The article that got a liberal interested in RKBA

[Vermont]

Here is the link to the article that really got me interested in defending the right to keep and bear arms. It is by Greg Perry. All I know about him is what it says at the end of the article. Before I read it, I was ambivalent about the right to bear arms. If you had pressed me to take a position I would have leaned towards gun control, but this article lit a spark in me and the rest is history.

I read the article again today for the second time, it is not fantastically well written, and many will take umbrage at his treatment of ARs, and he doesn't seem to have any specific credentials when it comes to guns other than he is an American citizen, but for some reason the article really got to me.

I read it September 11th of this year. It seems like it was a long time ago, but I guess it was only a few months. I have a .22 for now and I have my dads .30-30 that he hasn't shot for 30 years. I'm still saving up for that M1A.


In the article he links to Fred's Rifleman's Page where this Fred guy sells a Guide to Becoming A Rifleman and other stuff. Has anyone read this guide or know if it is worth purchasing?

I would also love to hear any general comments about the article by Mr. Perry, positive or negative.

 

[redneckrepairs]

IMHO the political labels of " liberal" and " conservative" are just that . I am by no means " progressive " but allow me to welcome you to gun ownership . It is good to see anyone exercise freedom at any time . Do us all a favor and take an anti gun friend to the range , a lot of fear of guns is created by lack of first hand experience .

 

[Nolo]

It was a little aggressive for me.
Especially since I find the 5.56 to be quite a good round.
Meh.
Whatever.

 

[Black Knight]

Welcome to the real world. A world where we realize that each of us is responsible for taking care of ourselves and our families while causing as little distruption in the live of others as necessary. No one else is going to take care of us like ourselves. Gun owners normally have their minds open where we may listen to other views then form our own decisions based on all the information available. Most died-in-the-wool antis are not so open minded. Glad you have an open mind. Not all gun owners agree 100% of the time on everything, but that is what makes us group of unique individuals. An example is resturaunt (alcohol served) carry in Virginia. There are those that want it and some that don't. Me, I have mixed thoughts on it. Mostly because I was brought with the idea that alcohol and guns don't mix. I understand both sides but have my doubts that each side is correct and that the proper position is somewhere in between. Good luck and again welcome.

 

[Big45]

From the article:

Do you live in California? If so and you’re reading this, why haven’t you called the realtor yet? There are a lot of states that would benefit you.

On the contrary, I think California could benefit from a lot of Riflemen.

 

[TallPine]

If you want some cheap practice, trying to hit a gopher at 150 yds with a .22 LR is about like a man-sized target at 500+ yds

 

[Baba Louie]

A liberal reading Lew Rockwell huh? One with a libertarian bent perhaps?

Nothing wrong categorizing oneself as this or that. I do like the idea of wanting to be an American Rifleman capable of hitting a target 400 yds distant without using glass. Doesn't matter if one is liberal, conservative, this or that, as long as one agrees that the 2nd amendment was written to limit government (Congress) from infringing upon one's RKBA allowing ownership of the arm that allows an American to hit a target at 400 yds. distant.

Vermont, while you're saving up for the M1A keep your eyes peeled for old Mausers in 6.5x55 or 8mm, perhaps something from Switzerland in 7.5x55 or maybe even one of those old Garandad's in 7.62x63 (.30-06) from ODCMP. They'll be a lot cheaper to get ahold of and ammo is usually available. (Same holds true for the AR platform.) I like the FN-FAL platform myself... and the Swedish Mauser and the Schmidt-Rubin, etc.

Regarding Mr. Perry's article... I personally think of the American Riflemen remaining in California as, oh, I don't know, well... I will say it takes a brave man to stay behind enemy lines, either laying low or fighting the good fight. And, it's always good to have friends who know the lay of the land, as it were. (Not that California is behind enemy lines or anything like that mind you ) I also tend to think of the AR platform as a modular system allowing one to own a single lower and multiple uppers and as such, marvel at the flexibility it affords. Thus, one who castigates it absolutely tends to... give me pause to wonder. Finally, while I enjoy the shooting sports, Sept 11 or April 19, Dec 7, etc... every day is a good day to remember those who came before us and died as a result of enemy action, doncha think?

And Fred? He who sells M14 stocks (and other things)? It behooves him to sell the idea of becoming a proficient rifleman using something he has to offer.

Is this a great country or what?

Glad you're here and one of the gang, no matter your liberal (or conservative, libertarian, etc) tendencies. You might want to check out Jeff Cooper's book, "The Art of the Rifle" as well as Fred's writings.
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Rifle-Firearms-Jeff-Cooper/dp/0873649311

Then check out the price of various rifle ammunition. Ya gotta feed the noisy buggers ya know.

