Firearms ownership in America is, first and foremost, about protection. This has alway been my understanding, and being raised in the South "in a certain way" has left me with a deep commitment to protecting both my family and those less able to protect themselves. Military arms were infinitely more interesting than those designed specifically for the civilian market.
I began lusting for a FAL at about 14.
I was reading the gun magazines, planning, anticipating gun banning, looking at weight, action and capacity. My first centerfire pistol, purchased as soon as possible after my 21st birthday, was a Glock 21. My first centerfire rifle was an SKS. Always my focus was on autoloading or long-range suppression, multiple target addressing, titanium alloy, polymer, rugged as hell and armed to the teeth.
At the tender age of 26, I found myself, though not indordinately wealthy, owning 4 Glocks. I purchased one of the first Kel-tec folding "sub" rifles because of its ultimate tacticality, as I purchased one of the first P-32's because of its concealability. I stocked up on ammo. I courted and cajoled custom ammunition makers. I rode the wave of the one-handed knife craze. I finally broke down and bought an AR15 because my tactically trustworthy friends told me I NEEDED one (even though its evil gas system was not to be trusted). I had my CQB carbine, I had my long-range interdiction rifle, I had my bears-in-the-thicket short-range thumper, I had my primary carry piece, secondary, and deep cover pieces. I had tactical flashlights and body armor and pepper spray and impact batons and headgear to amplify intruders' steathly tread but protect me from auditory assault from my gunfire.
I joined the Army 'cuz I felt obligated after 9-11. I smoke targets at up to 7200 meters. I play with hardware and options that many Americans only dream about. I can lase with an infrared laser, clearly view the scene through my night vision gear, and drop targets in the blackest night. On burstfire, if I'm bored.
Two weeks ago, I looked around at my squad, as we wearily walked back toward our transport, and my gaze settled on our ultimately tactical M4's, festooned with lasers, foregrips, and red-dot sights. Stark black rifles do not blend into lush greenery. When you think about it, stark black doesn't blend into much. I realized that I DESPISE black guns.
I don't think I'll ever part with my long-awaited FAL. As useful and rugged as they are, I'm certain I'll always have a Glock or two in my collection. I still know the 2nd Amendment is not about duck hunting, but I've lost my tactically correct appetite. I'm feeling very drawn to single-action revolvers, and suddenly, Smith and Wesson sounds so much more appealing than Glock.
Maybe I'm growing up, or maybe I'm just growing old. Nah.
John
I began lusting for a FAL at about 14.
I was reading the gun magazines, planning, anticipating gun banning, looking at weight, action and capacity. My first centerfire pistol, purchased as soon as possible after my 21st birthday, was a Glock 21. My first centerfire rifle was an SKS. Always my focus was on autoloading or long-range suppression, multiple target addressing, titanium alloy, polymer, rugged as hell and armed to the teeth.
At the tender age of 26, I found myself, though not indordinately wealthy, owning 4 Glocks. I purchased one of the first Kel-tec folding "sub" rifles because of its ultimate tacticality, as I purchased one of the first P-32's because of its concealability. I stocked up on ammo. I courted and cajoled custom ammunition makers. I rode the wave of the one-handed knife craze. I finally broke down and bought an AR15 because my tactically trustworthy friends told me I NEEDED one (even though its evil gas system was not to be trusted). I had my CQB carbine, I had my long-range interdiction rifle, I had my bears-in-the-thicket short-range thumper, I had my primary carry piece, secondary, and deep cover pieces. I had tactical flashlights and body armor and pepper spray and impact batons and headgear to amplify intruders' steathly tread but protect me from auditory assault from my gunfire.
I joined the Army 'cuz I felt obligated after 9-11. I smoke targets at up to 7200 meters. I play with hardware and options that many Americans only dream about. I can lase with an infrared laser, clearly view the scene through my night vision gear, and drop targets in the blackest night. On burstfire, if I'm bored.
Two weeks ago, I looked around at my squad, as we wearily walked back toward our transport, and my gaze settled on our ultimately tactical M4's, festooned with lasers, foregrips, and red-dot sights. Stark black rifles do not blend into lush greenery. When you think about it, stark black doesn't blend into much. I realized that I DESPISE black guns.
I don't think I'll ever part with my long-awaited FAL. As useful and rugged as they are, I'm certain I'll always have a Glock or two in my collection. I still know the 2nd Amendment is not about duck hunting, but I've lost my tactically correct appetite. I'm feeling very drawn to single-action revolvers, and suddenly, Smith and Wesson sounds so much more appealing than Glock.
Maybe I'm growing up, or maybe I'm just growing old. Nah.
John
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