I haven’t written here in a very long time, mostly because I haven’t had anything to write about. I have been out shooting, at least once a month so this is good.
Today I’m writing in regards to No Weapons Signs Posted. Last night I was invited out by a friend to go see a movie, I went and checked my app for places that allow or don’t allow guns, this theater does not allow, which most movie theaters do not so I didn’t carry and I made a point to seek out the sign that says that you can’t have guns in the theater. I looked all over the front doors, I looked at every sticker and sign at the ticket office and I looked all over the concession area too, nothing, not one sign did I see. So I asked the manager, where their signs were posted that you cannot have firearms on the premise, he said, “they are posted by the ticket office or they better be!” After the movie I looked once again thinking maybe I had missed it, still nothing whatsoever did I find, I didn’t care to go find the manager and have him point it out to me because I was ready to call it a night.
The thing is if I didn’t have that app, I wouldn’t know that they didn’t allow guns, if they do have a sign it is very hard to find or not there at all. I just think signs should be clearly posted, that you should see it pretty quickly not have to search really hard and still not find it. (10.8)
Yesterday was my first day using my IWB holster, usually I use my thigh holster because I mostly wear dresses. I can say, my goodness is that a very uncomfortable way to carry, just constantly pressing into my back. Any suggestions are welcomed.
So yesterday I drove through multiple towns to get to my destination, as I drove through towns. Out of curiosity I decided to check my application on my phone that supposedly says places that are not gun friendly. The below picture is for Colorado City, CO (not that this is a very big town with too many businesses but still interesting nonetheless:
I couldn't really put my whole comment on there so I didn't bother, I will put what would have been my comment if I could here.
Her reaching in her purse, for one, if she had researched methods of carrying and safe ways to carry, she wouldn’t have had that gun just in her purse, she would (should) have had a special made carry purse or she could have had a purse with a separate compartment that only contained the gun, that is your safest option for purse carry. I spent extensive time researching ways to carry and safe ways to carry, granted I do not advocate purse carry, it’s dangerous and easy for anyone to take that purse, and I’m a proponent for on body carry.
I read pretty much every comment on MS in regards to this article and I didn’t see one thing that was threatening towards her but then again MS was very discretionary about which comments were posted, I know not a single one of my comments were allowed, none were threatening in any way. And the fact they were screening comments to me says that’s not fair reporting or a fair discussion of the article and topic in general. I do understand not allowing her personal information to be posted, that is completely fair.
My first time out (as someone who is actually serious about conceal carrying and not doing an experiment) I found that yes, I was hyper aware in all areas and slightly curious as to if others in my vicinity were carrying. I can’t say I ever went out intentionally looking or even hoping trouble came along so I could have that chance. I strongly believe that the majority of people who legally carry have the hope they never have to even draw. As for Heidi not feeling safe while carrying, I think if she had proper training and the mindset that most that do chose to carry had, that maybe she might have felt safer. I know being a single girl, trying to date, it certainly helped me feel more comfortable knowing I could protect myself if need be, especially since I am a very small girl so more than likely (even with self-defense knowledge) that I will be over powered by pretty much everyone.
Your question to Hunter Glass in regards to having to notify an officer, it depends on the laws of the state that you are carrying in (I’m surprised he didn’t know this). Some states you are required by law to notify an officer that you are carrying and some you don’t. My state you are not required but out of respect if I were to be pulled over and I was carrying, I would keep my hands where they could see it, when he approached I would notify the officer that I was carrying and let them know where the gun was located.
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The thing is once again it just seems like it's biased news reporting, you have a psychologist that says that people who go out carrying a gun are more than likely going to see trouble just because and this is proven by her lame experiement with people holding a wiii gun (rolls eyes).
Then you have a former officer who just doesn't seem too informed and of course there is good old Heidi Yewman, the ignorant idiot trying to make some extreme case against guns.
I was reading The Spot, which is one of my daily readings and this article was posted Crime and Drugs yesterday (I'm just now getting to reading it).
It got me to thinking about the last time I was actually down in that area, I typically avoid it because of the parking and the bad elements that reside down there. The last time I was actually walking in that area was the day I had my sister drop me off at the Sheriff's Department to apply for my CCW. After I left there I couldn't get my app on my phone to figure a bus route home (Parking is hard to find and usually expensive so I had thought it would be better to be dropped off and just take the bus home). Unfortunately the app wasn't working to great and I figured I would just walk the few blocks over to Civic Center Park because it is a major bus hub. Walking over there my only thoughts were how I wish I had my CCW already, I would have felt a lot safer. I had to walk by a ton of very sketchy people sizing me up and its broad daylight, they have no fear of that and yes a lot of shootings do happen down there.
