I Haven't Had a Good Rant In Some Time
I have a couple bones to pick with the general populace, but because I'm too polite to say anything I'll regret latter, I'm left ranting here (you poor people).
My first rant comes from something every legally armed individual with half a brain should be ranting about: being disarmed.
Without going into much detail I'll just say that I was "asked" not to carry in an establishment, though that establishment has boasted about how "pro-gun" it is. The reason given was that "THEY" (meaning, of course, the establishment) "don't want me to hurt myself or get hurt because I have a gun."
I won't get into much of how "they" knew I was carrying (because it was concealed) other than I was trying out a new holster, I was bending over to reach a dropped pen ACROSS a desk, and "THEY" saw a bulge in my sweater and actually grabbed it. I won't get into much of the exchange after I felt someone grab my gun, but let's just say it wasn't pleasant.
Were this some anti-gun, disillusioned establishment with unreasonable understandings and fears, I could almost understand their error in thinking, but as this was a self-proclaimed PRO-gun establishment, I was shocked at the vial anti-gun arguments that came out of the mouth of an individual who claims to be a supporter of the civilian public to keep and bear arms.
For the first time in the last two years (other than when I went to visit family in Wisconsin) I was disarmed.
I was angry.
"THEY" said they didn't want me to get hurt, but I didn't see them providing armed security back and forth from my car and then to and from my home.
I neither ask nor expect anyone to protect me and that is why I have taken that responsibility on myself. I don't carry be a hero. I carry so that I have a fighting chance in this world that seems to get more evil every day.
How can an establishment that claims to support our rights also restrict one's rights? Why should those principles apply only in theory and not in practice?
Anyway... On to rant number two.
People and their pride.
A man comes into our shop today and wants a Glock 23 or 27 for home protection/range practice and there's nothing wrong with that.
Then I overhear him say that he's hoping his wife (who's terrified of guns) will also be able to handle the gun and get interested in shooting with him.
I ask him if his wife has ever shot a gun before, to which he responds that she has not.
I suggest that perhaps the .40 in such a lightweight frame might not be the best starter pistol for her and that perhaps he should look at something in a little less potent of a caliber.
Apparently I committed the carnal sin.
He yelled, "Nothing in my home will ever be less than a .40! If I had it my way my wife'd start with a .44!"
I don't understand this kind of thinking. As though the .40 the woman won't touch because she hates the thing is going to be better in the back of the safe than the 9mm she might actually enjoy shooting and practice with?
I wished him luck in his shooting goals with his wife and told him to come back and give me a full report when he takes her to the range. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a sinking feeling we'll not only NOT win another shooter, but possibly another frightened wife suffering from husbandneedstocompensateitis.
And last but not least.. Do people actually not have a problem passing on complete fantasy as truth?
I mean, we know that the antis do it all the time. We have come to expect that. But what about us gun folk? Shouldn't we be held to a little higher standard?
When someone comes to us, seeking advice, isn't it up to us to make sure that advice is sound?
I sat and listened in disbelief as a man recommended a .22 magnum to a woman who came searching for a gun for home defense and carry against her ex-husband who is currently under investigation for the murder of his previous wife.
When the woman actually ASKED for a more powerful gun as she really felt she needed a bigger bullet, the man proceeded to recommend a .38 and talk her OUT of the .357 that she had been eye-balling.
Then he told her that ONE hollow-point round from the .38 would be all she would ever need to take down whatever was coming at her.
She smiled, relief seemed to flood her face and she thanked the man for his advice.
When I tried to interject into the conversation and warn her that it may actually take MORE than JUST ONE hollow-point round, she looked confused again and the man played me down as though I was just trying to scare her.
I pray she never has to use her gun, but I don't want to think of her picking up her gun with confidence, firing it in self-defense and then being devastated when her magic bullet doesn't stop an attacker.
I pulled her to the side and said, "Despite what you've heard. Don't count on one bullet doing the trick. If you need to, just keep pulling the trigger. Stay safe."
I've also heard it said that from 10 yards a .40 caliber round to the arm will stop any attacker (no matter what he's on) dead in his tracks.
WHERE DO PEOPLE GET THIS INFORMATION?
If it does... GREAT! But why set someone up to expect that kind of thing? Why tell them this caliber or that will bring an attacker down in one foul swoop when there are dozens of cases out there were individuals have sustained MULTIPLE hits of various calibers, all over the body and STILL kept coming? Why build that kind of illusion? That kind of stuff is for Hollywood. It has no place in reality.
We, as gun people, are the "go to" guys. What we say is expected to be true, even though we know that we can all make mistakes and that a second opinion should be acquired.
However, the little old lady who woke up one morning to find her window broken and scared to death, just looking for a chance at defending herself, doesn't know to get a second opinion. She expects to be told the truth by the person in the gun store. She deserves as much.
I'm tried of hearing BAD advice about carry methods, calibers, guns, laws, and mindset, and even more tired of being told I'm wrong or being condescended when I try to interject a little reality into the conversation.
I'm not the begin all and end all on these matters, but I'm not an idiot either. In many cases I've had to readjust my thinking and get a few facts straight and when I'm told I'm wrong I seek out either the proof of my error or my confirmation. However, some of these things, if one knows even just a hint of what they speak, can be extremely logical and with a little common sense, very easy to comprehend.
I feel like making and handing out cards with every gun purchase that say something to the effect of "Take everything you heard with a grain of salt, get a second opinion, and do some research. This is your life, protect it with sound advice."
We aren't advising people on what color to paint their living room walls. We are advising them on what tool they should rely on to save their own life if it comes down to that. Shouldn't we feel an awesome responsibility to get our facts straight and give good advice?
I know I do.
Anyway, those are my rants... I feel better... but only a little bit. I'm still irritated! :aargh4:
