I realize that I will basically be preaching to the choir with most of my readers, but I'm hoping that to at least some, I will have something to say here that will turn on a little light bulb and someone out there might have an 'aha' moment.
It has been my firm belief for years now that we are all responsible for our own actions, and for our own well being. I believe that it is up to us to make informed, concious decisions regarding which direction we take in our lives. Sure, many of us (including myself) make a wrong turn from time to time, but it's up to us to face the consequences of those decisions and set our feet back on the correct path.
In a few months, I will be hitting my 2nd Blogiversary and I cannot express enough how this little blog has changed me for the better. I think that this community, the gun blogger community in particular, is absolutely without a doubt the best of the best. We are what the USA is all about. We love freedom, and will defend it, even if it means defending something that we disagree with (TJIC) or dislike.
With our freedom though, comes great responsibility, especially when that freedom entails owning and/or carrying a firearm. I cannot tell you how many people out there own a gun and barely know how to operate it (safely), much less take care of it.
When I made the decision to start shooting again, it was a process for me. I had shot a rifle and a shotgun before, but it had been a very long time. I had also shot a pistol, a long time ago... once. So I knew that I needed to go about everything the right way. I took my Tokorev SVT-40 to the gunsmith to have it cleaned and checked out to make sure that it was still safe to fire before I ever set foot on the range. Once I started shooting her, I knew that I was hooked and I knew that guns would start following me home from the gunstore....
Naturally, my goal was to finally take responsibility for my own self defense. The fact of the matter is that when you call 911, it takes time for help to arrive and by then, it's too late. The damage has been done (whatever that damage may be). I refuse to be a victim.
My first step toward learning how to fire a pistol was to go and take a basic handgun class. It was very basic, but I knew that I could operate a semi-automatic pistol safely once I left there. After that I would go back to the range and rent various models of pistols and shoot them. My confidence in the booth was growing and I finally knew which pistol I was going to buy.
After Kx got over the intitial shock of my wanting to go out and spend some money on a pistol, I bought my lovely Alexa and practiced shooting with her. I even took another lesson to see what it was that I was doing wrong when I shoot as I was shooting low... and low-left. The problem was that I was anticipating the shot along with my finger placement on the trigger.....
After a while, I decided to go ahead and get my CHL and today, I carry everywhere I go where I am allowed to carry.
One major problem with most CHL holders out there is that they get their license, they carry.... but they don't train! Training Training Training is what MUST happen if you are going to carry a firearm. You are responsible for every single bullet that comes from your gun. What the hell good does it do if you carry your gun, but can't hit your target under stress?
This is one reason that I've started shooting IDPA. To learn how to shoot under stress and to learn how to shoot while on the move, from behind cover, sitting down, and how to shoot at a moving target. It's all a part of training.
On Tuesday night Guns Over Texas Radio held an Intro to Defensive Pistol class which I attended. I have to say that I learned a lot about what exactly I need to work on and rest assured, when the Tactical One classes resume at my favorite range, I will be taking those classes and will spring for the occasional private lesson from time to time.
So why train? Because it's your responsibility to be able to draw your weapon and neutralize the threat, without hitting an innocent bystander! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY BULLET THAT EXITS YOUR FIREARM. No ifs, no ands and no buts......
Those of you out there who carry but do not train? Shame on you. There is no excuse for it. If you don't have the time to train, you might as well leave your gun at home because really, it won't do you much good if you are ineffective with it, and you'll save yourself the hassle of a manslaughter charge should you miss and kill a non-threat.
I hope to God that I never have to use my weapon for anything other than training and IDPA or other fun stuff; however, if the worst ever does happen..... I will be prepared.
It has been my firm belief for years now that we are all responsible for our own actions, and for our own well being. I believe that it is up to us to make informed, concious decisions regarding which direction we take in our lives. Sure, many of us (including myself) make a wrong turn from time to time, but it's up to us to face the consequences of those decisions and set our feet back on the correct path.
