This "Thing" I Have About Guns

Posted Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 12:07 AM

"Because I CAN"

This is my standard answer when someone asks me why I carry a gun, and collect them. To some people, you are some kind of paranoidal maniac if you even WANT to own a gun. There are some who even think that firearms are inherently "evil" and will jump up and harm people on their own! Now that is such a stupid thought, that I wouldn't even give it a mention, except that you DO hear people infer to it!

I grew up around rifles and pistols, got a REAL education in the Marine Corps, and have collected and carried for over four decades now, and to this date, not ONCE have I ever had a pistol jump up out of its holster, or off a nightstand and shoot anybody by itself.

Owning a gun calls for the same responsibility as owning a car, except for the political hysteria by the media. A drunk driver runs a school bus off a cliff and kills 40 kids. It makes the 4th page in section two. Let there be an accident with a 22..............the stories run for days, weeks, somebody wants to sue the manufacturers, etc.

(That's like suing General Motors because some drunk got his hands on a Chevrolet and wiped a whole family out with it). It all comes down to individual responsibilities.

I'd like to have a hundred dollar bill for everytime some anti-gunner has tried to "lecture" me of the evils and inherent dangers of firearms, how they are such an ardent threat to the safety of society...........as he stands there puffing on his Marlboro, surrounding ME with his "second hand" smoke. Cigarettes and drunk drivers have killed FAR more people on this planet than guns ever have, yet it's always US that seem to be "targeted" (no pun intended).

Anyway, the pistol I'd left with Mom & Dad before I took off to Tech School at Lowry AFB, was a Ruger Super Blackhawk, 44 Magnum revolver that I'd bought brand new in Fremont for $135.00, (I sure wish I could buy one for that today!) It was my first big-bore pistol of many to come.

As the judicial system in this country has become more lenient, the hoods have become bolder. That nut who shot 32 students at Virginia Tech knew full well before he ever stepped on campus, that the ONLY gun ON that campus would be HIS. Concealed-Carry was forbidden.

I've carried for YEARS because I firmly believe that a gun in the hand is better than a dispatcher on the phone. When a "lefty" sarcastically asks "What's the matter....afraid you're gonna get held up?"

NOPE. I'm not gonna get mugged or car-jacked either! If the back door glass breaks in the middle of the night, and even if you DID manage to call "911", the odds are pretty good that the cops won't get to HIM, before HE can get to you.

And the courts turn 'em loose. Children get kidnapped, sodomized, burned to death, and if they DO catch the criminal, the lawyers always seem to find loopholes via "disfunctional families"...........because "society" just "MISUNDERSTOOD" this poor soul.........he gets "therapy", and a year later he's right back on the streets. The victim's family goes through grief, gets no justice and too often the perpetrator goes free.

There's a REASON for these metal detectors in courthouses today. It's to try to protect the GUILTY from the JUST!

That's just the "criminal end" of why I carry. The MAIN reason is to be able to remain free, in an ever-changing time when the rights our founding fathers laid out for us are gradually being chipped away at.

If world history has proven ANYTHING, it has proven that a man with a gun is a citizen. A man WITHOUT one is a SUBJECT, and there is a sizeable difference between the two.

Wherever free men have been stripped of their means to resist, tyranny and oppression have always followed. There are those who take the Second Amendment out of context and insist that ownership only implies to the militias-------and they think that means the National Guard.

The National Guard is NOT the militia. When we do the research, we find "militia" defined by our founders THEMSELVES as follows:......"The militia shall consist of all able-bodied men over the age of 17, capable of bearing arms during chaotic times."

And the Amendment clearly states "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall NOT be infringed." The day they come up MY driveway, they'll wish they'd taken the time to READ that. As Lamont once stated on a similiar subject, "they'd better bring some groceries, 'cause it's gonna be an all day job!"

