This issue of guns and gun control has only recently (within the past year or so) become quite high on my field of vision in regards to the troubled times of the future - not to mention the times we are currently experiencing. I am not sure if it is because I live in "the hood" or if it just general paranoia on my part but I have felt an urgency of late to arm myself in order to protect myself and my family in the unlikely event of a desperate situation. To be fair and completely honest, it may be, in part, due to the change of administrative powers in the coming years. However, I feel it is deeper than that as this feeling came way before the Obama landslide. Either which way, it is a right that we have as Americans and one that should be defended vehemently. I'll explain but first, some background.
I grew up around rifles and took hunter safety at a relatively young age. My father and I went hunting though we would be no where near the category of "avid." We would often go to the Lee Kay center and target shoot or out to some desert or hillside to plink off cans or whatever other trash had been left behind by the outdoorsmen that most of us wish would simply sit in their living room to drink. Uh oh, I feel a tangent coming on... Why is it that people feel that they have the right to leave their carp (thanks Tyler P.) where ever it falls? Shooting used to be allowed in a lot of places but one major reason that it gets shut down is because people leave all their boxes, bottles, cans, brass, clays, tvs, mattresses, so much more to list! If you are going to bring it to shoot at it - PACK IT OUT! It is not only other shooters that have to look at the garbage left behind. Ok, tangent over...
Much of my respect for weapons came from these experiences. However, as a youth I only had one experience with a pistol. I will never forget it. I was probably about 10 years old and we went to Sanpete county to visit my uncle. He had a .357 Magnum revolver. I know it was just age and perspective but I swear that gun had to have a 10 inch barrel and a hole in the end that was bigger than my eyeball! My cousins and I were each given one shot. I was NOT first and after hearing the retreat on that thing, I really wasn't looking forward to my turn. After some 'gentle berating' by my uncle and cousins, I stepped up to the plate. I took a hold of that massive six-shooter and I remember the front sight looking as tall as the statue of liberty just daring me to lay her down. I am pretty sure I squeezed my eyes shut right before I pulled the trigger - and I do mean pulled not squeezed. I remember being able to see the flames from the barrel through my eyelids and it kicked a lot harder than I had expected as the gun ended up pointing at the clouds rather than the target by the time my arms had gained stability from the onslaught of the recent earthquake they had experienced. Everyone just laughed but I, naturally, didn't find it too funny. I think they asked me if I wanted to take another shot and, in my state of shock, politely declined.
So why would I want to get into pistols now with such an indelible memory burned in my mind? Because my fear came from the unknown. People, in general, fear guns, especially firearms. Most of this fear, in my opinion, comes from irrational scenarios rehearsed in the mind and reinforced by Hollywood, that when you take a gun in your hands it invariably shoots at people and kills. This could not be further from the truth. Guns are inanimate objects that can do nothing unless acted upon by some other force, namely a human. Okay, in all fairness I guess if one was stupid enough to leave their gun on the floor and smeared peanut butter on the trigger and left it loaded that the family dog could come in, lick off the peanut butter and in so doing, discharge the weapon. But in all reality, these guns can do nothing without someone on the trigger. So how can such fear be overcome? The same way that any other fear is dispelled: proper education, training and experience. When one is properly educated and with a little on-the-job training, so to speak, fear gives way to respect. Respect is what everyone should have for firearms of all forms. Without respect comes fear or danger - depending on who has the weapon.
I know this post didn't deal much with the 'control' part of the guns but that will come later. It will be worth it, trust me.
3 comments:
Jaaromy and I have been thinking the same thing. We wanted to buy one before the end of the year but with Christmas and all, it kept getting pushed back.
I have a friend who owns a lot of guns and knows a lot about them and we're planning on going shooting with him so we can give it a try.
We've both been feeling really anxious about it for some reason, just in the last few months. We'd like to get a hand gun first, then a rifle. Jaaromy wants to get a shotgun for shock value in case someone breaks into our house. Downside is that there are a lot of people thinking the same thing and guns are really expensive right now.
If you need any help with anything, let me know... I have plenty of fresh research for you as to what is good to buy. I also recommend picking up "The Concealed Handgun Manual" by Chris Bird and give it a good run through before making any final decisions.
I have to say I love my shotgun. There's something liberating about blowing something apart! :) I actually wish I had a smaller one and could go shoot more because I would do it for sport, you know - the clay pigeons. It's challenging for me. I love that. I know this post isn't really about the sport, but that's why I have one.
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