Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Hangtime on October 15, 2005, 11:14:08 PM
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Two of the best days in my recent memory. First was my Daughters Wedding this past spring.
(http://www.hangtimes.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Wedding.jpg)
Next was this afternoon at the range. Some background is pertinent, so I'll try to be brief..
My kid's a 'liberal democrat', and her politics and mindset matched her mothers particularly with regards to guns. Not too long back we had discussion about guns and her immediate reaction was 'I don't like guns'. I was not suprised at that comment, and asked her 'Why.. you've never fired one? How can you know if you don't like 'em?"
Another long discussion followed.. back and forth on the evils of firearms their relationship to crime, their place in society, the people that own them, etc, etc. The discussion kept comming back to 'fear of guns' and 'I just don't like guns'. Never was able to get her to establish an exact reason why.. just a general unease with firearms.
My closer was a kinda rough but clear picture painted for her.. "Can you imagine being in a situation where someone has a gun and they are using it to control you? During the course of the situation lets say you get an opportunity to gain control of the gun. If you don't know how to use it, just WHO is really in control of the situtation? Kid, you don't need to 'like' guns. But in this world, a situation such as I describe is an everyday occurance. All I ask is that you give me an afternoon of your time to familiarize you with firearms so that should a situation arise you'll be better able react sensibly and effectively."
Final result was a tactict agreement to come to the range and 'check out' firing a rifle. We went today. She watched her husband shoot, me shoot, we demonstrated and described basic firearms saftey, described the functionality of the weapon she'd use, how to use the sights, how to load it, unload it.. she became intrigued.
(http://www.hangtimes.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/DSCN6520.jpg)
I had her spot for her husband for a half hour.. I was glowing with as much pride as when I walked her down the isle. When his target was shot out I asked Candice if she wanted to shoot now and she declined. With a knowing smile I suggested to her husband that he start working on "Candices target". "What??" she said; "I have a target??"
"Oh, yeah.. I've got three.. one's for you."
That kid set herself up, dropped in a stripper clip, cycled the bolt and settled in with a good pocket and a decent cheek weld. Just a bit more coaching.. "FRONT sight.. breathe in; exhale a little, hold the sight on the target and squeeze gently.. keep your eyes OPEN! .. don't flinch, don't anticipate...
(http://www.hangtimes.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/DSCN6521.jpg)
and damned if she didn't fire a nice tight group right in the center ring first time out. I know my kids competitive nature.. all she needed was a bit of confidence and an objective...
(http://www.hangtimes.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/DSCN6533.jpg)
She pumped 200 rounds through that little gun today, her shoulder hurts a bit, but she's fired up; literally - and can't wait to try it again.
Over dinner I sat back and just watched.. she wants to check out skeet; want's to know about pistols, wants to know about 'that big old musket that guy was shooting.. I liked the smell of that..'
Damn, t'was a glorious day in the neighborhood!
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nice story, warms my heart. thanks for posting it. my wife and all my kids shoot so thankfully I don't have that problem.
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Sounds like a heck of a good day there Dad. Ain't it nice when experiance and knowledge overcome fear and ignorance?
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Wow! Great story Hangtime, way to break through the barrier with the "her target" trick. Spending time with your kids = great. Spending time with your kids at the range teaching them proper firearms handling = priceless.
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Amazing how that works. My mom shot for the first time at "parents day" in the police academy... my instructor even brought a full-auto SMG and she put 32 through that. While she hasn't shot since, her outlook has definately changed from the ignorant "I dunno, I just don't like guns."
Wtg. :)
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maybe you can help me with my neighbors who are ultra right wing christians who abhor guns.
;)
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Originally posted by Silat
maybe you can help me with my neighbors who are ultra right wing christians who abhor guns.
;)
There is only 1 solution
Crucifixion :lol
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or you could just horribly murder them WITH a gun.
(http://mirrorimageorigin.collegepublisher.com/media/paper420/stills/7d82ch6z.jpg)
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HT - I had my day out with Lazs. I wouldn't have gone if I was scared of guns. My views on the wisdom/folly guns-4-all remain unchanged.
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Great story, Hang! And whats with all that hair you have in the first pic? Guys with less hair are more evolved! :D
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Deleted.
5- Flamebaiting, trolling, or posting to incite or annoy is not allowed.
