About seven years ago my favorite uncle accidently shot himself in the gut and died in six minutes. I know how long it took because he was able to call 911 and the cops arrived in six minutes. He was placing the pistol into a fanny pack in order to carry concealed on his daily run. He had been carrying like this for at least two years before this accident.
Since then, my family has had a "pistol taboo". You know, hunting rifles are ok, but who in the world needs hand guns? Well I bought a Glock 23 in .40S&W a few years ago, and the more I learned about hand guns, the more I wanted a 1911. As my circle of shooting friends became larger, I realised that ,IMO, the .45 is the ideal self defense caliber, and ,again IMO, the 1911 is the ideal .45. So I'm picking up my Kimber Custom CDP in two days, and I'm sure I'll be a regular on these boards.
But I'm nervous. My uncle was a sportsman from day one. My whole family grew up on a ranch in Colorado, where guns and gun safety were second nature. This uncle taught me gun safety, and whooped my butt when I was young for covering someone with a muzzle! I gotta assume he was usually safe, but obviously lazy at least once. But the first ND that I hear of in our family kills a man?
How does this happen? What are the safeguards I must practice with this new weapon? I'm used to the Glock now, and honestly, even though after shooting thousands of rounds in IDPA and practice COF's, still carry concealed without a round in the chamber.
Any advice (no sympathy)will be considered and appreciated.