Posted on 10/06/2008 6:28:35 PM PDT by marktwain
Buck Sawyer starts every class with a prayer thanking God for keeping his family safe. He also prays he'll know when to draw his gun. The soft-spoken, retired law enforcement officer teaches a concealed-weapons permit class for legal residents over the age of 21 who don't reside in a mental institution, have a criminal history or harbor a notion to overthrow the government.
These days, a lot of law-abiding folks who never had much interest in gun ownership are rethinking self-defense. Sawyer's class was an eclectic mix of talents from first-time shooters -- well into their AARP years - to experienced hunters and military veterans, fluent with weapons. Some of the women looked like they'd be more comfortable at choir practice than shooting targets. But don't let bifocals and sweet manners fool you.
"Before I'd let a punk hurt me, I'd blow him up and sleep good tonight," Sawyer told the students assembled at Calvary Baptist Church in Aynor for the all-day course. "I aint afraid of King Kong, as long as I've got my Glock."
Lorene Wright, 61, was among the first-time shooters. She borrowed a friend's gun for the class but will probably buy a weapon for protection once her permit comes through.
"I like to walk. It isn't safe, even walking with a dog," said Wright, who processes loans at Horry County State Bank. "I'm a Christian and I feel like the Lord's my greatest protector, but I think we've got to use common sense in the world we live in, so I want to be legal."
Steve Martello of Conway, 44, a member of the National Rifle Association, has two small children and wants the permit for family defense. His wife has already signed up for the next class.
He and Loris resident Adam Cooper, 26, wanted to get their carry permits before the November elections. They both feared that a victory for Barack Obama would mean the end of concealed weapons permits. Working third shift at a motel on Ocean Boulevard made Ron Hicks of Conway aware of the dangers that surround him.
"My brother got robbed," he said. "I've been meaning to take this class for a while."
Cecil Nell Cox of Loris lost her husband in July and does a lot of traveling by car, sometimes alone. Having some protection will make her feel safer, she said. Every student was painstakingly fingerprinted for mandatory background checks by S.C. Law Enforcement Division by Sawyer's son, while he prepped the class for their written test, introducing gun safety and reviewing laws that govern concealed weapons permit holders. One question on the application stumped several students. It seemed like a simple question, but non-criminals instinctively check the wrong box. "Have you ever pleaded guilty, been found guilty, paid a fine, forfeited bond, been jailed or placed on probation for any offense?"
The answer should be "yes," even if your entire rap sheet consists of a parking ticket, Sawyer told the class. A traffic violation wouldn't disqualify the applicant, but SLED might reject the application if an applicant answered "no."
A couple of guys began to squirm, wondering if drinking too much 30 years ago would suddenly become an issue. And a few grandmotherly types, sheepishly shaking their heads in disbelief, passed a bottle of White Out around. By afternoon, smaller groups lined up for target practice outside the church, which is insulated by woods. Everyone fired 50 rounds, learning to load semi-automatic clips or revolver chambers and firing on command.
According to the NRA Web site: "States with [Right to Carry] laws, compared to the rest of the country, have lower violent crime rates on average: total violent crime by 24 percent, murder, 28 percent; robbery, 50 percent; and aggravated assault, 11 percent."
"If it hadn't been for the National Rifle Association ... the Brady crowd, the Rosie O'Donells and the Clintons would have done away with guns," Sawyer said.
No one left the class feeling like an expert marksman, but most felt more comfortable handling a handgun. Although shooting paper targets is a far cry from reacting in a life-or-death situation, the class offered a good start.
"I just hope I never have to use it," Wright said.
ping
i THOUGHT OF THAT TO...IF OBAMA IS PRESIDENT...i WILL NEED A GUN.
Im afraid If I dont think like him...they may try to ruin us or take away our home!
NO JOKE! THATS AFTER HE TAKES AWAY OUR GUNS!
I’ve got my 9mm and 12 gauge at the ready and a couple of bags full of rounds for both in case some Obama Campers come trick-or-treating at my door.
And I have a GFL for concealed carry.
Better get your guns now. and lots of ammo. If Obama wins we are going to see a fascist assault on conservatives in the proportion of Hitler's Holocaust.
If Obama loses you will need a gun even more. You will have several months to get one though … riots never happen in the winter, only happen in the hot days of summer. The need for new electronics seems to coincide with the hotter months. ;-)
BO has been quoted on many occasions as saying, “ I dont believe people should own guns” He has said this over and over againg to many people when he was at the University of Illinois. If he wins I strongly suggest everybody be ready and start to stock up on ammo - it will be the money of the new economy.
I’m not talking.....
OMG that’s scarey. I called several friends today, they are all terrified of this Guy. Who is Obama?
If you truly believe what you are saying...you should be calling everyone you know!
God Bless
Exactly true but I'll be not one in ten gun owning Freepers is a member. I'm on the banglist quite a bit and I asked repeatedly if the Freepers would put the NRA initials into their tagline. Look around and notice how few there are.
DH and I went to a gun shop recently, and the owner said guns have been flying off the shelves ... lots of women as well. We’re hoping to get our CCWs within the next couple months. The gunshop had a McCain/Palin sign in the window :)
If Obama loses, we’re all going to need Glocks.
If we get the socialist Obama to go along with the socialist Reid and socialist Pelosi any citizen that wants to be safe to be able to protect their family had better be getting their guns now.
It will be a dangerous time to be an American, to be a Christian.
God Bless 'em.
A SIG is a much better first gun than a Glock for the semi uninitiated as it’s DA/SA and less likely to remove yer toes. If Zero gets elected, semi’s are gonna be verboten, but not forgotten. If you think this might matter (LOL) then maybe be lookin at a used Ruger GP100 in .357, SP101 in the same caliber, and any of the various Smith titanium revolvers... You gots to have ammo, so bloat up boys and girls. Oh.. and screw permits... prolly too late for that polite bullshit.
Got your back.
Half those buying their first guns are blaming the economy and Bush.
I’ll bet there are a lot of obama stickers on those cars in the parking lot. The dummies just haven’t made the connection. They were told obama “supports” the Second Amendment.
On the plus side, the blue states disarmed themselves. I’ll sit back with my popcorn.
Thanks guys. Those ads didn’t pay for themselves. You helped pay for them and I hope obama is choking on them.
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