The question of "guns versus butter" is an old one in economics. Both food and firearms seem popular topics of discussion here.

It makes me nervous to read about individuals buying firearms "for Y2K." While I support our 2nd Amendment rights, if one is buying a firearm for Y2K, it may well be the person has never owned a firearm before. The purchase of a weapon "for Y2K" also suggests they see a need for one.

For the record, I am not "anti-gun." In earlier posts, I have tried to help individuals with reasonable questions about firearms. As a life-long hunter and outdoorsman, I do have some experience. Like many country boys, my father taught me how to shoot with a little single-shot Ithaca .22. [My father did not approve of "BB" guns. He said (and I agree) pellet guns make it easy to fall into bad habits.] My experience in the U.S. military "extended" my firearms acumen.

While I support the right to keep and bear arms, I respectfully ask those considering the purchase of a firearm to consider the matter carefully. Subsistence hunting is not a great rationale. During the first six months of the Great Depression, so many deer were poached that it took decades for some populations to recover. You are far better off investing in seeds and domestic animals if food is your concern.

If you are worried about home defense, consider this. If someone wants to raid your home, they will not ring the bell like the Avon salesperson. "Hello, we are here for your rice and beans. Would you like to participate in our bonus victim plan?" As I pointed out in an earlier post, your home is a fixed position. It is nearly impossible to defend a fixed position against a motivated aggressor force.

When I made this point before, it generated a fair amount of chest thumping. "I will kill all who approach my bunker!" Right. Those with experience know better.

In addition, the inexperienced often handle weapons poorly in a tense situation. Even in field exercises, I have seen "boots" panic, jam a weapon, fire without looking, try to fire with the safety on, forget to reload and more violations of basic safety than you can imagine. Even salty vets have Mr. Murphy pay a visit from time to time.

I am not suggesting you not defend yourself. Nor am I saying you ought not own a firearm.

Unless you think Y2K will result in extreme social disruptions, the "need" to own a firearm is not much different than the "need" to own one today. If you think we face serious threats, you might be wise to consider alternatives to armed conflict. Hiding (with some resources) may have better results than confrontation.

A fair criticism of this post might be, "Decker, you already have your guns. Shut up and let us buy ours!" (I hope I captured the appropriate spirit.) Yes, I do own a few rifles and shotguns. Yes, they could be used for defense... although I own them for other reasons. Even with military training, experience and weapons, I plan to avoid conflict if at all possible.

If you do decide to enter the world of firearms, do so as an educated consumer. I suggest starting the way I did, with a .22 rifle. They are inexpensive to purchase, ammunition is the least expensive of any caliber and they are comfortable to shoot. My personal joy is a Ruger 10/22 with a target barrel and some accurizing options. Recreational target shooting (aka "plinking") can be great fun. You may decide to become one of America's many sportsmen (or sportswomen) and hunt. Firearms are a lifestyle choice. I worry less in Montana where every other pickup has a gun rack than I do in the Mid Atlantic. A regular (safe) shooter is less likely to hurt himself (or herself) or others. The person I worry about is the one who buys a firearms, loads it and then forgets it.

Be safe,

Regards,

If you want to arm yourself, I suggest you start with a reliable .22 caliber rifle.

From an earlier post of mine... "We are not a free society if others pick and choose our "freedoms" for us. The person buying this shotgun may or may not behave in a responsible manner... The challenge of liberty is to allow this person the opportunity to exercise his rights.

To the original poster, I will pass on the advice my father gave me many years ago. Don't load a weapon unless you plan to shoot. Don't shoot unless you know what you plan to hit... and what will happen if you miss. Don't point a weapon at a man unless you mean to shoot him. And don't shoot unless you mean to kill him.

It seemed brutal at the time (I was young), but it made more sense as I grew older. You have to decide, before you ever pick up a weapon, what you are willing to do. You have to decide what is worth extinguishing another a human life.

For those who have carried a weapon in the line of duty, no weight is greater. After the novelty of your new shotgun wears off, I advise you to sit and think about what it means. Think about how to avoid having to stand in harm's way, about how you will carry the burden of your choices until your last day on the planet. Think about making a mistake... and having to live with it.

You see, friend, buying the shotgun just takes a photo ID and some cash. Owning one takes maturity, sense, and restraint. Be safe.

