hated my presence.
The next...my first ex husband insisted I go out to the desert to shoot targets with he and his friends; it was loud, they were drinking, I was terrified, they insisted I shoot at a target, never having handled a gun before; it was long. I don't even know if it was a shot gun or a rifle. I know that the sound deafened me, the kick left a grapefruit sized bruise, and when I suggested that they clean up after themselves, they asked if I was some kind of tree-hugger.
The last...one of those visiting friends showed up one night to show off his new gun; again, something long. He and my ex decided to go out for the evening, and left it in the front closet. The ex came home drunk and decided to get rough. I decided to leave. He pulled the gun out of the closet, pointed it at me, and told me he'd shoot me if I left him. So I didn't leave. Then. I did as soon as it was safe to do so.
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