Guns in A.S. and in the world coming.

Posted by stargeezer 11 years, 9 months ago to Politics
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I'm a gun guy. I'm retired military and loved serving my country. I carried a pistol and/or a rifle for most of my service and yes, I did use them. In reading and listening to AS (audiobook), I found the use and possession of firearms to be very consistent with the 2nd amendment and my "world view" on firearms.

Rearden was not troubled by carrying a concealed handgun as he walked from the mill to his home as described in his encounter with Ragnar - even as the police patrol questioned them. Francisco, Ragnar, Dagny and Rearden seemed very cool under pressure as they rescued Galt from captivity and torture.

In almost every mention of guns by citizens in the book, they are portrayed in a positive light. IMO As a counter point, guns used by governmental agents are seen as oppressive tools used to force citizens to remain passive as they are looted. We also see the military being degraded to the level of professional expertise best described as "the thug with a gun". Far from where our fine troops are today BTW.

So I ask you the reader, "What do you think"? Will guns play a part in "the world to come" or are we going to see the attempt removal of guns from legal, private ownership in this country?

I feel that if "they" continue to attempt to violate the 2nd amendment by misreading it's simple and clear language, more and more people will shrug.

Amendment II-
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

It does NOT say that a militia can have guns, it plainly says that in order to have a well trained militia, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. We have a right to keep and bear arms in order to be a trained force - every one of us.

Not for hunting, not for target shooting, not for the Olympics - we have this right to insure that we can keep our government from becoming oppressive and nation safe.

IMO, IF you are member of a site like this, you need to be trained and proficient with the use of firearms. You know whats comeing, be ready.


All Comments

  • Posted by $ winterwind 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Although my honey & I used to shoot competition out to 100 yards [.22s standing. every month. outside.], we, and all our students shoot most of our self-defense drill at about 20 feet. Many self-defense situations happen at about that distance, so we train for close. We [instructors and eventually all students] shoot for the "one-shot stop" which in my book is .357 or better; you can fiddle the numbers with your choice of ammo - I like Glasers because they don't ricochet and they don't go thru drywall and, heck, when you shoot a full gallon water jug with a .45 Glaser it won't bother you, ever again. There is a place in Denver that has what they call a "black site" in which they set up realistic scenarios and work with AirSoft replicas of actual pistols - think "shoot house". The description of the class says "You will be struck with AirSoft pellets.", so I think they're doing it pretty real.
    What I like the best abut teaching people to shoot - especially women - is to see a little bitty woman shoot .45. There's not a thrill like that anywhere else.
    Thanks for the thread, I'll visit back.
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  • Posted by $ 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I was based at Ben Loc, River Patrol Boat Machinist Mate, which meant I checked the oil and fuel and manned a M60, until Ben Loc was turned over to the South and I was transferred to Newport Pier, nearer to Saigon. Being very short at that point, I mostly sorted buttons in supply my last month.
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  • Posted by $ johnrobert2 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I went the same route, albeit Air Force. Four years enlisted, including a very short stint in Viet Nam. Got out, finished school, commissioned then went Reserves til was able to retire. Hoowah!

    What was yours, RMP?
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hahaha. That's a hard way to get Oak Leafs. I was Navy also during Nam. I trained pilots in the low pressure chamber, ejection seats and survival equipment etc. After the fall of Saigon it was so hard to make rate it would have taken me longer to make E6 that it did to get to E5. If I was better at taking orders I should have had the Navy put me through nursing school and gotten a commission. I wasn't very good at the orders part though.
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  • Posted by $ johnrobert2 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    At one time I had all the Mike Hammer stuff and a couple of others. Now they are very hard to find. MS always had a great surprise ending but the one which surprised me most, I think, was the ending of 'The Deep'.
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  • Posted by $ 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Both, so let's settle for a high five. I was enlisted Navy first, serving in Vietnam and state side. Then I got out, went to school and commissioned into the Army, S.F. Airborn, field artillery, MLRS, and then I fell off a Launcher, broke my hips and back and was forced to retire.

