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| Guns aren’t bad: an epiphany |
| 2004-01-17 |
| An article like this in the LA Times? At least now I know my Surprise Meter isn’t broken! Hat tip: InstaPundit. Edited for brevity. If you’re prompted to register, just use steveyr/asshat Guns are bad. All my life, it’s been that simple. At my son’s preschool, if a child pointed a banana and said "bang," he was admonished to "use the banana in a happier way." As far as I was concerned, the 2nd Amendment gave us the right to protect ourselves against invading armies, not the right to buy a gun and keep it under our beds. So what would make someone like me change my mind? I met this gun enthusiast. As research for my new novel, I asked him many questions, all the while voicing my disgust. My character might use a gun, but I never would. "Come to the range," the gun guy said. "I’ll teach you to shoot." I expected a dungeon full of men missing teeth and wearing T-shirts decorated with Confederate flags. Instead, I found a sunny, wood-paneled lobby and guys who looked like lawyers on their lunch break. When my guide arrived, he gave me a choice of handguns. I went with the .357 magnum — I recognized the name — and a traditional target with a red bull’s-eye. I couldn’t imagine shooting at one shaped like a man. First lesson, respect your firearm. I got a little talk about how powerful it was. I learned how to hold it. To load it. And finally to fire it. It was terrifying. The gun was so heavy, I couldn’t keep it steady. It took both index fingers to pull the trigger, and then there was a flash of flame, a loud crack, a substantial kick. It was much harder than it looked in the movies. I occasionally hit the target, but I also managed to obliterate the metal hanger that held it. I have to admit: I loved it. I had a fantastic time. The power of that gun for me, a 5-foot, 3-inch woman, was immediately, shockingly seductive. The thrill when I hit the bull’s-eye (once) was as great as making a perfect tennis shot. I felt like I was playing a careful game of darts in a small, alcohol-free bar. Later, I was surprised to discover that some of my closest friends owned guns. People I never would have suspected confessed that their guns made them feel protected. Still, most of my friends thought handguns should be outlawed, completely, in every circumstance. I no longer was so sure. I did some research — there are countless testimonials about guns saving someone’s life. I looked into shooting as a sport. I spoke to a woman who had found a wounded deer and shot it, ending its agony. I changed my mind: Guns aren’t bad. I’m glad to see a convert, but I wouldn’t have started her out with a .357! That might have scared her and her 5’3" frame away from guns altogether. I’d have thought she should start small so she could concentrate more on the mechanics without fear of the recoil, but that’s just my two cents. |
| Posted by:Dar |
| #8 A .357 has a kick? Even firing .357 rounds, I don't feel much of a kick. I actually sold my 5-shot .38 because it was too small and I couldn't shoot it as accurately as my .357. Of course, I'm not 5'3", either. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-1-17 9:27:42 PM |
| #7 Agree on the 9mm Sig recommendation. Despite the usual advice (especially for women) to start with a revolver, I moved quickly to the Sig P229 in 9mm - fits my hand well, I can fire it for extended periods without becoming overly tired & I intend to achieve consistent accuracy with it. Once my permit is approved and I am allowed to use it legally, that is - here in NY it is illegal even to touch a handgun or dry fire one, including at a range with an approved instructor, until/unless the permit is issued. (sigh) Santa was very nice to bring the Sig this year; I remembered it from our Previous State of Residence and when I decided it was time to renew my shooting ability it wasn't hard to pick what to put on my list. Those who aren't willing to practice at least every 2 weeks or so, or to learn how to disassemble and clean a semiauto, probably are better off with the revolver, tho. |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-1-17 4:33:13 PM |
| #6 You folks have been lucky regarding fire arms. I was raised in a no pistol household. We had shotguns and rifles but nary a pistol. For close in self-defense we learned to use spit, rocks, sharpened rocks, crudgels, logs, till we got to the famed 32 oz. Louisville Slugger. Course my favorite cousin Kelly could clear out a card game with his concealed Doberman. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-1-17 3:14:56 PM |
| #5 "epiphany" - wasnt she one of the spice girls? |
| Posted by: flash91 2004-1-17 2:13:00 PM |
| #4 It would have helped if she'd described the gun model. I won't fire any .357 rounds over 125 grains in my Ruger SP101 because of its small frame, although my S&W 686 is a real delight to shoot with 158 grain ammo (I love that flame and the authoritative BOOM). I want to put in a plug for Packing.org while I'm at it. It's a great site for keeping up on gun news and CCW law on a state-by-state basis. For instance, Ohio has finally restored CCW for its citizens effective in April, and Packing.org will tell you which states have reciprocity (none yet) and which will honor Ohio permits (AK, ID, UT, OK, TN, KY, IN, MI, and VT). Please check out your state page and help the staff keep their pages up to date! |
| Posted by: Dar 2004-1-17 2:12:58 PM |
| #3 In fact the more I think about it, that's probably what happened. The gun says .357 which is why the reporter says .357 but the friend probably used the lighter ammo which is why she wasn't freaked out by the .357 recoil. |
| Posted by: ruprecht 2004-1-17 1:59:43 PM |
| #2 I would have started her with a .357 using 38 special ammo. That's the load my wife prefers, a bit less of a kick. Its still a revolver and if she liked it she can try .357 ammo. |
| Posted by: ruprecht 2004-1-17 1:58:25 PM |
| #1 Shoulda started her with a 9mm - maybe a Sig, most 9's are easy on the hands, no kick, keeps em from developing "tirgger jerk" (pulling the muzzle up in anticipation of the kick). But it sounds like they started her out on a revolver, which I guess is a good choice - no slide recoil, and they dont "look at mean" as the standard pistol. Thank God they didnt start her out on my 2 favorite sidarms: my old dependable Glock23 40S&W, and my baby I got for Christmas (you guys should have a wife that gets you one of these), my Kimber Pro Carry II Stainless Steel in 40 S&W instead of .45. Its my new concealed carry pistol - my Glock was too thick and "painted" too often - having to retrain my hands to do the 1911 stuff again, so getting some indoors range time in. Sometimes I wish is was socially acceptable for men to carry something like a hand-bag everywhere, it would be great to keep my Glock handy without wearing a rig. My wife still isnt on the Glock or 40S&W bandwagon with me, says the recoil hurts her wrist - she carries a Sig P239 9mm in her purse. Still, better than the 1911 we were both carrying when we first met in the service. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-1-17 1:35:11 PM |