Anyway--------getting away from the political crap, I will NEVER surrender mine. If the next guy doesn't want to own a firearm, that's HIS business. and as long as he isn't out there trying to deprive me of MY right to own, he'll have no problems with me.

I've had to shoot people before----in combat----and it isn't anything I'm proud of, it's nothing to brag about. It is my sincerest wish that every gun I have, rusts up and crumbles to dust before I ever have to do it again, but if it comes to having to fight for OUR freedom here in America...........Vietnam was just a warm-up! I've said it before, that I'll die on my feet before I'll live on my knees. I will protect all I hold dear------except for my wonderful wife maybe.......who shoots a tad BETTER than I do on a good day! If anybody breaks into our house when I'm in Boise, and Donna's there by herself-----they STILL aren't getting a free pass!

Women are generally a lot easier to teach to shoot than men are. I've taught a few guys to shoot, and most seem to have this "image" that they already know what they're doing from watching enough movies.

I've found over the years that WOMEN tend to be afraid of guns as a rule......they're afraid of getting hurt out there, so they'll LISTEN to instruction! They grew up with Barbie Dolls and aren't EXPECTED to know anything about guns, so there is no "macho" expectations to get in the way.

Beyond self-defense, there is a decided "survival" advantage, of investing in "lead" instead of "gold".........worst case scenario, if the "bottom falls out"......if we DO see the "Armegedden"............if we DID have to "flee to the hills"........:

A Winchester will feed your family

A 401K will not

The human right of self-preservation, is a right that is God-given, not government granted. So if you own a gun, you are under no obligation to make excuses, apologize, nor justify that ownership to ANYONE.

I have a particular fancy for lever-action rifles and World War II hardware. Firing a long barrelled lever action Winchester brings back the flare of the old west, and they are excellent deer rifles. Believe it or not, even in the age of the great Magnum caliber bolt action rifles, the old 30-30 lever action guns CONTINUE to account for more deer annually in this country than any other...........even after all these years of "progress."

World War II saw some of the best weapons ever. Simple, powerful, heavy-duty and built for the long haul. It is almost impossible to handle an old German Mauser or Luger, a Japanese Arisaka, an American Garand or a British Enfield, wipe them down after a shooting session, and NOT wonder where they've been, what they've seen, if only they could talk. Among my collection today is an old Springfield 30-40 Krag, made in 1899, used in the Spanish-American War, and even after nearly 112 years, it still shoots perfectly! It's a piece of history and I wouldn't trade it, even for a brand new thousand dollar Weatherby.

Speaking of "thousand dollar guns", I have also learned over the years, to spend the extra bucks for the GOOD brands, because in the gun world, you definitely get what you pay for. There's a REASON a High Point pistol can be had for a couple of hundred dollars, and a Smith & Wesson is up around EIGHT hundred or more. The "cheaper" one isn't the "bargain" you thought it was, if it decides to malfunction at some critical moment.

Handguns tend to be touchier subjects than rifles. Rifles are primarily hunting weapons of an "offensive" nature, while handguns are more "DEFENSIVE"..........oh yes, a lot of people say they're just buying a handgun for target shooting and plinking, but realistically, you KNOW why you're buying a handgun..........for self-defense. And that's ok........like I said, you need not "justify" anything to ANYBODY. It's not a "priviledge", it's a RIGHT.

If your rifle malfunctions in the field, you lose the deer. If your HANDGUN malfunctions in the hallway, you might lose your life. For this reason........my "carry", "nightstand", and "travel guns" are always revolvers. ALWAYS.

I own several automatics and enjoy them at the range, where an occasional jam or misfeed isn't an issue. But revolvers are simply more reliable, and available in more powerful calibers. You usually only get six shots in the average revolver, but in 357 Magnum, you only need ONE. Most 9mm automatics now have magazine capacities of 15 or so, but if you need that many to stop someone, you either don't have enough caliber, or you need to learn to shoot. And police files are FULL of reports where cops have had to shoot felons several times with the little 9's, to finally get the job done.

