I mentioned earlier that there were more new things in my life to talk about. One of those things is guns. There's a LOOOO-OOOOO-OOOOO-TTT of talk about guns these days, more specifically gun control. <Here begins my personal opinion regarding guns and gun control - you don't have to agree with me, but I'm not trying to start a big, fat, hairy argument about it, so if you truly don't agree, don't feel the need to post your rant here - I'll only delete it; we'll just have to agree to disagree on the subject, and hopefully remain friends - I'm game if you are> :)
I have no problem with doing background checks for gun purchases. However, registering your properly and legally purchased firearm is something I do NOT agree with. No one, especially the government, needs to know how many or what kinds of weapon(s) I own. They didn't earn the money to buy them, they didn't go through the background check to make the purchase, and they didn't spend that hard-earned money on the firearm(s) of their choice - so why should they know anything at all about MY business? Registration is the precursor to confiscation, and my gun(s) will be mine unless and until I choose to let them go. They will not be subject to seizure because some pencil-necked bureaucrat or power-hungry psycho decided I shouldn't have them. (Hitler, anyone??) Like most common-sense people, I don't want a gun, or a weapon of any kind, in the hands of the wrong person. And while background checks can't and won't weed out every one of those folks, it will sure cut the number drastically. So, background checks for gun purchases? Sure. Registration of those guns? Not a chance. As they say, "when guns are outlawed, I'll be an outlaw".
Now, on to the FUN part - my new baby! Several months ago, I finally got into a 'carry' class - a requirement to obtain your Concealed Carry permit (or in Oklahoma, simply a 'carry' permit, since we are now an 'open carry' state). I've been pondering for months what I'd like to carry, and finally decided that I wanted to go old-school with a 'wheelgun', aka, revolver. Something small enough to conceal but big enough to do the job should, God forbid, I need to do the job. I figured fewer moving parts was a good thing, considering my carry method of choice. It was a long search, because what I wanted got harder to find. But at last, at a gun show last week, I FOUND HIM! Oh, boy, am I smitten with this baby! He's a suh-WEET Smith & Wesson "Wyatt Deep Cover" .38 Special (anyone besides me singing "Hold On Loosely" in their heads right now??). Then, his name. Hmmm, that would take careful consideration. People name their cars and boats, their GPS units - ours is Joan, their shoes (yes, I know a woman who has named her shoes ...), and even body parts, so of course I needed to name my protector. After a little more inspection, it hit me, and it was so perfect I couldn't believe I didn't figure it out sooner. Dillon! Now, can you figure out why?? It should be pretty obvious to anyone over a certain age. ;)
I took Dillon out for his first 'walk' this week at my favorite shootin' spot, where we had a wonderful time. While we were there, I showed him off to The Guys. (yes, I have "Guys" - they come in very handy!) They were very impressed, and that made me happy happy happy. Sometimes, it's hard to tell if you're getting a good deal or getting rooked, and while I wasn't particularly worried even though this was my first solo gun purchase, I was hoping for some confirmation that I came out on the good side. Turns out I did, and in a big way. Dillon's a "Perf Center" gun - meaning he's been through S&W's Performance Center. It's like taking AP Chemistry versus basic chemistry - Dillon's an "honor student". :) So I was thrilled to know that not only had I gotten what I thought was a really good deal, acccording to The Guys, I hit the Lotto. They sure enjoy it when I bring him in to play! <haha>
I know some people who say guns scare them. I get it - things we aren't familiar with or we don't understand tend to be a little scary. But rather than ignore those things and pretend they aren't there, why not learn a little more about them so we can take the fear factor out of the equation? If someone doesn't want to carry a gun, or even own one, that is still their right in America. But my right to keep and bear arms is guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and I choose to exercise that right. I mentioned my new (to me) car in my last post. Well, now that I have that car (still need a name for him - yes, HIM - any suggestions? it has to be perfect), I have been road-tripping a lot more, usually alone. I refuse to allow my personal safety to be left up to law enforcement who, although well-intentioned and well-trained, are most likely too far away to help me should I need it. My safety is MY responsibility and I take it seriously. Different states have different gun laws, and I respect that. However, I will protect myself to the extent that I feel necessary, whatever that requires. As they say, better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Guns are not evil in and of themselves - they are simply tools, just like hammers and cars. The evil comes from the person using the tool, nothing more, nothing less. Keep that in mind the next time you hear gun-control advocates talking about stricter laws.
Until next time, be blessed.
