Weapons?

19 Nov 09

This note from a frustrated friend and Instructor, and former Shooting Coach:

"I was told recently, and flatly, that those sponsoring our junior shooting activity (the local 'Club') does not authorize, nor affiliate itself with, the use of the word 'weapon.' The use of that word is tolerated only during ever-rare Personal Defense Classes, and even then, only in whispers!

This all became clear to me as I was recently assisting at a Junior Smallbore Rifle Program. One of my teenage charges confronted me, looking distressed. When I asked what the problem was, he related that when he had referred to his rifle as his 'weapon,' had been soundly admonished and threatened with expulsion by another coach!

I calmly explained to him that a 'weapon' is an implement for fighting, and, while his rifle had not been specifically designed for fighting, it could still be pressed into service as a weapon when required.

When I subsequently confronted the coach in question, he loudly whined that the NRA and other pro-gun organizations spent entirely too much time defending the right of Americans to own and use 'assault weapons,' although he himself was unable to define the term. When pressed, he indicated that an ' assault weapon' was any firearm he personally didn't like or that appeared 'scary.'. He went on to say the government should confiscate all privately-owned firearms, so long as he could keep his air-rifle (as if the government would stop there)!

That conversation ultimately compelled me to refrain from submitting paperwork for certification as a Coach, and find better ways of spending Saturday afternoons. The Program may be valuable, and indeed some kids end up going to college on shooting scholarships, but it would be unhealthy for them to watch me continuously arguing with these self-centered, adolescent crypto-Marxists, masquerading as people who have real interest in guns and shooting.

We have seen the enemy. He is us!"

Comment:

When all those naive, self-deceptive "fun-gun" owners and competitors are compelled by circumstance to actually use their "fun-guns" for serious purposes, maybe it will finally become obvious to them, and the rest of the rose-colored-glasses crowd, that "weapon" is a valid, honorable term, and one for which we need not apologize!

All guns are weapons, and "fighting" is sometimes acutely necessary, even for those who, by choice, live in a self-manufactured, fool's paradise, naively believing they themselves will never have to fight, so long as they steadfastly refrain from thinking about it!

/John

Bear Hunting!

19 Nov 09

Interesting comments from a student and inadvertent bear hunter!

"Several years ago in MT, while ostensibly hunting elk, I accidentally disturbed an enormous male grizzly bear! The bear was reclining in alders behind me as I took up a position to scan for elk. I was unaware he was there and was surely not thinking about bears. The bear may not have been thinking about me either, but it is obvious he was thinking about lunch!

The first clue was when I heard the sound of crashing alders behind me and turned to catch my initial, terrifying glimpse. The bear was charging me from a distance of thirty meters!

I was armed with a scoped, Ruger bolt-gun in 7mmRem Mg. I remember being surprised and frightened, but I consider myself a competent Operator, and I knew what to do!

My first shot struck the bear head-on, just under the chin. Range was twenty meters. I used the scope. It was adjusted to 3X. It caused the bear the shift his head, similar to a boxer fading from a punch. I was sure I had hit him, but I didn't know exactly where. Without delay, I bolted-in a second round and fired. That round struck just behind the hump (fired at a downward angle). Range was ten meters. I was looking over the scope when I took that shot. The bear dropped, rolled over, bellowed, and slid down an incline. He thrashed for ten seconds, then went limp, DRT. I was unhurt.

I moved laterally, positioning myself behind a large tree. I then recharged the rifle's magazine with two rounds, replacing the ones I had just expended.

When the whole episode started, it only required an instant for me to realize that neither fleeing, nor verbal de-escalation, were likely to be successful! Standing my ground and ending this fight was my only viable option. Extensive training made my weapon work. I didn't have time to think about how to run it.

Because, to Feds, killing a grizzly within CONUS is akin to molesting children, simultaneous, interminable investigations by four, separate state and federal law-enforcement agencies were apparently obligatory. However, the affirmative necessity of my actions were shown to be incontrovertible, and all evidence united in confirming it.

Since the event, I've experienced recurring nightmares, which I know are normal. They've gradually diminished with time.

A source of personal satisfaction is the fact that I know I fought a battle with an honorable opponent. The bear's motives were at least respectable. In my job as a police officer, most of my opponents are human, none of whom have ever know any species of honor!

I keep remembering your saying, 'When it's least expected, you're elected! '

Can't be stressed too much!"

Comment: There are no guarantees in this life, and even the best preparation and tactics sometimes yield poor results. The only thing competent training and preparedness can do is stack the odds in your favor. They give you a good chance.

In the end, that's all a good man needs!

/John