Why Shooting?

This Jew who shoots guns tends to get this question quite a bit lately from both Jews and Gentiles alike, in these days of uber-gun control "talks" and anti-second amendment rights "discussions". While it is impossible to give lengthy answers to each email or post, I can sum it up here on a personal note, as the reasons that one shoots is not based upon doctrine, rights, political affiliations, race, gender or latitude or longitude.

That being said, here are my personal answers to the question "Why shooting?". Multiple answers are required for this single question because there are so many different types of shooting.

I own several handguns and they are the ultimate in quick personal protection and a helluva lot of fun to shoot. From fast-paced steel shooting to slow, methodical bullseye shooting and everything in between, the handgun offers the most variety in shooting sports, plinking enjoyment and the development of attaining perfection in hand-eye coordination.

I own a shotgun with three different barrels. With the first, I shoot target sports like trap, skeet and sporting clays. Great fun and an even greater challenge. The second barrel is used for hunting turkey and coyote, and the combination of enjoyment of the outdoors and an adrenaline rush like no other, you will never find. The third barrel is a slug barrel for large game hunting.

I own several rifles for various purposes. How many different options could there be for using a rifle? Well, here are mine. 

• Short distance target shooting. The smaller caliber rifles can't get way out there so these are for close up fun and precision against paper, plastic bottles and steel gongs.
• Long distance target shooting. My larger caliber rifles offer quite the challenge at 200-300 yards, also against paper and steel gongs.
• Transition shooting. Five rounds in the rifle, five different targets at five different distances offer a challenge of transitioning from target to target, as fast as possible.
• Limited hunting. While no rifle can be used in New Jersey for hunting, a short trip to Pennsylvania offers opportunities not available in the garden state of impending socialism.

 

So, why the hell am I telling you this? Why would you give a crap? Because it proves a point. Nowhere in any of the statements above is anything that someone need be afraid of. It's fear that drives the anti-gun movement as well as preventing the exploration of a sport and past time that can have true effect on peoples lives, both young and old. Although, admittedly, more and more people are getting into shooting sports and hunting than ever before.

Why shooting? All the answers are different. "It keeps me young." "It helps me focus and think." "It gets me out of the house and away from the tv." "It reminds me of being a kid again." "It's exciting." "It's fun." "It gives me confidence." "It helps keep me safe, or at least to feel that way." Real answers from real people. It's all very personal, very private and very important to millions and millions of individual shooters.

This Jew Shoots Guns. Why NOT shooting?

Comments

[Brad_in_MA]

Bogie,

Yeah, the spee-d-loader (a 15 in my case) is a great idea. I first learned of the tool when researching the viability of using my Marlin 60 tube feed at an Appleseed event. If I like it well enough, I just might even pick up a second one. The other benefit of the 15-round variant is that it fits quite nicely inside my travel ammo box. Load up two and I've got 240 rounds of rimfire goodness at the ready for the Marlin.

I'd change one thing about the design . . . and only one thing. I'd use a lighter spring between the nozzle and the floor plate. Just a little lighter mind you. I suppose I could hunt for one and swap it but that's just too much fuss.

[Bogie]

Hi Brad,

Yeah, aren't those great? The kids were clamoring to use mine at a steel match so they could load their Henry repeaters.

[Brad_in_MA]

Bogie,

GREAT post. I recently got one of those Spee-d-loaders in 15 round capacity for my Marlin 60. Haven't used it yet . . . the range is presently buried under about 18" of frozen global warming. We're expecting a warming trend so maybe in a couple weeks.

Brad