Spooky!

If you don't own a pistol but WISH to.......for protection........my advice (for whatever you might think it's worth), is to go with a revolver, MINIMUM of 38 caliber, and spend the extra money for the Smith & Wesson or Ruger.

It's been a very long day and gettin' late, so I'd better close this one off. I probably COULD "write a book" on guns alone!

Comments

View 21 comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

"Tell me", I was once asked, "What are your thoughts on gun control? Give me the short answer". To which I replied "If you try to take my guns, I will kill you."

I carry too, and was asked by a policeman, why I need to carry a pistol. I said "cause you're too heavy" He laughed and walked away.

-- Posted by sixguns on Tue, Jan 11, 2011, at 7:02 AM
Sixguns: Very funny! I had to laugh at the idea. It would make a wonderful comic strip.

Bazooka: Dude, I want you to know that I respect you so much. Granted, there are times that I may not agree with you but that is understandable. You're a man! hehehe However, I will confess to you that the first time I had a shotgun in my hands, as a teen, I felt such a "rightness" to how it felt in my hands. When I took aim and shot at a can for the first time, I can't ever express the feeling I had when that can flew and hit the ground. The sound of the bullet hitting that empty can was the most exciting sound I had ever heard. I was a teenager on a friend's farm. There were no guns in my house. My mother was against it reflecting her immense fear. My dad didn't hunt but I always knew that he longed for a gun and to hunt as he did as a boy in Texas. I often wondered if my mother's fear of having a gun in the house was connected to the abusive experience that she had married to my birth father. Word from my mother's friends was that he was very abusive, both mentally and physically. I heard stories of his attacks on her. She never talked about it. However, I knew that there was a connection. One of my fondest memories as a teenager was one Christmas morning, my Dad received a shotgun from my Mother. Wow! It was priceless! I don't know why but she decided to put her fear aside and give a gift to him that she knew was his fondest wish. Later, my Dad worked as a delivery driver for a big pharmacutical company where he had to drive all over the state. He carried a handgun due to numerous robbery attempts. I hate to imagine what would have happened if he weren't armed when some crazed drug addict attacked him in order to raid the drugs he carried.

WEll, this is turning into a book, huh. So my further confession is that while working at a sex offender treatment "facility", I took a private self-defense class which was no ordinary class. It taught you some real "kick-butt" methods to protect yourself. One of the big lessons was what to do to disarm a man. Well, the first time that I successfully disarmed the man in practice, I will admit, was a total high! I got that gun away from him very quickly. The feel of that handgun in my hand transformed me and I felt empowered; alive in such a way that I had no experienced before. With each new method that I was taught, I felt even more empowered. There was this little thing deep inside of me that suddenly flet set free. All of the times in my youth where I felt powerless to abuse, came forth and the anger brewed towards those in the past who had made me a victim. Having that gun in my hand, though it was all pretend play, gave me such an outlet to expel that anger. It scared me how much I loved the feel of that gun in my hand. Oh my, it felt good. I know that I will never be a victim again. Even without a weapon, I learned how to use anything around me to defend myself. But I also know that if warrented, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up my handgun and protect my kids or anyone else. God bless America for still allowing that freedom.

-- Posted by kimkovac on Tue, Jan 11, 2011, at 8:24 AM
Sixguns! Funny...thanks for adding that.

And as usual, Mike, thank you. Like Kim, I've sure come to respect your writing. Don't get me wrong, (I'm sure you don't) I don't always agree by any margin. But mostly I do. I'm a diehard, so I just kept reading til I gotcha!

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Tue, Jan 11, 2011, at 11:38 AM
Very valid points Bazooka. I'll add this:

Due to the responsibilities you listed above, something strange happens when I "strap on iron". The thought of personal security stays in my mind. I become acutely aware of those around me, parking spots, dimly lit areas, even people's mannerisms and body language. How strange is it that the very fact that I carry a loaded weapon makes it likely I'll never need to use it?