At any rate, it got me to thinking, I wonder how one really cleans up a park like this, and I understand it is something that takes time and probably a lot of trial and error. When I lived in Colorado Springs, Acacia Park was the vagrant, drug using, criminal hang out and I know after some time they had cleaned it up considerably but I don't know what all was done to make that happen.
So I guess I was just kind of curious as to what other people's ideas might be in regards to this situation, if maybe in your areas you had a park with these same issues and if it had or had not change or even got worse.
I woke up at 04:00 this morning and started thinking about an interaction at work that day, I started critiquing how I was in that situation. I have to say that I am very disappointment in myself and later today will be spending time going over again gun safety. I used to think that I would never become so comfortable with guns that I wouldn’t be safe, not that I was horribly unsafe, just broke rules.
Yesterday my coworker calls me over to his office because another coworker brought in his 20 gauge for the shoot on Friday. I feel I picked up the gun wrong, it was leaning on the wall, I also didn’t check to make certain that it wasn’t loaded and when they asked me to position it to make certain that it would fit okay, I didn’t even stop to consider where I was pointing the gun, granted it was at a cinder block wall but at least I didn’t put my finger on the trigger. I broke the following rules: treat a gun as if it’s always loaded, be aware of your target and what is beyond.
I had a hard time falling back to sleep because I kept playing the situation over and over in my head and berating myself. I mean nothing happened but it’s when one doesn’t follow the rules that things could happen. (11.8)
I finally did it and went to the range alone, it's not that I was scared or nervous to just other things just kept coming up. It wasn't bad at all, I had a great time and I was in need (not want) of going out to the range. I had been feeling a bit down but I seem to be feeling a ton times better. It was a bit awkward being alone and everyone watched as I walked down to my station but that could also just be me being sensitive and while I was shooting one guy came over and watched and was even nice and swept up my casings.
Fun things are coming up, my company's annual clay shoot is the Friday after next and I'm really hoping to make some leaps and bounds from my total hits last year. Sometime in the next couple of weeks I plan on taking a basic pistol class even though it's pretty much all the stuff I know but I'm sure there will be a lot that I don't plus I just want to have some formal training under my belt. Sigh, I just feel so much better after this evening and at least if I never find friends to go out shooting with, I know I'm good to go on my own accord.
I very much support carrying, as anyone who reads this knows but I had never considered intent, I just always assumed that people would carry for protection only but I was proven wrong the other day and what my friend did I completely disagree with.
A small background on my friend, he has a lot of back issues and takes what I and a lot of his friends consider too many narcotic pain killers, this in of itself I don't think he should have guns around him, especially after hearing about some things and that he is falling into a deep depression but anyway, I'm sorry I deviate. So this friend of mine has been trying to set up a Rhizotomy before the end of the month since his insurance runs out. Now I can understand feeling a bit stressed about that but I do not understand going into the office directly openly carrying gun with the only intent to intimidate them into giving him an appointment. I almost want to call that brandishing a firearm even though he wasn't waving it about.
The whole thing got me to thinking about intent, obviously concealing isn't and couldn't be intimidation but it makes me wonder if those who do openly carry do it because they want to intimidate people. I'm sure not all people do but I wonder if there are a few out there. I usually think the better of people and this leaves me a bit naive but I chose to because I don't want to become so bitter and hardened that I can't ever trust anyone.
On another note with this same friend, this is me more or less just trying get it off my chest since I can't really discuss guns and gun related things with my family and most of my friends. So talking about the same friend, which I mentioned above and other instances where I felt it might be better that this person didn't own guns, at least not until he gets himself back in order because normally he's a sane rational person, who is level headed to a T.
He lives with his ex girlfriend because neither one of them can afford a place by themselves, he's doped up on pain killers and alcohol pretty much all the time now. Well she came home late one night from work and I guess bumped into a lot of things on her way through the living room, he came out of his room and pointed a gun right at her. Now I understand the dark thing, etc. but when you live with someone I would figure you might take that into account and listen a bit more before rushing out of your room and pointing a gun at someone. I think if he wasn't so doped up all the time, this wouldn't have happened. I live with someone and sometimes I hear things go bump in the middle of the night but I listen for a bit to try to determine the situation.
On a different note but medical related with guns and depression. Another friend was telling me how her friend had decided that he was too depressed and asked a friend of his to hold onto his guns until he got past it. I think that took a lot to do that and to be able to recognize oneself as a risk and to ensure safety of themselves and others.
I wish that my friend who is going through this rough time would recognize that he has some serious issues and shouldn't be around guns right now but mentioning this to him is met with anger and opposition, of course that's how an addict reacts to being called out. Just so I don't seem to come off as over reacting, just last night he tells me, while he's in Chicago for a few days, staying at a hostel that he was woke up by paramedics. I inquired for details and basically he passed out, the staff couldn't wake him so they called the paramedics. He tells me that it's a good thing that they didn't check his blood because they would have found a ton of alcohol, valium, Flexiril, Baclofin, which he lied to the paramedics and said he had only taken Flexiril. I'm sorry that sort of shit (excuse my French, I'm angry) just screams addict.
