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I'd really like to own at least one gun to protect my wife and myself in the event of home invasion. I live in a small city, within a few blocks of the police station, but you're lucky here if you can even get the cops on the phone, let alone have them respond within an hour and a half. Unfortunately, I experience depressions in which I hit lows so low I just sit on the edge of the bed and imagine blowing my brains out. I had a great grandfather, and a father, who did. I just don't trust myself.
People who hate firearms simply haven't been raised to respect them. I was lucky enough to get that type of education in the environment where I was raised. Respect for safe handling is vital, but having a need for firearm as a tool (for protection against dangerous wildlife...whether rural or urban) then there's no context.
Generally, city folk and those w/o true father figures (+the feminization of our society, which is obvs. a recurring theme in our comments) don't have these educational opportunities, and in many cases are taught the opposite by their firearm-fearing parents.
Anecdotal of course but two of my friends here in Colorado were raised with firearms in the home as children but as they became adults became anti-gunners due to propaganda from the Corporate Press and University.
Yeah - you can’t save them all. Parents sometimes lose a grip on who’s imparting external influence these days. It takes work to continuously engage kids (esp during their formative years) to make sure you remain the center of influence and trusted guidance.
Get the kids out of public school…at least to a charter school that follows the classical education model, where they will be surrounded by peers whose parents drive the same values as you do (and teachers who have traditional values, too).
Many years ago I took a series of free classes as part of a Community Academy with a local city police department (a foothill city in San Gabriel Valley, CA). We had lectures and in one session we got to go to the shooting range and fire a rifle and handgun (both regular and automatic). I had been on an archery team in college (not that it is the same, except for having to aim and concentrate). I just think anyone owning a gun better get regular practice in shooting and safety. I found out from my Mom a long time ago that my Dad had a few handguns (he grew up on a farm in Indiana) but she made him sell them before my sister and I were born as she was afraid we might find them and there would be a tragedy. However, many many years later my Mom had depression (undiagnosed thyroid condition and given Prozac that caused her more problems) and asked the next door neighbor if she could borrow his gun (I don't know how she knew he had one) because her husband wanted to go hunting! (What? My Dad didn't hunt). NEVER loan your gun out to anyone. My Mom shot herself in the leg inside the house (thankfully didn't die or have permanent injury), went to ER and then DAD was questioned about what happened by police!. I didn't know about ANY of this until many years after the fact (because I was married and out of the house and no one told me.)
Congratulations! both for the good article and for the change of attitude that led to it. Next thing you know you'll be out at 6am hunting Bambi. And that will be another major change in attitude for a city boy because actually killing some (large) animal is a life changing event (and should be).
Today in beautiful dystopian CALIFORNIA I saw a guy with a T-shirt that had a gun illustration and the text ‘Piece Be With You’. We smiled and greeted each other.
I’ve attended a single gun class, enough to know I’d need extensive training before I’d do anything but freeze or get panicky in a crisis.
I like the way you roll. My small pistol and dead-eye aim will likely never be needed but in these times who can know. So happy to see you writing for other venues. Always let us know when that happens so we can follow you, like the stalkers we are😄
I’m taking a class tomorrow to get my enhanced carry permit. I’ve never been a gun person, but in recent years I’ve had a desire to learn about them and get familiar. I’m planning to get a membership to the local armory and start practicing, and learn as much as I can. I’m hoping to have a small arsenal before long.
I'd really like to own at least one gun to protect my wife and myself in the event of home invasion. I live in a small city, within a few blocks of the police station, but you're lucky here if you can even get the cops on the phone, let alone have them respond within an hour and a half. Unfortunately, I experience depressions in which I hit lows so low I just sit on the edge of the bed and imagine blowing my brains out. I had a great grandfather, and a father, who did. I just don't trust myself.
People who hate firearms simply haven't been raised to respect them. I was lucky enough to get that type of education in the environment where I was raised. Respect for safe handling is vital, but having a need for firearm as a tool (for protection against dangerous wildlife...whether rural or urban) then there's no context.
Generally, city folk and those w/o true father figures (+the feminization of our society, which is obvs. a recurring theme in our comments) don't have these educational opportunities, and in many cases are taught the opposite by their firearm-fearing parents.
City folks without fathers: me
Anecdotal of course but two of my friends here in Colorado were raised with firearms in the home as children but as they became adults became anti-gunners due to propaganda from the Corporate Press and University.
Here’s an early example of anti-gun propaganda, ironically from Eric “fast and furious” Holder
https://youtu.be/q8-sY4qJb54?si=fn8L4eOty_NxX8k8
Yeah - you can’t save them all. Parents sometimes lose a grip on who’s imparting external influence these days. It takes work to continuously engage kids (esp during their formative years) to make sure you remain the center of influence and trusted guidance.
Get the kids out of public school…at least to a charter school that follows the classical education model, where they will be surrounded by peers whose parents drive the same values as you do (and teachers who have traditional values, too).
Many years ago I took a series of free classes as part of a Community Academy with a local city police department (a foothill city in San Gabriel Valley, CA). We had lectures and in one session we got to go to the shooting range and fire a rifle and handgun (both regular and automatic). I had been on an archery team in college (not that it is the same, except for having to aim and concentrate). I just think anyone owning a gun better get regular practice in shooting and safety. I found out from my Mom a long time ago that my Dad had a few handguns (he grew up on a farm in Indiana) but she made him sell them before my sister and I were born as she was afraid we might find them and there would be a tragedy. However, many many years later my Mom had depression (undiagnosed thyroid condition and given Prozac that caused her more problems) and asked the next door neighbor if she could borrow his gun (I don't know how she knew he had one) because her husband wanted to go hunting! (What? My Dad didn't hunt). NEVER loan your gun out to anyone. My Mom shot herself in the leg inside the house (thankfully didn't die or have permanent injury), went to ER and then DAD was questioned about what happened by police!. I didn't know about ANY of this until many years after the fact (because I was married and out of the house and no one told me.)
A .45-70 is a lot of gun for a beginner. Definitely get something more manageable for yourself.
Congrats. Being conformable and familiar with firearms is an important life skill, especially for men.
You may never wish to use one in earnest, but its better to know how to use one, than not.
I would say its as important as being able to drive a car.
Congratulations! both for the good article and for the change of attitude that led to it. Next thing you know you'll be out at 6am hunting Bambi. And that will be another major change in attitude for a city boy because actually killing some (large) animal is a life changing event (and should be).
Today in beautiful dystopian CALIFORNIA I saw a guy with a T-shirt that had a gun illustration and the text ‘Piece Be With You’. We smiled and greeted each other.
I’ve attended a single gun class, enough to know I’d need extensive training before I’d do anything but freeze or get panicky in a crisis.
Anyway, good on you and piece be with you.
If you’re interested in overall self-defense and protecting yourself from violence, I recommend the book,
“The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World” by
Matt Thornton.
This org also gives good online classes
https://www.solutionaryuniversity.org/service-page/understanding-imminent-threat
I like the way you roll. My small pistol and dead-eye aim will likely never be needed but in these times who can know. So happy to see you writing for other venues. Always let us know when that happens so we can follow you, like the stalkers we are😄
I’m taking a class tomorrow to get my enhanced carry permit. I’ve never been a gun person, but in recent years I’ve had a desire to learn about them and get familiar. I’m planning to get a membership to the local armory and start practicing, and learn as much as I can. I’m hoping to have a small arsenal before long.