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Excellent post Hangtime.
When trying the same tactic on people I meet I usually try to explain that a firearm is nothing but a machine. I compare it to cars, toasters, lawnmowers, etc to try and show that the fear of a gun is misplaced.
I do like your tack though of asking the question of "what if you needed to know how to use a gun in a situation?"
I'll have to add that to my arsenal of democracy and freedom next time I meet someone that is fearful and ignorant of firearms.
Well done!
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She's a good kid that hasn't yet grown a closed mind. Wasn't always the case, we had a very, very tough time keeping her alive as a teen. She's 23 now and the last 4 years have been the best of her life and mine.
Every day with her is a gift.. I am a truly proud Dad and love those two kids more than anything. It's become my mission to leave them with a legacy of what it means to be an american.
So far, so good...
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hang... I am very glad for you. I am not having quite such good luck with my daughter but things are slowly getting better.. you are a very lucky man.
lazs
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Lucky is correct Laz. It's only luck that she made it... so many others don't. Just don't give up on 'em.. be there, be the rock; the anchor, keep a sense of humor and take action when your gut sez it's time to take action.
And thanks are due to you and many others I've known over the years here.. inna bucha lil ways this lil community has been a help. Sometimes we all get lost.
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Originally posted by lazs2
Deleted.
5- Flamebaiting, trolling, or posting to incite or annoy is not allowed.
you are going to get the thread locked as soon as sandman sees it. terrible idea, people in America being required to learn english. you need sensitivity training.
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Deleted.
4- Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users and HTC. Flaming or abusing users is not tolerated.
5- Flamebaiting, trolling, or posting to incite or annoy is not allowed.
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I don't have a criminal record, and if resident in the US would be eligible to buy a firearm. I know this because I have English friends who live there who have done the research, although none of them feels the need to own one.
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every ex brit I know here has firearams..
lazs
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I was going to say something witty about the 1st picture... but then I saw all the guns in the following pictures, so I decided to shut it :D
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Originally posted by Saintaw
I was going to say something witty about the 1st picture... but then I saw all the guns in the following pictures, so I decided to shut it :D
How properly French of you! :)
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Oh, but let me clear it up... I see it as:
Guns are not dangerous per se (I shoot myself)
but a "Dad" with a gun is more dangerous than a rattlesnake, I speak of experience.
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We don't need a gun to be dangerous.
Guns are far too impersonal and painless.
A cammo T-shirt, red headscarf and a $3.00 fillet knife does the trick.
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Nice Hang!
Great read.
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(http://www.hangtimes.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Wedding.jpg)
WTG for that old dude on scoring the teenie, pity he had to marry her though.
:D
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Originally posted by Vulcan
(http://www.hangtimes.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Wedding.jpg)
WTG for that old dude on scoring the teenie, pity he had to marry her though.
:D
LOL :aok
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that gun look scary
I bet the sound of that operating is horrifying
; )
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One of those 'moments'.. her soon to be husband and I were watching her pose for her wedding shots.
he remarked 'damn, she looks hot'.
I said, 'yeah. so'd her mother the day i married her'.
he literally flinched.. I dunno if it was context, or he just forgot what he said to who, or the enormity of the situation he was getting 'locked' into, but before i could work the moment any further they hauled him off for his monkey suit pictures.
Like I said.. just one of those 'moments' that hang with you...
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Originally posted by Hangtime
he remarked 'damn, she looks hot'.
My thoughts exactly. Redheads rule. :aok
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I'd hit it.
I mean really, I never knew that Hang looked so danged purty in a tux!
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Only thing missing is a handle-bar mustache. :cool:
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they shaved my ears.
really.
my ears normally have mustahes.
i'm considering corn rows for my ass.
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Originally posted by Hangtime
they shaved my ears.
really.
Lot of old guys do (or should). :D
I suffer from the occasional wild hair on my ears, but it's nothing I can't handle. :)
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Originally posted by Hangtime
i'm considering corn rows for my ass.
Good call...cuts down on the dingleberries!
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Lot of old guys do (or should).
I don't shave my armpits, eyebrows or my ass, and a bikini wax ain't on the agenda either.. shouldn't our ears get the same exemption?
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Is it just me or does he have his hand on her butt?
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thats not my hand.
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Originally posted by Hangtime
thats not my hand.
"those are not pillows" ;)