I am in debate on keeping this person as a friend but a part of me wants to be a friend that can help but there isn't anything I can do; I don't want to be like all his other friends that have cut the friendship because of these same issues but it's stressing me out watching someone I care about decline further down and being helpless.
Okay enough drama, sorry to deviate from the gun subject.
I went out there this weekend with a friend of mine and her friend, I had fun spending time with them and it's always fun to shoot guns. My issues with this particular range is it costs just about as much as an indoor range, it's outdoors, there are stationary targets so every half hour, they stop everyone from shooting and you get to walk out on the range and change out your targets, which isn't too different if I go up in the mountains but the difference is I'm not paying $16.50 in the mountains. I just think because there is less overhead and less to maintain that they shouldn't be charging a couple bucks less than an indoor range but they more expensive than Firing Line, which is an indoor range.
Oh well, like I said, shooting guns is always fun so I can't complain, I am glad we got there early before the long lines and the really hot weather hit.
I don't know if anyone else has this issue but I am dominantly a right hand shooter who is left eye dominant. Normally this doesn't pose a problem for me when shooting and most of the time I usually just keep both eyes open but today I learned my right eye is completely retarded and I, for the life of me, cannot focus my right eye with a scope so when I shoot rifles with scopes, I do have to shoot left handed, which is awkward with right hand rifles. I'm thinking when I get around to buying my own rifles that I might just consider buying left hand ones.
Today was completely blissfully wonderful but then again what day isn't when it involves shooting guns and being in the mountains. Today I shot, of course the .45 but new to me was the AK47 and 98 Mauser rifle and not new to me was the .22LR Rifle and the AR15 (I love the AR15, it just brings the biggest smile to my face) and I think that's all we shot today. As for high capacity mags, it certainly is nice not to have to reload all the time and I can continue the fun.
I'm just so happy, a day of shooting and now I'm home and just relaxing. Pictures and videos:
I love this gun!
And the AK47
And I guess none of the videos are going to upload so I'll just post links:
I am greatly looking forward to going up to Allen's Park and doing some shooting, I haven't been out since I took my sister last month so this is much needed. I'm also exited because I'll get to shoot an AK47 for the first time, I always love to try something new. The cooler temperatures will be nice as well.
I want to thank GunDiva for awarding me with the honor of receiving the Liebster Blog Award.
HOW TO ACCEPT THE AWARD: The Liebster Blog Award is a way to recognize blogs who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word that means beloved and valued. Here are the rules for accepting the award:
Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog. √
List 11 random facts about yourself. √
Answer the 11 questions given to you. √
Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate. √
Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or fewer followers to nominate and include links to their blogs. (I only have 9 but I'll sort through the ones that I read regularly and torture them too ~ at least the ones I've interacted on)
Go to each blogger's page and let them know you have nominated them.
11 Random Facts about me (boy this is going to be hard).
1. I'm a twin
2. I was born in Pueblo, CO (for shame, lol)
3. I've worked for the same company for almost 13 years now.
4. I have OFD (Over Focus Disorder, the opposite of ADD ~ No OFD isn't for real but should be).
5. I love learning new things.
6. I currently drive a 2010 Mustang GT (I love my car)
7. I currently only have 9 followers on my blog (which is why I get the Liebster Award)
8. I am special, oh wait, that's subjective and not fact.
9. I'm learning Spanish.
10. I'm trying to gain 15-20 pounds (not too succesfully)
11. I aspire to be an instructor dealing with guns.
Answering my 11 questions:
What is your passion? To learn as much as I can about shooting, guns and become really good at it
If you could do anything you wanted for the rest of your life, without having to think about money, what would it be? Travel the world, meet new people and learn new things.
What is your guilty pleasure? Smoking cigarettes (A love/hate relationship)
Favorite book ever? Sex, A Natural History
Favorite movie ever? Dangerous Beauty (I even read the biography of the person the main character was about)
Have you ever met anyone famous? Edward K'spel, Kathy Jackson
Who would you like to meet (living or dead, real or fictional) and why? I'll have to ponder this one.
Biggest pet peeve? People who don't know how to use their gas pedal, especially when they are on the on ramp getting onto the highway.
If you won the PowerBall or Lotto and wanted to donate a chunk to a charity, which charity would it be and why? I would probably have to divy up the chunk and do research on who I would donate to but the first one to come to hand is an animal shelter.
Favorite place you've visited? I've haven't been to too many places, mostly to work but I guess the one that's closest to home is the cemetery in Silver Plume, followed by Fairmont in Denver.