In a few months, I will be hitting my 2nd Blogiversary and I cannot express enough how this little blog has changed me for the better. I think that this community, the gun blogger community in particular, is absolutely without a doubt the best of the best. We are what the USA is all about. We love freedom, and will defend it, even if it means defending something that we disagree with (TJIC) or dislike.
With our freedom though, comes great responsibility, especially when that freedom entails owning and/or carrying a firearm. I cannot tell you how many people out there own a gun and barely know how to operate it (safely), much less take care of it.
When I made the decision to start shooting again, it was a process for me. I had shot a rifle and a shotgun before, but it had been a very long time. I had also shot a pistol, a long time ago... once. So I knew that I needed to go about everything the right way. I took my Tokorev SVT-40 to the gunsmith to have it cleaned and checked out to make sure that it was still safe to fire before I ever set foot on the range. Once I started shooting her, I knew that I was hooked and I knew that guns would start following me home from the gunstore....
Naturally, my goal was to finally take responsibility for my own self defense. The fact of the matter is that when you call 911, it takes time for help to arrive and by then, it's too late. The damage has been done (whatever that damage may be). I refuse to be a victim.
My first step toward learning how to fire a pistol was to go and take a basic handgun class. It was very basic, but I knew that I could operate a semi-automatic pistol safely once I left there. After that I would go back to the range and rent various models of pistols and shoot them. My confidence in the booth was growing and I finally knew which pistol I was going to buy.
After Kx got over the intitial shock of my wanting to go out and spend some money on a pistol, I bought my lovely Alexa and practiced shooting with her. I even took another lesson to see what it was that I was doing wrong when I shoot as I was shooting low... and low-left. The problem was that I was anticipating the shot along with my finger placement on the trigger.....
After a while, I decided to go ahead and get my CHL and today, I carry everywhere I go where I am allowed to carry.
One major problem with most CHL holders out there is that they get their license, they carry.... but they don't train! Training Training Training is what MUST happen if you are going to carry a firearm. You are responsible for every single bullet that comes from your gun. What the hell good does it do if you carry your gun, but can't hit your target under stress?
This is one reason that I've started shooting IDPA. To learn how to shoot under stress and to learn how to shoot while on the move, from behind cover, sitting down, and how to shoot at a moving target. It's all a part of training.
On Tuesday night Guns Over Texas Radio held an Intro to Defensive Pistol class which I attended. I have to say that I learned a lot about what exactly I need to work on and rest assured, when the Tactical One classes resume at my favorite range, I will be taking those classes and will spring for the occasional private lesson from time to time.
So why train? Because it's your responsibility to be able to draw your weapon and neutralize the threat, without hitting an innocent bystander! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY BULLET THAT EXITS YOUR FIREARM. No ifs, no ands and no buts......
Those of you out there who carry but do not train? Shame on you. There is no excuse for it. If you don't have the time to train, you might as well leave your gun at home because really, it won't do you much good if you are ineffective with it, and you'll save yourself the hassle of a manslaughter charge should you miss and kill a non-threat.
I hope to God that I never have to use my weapon for anything other than training and IDPA or other fun stuff; however, if the worst ever does happen..... I will be prepared.
Last week in the middle of the night there were thumpings and bumpings around the house that I didn't like. I got up and carefully checked out the house, pistol in hand. As I headed back to bed I realized that at no time had my finger been on the trigger - ML's constant reminders to not put finger on trigger until I have a target have mostly made it ingrained. Without repetition in training I could have been a potential accident waiting to happen - a startled jerk and "BANG!". Just one little thing, but a little thing that shows how training does make a difference.
ReplyDeleteIt's SO COOL to see women taking this seriously! Unlike many men, who keep a gun in the nightstand for 50 years, then die.
ReplyDeleteSB, PH and AG are leading the way, not to mention hundreds of others.
Then, of course, there's Brigid, Tam and Bobbi.
Keep setting the example for us!