-- Posted by sixguns on Tue, Jan 11, 2011, at 12:22 PM
you know it is a wonder to me why people still today fight for gun control, I to own a couple pieces of reliable hardware, and the reality is this, you want my gun, you can have it when you pry it from my COLD DEAD FINGERS. Man gun control always gets me fired up.

-- Posted by shockwave on Tue, Jan 11, 2011, at 4:00 PM
We are armed and loaded at my house and I hate Guns. How do we go about keeping guns out of disturbed people and hoods hand's if there is no History on them, and they have no criminal record ?

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Tue, Jan 11, 2011, at 4:56 PM
My sister in law was murdered in Northern Calif. She opened her front door and was shot. The kid had a gun behind his back. It was early morning. Pat's Brother's wife. She was only in her early 30's. Left behind 2 young kids.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Tue, Jan 11, 2011, at 6:43 PM
Oh ya they caught him, he will never get out of prison. He was in Pelican Bay for awhile but they have moved him, so don't know where he is now. I'm thinking about writing the story.... I have all the info saved and you won't believe who shot her !

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Tue, Jan 11, 2011, at 7:19 PM
Armed and Loaded at home too.... always have been .... and my kids knew where they were and they KNEW they better not touch them. EVER. They've all taken safety classes, and know how to shoot. I'm definately not for gun control. Don't think I've ever said how I felt here on the blog.

I was talking to my Mom one evening. Somehow gun control came up. My Mom is a soft spoken woman, a Great Grandma...and a great woman no matter which way you look at her. I'm not sure how we got to the point where she said something along the lines of "I have guns, always have had guns, and I'm not tellin' anyone, it's NOT their business. They can pry them from my fingers if they're lucky" Go Mom! This from a soft spoken woman with a strong mind.

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Wed, Jan 12, 2011, at 8:31 AM
One way to take care of an attacker.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110112/ap_on_re_us/us_self_defense_shooting

-- Posted by Eagle_eye on Wed, Jan 12, 2011, at 11:55 AM
i really enjoy your stories and opinions.

keep them coming.

thank you for your service.

-- Posted by HOSSTYLE on Wed, Jan 12, 2011, at 1:51 PM
Bazooka, great points again. One small word of caution though. When comparing calibers, one needs to compare apples with oranges. The technology of ammo has come along way. 10 years ago, I would have agreed with you completely. Today however, I can testify that my 9mm Speer Gold Dots will do alot more damage than my cheap department store .45 ACP TARGET rounds. I realize you know this, but I don't want a reader buying some .357 balls, thinking they'll work better than a 38+P in Hydra Shock.

-- Posted by sixguns on Thu, Jan 13, 2011, at 6:53 AM
Yes! 9mm is balistically the same as 38 Special, and the outstanding .40 is pretty even with a .45. I haven't tried the FTX, simply because for legal defense reasons, I prefer to carry what the police carry. It has been historically difficult for the 9th distric court lefties to prosecute folks for using hollow point self defence ammo when the state PROVIDES the same shells for cops.

I prefer autos, for capacity and shooting ease. Anything worth shooting once is worth shooting twice, and I can't double tap with a wheel gun :)

I have fired thousands of rounds through my Glock, (left handed and limp wristed), and cannot for the life of me PRODUCE a FTF (failure to fire). BUT, my backup is a sisx shooter in .357

-- Posted by sixguns on Thu, Jan 13, 2011, at 11:56 AM
It's NOT funny to me that the same folks who fight for gun control, charge US to pay for armed security guards. I'm sure you remember when a bad guy was shot and caught by the Chicago Mayor's security team? That SAME guy was ALL FOR gun control!

Sir, your revolver relies on timing. Those "chambered" rounds may strike iron based on simple tooth alingment. That could be a far worse cenario than a FFT. Granted, the failure rate is much less...but it remains.