Where to you want to visit that you haven't been able to? Ireland
11 Questions for the blogger I nominate (which I still have to go through and figure out who my victim will be).
1. What is the scariest thing you have ever encountered?
2. What did you want to be as a kid and did you become that?
3. When you were younger, did you think you would be where you are now?
4. Tell me something that you feel you did that changed someone's life?
5. What are you most proud of and why?
6. What is the meanest thing you have ever done?
7. What is the nicest thing you have ever done?
8. Tell me the first childhood experience that comes to mind when you read this?
9. Why do you think everything on this award is the number 11?
10. How do you change the world?
11. Do you deserve a break and not have an eleventh question?
My 11 Bloggers, really only 9 (sorry to torture any of you and don't feel obligated to do this): I'll have to come back to this one.
Last night Bonnie talked to me about her concerns about my carrying a gun and having the permit. She wanted to know why I did it. Was I afraid of something? She was concerned that I carried in the house when she wasn’t home, which I don’t really do now; it was more when we first moved into the house and usually only when there seems to be a lot of ruckuses outside. She asked if we should sell the house and move to another neighborhood if I’m that afraid of living there.
It was an adjustment when I first moved in there because all the places I lived, minus my mom’s house had always been on the top floor; for two reasons one I don’t want noise above me and two I feel safer when someone can’t just walk up to my window. I eventually got used to living on ground level with only an occasional concern, usually when I am alone and I start getting into my head too much.
She also mentioned how she feels I’m pretty obsessed about guns and shooting, which is something my ex mentioned as well. She said that she recently found out that her friend Doug had a gun and in twenty years she never knew. She was implying that he never talks about it. My only rebuttal to that was to ask her how long he had been shooting and her response was that he’s been doing since he was young. I explained to her that I’m pretty new to it, I’m learning a lot of things, which causes me to talk about it a lot, it’s a new and exciting thing for me so I think a lot about it.
My only response to the question of carrying was because I can, it’s not that I’m afraid of anything, it’s just I chose to do so. I also said, because she is aware of all the past experiences that I had and how lucky I am that nothing bad really happened in any of them and I am too and it was a question I pondered considerably while waiting to get my permit. She understands why our chiropractor carries because she’s leaving the office late by herself and may even be carrying money but for me to carry, she doesn’t understand. I why I carry even if I tell her sometimes I go out during the day and get home later at night and I know she has to understand that because it was her discussing her fears of coming home late at night that got her to agree to learning about gun safety and handling and to go shooting.
Over all, last night I felt pretty deflated about the whole thing, it made me realize I need to step back about talking about guns with her so she doesn’t judge and condemn me as obsessive. It left me feeling as if I just don’t fit anywhere in this world and I feel as if I have no support in regards to my hobby/interest, other than this bog of course. My family, other than my dad, who is supportive and encouraging, doesn’t agree or support me in any regards. My mom and sister talk behind my back about it and that disturbs me too, I know that my mom is condemning and judging me over this and that bothers me. All in all, I’m not going to stop shooting, learning as much as I can and I’m not going to stop carrying either. If they want to hate me for it, that’s their problem, I’ve lacked support from my family for most of my life so not having it now shouldn’t matter but it does leave me feeling very alone. (10.1)
So if she's with this Brady Campaign aren't they supposed to be promoting gun safety but here she is out there purposefully being ignorant and carrying a gun to prove a point, that doesn't sound too much like promoting safety to me, granted she believes her end result is to prove stronger laws to make things safer but yet she has to be unsafe (in extremely dangerous ways) to prove this point?
I love most of all what the blog "Of Arms and Law" said:
"Another way to think about what Heidi did is this: She blindfolded herself and walked out in the middle of onrushing traffic to prove that motor vehicles are dangerous." And that is the equivalent of Heidi carrying a gun.
After today, I can't possibly imagine what parents who own guns must go through. I mean I'm sure it's a lot different when it's your own children and you can parent and school them about guns the way you choose but when it comes to just a random neighbor child or even a friend's kid(s) it's a big difference.
I spent most the day with the neighbor kid and her cousin, they are seven. They kept wanting to go into the house and I kept trying to get them to not go into the house under the excuse that I didn't want them to let my cats out, which is a concern but my bigger concern is that my house isn't child proof and my guns aren't secure from the prying curiosity of children. I know I'll probably get quite a lashing about that but my friends don't have children, I don't have children, I don't have children in my family and I don't ever baby sit and there is just usually no chance of kids being in my house so I don't take that usual concern.
