Convincing your wife to let you get an AR15

[HI629]

Does she realize that an AR-15 is a critical piece of equipment that could someday save your life?

[Driven]

Because, he doesn't have one. Or at least not one worth anything, because he has nothing to back his up. He's on here looking for reasons to support his wild hair. She, at least from his post, HAS reasons to back up her argument. If you gotta come on an Internet site and ask random strangers for ideas because you don't have any, you maybe shouldn't be trying to do whatever you're trying to do.

First off jackwagon, you don't have a clue who I am or how long this decision has been in the making to call it a "wild hair". Nor are you omniscient where you know all the details of what reasons she has or what reasons I have. I didn't come on here to ask your moral or ethical assessment of my endeavor, I simply asked for suggested reasons for purchasing an AR... the background of which is convincing my wife.

What you don't know is that my wife told me to give her reasons for the purchase that may convince her to see it my way... she's open minded about it. I didn't feel the need to write a big dissertation about that because I didn't realize there would be those like you who would sit is judgement and character assessment. We make decisions together through discussion. I've come up with my reasons, she has hers... none of which I felt the need to post here because I figured I'd see what forum members suggested and compare the lists. Maybe there is something that someone else thought of that I didn't. I came to this forum for suggestions from people who have similar interests and many of whom I would guess have had similar discussions with their spouse.

Rather that trying to make a character assessment based on a simple request for input maybe you should just stick to the question... or don't bother with the judgmental input. Come on down out of your keyboard castle and join the rest of us simple finite peasants all wise one.

[Driven]

By financial pros I mean have you looked at your monthly budget and found a way of saving to your target goal of one thousand dollars for said rifle? Do you have the money already?

Myself personally I never purchase any big ticket items until I have all the money to pay for it upfront and in cash. If this means I have to save and wait a few months then so be it. The same should be for your rifle. If you can find a way in your budget for you to save for or buy right away, your rifle then you should have every right to purchase the rifle.

That is how I would present it. If she still says no then I think you have a bigger problem.

.02

Very good. Now I understand what you intended.

The answer then is yes. We have the money saved right now to pay cash. Purchasing it would mean that we have x amount less saved for the rainy day fund or for paying off our car a little faster. Her side of the discussion comes through that direction... paying off the car faster.

Good input, thank you.

[Chazz]

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrlUsaYlKPs

Shouldn't really have to explain much on this one.

2) You are never really going to lose money on it down the road. It is something that will always hold its value if you take care of it and invest in a good manufacturer. Heck, its a safer investment than the U.S. dollar!

[Stitch]

Very good. Now I understand what you intended.

The answer then is yes. We have the money saved right now to pay cash. Purchasing it would mean that we have x amount less saved for the rainy day fund or for paying off our car a little faster. Her side of the discussion comes through that direction... paying off the car faster.

Good input, thank you.

Dude, you are over-thinking it. Just tell her you really want it, and it will make you really happy, and she won't have to buy you anything for Christmas for five years. It's a present that can be extrapolated over time. If she normally spends $300 a year on you, it's actually a better deal

[99 Fenix]

can you work any OT to support your habit?

[David Hineline]

I love my wife to death and all, but we tend to disagree on what to spend money on. She'll get a latte every day, stop and buy the kids slurpees, snacks, etc. just to be nice. It can add up to $100/week or more pretty easily. If I want to spend that much at once on an item she deems unnecessary, the fight is on.

Women tend to prioritize money differently than men, that's just a fact. We pay the bills and then buy big toys. They pay the bills and then buy a million smaller, useless toys....

I think she spots your weakness, it's like training a puppy, positive/negative reinforcement. Buy the gun, is she complains then buy two more, complains again, buy 4. She will learn not to complain.

If she complains, and you fight and you let her win, then just like Pavlov's dog and the cookie, she got what she wanted.

You have to turn her complaining into something that does not result in what she wants.

Or you could keep going the way you have been, which is most likely going to happen.

[davebsd]

If you buy it piece by piece and build it slowly you could convince her it's a legitimate hobby. The lower receiver is the important part anyhow..cheap too. The rest of it you can purchase on the internet.

You can build a pretty basic model inexpensively and just upgrade parts after the fact. Guns in general tend to hold their value as well. Worst possible case you can sell it and potentially recoup the money you spent building it, or gain a profit.

There is no telling which gun laws in your area, or federally may be enacted to make purchasing an AR outright illegal. That being said, the ones legally owned at the time of any bans have historically been grandfathered in and are still legal to own.

