Here is when I bought my first gun

[Jim Warren]

151. I had a similar experience

albeit 20 years ago and in living a country outside the US.

I had just started a small business and met a girl from there. We dated for six months and eventually married. About two months into our courtship, I started getting death threats, written messages left on the windshield of my car. Creepy stuff, "you think you can come here and take one of our woman", "we know who you are but you don't know us", "you have 24 hours to leave before we fill your chest with bullets", and others.

I began to get more than a little worried and my girlfriend too. She had no idea who it was and we went to talk with her parents. We got along well and they approved of our relationship. I wanted to know if they knew anything, like maybe could it be an ex-boyfriend or something and wanted their advice on how serious I should take this. They said sincerely they knew of nothing in that regard. I had a one-on-one with her dad and I asked him what he would do, if he would go to the police there. He said forget the police, they would be worst than useless. He said he would get a gun. I asked him if he could help me with that and he said yes.

Believe me, there were moments when I thought I'd just pack it up and get out. But then I was at a point in my life where I decided to not be cowed. I remember asking myself when is something worth fighting for, and said to myself "screw it" I've lived long enough, this is worth fighting for. I took my place on this earth having done nothing wrong, bad or out of line. I became rooted and actually visualized being an Oak tree, I would bend but not be moved. I also went to the local gravel pit and fired off a round or two now and again. I quietly let it be known that if you come for me, good chance I'll take you with me. I went about my peaceable business.

The threats stopped, dissipated, the vibe lightened but I had to take a stand using language that would be understood. I married that woman and she is still my wife this many years later.