Handguns and a Balanced Life

[Nuclear]

I have other hobbies, but they (generally) don't cross over into possible life or death situations. OK, maybe sports cars, but only if something goes terribly wrong (just like guns). I check in on a few gun boards, but I don't see the "I wanna get into a gunfight" mentality on ANY of them, particularly the one CCW board I frequent. After hearing about the lack of accuracy by LEOs and seeing it first hand at shooting competitions, I wish more of them would be a little more obsessed about handguns.

For the record, I do know CCW holders who have "police dogs" (dogs trained to attack on command), who do carry OC or Tasers and high output flashlights so they have less lethal options if something happens. Are they being too paranoid?

Another thing to consider about the lack of posters' other hobbies on gun boards is a lot of the boards, including and especially this one, have rules about keeping topics gun related, unless they have off topic sub-forums.

Actually, now that I think about it, the OP kinda sounds to me like a troll trying to get people wound up.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Actually, now that I think about it, the OP kinda sounds to me like a troll trying to get people wound up.

My exact point in Post #22, sadly.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

My EDC doesn't keep me balanced, it's the extra mag on the opposite side.

 

[drk1]

When I saw the words "handguns and a balanced life" I thought you were referring to one in each hand!

 

[John Joseph]

I continue to find the O.P.'s comments offensive, pretentious and judgmental.

He makes it a point that he was a police officer and carried a gun for 20 years.

So what? I am retired from one Department after 23 years of service and that does not count my time with other departments.

He admits to his lack of interest in handguns when he states "When I was carrying a duty revolver it was always on my mind that I had a .357 but it was seldom a concern---it was just there in case I needed it.
The less I thought about it, the better I was at doing the other 999 things(such as situational awareness) my job required. There were times for department qualifications, training, practicing on my own dime, and cleaning & maintenance of course, but outside of that my revolver was simply a tool like a hammer or drill.
When I had my first CCW, it was pretty much the same thing.'

I have known many leo's with the type of attitude. They only carry a gun because the job requires it. They do not practice often on their own time and requalification is something to be dreaded.

While most of handguns work fine out-of-the-box almost all them can benefit from customizing to make it a better handgun for me. Different grips, changing the sights, action job, replacing parts, choices in ammunition are al topics that I have read and discussed on forums.

I just brought a new S&W M&P 9mm last week. I brought it for self-defense knowing in advance that I don't like the trigger pull on it so I am going to replace it with a APEX Duty Trigger Kit. The APEX Duty Trigger improves how quickly I can fire repeated shots and improves my ability to shoot accurately It turns a gun that rates 7 out of 10 points to 10 out 10 for me. So is that making me "excited about getting the chance to be in a gunfight?"

He makes a point of judging people by what he considers to be their lack of a balanced life but stops short of what he considers to be the balanced life we should have. Everyone of this forum have different types and levels of interest in firearms hence the difference topic forums. I don't judge them and hope they don't judge me simply because I have more interest in different types of shooting and firearms,

Then he concludes his long post by stating "true asset to the shooting sports!"

Sorry but the 2A is not about "shooting sports!"

Times have changed but unfortunately some people's attitudes have not.

"I have known many leo's with the type of attitude. They only carry a gun because the job requires it. They do not practice often on their own time and requalification is something to be dreaded."
Tell me again about attitude? I worked with LEOs having all kinds of attitudes. The best scores I ever shot were when I was shooting 3X week and that was on my own dime.

"It turns a gun that rates 7 out of 10 points to 10 out 10 for me. So is that making me "excited about getting the chance to be in a gunfight?"
Not sure which is more disturbing, you getting excited about getting into a gunfight or you believing statistics on a controlled range translate into a sure thing during a fluid and unpredictable altercation. Either way that's a mental picture I prefer to forget.

"He makes a point of judging people by what he considers to be their lack of a balanced life but stops short of what he considers to be the balanced life we should have."
Being balanced means being able to function within your community and life. In your 23 years as a LEO you made the same judgement every single time you dealt with the public.

