[maniceuphoria]

I am a dude and one of my best friend like to shoot guns at the shooting range. I have been to these shooting range like 3 times with that friend. But I have bipolar disorder and anxiety.... I don't feel comfortable about being around guns. Every time, he is in town, he wants to shoot guns at the shooting range. (The thing is, these shooting ranges allows shooting guns, in 2 pairs of people.) He wants to drag me into the shooting range, just so he can shoot guns.

He already knows that I have an mental illness. I just don't know why, he feels that it is okay for me to shoot guns... Like many others with bipolar disorder, I have suicidal thoughts. And sometimes I feel that one way to die, is going to these shooting range with that friend, and shooting my self with a gun. I am too afraid to act upon it, and I don't think I will do that. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that I might act on it, if/when I am severely depressed.

What do you guys think?! Should I keep him as a friend? Or should I cut him off, just for my own safety? I know this dude for like 20 years, and he is one of my best friend. I kind of feel that he is using me, for his gun shooting hobbies. I haven't told him that I don't like being around guns, but I feel that he should already know cause I told him I have bipolar disorder. It is a catch 22, because I don't have many friends and he is one of the few guys that I hang out with.

[Victoria'smom]

They're a lot of people here that own guns, shoot and hunt. It's not anything to do with bipolar. If you want to hurt your self you'll find a way. You said your friend knows about your bipolar but does he know about it or hos it affects you. Before you give up on a 20 year friendship talk to him about how every time you're around a gun you want to end yourself. He deserves an explanation and the ability to be there for you. It doesn't mean he can't do that just you won't be there.

[vjdragonfly]

Just let him know you do not like going to the range. I don't feel you have to elaborate unless you feel comfortable doing so. You can still be friends, just hang out doing other stuff.

[Trippin2.0]

Just because he knows you're bipolar doesn't mean he will assume anything about your relationship with guns.

The 2 subjects are completely independent of eachother. Most folks I know would feel offended if their friends thought they shouldn't touch a gun because of their diagnosis.

Hell where do we draw the line? Should I not be cooking because I'll cut myself or stab someone or even commit arson?

See what I'm saying here???

People aren't mind readers, and most of us don't want people assuming negative things about us. So its up to us to voice our truths and hopefully the person listening is respectful regarding what we share with them.

You really don't have to end a friendship over something so simple, and yes I mean simple, as in easily fixed, please don't read "trivial" because I can see this distresses you and I am not trying to invalidate that at all.

So, you can either refuse to go shooting while depressed because you're at risk, or you say no to guns completely and maybe even arrange an alternate shooting buddy for him.

Since he knows about the bipolar, I don't foresee this to be a terribly awkward convo...

Seriously, don't complicate things, life has a way of doing that all by itself.

[PrairieCat]

For God's sake - and yours, stop going to the range with him! Explain why if you need to. Keep him as a friend, but tell him to find another range partner. Do not expose yourself to this, as it is a trigger for suicidal thoughts. Some people could not figure that out or even think of it. He probably thinks it's fine for you because you haven't said anything. But IT IS NOT.

[wiretwister]

I am a NRA instructor and have many troubling self thoughts about continuing to work with youth and guns,, I would say if it troubles you greatly just tell your friend you no longer want to shoot, whether you can handle the range of course is up to you. any real friend will understand.

[Yoda]

I am a 55 y/o woman who was diagnosed bipolar at about age 40. My step-dad taught me how to shoot when I was 12 y/o and I have taken some gun classes as an adult. I, like you, have had suicidal thoughts in the past but I never had thoughts of shooting myself. If you do have fear that you might self harm with a gun then obviously you should not have a gun. But simply being bipolar does not make a person unsafe with guns and your friend has no reason to know you fear guns despite you telling him you are bipolar.

You don't have to make it complicated. Just tell him you are not comfortable around guns and you do not enjoy going to the shooting range. Can you suggest another activity that you and he might enjoy? Shooting hoops with a basketball maybe?