The gap between gun owners and people who don't own guns - that is a vast gap in our country. It's two different cultures. - Ira Glass, host of This American Life
I went shooting last weekend. I shot a real gun, and I liked it. It was the first time my hands had ever touched a firearm.
It happened on a date with someone whom I had briefly met only once. When he proposed the date, he refused to tell me what we were going to do, but he promised that it would be "mind-blowing," and he recommended that I not wear heels. He was bringing a friend, and he told me I could invite one too. ("Hey Christy, do you want to do an unnamed activity with some guys I don't know?") She and I had dinner at Whole Foods before they picked us up in the largest, shiniest Ford truck I had ever seen. I think my entire Accord could fit into the truck's cabin. I couldn't help but ask: 12.5 miles/gallon.
Once we were in the car, they announced that they had brought their guns - my date owns about a dozen - and that they were taking us to an indoor shooting range. "You should probably know upfront," I said, "that I voted for Obama, I hate the NRA and I barely believe in the Second Amendment. But, I am always up for a new adventure." Which is true. Which is why I was actually pretty excited.
The first thing we saw when we arrived at the "range" were two dudes getting arrested for drug possession. Awesome. Undaunted, we got outfitted with bullets, goggles, ear plugs and targets - one of which was a creepy picture of Osama Bin Laden holding a machine gun. Christy had gone shooting before, but the boys very patiently taught me how to load, aim and shoot. Turns out, I'm a pretty good shot! I destroyed Osama's pocket and his beard, for which I credit my excellent teachers. We shot a revolver that had a strongish recoil and hurt my hand, and two different slick 22's. A few times, I forgot I was holding a gun and would turn to ask the guys a technical question, waving the firearm in the air. They calmly reminded me what was in my hand and asked me to put it down.
I think I understand gun appeal now. It's really empowering to control this intense machine and get it to do exactly what you want. The 22's we used were small, light and easy to handle. Shooting them was so simple; it really felt like no big deal. And that is exactly why I think guns are so pernicious: just a quick "no big deal" flick of the finger has power over life and death. That's scary.
I don't feel the need to go shooting again any time soon, but our gentlemanly friends did an excellent job of working to close the gap between gun-owners and gun-haters.
This weekend, I'm taking my date to a choral music concert. I hope it's mind-blowing.
11 comments:
The scariest part is hearing about you turning around with a loaded gun!
During a weapons exercise while I was at officer training, my flight commander asked me to pick up a rifle the way it felt most natural to me. I picked it up by the butt end with my thumb and forefinger like a stinky sock.
Everyone laughed at me.
Glad to hear that by handling a firearm you too have felt an incredibly surge of power, like God must feel when he's holding a gun.
Like most things that happen in your life I have a very applicable episode of the Simpsons to show you.
The scariest part, Pops, was WATCHING her turning around with a loaded gun! haha. good times. she's a natural, don't let that dem fool you one bit, you were meant to own one Jen, I think Juan is having one inscribed with your name for your birthday as we speak. ;) thanks again for inviting me!
I'm laughing right now.
Well, when you need to protect your family's food supply at the end of the world, they will be lucky to have a mom who has a lucky shot, and who has had some practice. ekkk, guns scare me too.
Yes, a twenty-two caliber has a rather light kickback, feels like nothin'. Just wait till you work your way up to a shotgun. That will bust a shoulder if you don't hold it right. (I like pretending that I am with the gun crew.)
I've never shot one either, but I've been shot (in the leg, bb gun, several stitches) which is probably why I've never been into it. And I definitely would have forgotten I was holding the gun. My dad does that with knives in the kitchen, and mom always tells us to stay out of his "blood zone." Which so far, we all have. ;)
i can't believe you actually stayed in the car with them when they announced to you that they had brought their guns along. well, let's be honest. the giant ford truck was the first signal that something was wrong. hello?! didn't some warning bells go off in your head???? i'm glad you survived it, j!
probably the funniest thing i've heard in a while!
Jen, I got a kick out of this. I also got a kick out of Tom's comment. The Simpsons and Seinfeld... there's always an episode that relates.
Excited for next month's book club.
Cali
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