"I don't judge them and hope they don't judge me simply because I have more interest in different types of shooting and firearms,"
No one is judging you unless you spout off about how you're going to single handedly wipe an NG infantry platoon with a Glock and a pallet of ammo (no kidding this macho stupidity has been posted on other forums) in which case we should be concerned.

"Then he concludes his long post by stating "true asset to the shooting sports!"​

Sorry but the 2A is not about "shooting sports!"​

The shooting sports is the traditional gateway training to military marksmanship. That is one of the Historic goals behind the formation of the NRA​

Sargent Alvin York learned the shoot hunting squirrels and that's a good thing. You can bet he didn't boast on the internet about how to capture foxholes armed only with a 1911(with only a seven round magazine at that!)​

​

We're in a battle to defend the 2A. It's a vitally important battle and if lost will turn the Constitution into a worthless scrap of parchment. Everything the shooting community does will be seen as either an asset or detriment to the cause by those sitting on the fence. Appearances matter, and words matter.​

Mall commandos don't help​

 

[labnoti]

(no CCW holder I know of has a police dog or carries a taser and mace on the Sam Browne)

Not a "police" dog, but personal protection dogs are actually a lot better. Police K9's are almost always low-budget deals. They're usually funded by donations and the training is limited by budget and the fact that the police have 999 other things to do. But there are protection dog institutions that take the training, sports, competition, qualifications, and breeding to the highest level. KNPV, IPO, Schutzhund, Belgian Ring, French Ring... are the source of police K9's and the foundation of the US MWD program, and the elite dogs are all privately owned, not by bureaus. There are breeders and brokers that will sell overpriced PPD's to individual clients, but a dog and handler team is not going to be very effective if they're not fairly well immersed in it themselves. Similar to "handguns," there are posers who are more bark than bite, and they can do a lot of posturing. Nobody is going to achieve very much without having a horrendous investment of themselves in it, and only a complete fool would be willing to risk all that to "get a bite" so to speak.

But yes, a well-trained dog is an outstanding asset. They are a good deterrent. If you're paying any attention at all they can sharply increase your situational awareness. Even the most powerful and athletic man should never underestimate a dog's ability.

As for other less lethal EDC items, tasers and stun guns can be legal in most of the US, but choosing CS/OC spray may be more effective for the purpose of defensively incapacitating an attacker without any intention of subduing them for arrest. CS/OC spray is also effective against dogs that attack, which is more likely to happen when you have your own.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

"It turns a gun that rates 7 out of 10 points to 10 out 10 for me. So is that making me "excited about getting the chance to be in a gunfight?"
Not sure which is more disturbing, you getting excited about getting into a gunfight or you believing statistics on a controlled range translate into a sure thing during a fluid and unpredictable altercation. Either way that's a mental picture I prefer to forget.

Meh.... you lost me right here John.

 

[John Joseph]

Meh.... you lost me right here John.

You are right, Sappyg2.0 and I was out of line, Accuracy is commendable and worthwhile mods are, well, worthwhile.
It is difficult to make my argument because I am arguing in response to internet phantasms---there is no way of knowing if posters are who they say they are---CCW holders, LEOs, victims of crimes, survivalists, etc...I am only responding to what posters who claim to be what they say, and who come across as being a few frijoles shy of a chalupa, much to the detriment of the fight to retain our Freedom.

In earlier times they could make their boasts in taverns (and get clobbered) or write letters to the Editor (and be ignored) but now circulation moves at the speed of the internet, with no accountability. We should have the wherewithal to judge a poster's truthfulness but on forums, especially forums, people come to learn and may be in no position to determine if something is truthful, or BS.
Notice the expensive advertising too many gun and ammo makers are using---their marketing people are exploiting the ninja mall commando ethos and the public apparently is buying it. Unbalanced souls are particularly vulnerable to having their alternate egos fed,
Some time ago I attended a DOJ course and learned how some misfit youths have been "groomed" online by
sundry criminal and political fringe groups to participate in gang activities ranging from rioting to meth dealing to human trafficking to murder.

