Today I became a gun control advocate!

vanity | April 19, 2002 | Self (vanity)

[john in missouri]

Well, folks. I just got back from a trip to the local shooting range, and I would like to announce that I am now a gun control advocate.

This announcement may surprise some who have corresponded with me here. It may also surprise some who have met me at one or two recent gun rights events here in Missouri when I tell you that until today, I actually had not fired a gun of any kind in more than 20 years.

So today I did.

I fired a box of 9mm ammo from a Glock 19 into a non-silhouette type target (I wasn't quite ready for the idea of shooting at anything that even resembled a person, even though I know that unfortunately, there are times in life when such may be legitimately called for).

I am now a definite advocate of tight gun control, because the more effectively you control the gun, the better you can hit the target. And I'm very pleased to say that I hit the target pretty darn well for a guy who hadn't handled a firearm for 20 years. I tried shooting at 20, 40, and 50 feet. The range supervisor complimented me on the results, and I had a nice show-and-tell for my family when I got home.

A few minutes ago, my 8-year-old daughter approached me and said, "Dad, do you think *I* could fire a gun some time?"

So now I have more gun control to think about. I think I'll probably start her out with a BB gun, then progress to a .22 rifle. After that, I am anticipating some great father-daughter bonding at the local range.

Gotta start 'em on gun control early... 8-)

[HiTech RedNeck]

I am now a definite advocate of tight gun control, because the more effectively you control the gun, the better you can hit the target.

hoo-ya!

[Poohbah]

Waste enemies, not ammo.

[AUgrad]

Without proper gun control, guns are useless. I've been a gun control advocate my whole life.

[Menkenspiel]

Gun Control: Hitting What You're Aiming At

I'm all for it, too. ;)

[Dinsdale]

Gotta start 'em on gun control early

Don't worry you can still make up for lost time. Get quality hearing protection for the child (and yourself, I like the suspenders and belt approach).

[BlackbirdSST]

Good going john in missouri! By all means, make it a family tradition. Blackbird.

[frodolives]

You're a darned child abuser, you are. She's already EIGHT, and doesn't yet own her own firearm? Not even SHOT one? F'shame! We were plinking cans at five.

[Michael2001]

Sniper motto: "Don't run because you'll only die tired"

[vinylsidingman]

A few minutes ago, my 8-year-old daughter approached me and said, "Dad, do you think *I* could fire a gun some time?"

From the Mouths of Babes,,,,, God Bless Em

[WilliamWallace1999]

Forget the BB gun. That's for kids to get into trouble with. A nice Chipmunk 22 with a peep site is a great way to start a kid off. Guns are not toys, so toys should be guns. Just something my Grandpa believed. Teach them early on that a gun is FOR REAL. I took my daughters (four in all) hunting from an early age. They saw the whole process from field to freezer and are better off for it.

Go get 'em Dad

[Benrand]

I am going to a range for the first time tomorrow, I hope someone will help me learn that we ALL need tight gun control for the child's sake and I guess Barabara Boxer's screeching voice will be in my ears the whole time.

[Ken H]

My kind of gun control!

[FairWitness]

Bump for gun control - the right kind!

[kidd]

The Boy Scouts here in Connecticut teach all the members of the troup gun safety and they start them out with BB gun target practice.

[Constantine XIII]

Could these be made into bumber stickers? :)

[Shermy]

Clearly, some law organizations are against gun "control."

Probe ordered after machine gun lost from truck (North Carolina police)

[truth_seeker]

Get quality hearing protection for the child (and yourself, I like the suspenders and belt approach).

Could you explain what you mean by "quality" and by "suspenders and belt approach." (My main interest now, is understanding hearing protection.)

[HiTech RedNeck]

plugs and muffs

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Heehee. Fooled me with your title.