Use the State of California if examples are demanded.

[MargeGunderson]

When I first read the title, I was ready to suggest you tell her to STFU, but your post makes it very clear your situation is exactly the opposite of what I thought, especially if she feels the same way about you.

I don't know much at all about the technical aspects, but if the gun enthusiasts in here are correct that it's a good investment, that's a pretty convincing argument.

What scares me is how quickly society breaks down at the mere hint of a shortage – look at some of the looting that went on after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and look at how ugly Black Friday has been the past couple of years.

You'd be very wise to have a quality weapon and plenty of ammo, assuming it's within your budget. And she would be smart to know how to operate at least some of your guns.

That, and life is really short as you well know. No point waiting for anything you truly want and would enjoy as long as it isn't taking money away from responsibilities because you never know what's around the corner.

[phillydog07]

You need to explain it in a way that shows her how it can be beneficial to her. For example, for a couple hundred bucks you can upgrade the stock to one that allows you to "bump fire" and make it nearly automatic. There may come a day when all of your sharp kitchen knives are dirty (ignore this issue for now). She could use the AR-15 and it's bump fire mode to "slice" off a piece of bread and make you a sandwich. NOW, while you are eating the sandwich, you can address the issue of the dirty knives and explain that it is important to keep the dishes clean so that she does not have to use YOUR gun.

[a Cop Fan]

A Christmas Story

Didn't Ralphie want a BB gun for Christmas? All he got was "You'll poke your eye out" answer. His father got the hint and bought it for him without Mom knowing.

[CACBAND]

Unless the better things are rent/food/car payment, I personally don't see the harm in buying a "new toy" from time to time. Call it an early Christmas to yourself?? Have you looked at LE pricing? Could always run the angle that you're saving X but still getting what you want? Just wondering when was the last time you bought yourself a "toy?"

[CACBAND]

There is no telling which gun laws in your area, or federally may be enacted to make purchasing an AR outright illegal. That being said, the ones legally owned at the time of any bans have historically been grandfathered in and are still legal to own.

Use the State of California if examples are demanded.

I know a friend who did that Granted he was made to sale a handgun to help offset the cost

[nobodyjr]

Are you going to use it for duty? Having an AR15 is an officer safety issue.

Mine kept a double murder suspect from taking me out three years ago. I could not have ended the threat as efficiently with a pistol if at all (it was 25+ yards). I don't have the skill, accuracy, and range with my pistol my rifle does. I bought one after that and gave it to my wife to carry on patrol. I would not go in service with out one. I don't shoot recreationally and I'm not a gun guy.

If you are a gambling man chances are pretty darn good you will never really need it. How lucky does your wife feel?

[nuthead]

you don't have a clue who I am or how long this decision has been in the making to call it a "wild hair".

You are correct, I only know what I can infer from your post. Maybe before posting, you should provide some more information that will better help people understand your situation.

Nor are you omniscient where you know all the details of what reasons she has or what reasons I have.

Never claimed I was all knowing, I'm simply going on what YOU posted. If you do not like my inferences, try providing more insight from the beginning.

What you don't know is that my wife told me to give her reasons for the purchase that may convince her to see it my way... she's open minded about it.

"Having a hard time getting her on board with the AR15 purchase right now" doesn't imply that's she's open minded about it, it implies she's against it. Again, we only know what we can infer from your post.

I didn't feel the need to write a big dissertation about that because I didn't realize there would be those like you who would sit is judgement and character assessment.

Just like you did with the two guys that posted first and how their attitudes explain the high divorce rate amongst LEO's? Your original post comes across as "I want it, she doesn't, y'all help me make her." Maybe next time, you should include a little more detail behind it.

I didn't come on here to ask your moral or ethical assessment of my endeavor, I simply asked for suggested reasons for purchasing an AR.

Rather that trying to make a character assessment based on a simple request for input maybe you should just stick to the question... or don't bother with the judgmental input.

As has been said many times on this forum, you get to ask the questions, you do not, however get to dictate the answers. I will answer as I see fit or however the mood strikes me. You, unfortunately, just have to deal with it.

Come on down out of your keyboard castle and join the rest of us simple finite peasants all wise one.

You seriously think someone who choses a nym like "nuthead" has a superiority complex?

Oh, and get a new insult. "Jackwagon" has been used so many times it's outdated and completely unoriginal. Just saying.