With the same cynicism I read posters who sound imbalanced, I have to accept that some might think I'm a poseur as well and that is your right, but my opposition isn't to the 2A, or CCWs, or LEOs, or survivalists. My concern is for rational arguments with which to defend against 2A detractors, and not Rambo-oids portraying Americans loyal to the Constitution sound like examples of bad fiction.

In short---we need more forums that take the High Road. We should all be grateful.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

It is difficult to make my argument because I am arguing in response to internet phantasms---there is no way of knowing if posters are who they say they are---CCW holders, LEOs, victims of crimes, survivalists, etc...I am only responding to what posters who claim to be what they say, and who come across as being a few frijoles shy of a chalupa, much to the detriment of the fight to retain our Freedom.

Yes you are. The longer you spend on internet forums of any kind, the more you will learn they are reflective of all the social media data mining and Facebook nonsense that's been in the news lately. There is a ton of fake crap out there and people who just outright lie. There are also a lot of people who just want attention and say inflammatory things to get people riled up. The reality in my opinion is that they have unfulfilling and uninteresting lives, they feel unheard, and just start spouting before they think about what they are saying. I am guilty of an internet rant here and there, and when I look at my earliest posts on THR, I wish I could go back and delete them. However I can't and maturation is a part of life and knowledge acquisition.

However the more we engage with the attention seekers, the more they will persist, on both sides. I believe all we can do is calmly and logically defeat the ridiculous things they say and ignore the rest, less we feed their addiction. Hickok45 just talked about this recently. Give it a watch if you like.



I've got to say though, your tone is very judgmental and that alone will turn a lot of THR members off of your assertion. Calling people crazy or "a few frijoles shy of a chalupa" without any real evidence to back it up plays into the ideas of the antigunners that there are too many unstable people out there to trust citizens with their own safety. It inadvertently feeds the idea that we need to be saved from ourselves. There have always been unbalanced and unstable people for as long as there has been people. The internet just gives them a voice. I don't disagree that internet commandos make things worse, but they have the same freedom of speech as the rest of us. So be encouraging of others to keep a level head and not react. Avoid judgment, because as you've stated, you don't really know what people have been through.

In earlier times they could make their boasts in taverns (and get clobbered) or write letters to the Editor (and be ignored) but now circulation moves at the speed of the internet, with no accountability. We should have the wherewithal to judge a poster's truthfulness but on forums, especially forums, people come to learn and may be in no position to determine if something is truthful, or BS.

Critical thinking comes with maturation and experience with any media. My dad thinks anything he reads in a particular newspaper is gospel. It isn't. I have been steered in the wrong direction many times on THR, only to have a more experienced individual come along and call BS on a particular assertion. Critical thinking and reading skills are the user's responsibility, and the relay of good information is the responsibility of the participants. We are our own police force. The mods are just here to keep things civil. That doesn't change that people have opinions.

Notice the expensive advertising too many gun and ammo makers are using---their marketing people are exploiting the ninja mall commando ethos and the public apparently is buying it. Unbalanced souls are particularly vulnerable to having their alternate egos fed,

That's because they are selling a product and are interested in making money. Who has money and may believe the hype? Younger and inexperienced shooters might.

Some time ago I attended a DOJ course and learned how some misfit youths have been "groomed" online by
sundry criminal and political fringe groups to participate in gang activities ranging from rioting to meth dealing to human trafficking to murder.

Yes, that's part of how ISIS and other radical religious groups gets young people to blow themselves up in crowded places. Internet recruiting for other purposes is of course going on.