I also got to thinking this morning when my sister and I were hanging out in the kitchen, I'm cooking and she's just hanging out, my back was to the door and all I heard was a loud gasp from my sister because the kitchen door suddenly opened and within seconds the neighbor kid pops in through the door. I wasn't carrying at the time and even if I were, I doubt I would have drawn my gun; the target would have been identified long before I could even draw.
This got me to thinking on two levels, one, boy I would be screwed if that was a stranger breaking into my house, no way would I have been prepared even if I had been carrying my gun. It brought home just how quickly something could happen and how little time I would have to react. Definitely practice is in order.
The other point being and my sister and I discussed this afterwards that we need to be even more careful that all doors are always locked, not just for the random criminal chance but because the neighbor girl could just pop in at any second. Wonder if we were in the basement and she just starts going through our house, etc. just too many variables of very bad things could happen.
I do plan to maybe talk to her mother about how I don't mind her coming over and hanging out in the yard when I'm out doing stuff but I would feel a lot better if she didn't come into the house.I don't and won't go into the specifics as to why I don't want her to come into the house because I don't feel I need to notify my neighbors that I have guns in my house.I feel I just need to say that I worry about her getting into things that she shouldn't and sometimes we can't always watch her, granted the times she has been in the house I have always hovered over her like a hawk to make sure that she's not into anything that she's not supposed to be in but I would just feel a lot more comfortable her not being in my house.Today with it being two kids, it's hard enough to just watch one but to have to watch two, I'm sure those of you out there that have kids know just how hairy that can be or maybe it's not like that when you have kids, I don't have kids so I have no clue if you just watch them constantly or not. (13.4)
This is a clip of me shooting a S & W .50. Keep in mind this is one of the biggest handguns you can buy and I'm only 5'5 and 105 pounds so my handling is a little sloppy and in no way reflects my handling of other calibers. The rounds are 300 grain. Ok, now the disclaimer is out you can view my embarrassment. Lol
As I stated in a previous post I was very dubious of the belly band for a carry option, thanks to GunDiva I had the opportunity to try one out. Like her, it is a bit too big for my gun so there would have to be alterations made but I do believe that my sewing machine will handle it, I'll have to get some really sturdy thread. I haven't carried with it yet but I tried it on and was really impressed with the comfort, the fact that I can put it into really comfortable positions and it hides the print of the gun. When I bend over the most that it looks like is maybe a back brace but in no way could I tell that there was a gun there. I also liked that I don't have to try to cram all this stuff into the waist of my pants which is a bit uncomfortable and causes a lot of pressure on my back, the belly band doesn't at all.
Thank you so much GunDiva for sending that to me, it was wonderful to be able to try something out, especially since I was pretty uncertain about it.
I'll post more once I go out into the world with the belly band. Tonight's event I'm wearing a dress so I'll be carrying with the thigh holster tonight. Today was also the first day I carried to work, I did have to leave my gun in the car though because we are not allowed to bring guns to work, there was a memo several years ago about that, only at my company would there be such a thing. We are all such gun lovers here; I love that about this company.
As I sat in the airport Sunday night awaiting my departure time to Albuquerque, NM. I watched people walk on by, noticed a mother and her daughter (the daughter looked to be in her early 50’s) sitting there, the daughter leaning on the mother. It was cute to see that they had what looked like a close relationship. What disturbed me a little and got me on my thoughts about the people I have met through shooting and my love of guns, either in person or via blogs was that the way the mother and daughter looked suspiciously at everyone, including me and how a lot of people seemed do that. Some of the people walking about I could tell they were at least into hunting or guns in some form; they didn’t seem to be suspicious or scared about other people.
I’ve noticed it seems through the gun loving community that the people seem to be the nicest people and maybe it’s because they don’t have to worry about weird people because they know they can protect themselves if need be. Who knows about the true mentality that goes on, this is only my own speculations and theories. I know for myself I don’t feel the need to be scared or leery of people, especially when I’m carrying. Granted I know there are some nuts who have gone on shooting rampages but I didn’t know those people, maybe they weren’t the type that respected guns the way the people I know personally do, I don’t really consider the mass shooters as a part of the gun community but that’s my opinion so because of this opinion I see that most the people in the gun community are just good natured people with good hearts.
Since starting this blog, it has introduced me to some really wonderful supportive people, they have encouraged me, offered advice, support and suggestions on this path of mine and I so greatly appreciate every single person who has taken the time to comment on my posts. (13.1)
I had a IWB holster that a friend gave me but I didn't like how the retention strap didn't cover where I wanted it to so I bought one that was specifically for my gun, granted it was made for having the laser but the maker said it would still be snug even if I don't have the laser on it. Well, the holster passes all the tests; holds snuggly, I can turn it over and shake it (no the gun isn't loaded) and it doesn't come out, it even sits nice and snuggly on my belt and pants. Sounds great right?
