FLYING A FIREARM
By Jerry Bond
Side arms are a provocateur of emotions.
Few topics will elicit opinions pro or con
more than guns and airplanes.
I know, I have guns and I am a pilot.
Hardly a day goes by that someone does not say,
“Aren’t you afraid of flying? What if you fall?”
I always explain my position and encourage them
to experience flight for themselves -- then decide.
Airplanes, like guns, are a calculated risk.
There are things that can go wrong, but
The joy of addressing a challenge
And accomplishing competence is rewarding.
I have owned long guns and handguns for years.
They sat in the closet collecting dust and rust.
Sitting there waiting to be used for some unknown purpose.
Yesterday, I took a gun safety course to learn what.
There are long guns such as rifles and shotguns.
There are handguns like revolvers and semi-automatics.
Revolvers have a rotating cylinder and
semi-automatics have a single chamber fed by magazine.
Hand guns have three basic components.
F – frame.
A – action.
B – barrel.
Mike, the licensed Tennessee firearms instructor,
explained in detail the working of various handguns,
and how to properly clean, store and care
for them safely. Safety being the common denominator.
As I listened, I heard similarities in flight instruction.
G – gravity.
T – thrust.
L – lift.
D – drag.
Safety, in aviation, is also the common denominator
of all decisions on the ground and in the air.
Flying involves airplanes, atmosphere, preparation, concentration.
Fly reliable equipment, be aware of your surroundings,
practice, practice, practice and consider all options constantly.
So much about details, safety and more safety.
Be aware of where your weapons are stored.
Know where you can legally carry sidearms.
“Stop, don’t touch, walk away, tell an adult.”
Mike continued his instruction with a video.
In the event of an accident,
C – Call the police.
A – Assist the wounded.
P – Place the firearm in a safe place.
S – Secure the scene.
Finally, lunch. friendly banter among new friends.
And then, to the range.
Much like a religious experience
Full of ritual, repetition and safety.
Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.
Keep your firearm unloaded until ready to fire.
Keep your trigger finger off of the trigger until ready to fire.
Count your rounds.
“Eyes and ear protection”, he said.
“Load six rounds.” he instructed.
“Ready on the firing line.”
“Fire six rounds at your leisure.”
Even with the ear protection.
The explosion of sounds emanating
from a 9 mm, a .177 revolver, a 45 automatic and two 22’s
was … loud, surprising, scary … exhilarating.
“The gun is heavier than I thought.”
“It is hard to pull the trigger.”
“Did I hit the target at all?”
“I did, I did, I did!” I hit the target right over there.
From three yards away, it is hard to miss the target.
But I now know you can.
From 7 yards away, with more concentration
the rounds seem more predictable.
And, from fifteen yards, and only 36 rounds being fired.
I begin to get the point.
This is harder than I thought.
But, I am not going to let the other five class members WIN.
My arms are tired from holding the thing up.
My thumb hurts from cocking the hammer
I now know where to place my trigger finger and pull.
Explosion, recoil, listen for muffled instructions from Mike.
I can do this.
Hang fire, miss fire, squib load. Remember just in case.
Point your firearm down range. Raise your hand.
The range officer will come to you. SAFETY.
I know I can do this.
I did do this.
Now I know what.
Competitive shooting is fun.
Some carry firearms in the line of duty.
Some carry firearms while in harms way.
Others collect, clean and shoot as a hobby.
I choose just that.
For those who have never flown or fired.
My advice is that you no longer give advice
about the provocations of emotions
until you have tried both.
Flying has very little personal emotional value
until you have landed the plane – by yourself.
Firing a gun has very little personal emotional value
until you hit the bullseye, and the person next to you did not.
There are those who enjoy and appreciate fire arms. Then,
there are those of the anti-gun lobby.
Embroiled in an endless debate, they pontificate
“guns are dangerous,” they say.
Yes, guns are dangerous.
Bad things can happen, people and property can be hurt.
Yes, flying is dangerous.
Planes can and do crash from time to time.
But, I have discovered in all of this.
That living ones life to its natural end,
without experiencing all of the life knowledge, joys and challenges
that are possible is also dangerous.
God might say, “Did you land a plane?”
God might say, “Did you hit the target?”
God might say, “Did you teach anyone safety?”
God might say, “Why not?”
That could be dangerous.
You decide for yourself.
If you are a dusty, rusty handgun owner.
If you are interested in learning about personal protection.
If you are looking for a new hobby or sport.
If you want to have a great Saturday experience.
Call Mike Kidd
My girlfriend Carole and I did.
Thanks.