With the same cynicism I read posters who sound imbalanced, I have to accept that some might think I'm a poseur as well and that is your right, but my opposition isn't to the 2A, or CCWs, or LEOs, or survivalists. My concern is for rational arguments with which to defend against 2A detractors, and not Rambo-oids portraying Americans loyal to the Constitution sound like examples of bad fiction.

In short---we need more forums that take the High Road. We should all be grateful.

Then frankly speaking you posted this thread in entirely the wrong light. Your original post comes off as judgmental and opinionated as hell, and like you think people who carry guns are imbalanced and just trying to show off. There are folks out there like that for sure, but limiting their right to talk like jackasses is just as wrong as limiting our right to keep and bare arms. A civil discussion about image is fine, and we have them frequently on THR, but they are productive when they are in the context of "How should we engage with the anti-gunners?" rather than "Boy there's a lot of cooks out there who own guns, and I think they make us look bad."

 

[BSA1]

Tell me again about attitude? I worked with LEOs having all kinds of attitudes. The best scores I ever shot were when I was shooting 3X week and that was on my own dime.

Well bully for you. I also find practice improves my shooting scores. But your comment has nothing to do with the fact that most LEO’s only carry a gun because the job requires it and they lack the interest to practice on their own time and requalification is something to be dreaded.

Not sure which is more disturbing, you getting excited about getting into a gunfight or you believing statistics on a controlled range translate into a sure thing during a fluid and unpredictable altercation. Either way that's a mental picture I prefer to forget.

If I understand your comment correctly you are saying by me changing things on my handguns so the gun fits me better and makes it easier for me to control and shoot more accurately means I am excited about getting into a gunfight.

Well judging from how many aftermarket parts are made and sold there must be a lot of gun owners that are “excited about getting into a gunfight.”

Being balanced means being able to function within your community and life.

You have still failed to say want you exactly consider a balanced life to be.

So what does carrying a gun have to do with not being able to function within their community and life?

In your 23 years as a LEO you made the same judgement every single time you dealt with the public.

Not for me. I am mostly Libertarian so I don’t judge other people by how they live their lives.

Que sera sera. I find life much less stressful this way

No one is judging you unless you spout off about how you're going to single handedly wipe an NG infantry platoon with a Glock and a pallet of ammo (no kidding this macho stupidity has been posted on other forums) in which case we should be concerned.

Dang it. Did I go telling how I did that by myself again?

The shooting sports is the traditional gateway training to military marksmanship.

In the late 1700’s and most of 1800’s hunting to put food on the table was most common use of firearms. I don’t consider that to be “shooting sports.” Hunting was a necessity and ammunition was too expensive and valuable in those cash strapped days to use on the shooting range.

America had little need for a standing Army for which they relied on calling up and training civilians. Training citizens was a challenge for both sides, especially the Union, during the Civil War.

It certainly does not apply for today's soldiers.

That is one of the Historic goals behind the formation of the NRA.

It still is but the NRA role is now more focused on saving our gun rights.

Sargent Alvin York learned the shoot hunting squirrels and that's a good thing. You can bet he didn't boast on the internet about how to capture foxholes armed only with a 1911(with only a seven round magazine at that!)

Did they really have the Internet when Alvin York when he was alive?

None the less the 2nd Amendment has nothing to do with shooting sports. I am afraid we are too far apart to agree on anything you have posted. You want to bash and criticize handgunners whereas I support all types of legal gun ownership.

 

[CDW4ME]

When I was carrying a duty revolver it was always on my mind that I had a .357 but it was seldom a concern---it was just there in case I needed it.
The less I thought about it, the better I was at doing the other 999 things(such as situational awareness) my job required. There were times for department qualifications, training, practicing on my own dime, and cleaning & maintenance of course, but outside of that my revolver was simply a tool like a hammer or drill.
When I had my first CCW, it was pretty much the same thing.

When I was a cop in the early 1990's there were cops "into" guns (me) and those that were not.
Revolvers were issued, one could carry a personally owned semi if it was approved; I carried a Glock 21, I was a pistol enthusiast then and now.
Prior LE experience does not give ones opinion increased validity, IME cop =/= handgun enthusiast (expert) - generalization not specific to this thread.