    Yes, I'll say it, I busted my butt (that being where I landed) in the Army. :D :D I loved every minute of it and hated to leave. I did get my Oak Leafs, but they were a going away present. I spent my time with the troops.
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  • Posted by $ 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Beretta makes some nice pistols. My favorite 9mm is a Beretta 92F. Although I confess to being old enough to have served all of my duty with a 1911 (which is my normal carry piece) I'm coming around due to the comfort of having more rounds. But nothing says "Hello" louder than staring down that .45 cal bore. :D
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  • Posted by $ 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    :D Ooops.... I keep putting my foot in my mouth today. Sorry about that.

    Thank you for your service too, Sister.

    Lets see if I can get this right - From your Brother in Arms. :D
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  • Posted by $ 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Thanks JohnRobert2, We are planning to be that way in a few months. After living in ElPaso for 7 years (my heart is still there) I claim at least "Honorary Citizenship" in the great state of Texas. The only thing that might get in the way of that run is some hand surgery I'm scheduled for in late Oct. If that goes well and I can drive before we get snowed in, I'll be down there. :D "Geezer" is always ready for a road trip. :D
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  • Posted by gblaze47 11 years, 9 months ago
    "So I ask you the reader, "What do you think"? Will guns play a part in "the world to come" or are we going to see the attempt removal of guns from legal, private ownership in this country?"

    I would say yes to both. As a gun lover myself, I have several, ones a SKS with a bull-pup conversion. Gun's in the hands of the individual is good, we have to be able to take care of ourselves and protect our freedoms. Gun carrying individuals are the only sure fire way that oppression from Government cannot occur.
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 11 years, 9 months ago
    Thank you for your service from one Vet to another.

    Yes I do think 'they' are trying to take our guns. I think it will get more serious and have a new twist after the recall in Colorado.

    I too am very proficient with hand guns and shoulder weapons. Your assessment of the intent of the 2nd Amendment is correct, to keep our government from becoming oppressive and the nation safe. The Citizen Soldier.
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  • Posted by weewilly 11 years, 9 months ago
    I am in agreement - firearms are tools for man to utilize, firearms are neutral in their usage and history teaches that an armed society is a polite and less repressive society. I am licensed to carry concealed, and do so - for the protection of my self and family - no apologies. I have carried for approximately 25 years and I have not hurt anyone and neither have my firearms - I think that proves my point - it is irrational individuals, not irrational firearms doing the damage. I only advise constant re-qualifications on ability to handle the firearm to keep skills sharp and lessen /eliminate collateral damage.
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  • Posted by $ 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Very well said. A hammer can build a home in the right hands. It can also be a horrible weapon in the wrong hands. The tool doesn't matter, it's the hand that holds it that creates or destroys.

    I also concur on the advisability of constant serious drill to keep your skills sharp. As my wife and I travel (we are snowbirds and RV 8 months a year) I map our route to take advantage of as many military bases (that have ranges open to retirees) and public ranges as I can, all in a effort to keep razor sharp.

    All good points weewilly, thanks!
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  • Posted by $ 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    For self defense I keep HP in all my weapons. For general plinking .with rifles below 308 caliber, or handguns, FMJ or plated do fine. For long range work (over 500yds out to 1000yds.) HP heavy bullets are the most stable. Beyond 1000 yards, we all have our favorite witches brew. :D .338 Lapua or .50 BMG rule in FMJ.

    I reload all my ammo in order to gain the upmost accuracy.

    Now, this is off topic and as much as I enjoy talking "guns", it's not why I started this thread. So lets "try" to keep it in the vein of politics as much as possible. I'm talking to myself here as much as anyone. :D
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  • Posted by gblaze47 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Well I use hollow points for home protection (if need be) and FMJ for the range. Not overly worried about grains but it's 124 for FMJ and 122 for the HP.
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  • Posted by $ johnrobert2 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Do you favor FMJ, HP or SP and what grain? I favor 125 and 154 SP. Got some FMJ but that's for target and plinking.
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