Like any complex tool, it takes practice to master a firearm. Any fool with a few dollars can buy a rifle... it takes

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), April 28, 1999

Answers

OOPS!!! I left some text from a cut and past on the bottom of my message. Mr. Murphy paid me a visit just to remind me. (laughter) Please forgive the garble after "regards"

(laughter)

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), April 28, 1999.

One of the important things they teach at Thunder Ranch and other firearm training facilities is when NOT to use a gun. They start out by saying that if you are carrying a concealed pistol and an armed robber (knife or gun) demands your wallet, give him your wallet. Do NOT shoot him, or brandish your pistol (don't even draw it unless you intend to kill and answer for it later).

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), April 28, 1999.

Righto, Flint

Give him your wallet, then he shoots you (RIP), after which he serves 18 months in the slam.(maybe)

-- Rich Miller (rmiller2@ix.netcom.com), April 28, 1999.

Mr. Decker, Great post! As usual you display a level-headed approach to this issue. Sad to say that so many are not thinking about the use of DEADLY FORCE and it's resulting ramifications. I was taught by my father at a very early age how to handle,clean and properly operate all types of firearms. Growing up in the north east GA. mountains you learned how to protect and provide. Later on in my young life I chose to enter the MARINE CORPS and my prior know- ledge of weaponry enabeled me to perform way ahead of my peers.While serving my country I had the oppurtunity to excell in my knowledge of firearms.Some of my accomplishments include rifle and pistol ex- ert qualification with the M-14,M-16,and the M1911 .45 automatic. By being proficient with the rifle I had the oppurtunity to learn how to use the most lethal weapon ever developed by this country.The Sniper rifle! Needless to say ,none of us knows for any certainty what will trans- pire at the end of this year or even sooner for that matter! My per- sonal advice to everyone would be to keep your skills honed to a razor's edge and seek knowledge about the USE OF DEADLY FORCE!To take a human life whether by hand to hand or at a 1000 yds. results in a battle of moral and conscious conflicts. In closing I would like to offer my assistance to anyone that lives in my neck of the woods.I've been doing this already for alot of first time firearm owners and believe me folks there's alot of people out there preparing.Just utilizing my knowledge in hopes that maybe it will prevent some unnecessary deaths! SEMPER FIDELIS -BTW,for those that are not familiar,this is the USMC motto,meaning "ALWAYS FAITHFUL". Once a Marine always a Marine!

-- Semper Fi (etl@stc.net), April 28, 1999.

Rich:

I'm just repeating what the professional urban combat specialists say. If you know better, I recommend you go right down to Thunder Ranch and tell them.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), April 28, 1999.

kc, ever read Robert Heinlein's book Tunnel In The Sky? I recommend it highly, basic plot is in the future, a field exam for a college (high school?) survival course goes wrong. Excellent reading, you will enjoy it.

Flint, I'll bet Rich doesn't know who the personel at the Ranch are, therefore he won't get the humor of your reply.

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), April 28, 1999.

Okay, to those of you familiar with Thunder Ranch... do you know of any more affordable options?

-- Mumsie (Lotsakids@home.com), April 29, 1999.

Isn't that Jeff what's his name's school?? Ummm Jeff Cooper??

Igorent Chuck

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), April 29, 1999.

The only reason NOW to give a robber your wallet and not attempt to shoot him is that the pigs (police and courts) will cause you a whole lot of trouble, like money and time expenses and probably an unwanted vacation. After Y2K, when/if TSHTF, things may be a little different.

Now, many of us resist resisting our "protectors" because they are organized. They may not be after Y2K.

-- A (A@AisA.com), April 29, 1999.

I imagine the reason that Clint Smith would advise giving up your wallet in that situation is because you are already at a disadvantage...your situational awareness left something to be desired because the bad guy got the drop on you. Typically you can't react fast enough to draw and shoot someone who has already drawn on you.

Clint Smith runs Thunder Ranch and Richard Gee runs Gunsite. Both good schools if you have the bucks.

-- me (me@work.org), April 29, 1999.

I also believe that if you have never used a firearm before and you are doing some preparation for Y2K that you should buy a .22 rifle with a scope and throw in a 12 gauge shotgun. Ammo is cheap. Semper Fi

-- Richard Markvart (bullwink1e@aol.com), June 04, 1999.