Who are these people who love firearms?

Four years ago, I, a raging liberal, would have been one of those who would have supported a ban on "assault" weapons.  Today I would not.   However I would support our strengthening and enforcing the laws we have in place,  requiring gun safety courses and would consider limiting carbines  to 10 round magazines.

We are not going to discuss my stand on firearm regulations in this post, because I want to explain to you non-gun folks why people like to collect and own firearms.  This is important to consult with experts, when we need to make informed decisions and take strong actions on stopping the mass shootings we have been experiencing.  Therefore we need to consult the people that know the most about firearms.

The first reason for the change in my beliefs is that in the last two years I have educated myself about firearms, compete in International Defense Pistol Association (IDPA ) competitions, go to a firearm range and I now have a collection of competition firearms. I absolutely love competing in matches, eating lunch or dinner afterwards while going over each play to learn what I need to practice on and bragging and looking superior when I shoot well.

The second reason is that my son, Jon Kydd Tharpe,  is now a Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) Instructor in Ohio and my grand kids all love to shoot.  It has become a family sport we all enjoy.

Here are things I have learned as a competitive shooter:

• Competitive shooting is a serious sport with very rigid safety rules.  Break the rules, you are asked to leave the competition.
• There is a huge national and international community of men and women who are involved in competitive shooting sports.  Most of us own multiple firearms depending on the type of competition and we are always on the hunt for a better firearm, superior sights and just that lucky firearm that we bond with.
• Women are a rapidly growing group who are entering the competitive shooting arena and social groups.
• Firearms are an engineering intrigue.   Each firearm is very different from theother even within a model and each has a personality of its own.  Cleaning and maintaining your firearm, upgrading parts and fixing broken ones and branding your firearm with you in design and type are as much fun as the competition itself.  
• Collecting unique firearms is a fascinating hobby.  The historical research, engineering uniqueness and popular culture affects make collecting a very learned hobby.  Collectors will spend countless hours pouring over books, websites and visits to dealers and gun shows to find unique firearms to enhance their collection.
• To be serious and skilled on how to protect yourself with a firearm takes countless hours of training.  
• Guns safety is a family and household matter, not just for the firearm owner.

Unfortunately, what is in the popular press are the shootings, accidents and suicides, not the hundreds of thousands of folks who own firearms responsibly or the added number of folks those that really use firearms for defense.  These are the people that should be consulted for what needs to be accomplished to prevent these mass shootings. 

A Girl and A Gun

International Defense Pistol Association 

U.S Practical Shooting Association  

There are many more local organizations that also should be included in the discussions.  Here are the ones I belong to:

The RGVshooters.com
Texas Carbine

Local gun shops and ranges are also important to add:

Metal X Works
Larry Massey's Gun Shop and Range
Chuck's Gun Shop
American Firing Range

For those of you who are affiliated with other organizations, please add to this list in the comment section and I will add them to the blog entry.

See the upcoming blogs for others that love firearms.