Tonight I realize that I will never be able to carry IWB unless I buy super baggy pants and even then I probably won't be able to. I really don't have a lot of carry options other than when I wear dresses. I can't do the bra holsters because I lack the real estate to properly hide it. I'm dubious of the bellybands so I don't want to spend out that kind of money and unless they make an ankle holster that is sized for a child, that one is out too. I will not ever purse carry, unless of course I can make my own purse that is to my style and liking, I have yet to see a carry purse that was even remotely attractive and not mention, I'm not a fan of off body carry.
I feel a tad disappointed, not giving up though, I'll just continue to wear dresses to carry until I can determine something that does work, even if I have to take leather classes and design my own. I would possibly consider a shoulder holster but I still think I'm just too thin to really hide; I would definitely need a vertical draw one.
On another note, I think going to the range at least once a month is healthy. I had my annual exam and the results was everything is perfect and in the words of my doctor, "Your cholesterol levels are brag-able."
I haven't had much to post about lately. Kathy Jackson is coming to Colorado again for a two day pistol class and also a gun retention class. Sadly, I won't be able to do it this time either, if only I was independently wealthy, didn't need a new driveway, A/C and a back fence. Maybe next time....
Well, Tuesday was a wonderful day, minus one little blimp at the beginning of it. The day finally came to take my sister to the range for the first time. She did great! I was proud of her, she was very conscientious of safety, made sure to keep the gun pointed down range at all time, minus once when she had it facing towards the ground (but it’s expected that this is going to happen at least once especially the first time), she kept her finger off the trigger until she was ready to fire and she always put the safety on when laying the gun down.
Unfortunately one of the .22’s (the 1911-22) that I had borrowed jammed up really badly, I couldn’t get it unjammed and went to ask the range guy to help and even he couldn’t get it unjammed so that just left the .22 revolver. My sister really liked the 1911-22 and wasn’t a big fan of my .380 or .45 but that’s understandable, I think over time she might grow to accept them.
I felt a bit disheartened at the end of the day and this is probably me being a bit hard on myself in regards to my ability to teach a new shooter. I know she did really well but I felt that maybe I didn’t do a good enough job, there were a lot of points I wanted to make to guide her along but communication was really hard. I am definitely going to need to invest in electronic muffs so I can communicate with her at the range; yes she is planning on going again so that’s a good sign.
My blimps were the day got delayed because I locked my keys in my car, which cost me $109, ouch. Then it turns out that Lady’s Day isn’t all day, only between certain hours, lol. I think they shouldn’t advertise it as Lady’s Day and advertise is as Lady’s Happy Hour on Tuesdays. Between, the key thing, range time and ammo, it was an expensive day that set me back a bit but well worth the memory and spending time and sharing this aspect of me that I love with my sister.
I’ll have to look into buying me a .22 so she can shoot that, I had it in the plans to get one eventually for plinking and doing Dot Torture target practice so it works. (10.7)
I think it's been about a month now that I've had my CCW. It's hasn't been too different being in public with a gun, the holster I have is very comfortable and so far I don't think anyone has noticed it.
I came across my first real thing to talk about in regards to conceal carrying and it's mishaps/what not's.
So Saturday I was out shopping with a friend of mine, we have been friends for over ten years. We decided to go out thrifting and it is always crowded on Saturdays because that's when all the 50% sales are and we get to the dressing rooms and it's quite a line. She asks me if I want to just share a dressing room. (Insert for a second, girls are just a bit more open about these things than men, it's nothing sexual).
My first thought was, I'm wearing a gun and she doesn't know it. So we get in the dressing room and before we start changing I stop her and tell her that I need to let her know that I am carrying a gun and if she's uncomfortable with that, I'll step out right now. She took it in stride, just asked if there was a chance of it going off and I said no and we carried on. I realized as we are going through the plethora of outfits that I probably could have gotten away with not saying anything because I had a slip on under the dress I was wearing and she wouldn't have even noticed it anyways.
I just thought it was a funny thing and I wondered what obstacles other people had when they concealed carried.
Later I will write out a post about yesterday's range time and taking my first time shooter out.
Last night I determined it was time to come out to my sister about owning guns. I asked her if she had some time because I wanted to talk to her so we sat down. I made a flippant remark about there comes a time in every parent’s life when they have to have "the" talk. She's my sister and I'm certainly not her parent so it's funny. Then I turned it serious, I started out letting her know if she doesn't want to go to the range on Tuesday that she didn't have to, I don't want to push her to do this and she said she still wanted to go. I asked her if we could go over some gun safety, range safety and functions of a gun.
