Individual Choices

I'm kind of a nostalgia buff if you haven't gathered that from my posts. I like the old stuff. Technology is my thing day in and day out, and I have to admit that although I absolutely love my job (specifically now that I am out from under the corporate umbrella), I yearn for the simplest most free life I can create for my family.

Most summer nights I get a little of that freedom. Actually, let's call it what it is, Liberty. After the dinner hour is over and the kids are in bed, I go out walking in my little corner of the earth just to look at the trees to see if they have changed from the day before. We don't have a huge spread, but it's in the country, and it's ours.

I am pretty lucky to have this bit of liberty in today's world, and I thank God for that every day. I am even luckier to be able to take these little jaunts in a historical way. Most evenings I journey out with either a single action wheel gun hanging on my hip, or a lever action balanced on my left shoulder. It's fun to imagine that only a hundred and fifty years ago, my evening stroll may well have been taken by a person before me looking to take a little food for their family. Me, I just like to shoot at any rocks that look mean, and on occasion I even hit one.

The joy that I get out of this harmless activity is immense. To think there are folks that would take this opportunity away is hard to believe. This is an activity that I choose freely. Hmm. Freedom of choice? This pursuit makes me happy. Again, Hmmm... To keep the cliche festival going, my fist isn't touching anyone's nose, but that doesn't matter to the folks that would take my beloved treasures. I understand and believe in the real meaning of the right to keep and bear arms. That's not what this is about. This is about something more basic.

The left will talk about the cost that guns bring to society. My question to them is what is the price of liberty? This argument can be made about nearly any activity. Is the loss of individual Liberty, the very thing that America was founded upon, worth it to save what is really a small amount of damage in the big scheme of the world?

This line of thinking can and should be brought to nearly all issues. Health care. The government says you must weigh between X and Y and eat ABC or you will be a burden on society. No tobacco, alcohol, sugar, etc., etc. I know I am sliding down a slippery slope theory that is unlikely to come true, but....

Another fantastic example of this principal is motorcycle helmet laws. I don't ride a bike. Probably never will just because I think I would kill myself. I would never advocate a helmet law in our state. Folks that ride do it to feel free, and part of that experience is the wind. Why on earth would I vote to take their personal liberty? Really, what's the whole price of having or not having this type of law?

It is important to get involved and stay involved in the decisions of your government. Individual liberties cannot be allowed to be taken for the "greater good". Never, ever, should your right be eliminated because somebody else didn't stop where my nose began, regardless of whether I participate in your personal expression of freedom.

Until next time, keep your powder dry and your eyes open.

No Politics Today! It's Guns!

After re-reading my post from yesterday I started thinking. It reminded me of something. Short bursts of thought. Different topics all together, but with a common thread. It dawned on me this afternoon out at the range that I had written a Cooper blog post! It didn;t have his flair or intellect, but I had inadvertantly written in his style. Here I am at Condition Zero, XD in hand, and I am thinking about my political blog. What is wrong with me?

Anyway, what I want to talk about is CCW and your favorites. I know everyone has their favorite carry weapon and their opinion is the only one that counts. I am the same way. I carry a Glock 27 every day. I don't have "Glock trigger syndrome" and I want to make sure I have a minimum amount of gun on my side. The .40 caliber fits the bill for me. My Glock is nice and round, and easily concealed. I love it.

YET....I am not a "Glockhead". My full sized Gen 1 XD is a far superior firearm in my opinion, I just can't hide it on my body. My favorite handgun is a Ruger blackhawk with a minor trigger jod. No way in H E double hockey sticks I am gonna wear over three pounds of single action wheel gun every day. I shot an LCP a while back , and although it shot well, I am just not sure I want to go with that small a caliber. In defense of the 27, I have NEVER had a single fault when firing it. It has probably experienced 5000 bangs without error.

I know, I know, it's all about shot placement. but it's not. Not in today's day and age. I am an advocate of "thumper" cartridges. Different writer and slightly different theory. Bigger is better in the world of CCW. I believe we should carry as much gun as we can sensibly handle. After all, I am not overly recoil sensitive, and I have the ability and desire to shoot several hundreds of rounds a month. I know, I am fortunate. Life is good.

Let me know what you think. I always enjoy a good discussion. Even if you wish to go left and tell me that I am some sort of bad guy for exercising my second amendment rights. I won't have a problem debating the matter as long as you remain civilized. Tell me what you like to carry and why. Ask questions. I am no expert, but I will share my opinion and back it up with as much fact as possible. If you have been reading for any time at all, you will know that I love to type!

Till next time, Thank you to the Late Great Col. Jeff Cooper! You are an inspiration!

Keep your powder dry and your eyes open.