So if Mr. Perry's article got you to this point, kudo's for both he and thee. (and Lew Rockwell)

 

[DCoats]

This is a great article. As one living behind enemy lines in CA I can say that I am torn. I have no real affection for my state other than the fact that there is a lot of good food and fun things to do around here. Our Governor signs one anti-gun bill after the other and our legislature fires em up. The illegal immigration has parts of my state feeling like Mexico. But it is where I've lived my whole life. Should I just move so I can exercise my rights and join the Unitied States? Or stay and fight the system? We'll see in a few years.

 

[Gator]

Fred is a great guy who works tirelessly promoting riflery and the independent spirit that goes with it. His efforts go far beyond mere advertising in order to sell a few more stocks.

Fred can also be a cantankerous old fart sometimes, and not the quickest at shipping out orders, but his heart is in the right place and he means only the best.

 

[Vermont]

A liberal reading Lew Rockwell huh? One with a libertarian bent perhaps?

To be honest, I do find myself gravitating more and more towards libertarian ideas, though that is the only thing I have ever read on Lew Rockwell. I found the link to it on another website.

keep your eyes peeled for old Mausers in 6.5x55 or 8mm, perhaps something from Switzerland in 7.5x55

I was looking at the K-31 and I definitely want one. I almost bought one because from what I've heard they are going to start getting much more expensive soon, but I've been working hard for the M1A so I'm gonna get that first.

It was a little aggressive for me.
Especially since I find the 5.56 to be quite a good round.

Agreed. His treatment of the 5.56 round was harsh. When I first read it, I didn't even know what the heck he was talking about, but when I went back and read it today the criticism seemed a little over the top.

 

[single action]

Vermont,
Welcome to the shooting family, AKA the gun culture. Happy you are one of us.
I think Freds guide to becoming a rifleman and his aqt targets are well worth the money, buy some, practice and go to rwva.org and sign up for a appleseed shoot. its the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

 

[CU74]

I was looking at the K-31 and I definitely want one. I almost bought one because from what I've heard they are going to start getting much more expensive soon, but I've been working hard for the M1A so I'm gonna get that first.

As one who owns three K31s and an M1A, I highly recommend buying at least one K31 now and postponing the M1A purchase. I've watched the prices for the K31 almost double over the past year - Springfield is still making the M1A.

 

[Vermont]

CU74,

Thanks for the advice. It makes sense. I'll think it over again.

 

[roscoe]

Another pro-gun liberal chiming in here. I used to be a gun-control supporter and for me it changed when I studied the arguments in support of gun control in detail.

Here is the syllogism:

Premise A.: Guns are extremely dangerous for anybody to own (you are, say, 50 times more likely to use a gun on a family member than a criminal),

Premise B: Gun control will reduce criminal gun use, and make us all safer.

Conclusion: It is worth giving up a little liberty (and the illusion of safety) for the enormous benefit of reducing violence.

Now, when I studied the premises, (having studied a little multivariate statistics) I found they were not only not true, but that they were the opposite of true. Since gun control advocates were bandying these claims around, I decided that they were not trustworthy and checked up on all of them. The house of cards fell right there.

A lot of this liberal support of gun control comes from a wing of liberalism that is pacifist, rather than the sort of sturdy fighting attitude that fought fascism in Spain in the 1930s. It is sort of sad that liberals can't see that pacifism is a good tactic in certain circumstances, but is a hollow philosophy.

Anyway, good for you in thinking for yourself, and don't think that you have become less of a liberal just because you no longer are repulsed by guns.


By the way - for a budget shooter interested in a fighting rifle, the SKS (with the Tech-Sight added) is hard to beat, and next on the list would be a Saiga.

 

[Big45]

I think the current White House Administration's actions since 2000 have done more to change the average liberals view on private gun ownership than anything else. They're just as scared as the rest of us.

 

[PAshooter]

Fred's Guide to becoming a Rifleman is definitely a worthwhile read. As has been pointed out, although Fred does sell M14 stocks and such, his primary interest seems centered on promoting civilian marksmanship.

Yes, he is a bit wacky in some ways, but don't let that distract you from his core message.

 

[NG VI]

pretty caustic. california does strike me more and more as being a place where super rich people play and super poor people do what they do, i hope i never have to go there for more than a few days

 

[ken grant]

Get Fred's Guide to Becoming a Rifleman, the best info you can get on learning to shoot a rifle. While at it, get some targets as well.
Join the RWVA and attend an Appleseed Shoot, some of the best instruction on the planet. Also be able to purchase an M1 rifle from the CMP(cheapest way to buy one)
Get a .22 rifle and follow the steps in the Guide and learn to shoot it well. The same skills will transfer to a larger rifle when you get one and also the .22 is much cheaper to learn on.