Guns

I own an AR-15. I built it from parts. More assembled it than built it. But that's how you put them together. Especially when you've spent a long time determining how you want to configure your rifle, what the use case(s) would be, and what makes sense to you as the user. 

It's a facsimile of a dissipator. 16 inch barrel with full length rifle sights. But instead of a full rifle length gas system it has a mid length gas system hanging out under the handguard. Which instead of an A1 or A2 guard is a Magpul MOE. I run it with iron sights, just cause that's fun to do.

Now to many people the writing of those paragraphs would paint me as holding very specific policy plans and goals. But there in lies the rub. The complexity and experience of being someone who owns firearms, really likes them, but thinks we can do more as a society to address the issues they cause. 

I started writing this last year and kept stopping and starting. I couldn't ignore various events and the political climate. I was discouraged and felt I couldn’t speak up. I wan to be honest, authentic, and nuanced. But I’m frustrated. I’m tired. And I want to start taking about it. And this will be varied, meandering. It’s going to be fitful starts and stops like my thoughts. 

I don’t see how I can address this without being potentially contradictory or hypocritical. But I’m going to do my best. Hopefully to actually inspire some dialogue. We sure need it. 

Like I said before I like guns. I like owning and shooting guns. And I think we can use more specific controls over them and better enforcement of the gun laws we already have. And now I’m pissing off my liberal and conservative friends in the opening preamble of what will be a long meandering post. I just feel the need to write how I feel about but I have often struggled to articulate how I feel. But I'm going to try. 

---

So trying to decide where to start I think I have to talk through why I like to shoot. 

I’m not an expert or even as capable and skilled as a lot of people respect. But this is something I enjoy. And it's something that calms and focuses me. 

There are few things that bring me any semblance of peace in life. Not physically at least. The list is swimming, reading the right book, playing the right music, and shooting a gun.Breath control. Feeling your heartbeat slow. Taking control of shakes or tremors. Maintaining control of your trigger press, sight alignment. There's nothing like it personally. 

And I sometimes make it purposely harder on myself. What I choose to use in various aspects of my life is often outdated or sub-optimal to many people. But I just use what works for me, what feels best for me. Shooting is no different. That’s why I like revolvers and lever action rifles. Modern on down to cap and ball black powder monstrosities. 

For the uninitiated these are revolvers. There are two main types. Single action and double action. Single actions require you to cock the hammer before you pull the trigger. Double actions (typically) can either be cocked for a lighter trigger pull or you can pull the trigger without cocking the hammer (for a much stronger and more difficult to use trigger pull). 

And this is a lever action. You gotta run the lever to pull the trigger. Pretty self explanatory.

They're slower to shoot than some guns. They don't always have the best ergonomics. They have ammunition limitations. They're old.  But that's what I like about them. It's like driving a stick shift instead of an automatic transmission. Or an playing old school telecaster through a tube amp.

They fit my needs utility-wise and my shooting style best. They're perfect; for me at least.They keep me slowed down, focused, and they're still effective. They come in the ammunition needed to fit my purpose(s). 

People shoot and train for a variety of reasons. That’s something we have to grasp.Some people shoot for competition. Some shoot for entirely defensive and tactical purposes. Others hunt. 

Many people have specific firearms for specific purposes in those regards. 

I use my firearms for more than one purpose. I hunt. I worry about defense (ironically more often about four legged dangers). And I don't compete much as this point in my life. And I don't worry about being the most tactical. I just practice consistently with firearms that work. And I get better and better with them. Maintaining effectiveness with practice as much or more often than equipment.

There's a reason my woods guns are a revolver and a lever action over my AR and semi-automatic pistol. And there is a reason the home defense set up is mostly inverted.

My revolvers and lever actions are in hunting calibers. They can take big game ethically. And guess what they are also equally effective for self defense. 

Now that leads me to my AR and semi-auto. They were designed for self defense, not for hunting. So I use them for that purpose. Just like I did in the Army. 

They don't get as much range time, even if the ammo would be cheaper. But they part of why I shoot.  

---

Some people would read that and think, hell yeah, America! Others are going to be afraid that someone would be armed in such a manner and enjoy it. Those are both acceptable reactions that are part of the wonderful pluralistic society we live in. 

I recognize that participating in the use and ownership of firearms comes with the burden of responsibility. It comes at a cost. Like most things. 

Safety in handling, use, and storage are paramount. 

And we have to remember that our firearms can effect more than just us. There are issues. Contrary to what many people's are, my greatest concerns are suicides. It's the one that weighs heaviest on me. And it does impact how I view the legislation involving ownership and access to them. 

But beyond that I know that I have some biases. And some opinions that don't see, to fit anywhere. So let's see them.

First if we want to make certain firearms have a 21 year old requirement lets examine our military standards. Maybe enlistment ages should match the societal rights and privileges.

I think there needs to be reciprocity in concealed carry and training standards nationwide. 

I think the current structure around short barrel rifles and rifles disproportionately effects shooters struggling with disability. With the advent of ARs and semi auto pistols the utility of the original legislation has diminished. 

We over burdensome regulation involving suppressors (silencers). In many countries suppressors are a requirement for hunting. Reducing volume of shooting only saves hearing and reduces sound pollution. They don't work like the movies or tv portray at all. It's time to address that further. 

Firearm purchases need to have waiting periods. A cooling off period has been demonstrated to reduce suicidal acts and impulsivity. 

Ammunition purchases should have ID checks like firearms purchases. We have the technology lets make it work. 

---

Firearms aren't going anywhere. They are part of American culture and life. And in different places they carry more weight. 

I wish we could have better conversations of their use, purpose, and meaning. Less volatile. Less confrontational. And more informed.