 

[John G C 1]

I still think the original post makes a lot of sense and it is fine that he asked. If I were to make a change in the original post it would be to add the phrase "a small but vocal number of handgun owners."

This sort of thing is true on many boards from all over the spectrum. As others have said, the local advocate gets online in a forum where some other local advocates are posting and they feed on each others' energy and use the posts as the outlet for things they may not have the opportunity to say in a normal day.

Some of the responses to that original post are overly-sensitive and paranoid and suddenly jump to the idea the guy is a "troll" because he says something a few people do not agree with.

The original post is polite and simply phrased as someone asking if the kinds of of posts we all sometimes see on pistol forums are cause for concern.

I think he is correct, and surely he is within his rights to politely ask if his perception is correct without being accused of all sorts of thing.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Some of the responses to that original post are overly-sensitive and paranoid and suddenly jump to the idea the guy is a "troll" because he says something a few people do not agree with.

The original post is polite and simply phrased as someone asking if the kinds of of posts we all sometimes see on pistol forums are cause for concern.

I think he is correct, and surely he is within his rights to politely ask if his perception is correct without being accused of all sorts of thing.

That's your opinion. Clearly many others have had a different reaction to the post.

We live in a day and age where people are literally trying to take away out 2A rights. Overly sensitive? Gun owners are being demonized by large factions within our country. Gun owners are defensive, as always is the case when advocating for a constitutional right. For me it's not the question, it's the tone. There have been and always will be idiot legal gun owners. Characterizing many concealed carriers in that light is offensive to those of us that carry for good reason, are perfectly logical, safe, and responsible.

Hint: Don't come to a gun forum and talk about how a lot of people who carry are giving us a bad name, and expect a ton of support.

 

[armoredman]

In earlier times they could make their boasts in taverns (and get clobbered) or write letters to the Editor (and be ignored) but now circulation moves at the speed of the internet, with no accountability. We should have the wherewithal to judge a poster's truthfulness but on forums, especially forums, people come to learn and may be in no position to determine if something is truthful, or BS.

If I may address this one line - this is always the way it has been. We have no way to verify the veracity of any reporter on any forum or venue, and often lack the wherewithal to independently verify the claims made, unless it's the weatherman. This is truth timeless. Accountability and "judging a poster's truthfulness" sounds like requesting some third party to intervene, and pronounce this persons fitness to communicate, which might be likely to be a 1A violation. It falls upon the individual reader to decide what he or she believes, partially believes, disbelieves and/or wishes to refute/promote.

 

[Kano383]

I don't really see what is offensive in the OP's initial post... He merely remarks that he has noticed a change in attitudes in a portion of the general firearms owners' community, and that it is especially apparent in online forums. He may have used a broad brush, but a broad brush reflecting what he has seen on the surface of the Internet landfill.

It's simply true that thirty-forty years ago the "tacticool" wave was just a ripple on the pond, and that more shooters were interested in hunting and target shooting than in tactical training.

It is also true that there are a number of wannabees out there that create a lot of noise, and stand out like a ballet dancer at a bikers’ convention (or ist it the opposite? ) - and it is true that this is counter-productive to everyone interested in firearms, because it gives easy fodder to anti-whatevers.

Of course the majority of CCW holders are not like that: they are simple people with a balanced outlook on life, and no desire to ever need to use the firearm they carry. They just want to be ready, and see this as a sensible and responsible thing to do for a sentient human being.

But guess what... The guys who get noticed are the loud ones, not the quiet ones. So, if you listen, which in today's world means reading what happens on the Net, you invariably come across these loudmouths, and a cursory look at some forums may leave you with the impression that they are much more numerous than what they are in reality.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I don't wish to make a harm towards any man, but willn't be unprepared if he does them unto me.

