Well, I am sure every country in America does not have the right to bear arms. Semantics aside, I don’t get any reason other than it is their right. The question, “What is the reason it is easy to walk out of a gun store with a semi automatic AR-15?” is answered by rephrasing the question itself, “It is our right to bear arms“. It starts to sound like an infant not wanting to give up their toys, not a reasonable explanation supporting an amendment made to the constitution by the Founding Fathers.

Don’t even get me started on the Concealed Weapons Permit (wikipedia link).

I went shooting at a gun range this weekend. My friend owns a couple of hand guns and we shot them. I shot approximately 100 bullets, most on a Beretta 9mm. My first shot was with the 9mm. It took me by surprise. This gun handled and shot a lot better than the Sig Sauer P238. I even managed to hit a couple of bulls eyes. One in the chest and one in the head.

The mechanics of a gun, like the mechanics of anything well engineered fascinate me. I was excited to operate it, much like I was excited to operate a lathe for the first time. Except, on a lathe, I created a product of value. With the gun, I shot up a target. After we were done with shooting, I was not overcome by a sense of manliness but by a sense of satisfaction and respect for a gun. A bullet packs a lot of power and I hope to never use it. It was also an enjoyable experience.

It has not changed my stand against the second amendment. Cars are not too far from guns. I had a few close calls while riding my bicycle to the gun range. Nothing spectacular, just normal Jacksonville traffic.

It is more difficult to acquire a license to drive a car than it is to purchase a gun and bullets. Allowing motorists to talk on cell phones, change radio channels, make conversations with co-passengers and listen to music at a loud volume while driving is quite irresponsible. A car can be very dangerous even at low speed impacts for people who they hit. With this logic, I should be against the DMV licensing and driving rules too. Well I am and I think everyone should be subject to a mandatory full fledged driving test every other year and all cars should go through an inspection every year.

Just as there is a possibility I might purchase a car again, there is a possibility I might buy a gun. The difference is that if I ever give up my car free life, I will buy a completely utilitarian car. Contrarily, I’d purchase a gun purely as a hobby. I don’t have anything to protect. They can steal my motorcycle, TV and laptop. Everything else is old and used. It is not worth protecting these assets by having someone’s blood on my hands. Protecting a family is different. I don’t have wife and kids and am therefore not qualified to comment on it.

Even if I ever buy a car, I will continue to ride bicycles for transportation. On the other hand, if I ever own a gun, I’ll never carry it concealed.