INFO FOR ALL! The 9th is NOT "out there in Feinstein and Pelosi land". We, you, and I, fall under the 9th.

Hey, Bazooka! Let's go shoot! How can we set this up?

-- Posted by sixguns on Thu, Jan 13, 2011, at 9:54 PM
GREAT READ zook.....i personally dont carry several reasons.......people kill people weapons dont.....the only problem i have is people getting acess to weapons who shouldnt have them and irresponsible people who have them.I PROBALLY GOT TURNED OFF WHEN THAT KID SHOT HIS BROTHER ON BASE (75-76) PARENTS IN THE CLUB bad scene.....IV ALWAYS SAID SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN WOULDNT IF RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE HAD WEAPONS.I dont want to get into and argument about assault weapons they are a breed all there own for me

anyhow not all ( liberals are against weapons) BY THE WAY WHAT IS GUN CONTROL??????????????

-- Posted by lamont on Sat, Jan 15, 2011, at 6:47 PM
I WAS PULLING YOUR LEG I KNEW WHAT YOU WOULD SAY....ITS OK THOUGH THE RATIONAL IS REAL......I WISH THE STAND WASNT WHAT IT IS ON THE FULL AUTO THOUGH BUT YOUR RIGHT THE CROOKS WILL GET THEM OR CONVERT THEM TO IT.

FUNNY THING WHEN COLUMBINE WENT DOWN I SAID "THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN THE HOOD.....WHEN THAT KID PULLED HIS PIECE TEN KIDS IN THE RM WOULD HAVE BLOWN HIM AWAY.CRAZY BUT TRUE THOUGHT.

THIS GUY IN AZ SHOWED THE HOLES IN THE SYSTEM

BUT IM SURPRISED IN AZ NOBODY KILLED HIM..........

BY THE WAY THE DEATH PENALTY IS ALRIGHT WITH ME,I JUST HAVE IM SURE MORE LIMITS ON IT THAN YOU

ANYHOW .........I DID PULL YOUR LEG SEE YA......

-- Posted by lamont on Sun, Jan 16, 2011, at 12:13 AM
For what it's worth accidents do happen. When I was in my early 20's my brothers 2 boys ages 2 & 3 found a loaded gun and the 3 yr old shot the 2 year old. It wasn't my brothers gun and it didn't happen at his house. They rushed the 2 yr old to the hospital and brought me the 3 yr old who pulled the trigger, he was covered in blood and he was very visibly upset but didn't realize what he had done. The 2 yr old survived and to this day the one that pulled the trigger still has problems with what he had done.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Jan 16, 2011, at 10:29 AM
In my Nephew's case. They were out in the Country visiting a crippled man who had a loaded Gun under his Mattress. He lived alone and it was his source of protection living out in the boonies. He had no kids of his own and always lived alone. The 2 boys were put down in his bed for a nap and hence they discovered the gun and decided to play cowboys an Indians. The shot knocked the 2 yr old into the floor. The man was beside himself for not remembering about the gun before the boys were put into bed.

We did not put blame on this friend we considered it an accident. He didn't remember the gun being there, because it had been there for many years and he really never had to use it and he didn't know anything about little boys.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Jan 16, 2011, at 2:10 PM
My mother used to say that Mary Jo was the most powerful woman in history. She kept another Kennedy from becoming president.

-- Posted by skeeter on Sun, Jan 16, 2011, at 6:03 PM
I like that Skeeter and pretty true.

I have read many books on the Kennedy's. JFK's father made his money being a Rum Runner during the Depression and he had ties to the Mafia.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Jan 16, 2011, at 6:55 PM
Zook you got me curious about the Bilderbergs as I have never heard of this group before. I did a research and found this.

Is this the one your referring too?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Jan 17, 2011, at 9:47 AM

Respond to this blog

Posting a comment requires free registration:

If you already have an account, follow this link to login
Otherwise, follow this link to register