 

[buck460XVR]

The internet is a wonderful source of infinite information. It is also, unfortunately a source of infinite myths, half-truths and outright lies. It is also impersonal, distant and vague. The anonymity it gives folks, especially on internet forums, makes so folks can easily stretch the truth or post pure fantasy without having to back it up with proof. Thus I tend to not believe every post I read in hunting forums about folks hunting deer for 50 years, taking hundreds of animals, without a miss or a poor hit. I also take those photos of 1" groups, freehand @ 50 yards from a snub .38 with a grain of salt. How about those threads of the dumb salesclerk at Dick's? He/she is portrayed having the intelligence of a Special Needs student than is still in grade school, while the OP proceeds to impress us all with their superior knowledge and how they put said salesperson in their place. All of these things are unwitnessed and have no proof, still there they are. While there is the possibility they are true, are they? Even a little? Did they even happen, or are they just a figment of someone's imagination in a vain attempt to boost one's image to strangers?

The OP does have some good points. He also touches upon the idea that there are folks out there with wild fantasies about getting involved in a confrontation leading to a shootout. I gotta say, after better than a decade of being a member of several Gun Forums, there is a good deal of truth in the idea. Facts are, everyone that straps on a EDC, does so with the idea that if and when they use it, there will be a positive outcome. We all know that is fantasy. Even the best scenarios mean someone is likely to be killed or hurt. Not a pretty thing even when it is the bad guy. Most of us want bad guys hurt or killed, even those of us with a very healthy balance. Just human nature, sometimes called Karma. Back when I was young, we had folks that had visions of saving the world from crime, that were not real cops. They were called "Sheriff Posse Volunteers". They didn't carry guns, but had the uniforms and were issued a flashlight and had a Walkie-Talkie. They worked Wedding dances, Event crowd control and County Fair beer tents, and most had an attitude. We have a similar version today without the uniform and now they carry a cell-phone. We call them "Mall Ninjas". Same type of personality, same thought process. Go to an area prone to criminal activity and try and insert yourself into it, to somehow complete the hero fantasy. We all have a hero fantasy, it's why we all have heroes.

Just because one is an ardent fan of firearms and weaponry, does not make them unbalanced. Just like the overweight bicyclist that wears a Lycra Spandex body suit for their 1/2 mile ride after work, there are those firearms enthusiasts that go the extreme also. Does not make them unbalanced, maybe just a tad enthusiastic. There's a fine line between that tho and unbalanced. It's that fine line that separates a healthy enthusiasm and dangerous fanaticism. It's because that line is so fine, in many cases, that so many mass shooters and possible mass shooters....go unnoticed.

The OP has touched on something that many of us are sensitive to. He may have a different view on some things than many of us, but he is not completely invalid. Yes, there is a lot of B.S. on internet Forums and yes, there are numerous Trolls lurking that only want to stir the pot. Goes with the territory. We may not agree with every post we read, but we should try and take something from it. It's the gift that internet forums gives us. Just remember the grain of salt to take with it.

 

[CraigC]

On one hand, I think there is too much obsession about something that statistically has a very remote chance of happening. On the other hand, it keeps people serious about their rights and the defense of their home and family and THAT is a very good thing. IMHO, folks want to be prepared for a fight but no one actually wants it to happen. My biggest fear is being in a situation where I have to defend my loved ones but am either unprepared or unable to fulfill that duty. Some people take the responsibility seriously, some do not. We're better off as a society the more people take personal responsibility for their personal safety.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

There's a lesson here if you look for it

 

[Hokie_PhD]

On one hand, I think there is too much obsession about something that statistically has a very remote chance of happening. On the other hand, it keeps people serious about their rights and the defense of their home and family and THAT is a very good thing. IMHO, folks want to be prepared for a fight but no one actually wants it to happen. My biggest fear is being in a situation where I have to defend my loved ones but am either unprepared or unable to fulfill that duty. Some people take the responsibility seriously, some do not. We're better off as a society the more people take personal responsibility for their personal safety.

