We need more of this

[TexKettering]

I agree with laying off the reporter for only listing 3 rules. The main point here is that she learned proper gun safety and how to safely use a handgun.

As gun owners, we should stress safety but not come down on someone just because they missed a point that a majority of shooters really aren't going to have to worry about.

 

[MachIVshooter]

As I understand it guys, some people teach 3 rules + a corollary, which amounts to the same thing as the four rules. I've never encountered it myself, but that's what I understand.

"Always keep it pointed in a safe direction" (or never cover anything with the muzzle you do not intend to destroy, as I preach it) is more or less the same as "know your target and what lies beyond". It also pretty well covers the "treat all guns as loaded guns" part. Pointing a gun at an unidentified target or one with an unacceptable backstop is not pointing in a safe direction.

I drill safe direction more than anything else. I don't keep all my guns empty and I routinely place my finger on the trigger when I'm handling them if I'm not giving instruction or otherwise setting an example. But so long as the firearm is pointed in a safe direction, there is no danger if an AD/ND should occur. Muzzle control is absolutely paramount, IMO.

I did like the article.

 

[Gun Columnist]

I'm the "lady reporter" from Fenton, MI

(That description, used in one of these posts, tickled me by the way.)

I would have never guessed that writing my weekly column would give me so much pleasure as I had after getting dozens of emails from gunowners across the country. Thank you!

NRA News invited me to be on their satellite radio show last week to talk about my experience with basic pistol training. That was a blast. Cam Edwards is a great host.

Working as a reporter is really hard work if you take it seriously (by that I mean, get your facts right, get your quotes right, break stories). It's often really thankless.

So thanks a million to each of you who wrote. The pile of emails did not go unnoticed by me editor. I'm not much of a forum person, but I'll check back in after I've been through the CCW class. Julia

 

[Wineoceros]

NRA News invited me to be on their satellite radio show last week to talk about my experience with basic pistol training. That was a blast.

Pun intended?

Any plans on doing a piece on the D.C. v. Heller case?

 

[keeleon]

So, did you meet any guys while shooting?

I remember when I was trying to teach my brother gun safety, I told him there were 4 rules you had to follow to not have a problem. For the life of me I couldn't think of the 4th one, (which by the way had him laughing his butt off at how "safe" that was). Of course it was the don't point at anything you don't intend to shoot, and I did have to yell at him for sweeping me a couple times, which is funny because he followed all the other rules great, just not the one I didn't tell him. But I will agree that "know your target" is very similar in my mind and when I practice, so I forget the other one. But I can see how if he is not a shooter, he doesn't think about "sweeping" because I am not a "target", so he doesn't have to worry about pointing it at me.

 

[CountGlockula]

That's pretty much how I started out: Took an NRA basic handgun class and bought my Glock a couple of weeks afterwards.

 

[Hoppy590]

local news came to talk to the shop owner at the store today.
after the brief, pointless SCOTUS interview

after it was over, the owner was explaining to the reporter laws, paperwork, safety etc, and offered to give a free handgun safety course to the news crews. even offerd to do it at the news station. good guy.

 

[bensdad]

Gun Columnist,

The fact that you posted here has brightened my day. Welcome and don't be a stranger.

P.S.- I already e-mailed you, but, again, great article!!

 

[mio]

Welcome to the shooting world Gun Columnist. Feel free to post a paperplate every now and then, we all enjoy watching a new shooter as they become more proficient.

 

[2Lman]

Welcome, and it is good to have you here!

 

[wishn-i-was-fishn]

This is a great story with positive benefits for all gun owners, so why all the nitpicking about the rules that you ASSUME were not covered because of the limited space in a newspaper column?

1) you were not in the class, if you were you would know that the three rules mentioned were NRA's first three cardinal rules for "Safe Gun Handling",
which Julia quoted corrrectly as taught by the NRA.

2) The class was also taught EIGHT additional rules to follow when USING or STORING a gun:

• Know your target and what is beyond.
• Know how to use the gun safely.
• Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
• Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
• Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
• Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.
• Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
• Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

Julia was a great student, eager to learn and very attentive with no preconcieved ideas or years of bad habits to deal with.

She is excited about shooting and plans to get involved in some of our local IDPA events as well as join a ladies shotgun league at a local club.

I am proud to say that we have been teaching NRA First Steps Pistol to at least 4 - 6 new shooters each month since I accepted the Chief Instructor position at Fenton Lakes a year ago. We also regularly teach monthly Concelaed Pistol License Classes and since last fall periodically teach the new NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home. All of these classes hear ALL of the rules mentioned above over and over again.

Daniel DiRienzo Jr
NRA Training Counselor
www.migunteacher.com

 

[Brian Dale]

Welcome to The High Road, Ms. Zaher! Please stick around; it's a friendly bunch.

Working as a reporter is really hard work if you take it seriously (by that I mean, get your facts right, get your quotes right, break stories). It's often really thankless.

Thank you.

It really does matter.

Shotgun? Please let me be the first to advise you to choose the gun that fits you, then follow the motto of the Shotgun forum here: BA/UU/R

(That's Buy Ammo / Use Up / Repeat )

Good to see you back, Mr. DiRienzo

 

[romma]

Welcom Gun Columnist.

 

[Ske1etor]

Welcome Ms. Zaher and Mr. DiRienzo. Glad to have you here!

 

[axeman_g]

email sent
Julia,
As a shooter with over 20 yrs of experience, sometimes the littlest mention of a moment on a range or of an insight can trigger a smile. Your column from Monday March 10, 2008 did exactly that. I often become numb to the routine of the range, while always very careful and safety oriented; I often miss the thrill one experiences with the initial blast of the first round firing. Or the feeling of empowerment when you realize you can control this weapon and make it do what you want it to do, not the other way around; that this inanimate object does not control itself.

Thank you for making me smile and bringing to light that guns can not fire themselves, that accidents are not accidents and that sensible people can and do make up their own minds in regards to gun ownership. Additionally, you really must have been in a tick off a “lefty” mood when you wrote this, with your statement of taking your tax refund to purchase a handgun, both situations equally horrible to the more liberal of our fellow citizens, but combined together might get you tossed in the Sean Hannity Memorial Pit of Eternal Damnation.

Sincerely,
Gerry Aiken