When I was in the Air Force, there were two days that I held an M16. The first day was for training, the second day was range practice where we each fired 10 shots from each position (standing, kneeling, prone). Did not it in either tech school, or my duty station. So much for military firearms.
That was it until I was in my 50's recovering from surgery re-plumbing my urinary system. I needed something to get me out of bed and exercise. I bought a rugar 22 semi auto and target practiced off my back porch, and later on a 50yd range I set up. I found I liked target shooting and as I got better I decided I liked bolt-action rifles since working the bolt is part of my mental prep for firing, and bought a savage 17hmr (very small caliber, very accurate bolt rifle) and a rugar 223/556 scout rifle. I still only shoot in backyard ranges. I never felt great about selling old firearms to unknown persons, so I still have all my rifles. I have also acquired 3 pistols (a 22/45 for my wife, and two 9mm). I keep them all in my gun safe.
All of this was from a hobby standpoint. I like firearms but I neither hunt, nor really intend them for protection although they are available. I am fortunate that I have been able to set up safe shooting range in my back yard and find my range safer than commercial ranges for several reasons. I shoot my scout rifle most often, but sometimes I shoot my 17HMR.
I am not a really great shot, but I am not trying to get meat for the family, so who cares
Virginia, where I acquired all these only does a fairly quick agency check, takes a computer about 15 minutes to an hour. I held a concealed carry permit, more for making transport simple than for daily carry. Although as ex-military, Virginia did not require any more training (refer back to the extent of my military firearm experience!?!), my son and I took a gun safety course. When I moved to western Maryland, I asked a state trouper if I needed to register them, he said not to worry. I do know that state regulations make transporting them a little more particular, but in practice many hunters transport loaded guns and no-one seems to think anything about it.