I started out asking her if she remembered the four rules for guns that I had told her the other day, surprisingly she remember one so we went over that again. I then explained that ranges have rules and they are usually similar from one range to another but they do vary. I told her when we get to the range Tuesday and we are waiting for a lane; we will go over their range rules. I explained to her that most important of all was she absolutely has to remember the gun must always be pointed down range, not matter what, if she has to turn around to talk to me, she needs to set it down and then turn around. She said that's pretty logical and seems common sense but I explained that it does happen and it's easy enough to forget that.
I then brought out my .380, showed her it while it was still in the box, showed her all the functions, parts and the safety. Showed her how to check if a gun was clear, wracking the slide, putting safety on and off, etc. Then I asked her if she wanted to hold it, she was pretty reluctant but she knew she was eventually going to have to hold it. So I showed her the proper way to pass a gun to another person, first check the chamber is clear and the magazine compartment is clear and told her that the receiver should do the same despite your doing so. She was surprised how small it was and how it didn't really feel like a real gun and of course I had to take that moment to remind her (though obvious) it is definitely not a toy.
I explained breathing control, trigger control and siting and then brought out the laserlyte target so she can actually practice these things. She was really excited and thought the laserlyte was really fun, she asked me if I sit up here doing this a lot and I responded yes I do. She then asked me, "So this isn't your friend's gun?" I told her no that this was my gun and apologized that I never told her. She actually didn't seem as mad as I thought she would be for my lying to her about it. I also showed her the. .45, how it functions pretty much the same but was definitely a larger and heavier gun. She tried it out on the laserlyte as well, she did really well with it, hitting the target dead on, and unfortunately the batteries were dying so the laserlyte didn't register the shots.
I took the time to show her the gun she will be shooting on Tuesday, the borrowed .22 and I pulled out rounds from each caliber so she could see the difference in sizes, she liked the small .22's, which obviously aren't as effective as the other two would be.
Over all the conversation went really well, I asked her if she had any questions or comments and asked how she felt about all this. She said she actually felt a lot better because she now sees just how serious I am about gun safety and use and that they aren't just giddy toys of happiness. I explained to her that when it comes to guns everyone should be serious about them because it's when you are not that accidents happen. She does feel better about it all but is still a bit uncomfortable about having guns in the home, which I think over time that will change.
I doubt that she will get into guns as much as me, it would be totally awesome if she did, but I am so happy that we both feel better about the situation, that I no longer have to lie and I am so proud of her. Proud that she was open minded and willing to listen and learn. I am so happy that she made this so easy for me.
One of my greatest concerns about owning guns is that I've had to keep them secret from my sister, whom I share a home with. She knows of one shotgun but not any of the other guns. My concern is her complete lack of knowledge in them and never really handling one. Last night was a victory for my minimal insisting on just trying it once or at least letting me go over the safety and use of a gun.
Lately we've had some concerns about our neighborhood. The other night she was coming home from work and there was some guy taking a shit on the neighbors lawn diagonal from our house, on a corner under a street light no less. There have been other instances in the past in regards to our house getting broken into and the neighbor down the way firing off shots. Last night we were coming home from running around and there was a wrecked car that was abandoned half way on someone's lawn. I think the situation just sort of put us both on edge and we couldn't sleep so we were sitting around just talking, she mostly talking about some of her fears about coming home so late at night. I just blatantly told her that she should let me show her how to use the shotgun (since she knows of it), side note when it first came home she knew of it and refused to even look at it. She agreed that it would be a good idea but she didn't like that it would be difficult to get to in an emergency situation. I told her if she were feeling nervous that she would just have to uncase and keep it near, with rounds nearby but not loaded. Then she commented that I should just buy her a handgun, in my opinion, gladly! I told her though that she has to first learn how to use one with confidence and she asked if I would show her.
This morning I asked her if we could go up to Blucore next Tuesday, since it's lady's night and I promised I would go to session with her afterwards (a little treat to say thank you for doing this for me). She agreed. I asked my coworker if I could borrow her .22 if I can find some ammo by that time, she said that was fine and was just about as excited as me.
I am so excited about this that I had such a hard time falling asleep last night, going over what, how and in what order I was going to show her. This is also a good opportunity for me to convey to an other person what I have learned and to see how well I have learned it. I'm so hoping that she will be more open minded once she has done this and that I might be able to open up and share with her that I do have guns in the house and that I do carry a gun when I'm running around on the weekends. My heart is soaring!
The other day over lunch with a friend we got to talking about carrying and self-defense. I do really count myself lucky that in my entire life I've never needed a gun or a self-defense, granted there were plenty of times where it probably would have been handy but I think my keen sense kept me out of harms way.
Some of those instances are:
In high school I was walking home from school, I had to walk through City Park (Pueblo, CO) to get home, it's a very large park. I was probably about a block away from one of the picnic pavilions and there was this van parked in front of it. I watched as this lady got out and an argument occurred between her and the man she was with. It was pretty heated and the guy drove off, leaving her there. She was crying on the curbside when I got up to that point. I stopped to ask her if she was okay and she starts telling me all that transpired, things at that naive of an age I didn't need to be hearing and really couldn't empathize with her situation but I listened.