I’ve trained in martial arts for almost two decades.
I train to fight for my life

The reality is I’m not likely to be attacked where I need to fight hand to hand.

I train with firearms in the event that something bad happens.

I’ve had a classroom shot up and been trapped without a firearm or any other weapon. My training allowed me to stay calm and protect my students and gave a security guard the opening to grab the gunman.

With all of the social unrest and nastiness it’s much better to be prepared than not.

 

[Varminterror]

Most folks only do have one or two hobbies which elicit a high degree of passion, and occupy a huge proportion of their spare time and mental interest. Most folks find one or two things which excites them, and any spare moment from their work week and family time is used to that end. For some folks, that passion might be backpacking, wood working, playing guitar, martial arts, driving dirt track stock cars, hunting, needlepoint, video games, weight lifting, fishing, online RPG’s, leather working, cycling, model building, etc... some people are passionate about firearms sports.

There are only 168 wee hours in a week, somewhere around 110 of which we spend sleeping or working. Many hobbies, by nature, will saturate the remaining 50ish hours we have available.

I spent 20 years of my life riding bulls, a decade of which in professional circuits. I woke up, hit the gym in the morning, worked a during the day (intermittently calling to enter rodeos and making travel arrangements), then practiced 3-5 hours every night, 3 nights a week on live bulls, the rest on bucking machines and horses, and finished my day with flexibility pre-hab and rehab programs, and watched competition and practice video in the evening most nights to improve my practice plan. I competed typically in 125 events per year, some years 150-160, all over the country, flying many weeks, and driving 60-80,000 miles per year. My only friends were other competitive cowboys. I negotiated with my employers to ensure a flexible work arrangement, so I was able to work anywhere in the country between rodeos. I wasn’t balanced by some standards, and I’m not bothered in the least by those who might say such. I was competing on the biggest stages rodeo had to offer, making good money as an engineer and as much money riding bulls, and traveling all over the American continents meeting people and experiencing sights. When I was younger, my spare time was spent working with riding coaches, when I got older, my time was spent coaching others, and working with other pro’s to improve. Any hour I was awake, I was thinking about riding bulls.

Throughout that time, I was a firearms competitor when I could find time, and also an instructor. That naturally evolved to include concealed carry instruction, so I have spent a lot of my time dedicated to being proficient in teaching the subject and understanding the nuances in entails.

These days, I’m too old and out of shape to be competitive in the rodeo arena, so I have more time to spend hunting and competition shooting, and more time instructing - and continually learning to be a better student AND better instructor. Hunting doesn’t fill my time the way I need, so I spend most of my focus on competitive shooting, and on firearms coaching and instructing. I don’t have the energy to work as hard as I once did, and I won’t ever enjoy the national or professional successes I did riding bulls, but I do enjoy spending my time behind the trigger, challenging myself to be better, and helping others be better too.

 

[JeffG]

These days, I’m too old and out of shape to be competitive in the rodeo arena, so I have more time to spend hunting and competition shooting, and more time instructing - and continually learning to be a better student AND better instructor. Hunting doesn’t fill my time the way I need, so I spend most of my focus on competitive shooting, and on firearms coaching and instructing. I don’t have the energy to work as hard as I once did, and I won’t ever enjoy the national or professional successes I did riding bulls, but I do enjoy spending my time behind the trigger, challenging myself to be better, and helping others be better too.

I knew I liked you!

 

[JeffG]

With all of the social unrest and nastiness it’s much better to be prepared than not.

I'm with you there, 100%!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You realize we're talking about mere words, not actual shootings?

No matter how these Internet Cowboys talk, there are no statistics showing that they shoot up the town, or go looking for gunfights.

 

[JeffG]

Just because one is an ardent fan of firearms and weaponry, does not make them unbalanced.

"Possessing weapons is not the window dressings of evil intent." I said that.