March is upon us and is coming in like a lion. No, the weather at Gunsite is grand, but the Republic is in an uproar.
We have followed the various media outlets, conservative and liberal, mainstream and otherwise. We have followed the commentary on various social media. So much said with so little facts in much of it all.
It is interesting to note that so many of the population follow what so many with little real-world life experiences have to say. What can a television or movie star or musician know of the life of those of us in “steerage.” They live in their gated communities with alarm systems and protective details. Their concerns are being mobbed by the paparazzi. When they do have mentally ill stalkers, their protective details (armed) are there to protect them behind their walls and security systems.
The same applies to much of our media. Recent example is CNN Reporter shooting an AR-15 Modern Sporting Rifle with a retired military officer. (Where the military officer comments about the rifle being able to fire “Full Semi Auto.”) Again, the blind leading the blind. There are a few in the media who actually do their homework, have had training, and can speak of guns and the Constitution in an educated manner. (Katie Pavlich for example.)
The comments by the young people, while heart felt, is emotional and not based on a lifetime of experiences nor knowledge. There is a reason they can’t vote until they are of the majority age.
“We’ve got to do something” even if it is illegal, unconstitutional or has been proven not to work (“Assault Weapons Ban”) is not the answer even if it is spouted by the celebrities, young people or the media.
We do not claim to know it all or have THE answer. However, we have hundreds of years of real world experience in our staff and we believe we know some of the answers.
Personally, I have 35 years as a LEO. My career began when we had mental hospitals that we could take the mentally ill to and be cared for. For a variety of reasons, those were closed down by the state. My experience after that was the homeless population exploded. As hard as the private groups work, they cannot properly care for those folks. My experience working in a Jail and operating a jail was that the mentally ill now came to jail. Regardless of how hard the Sheriff and staff worked to assist them, Jail is not the answer for the mentally ill.
I’ll match my personal experience on the street and in the world, and that of our great staff, with any of the “celebrities” and the youth and with the media as to dealing with the criminals and the mentally ill and what works and what does not. More laws, bans of weapons, unconstitutional remedies and the knee-jerk “we’ve got to do something” is not the answer.
Now is the time we need to continue to speak up, let our voices be heard in a firm but polite and professional manner, to let business’ know we do not spend our hard-earned monies with them if they choose to take a public stance against our Constitution, and to support the NRA.
Gunsite has also offered a free 250 Pistol Course to school administrators. That is, those who have a vote in approving training and carry of firearms by school staff. (Did you hear it mentioned on Hannity?) It is proving to be very popular. Our goal is to educate those who make the decisions.
March is coming in like a Lion at Gunsite as well. A large Shotgun Class just finished, there are two (2) media events underway and more. We will have a “Seasoned Citizen” 250 Pistol course next week along with another private Pistol Course. Battle Rifle will be sending quality rounds out to a distance while the (doubled) 250 Pistol courses learn. There are 350 Pistol, 499 Pistol, Pistol Range Days, Private Classes, more media events and more throughout the month.
Remember that we have off-site courses all over the Republic. Next up is the 150 Pistol class in Lebanon Indiana April 6-8. Lebanon IN Police are hosting us on their new Firearms Training Range. Tennessee has a 123 Carbine in mid-April as well. Is it time for your “In-Service” refresher for your guns?
Enough for this month. If you haven’t practiced, it is time to do so. The evil in the world practice and we need to be better. When you practice, find a young person and educate them in the responsibilities of good gun handling.
Stay strong!
DVC,
Ken