Well, I noticed the van coming back, by this time the women had calmed down considerably but I started getting a very weird feeling about the situation. The women comment that her husband was coming back and offers me a ride home, which I declined and decided to make a hasty "got to go" and crossed the street and went down the hill. I looked back to see if they were watching and sure enough both her and her "husband" were standing at the top of the hill watching me walk away. I really don't know if they had mal-intent but I wasn't going to stick around to find out.
Another time in Pueblo I was sitting down on the levee, at night, yes I know stupid but I was young. I was about a block from my car, I was trying to find something that I had lost. I looked up and I saw someone about two blocks away walking in my direction so I continued to look, keeping a cautious eye on them. The next time I looked he was at my car going from each car door trying to get into my car, I'm not sure if he noticed me at that time or not but all I could do was look in shock that this was going on and my only thought was the things in my car I could have used for a weapon and there I was standing there with only a flashlight. Well, the man sees me and starts heading in my direction. Once again I wasn't going to stick around to find out, forget the car, I turned and ran. Unfortunately it was a long run before I got somewhere public and at that hour most things were closed but fortunately there was a salon that was open so I asked to use their phone to call my mom to come get me.
Another time, once again in Pueblo (maybe small towns aren't so safe). I was skateboarding, at night, alone (yes once again stupid). I finished up and was about to load my board into my car when I noticed a man heading in my direction, I decided not to put it in my trunk and jumped into my car very quickly and locked the door. The man approached my window and tried to convince me to open the door, I started the car and drove off.
Another time, in Pueblo, at night but not a lone and in my car. I accidentally cut this guy off, it wasn't on purpose, I tried to wave an apology but he got very angry, too angry. I got to a stop light and he was behind me, he got out of his car, walked up to mine and was yelling and screaming. At first all I could do was stare in horror. He wanted me to get out of my car (geez, I'm a girl, what's he going to do fight me over a simple error) I looked at him for a minute and then just drove off, he proceeded to follow me, I tried to lose him for a time but he was persistant so I went into the park drove up on one of the bike trails (I knew them well) and hid. I watched the guy go round and round for half an hour trying to find me. I didn't want to drive home because I didn't want the man to know where I lived.
Another moment Christmas time (Denver), sometime in the last ten years. I was loading up my car getting ready to head to the airport to pick up my brother and head to Pueblo. I saw this man walking down the middle of the street towards where I was. I instantly got a bad feeling but I chose to not show fear, I acknowledged the man, looked him in the eyes. We had a brief exchange and I thought he had walked on but when I turned to get into my car he was in my passenger seat. Surprisingly, I didn't freak out, I just asked him what he thought he was doing, he said he was going with me and I just firmly told him to get out of my car and thankfully he did. The worst part though is that he stalked my house for three weeks after that. Unfortunately not my last stalker or my first.
I've had many other moments but those are the ones mentioned. I guess when I started to consider carrying and then later decided to take self-defense it was one of the things I asked myself about "why now" up until now I had been lucky and have never needed a gun, I am fortunate to have a keen sense of danger. Honestly I can't answer that with a definite answer. But I guess it comes down to, I decided to carry because I can and before the thought had never crossed my mind and besides just because in almost forty years I've been lucky and I hope to continue to be so but I like the saying, "It is better to have a gun and not need it than need one and not have it."
Just reading Kathy Jackson's web page, I had come to admire her so greatly and meeting her in person it only made that admiration greater. What an extremely spectacular woman with a great sense of humor! I left there feeling like the happiest person in the world. I have never really had anyone that I admire so greatly other than my grandfather so she's pretty special to me.
The class was fun and surprisingly small. Most of the holsters that were presented were ones I had spent time researching previously but I did learn some good points about carry methods. I was surprised that she didn't have any thigh holsters though, which is my choice carry method. Fortunately two days ago I finally got my CCW permit (103 or 104 days) so I had carried to class. A lot of the women were very interested in mine, which I showed to the class and passed around. I had got a lot of questions about it afterwards as well.
Over all, it was such a wonderful experience. I really wish I could have afforded to take the pistol class as well.
I apologize to anyone that I haven't responded to, for some reason blogger isn't letting me reply to any comments. I did read them all and had things to say. Maybe eventually they will get this fixed.
In other news, I got my permit finally, 104 days after application. My god is the picture awful and I'm not just saying that. I think that's why it took so long to get it, they probably hesitated giving it to me. lol.
Posts to follow on my experience of carrying in public. Tonight is the Kathy Jackson class, I'm pretty excited.
