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As you've probably surmised, my interest in guns is positive. That is, I like them, rather than the interest being trying to outlaw them. Therefore, I am interested in both the political and technical angles. (These two document are useful for those desiring a clearer understanding of the issue of gun control. The former is basically a brief listing and explanation of why gun control is Just Plain Wrong. The latter is a list of definitions of terms you are likely to hear used, or more likely misused or abused, in the media. Both include further relevant links.)
As for my own guns and their usage, I don't intend to lay out my full inventory here, but let's just say I have some handguns (from .22 to .45, some semiauto and some revolver), some rifles (from .22 to .30-06, including both bolt-action and semiauto), and a shotgun (12-gauge pump), and I doubt I'll ever accumulate more than, say, a dozen guns total. (If you read the Washington City Paper, you may have seen me posing with a .357 Magnum, in the May 15 1997 issue.) Despite my political rhetoric, it's mostly target stuff, and used, so far, only for that purpose. (At least, by me; some of it is military/police surplus, so I can't say for sure that they've never been used to shoot at people.) One of these days, I suppose I might get some additional training in how to carry and use a concealed handgun, and get a permit, but I haven't bothered yet -- even though I've been active in the political fight for the right to do so. Nor have I ever been hunting, though one of these years, I might bother going for a license and tagging along (so to speak) with some friends who are avid hunters, such as Russell Neuswanger.
So, am I any good at punching paper or turning clay into dust? Well, I'm pretty good with my .22 pistol (haven't even tried my .22 rifle yet), or my wonderfully accurate .357 Magnum, and okay with my .30-'06 rifle, and I've picked up skeet very quickly -- I even get most of the doubles, and my shotgun is a pumper! (Only occasionally do I forget to pump....) But with my .45, well, frankly, forget it. Even in my best skills, though, I'm nowhere near about to win any trophies -- especially since I haven't had time to get to a range since September 1996!
I've also been slowly learning about reloading, mostly with the help of my friend Ed Harris, who is a user on my BBS. (For the non-gunnies reading this, reloading, in this context, means taking a used cartridge casing, and putting in a new primer, new powder, and a new bullet.) You might recognize his name better as C.E. Harris, author of many an American Rifleman article, and inventor of Ed's Red bore cleaner (which he modestly claims is just an "update" of a recipe from (General Julian) Hatcher's Notebook). One of these years, maybe I'll set up a loading bench in my basement -- but frankly, I've been so busy with other things that I haven't had much time to shoot lately, so I've got so much ammo left, that it really wouldn't be worthwhile. If you're at all interested, go check out Dillon Precision Products, makers of the world's best (yet quite affordable!) home reloading equipment, and publishers of a very entertaining magazine/catalog, the Blue Press.
On the political side, I'm a member of JPFO (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership), GOA (Gun Owners of America), and the NRA (National Rifle Association (of America)) (which I've been considering dropping out of because they compromise too much), and have been quite active in the Virginia Citizens Defense League, where I was in charge of arranging and staffing our tables at gun shows in Northern Virginia from about 1998 to 2001. (Despite the militia-ish name, VCDL is instead a grass-roots non-profit non-partisan lobbying and educational organization. Check 'em out.)
Another interesting thing that many people are not aware of, is that the government had, until very recently, a program under which it would sell rifles and ammunition to civilians and clubs. This was the Army's "Directorate of Civilian Marksmanship". Individuals could get one M-1 Garand rifle, once in their lives, for a very good price; long ago, they used to sell other arms and ammo to individuals, but later started selling those only to clubs. However, it hasn't completely gone away; it has been "spun off" into a semi-independent corporation called the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Also, their rules have changed; now, you can get one Collector grade rifle and one Service or Select grade rifle, per year! The prices are still very good, and they still require a current background check. Also, the Service Grade rifles are now available without wood, for a lower price.
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