I was born in 1946 in South Dakota, and spent my first few childhood years on a sheep farm.
Guns were an everyday necessary tool. Predators and vermin plagued our sheep; coyotes, foxes and weasels killed their share of our livelihood. Dad killed as many as possible with a trusty 22 semi-automatic, which I still have.
It's never shot or killed any man, woman or child; nor did my father, who safely discharged more than 16,000 rounds through it. He also hunted ducks, pheasants, geese, and deer that we ate providing much needed nutrition.
I received my first BB gun for Christmas at 6 years old, Dad taught me gun safety Christmas Day.
For my eighth birthday I received a 22 caliber pellet pistol. I wore it out after several repairs 5 years later.
At nine, Dad gave me Mom's over/under single shot 410/22 to use. It shot a lot of delicious quail and rabbits.
At ten, Dad said I could use his 300 Savage to hunt deer. I killed, gutted and skinned my first buck that season.
By eleven, my Grandfather had given me his old double barrel, side-by side, open hammer, 12 gauge shotgun. He almost never gave anything away.
On my 12th birthday, Mom and Dad gave me a 9 shot, 22 caliber, western style, revolver and custom holster. I slept with it near me and loaded for 10 years when I had worn its action out after about 12,000 rounds.
Since then I have rarely been without a loaded hand gun at my side.
Two years later, my father and I bought a Savage, model 99e, lever action, 243 caliber. Very fast, very accurate; a great deer rifle. I shot 37 Mule deer bucks and 2 does, which were donated to the needy and the Humane Society. A few years back I gave the rifle to my oldest son, he still has it.
I shot in Trap Shooting competition for fifteen years, running 100 straight, eleven times in 3 different State and Regional Championships, shooting about 55,000 rounds in practice and competition
Today I have and use several long guns and several hand guns. I have had for many years, and still have a Concealed Carry Permit. I test fire hand guns nearly every month, long guns a couple times per year.
I never had to shoot anyone; I've come close to it a few times.
My guns have never deliberately or accidentally shot, or shot toward, anyone. Never transported themselves or ammunition anywhere, never loaded themselves, never aimed themselves, never fired themselves.
In 66 years no one has ever been harmed by any of my numerous guns, and never will. They are inanimate tools.
In the same time; many evil, ignorant and careless people and governments have murdered, maimed and injured millions of innocent people, and some guilty ones, with a wide variety tools including guns.
For some reason, some very ignorant people think the problem is the guns.
People wake up!
Guns cannot kill anyone!
People kill people!
Guns were an everyday necessary tool. Predators and vermin plagued our sheep; coyotes, foxes and weasels killed their share of our livelihood. Dad killed as many as possible with a trusty 22 semi-automatic, which I still have.
It's never shot or killed any man, woman or child; nor did my father, who safely discharged more than 16,000 rounds through it. He also hunted ducks, pheasants, geese, and deer that we ate providing much needed nutrition.
I received my first BB gun for Christmas at 6 years old, Dad taught me gun safety Christmas Day.
For my eighth birthday I received a 22 caliber pellet pistol. I wore it out after several repairs 5 years later.
At nine, Dad gave me Mom's over/under single shot 410/22 to use. It shot a lot of delicious quail and rabbits.
At ten, Dad said I could use his 300 Savage to hunt deer. I killed, gutted and skinned my first buck that season.
By eleven, my Grandfather had given me his old double barrel, side-by side, open hammer, 12 gauge shotgun. He almost never gave anything away.
On my 12th birthday, Mom and Dad gave me a 9 shot, 22 caliber, western style, revolver and custom holster. I slept with it near me and loaded for 10 years when I had worn its action out after about 12,000 rounds.
Since then I have rarely been without a loaded hand gun at my side.
Two years later, my father and I bought a Savage, model 99e, lever action, 243 caliber. Very fast, very accurate; a great deer rifle. I shot 37 Mule deer bucks and 2 does, which were donated to the needy and the Humane Society. A few years back I gave the rifle to my oldest son, he still has it.
I shot in Trap Shooting competition for fifteen years, running 100 straight, eleven times in 3 different State and Regional Championships, shooting about 55,000 rounds in practice and competition
Today I have and use several long guns and several hand guns. I have had for many years, and still have a Concealed Carry Permit. I test fire hand guns nearly every month, long guns a couple times per year.
I never had to shoot anyone; I've come close to it a few times.
My guns have never deliberately or accidentally shot, or shot toward, anyone. Never transported themselves or ammunition anywhere, never loaded themselves, never aimed themselves, never fired themselves.
In 66 years no one has ever been harmed by any of my numerous guns, and never will. They are inanimate tools.
In the same time; many evil, ignorant and careless people and governments have murdered, maimed and injured millions of innocent people, and some guilty ones, with a wide variety tools including guns.
For some reason, some very ignorant people think the problem is the guns.
People wake up!
Guns cannot kill anyone!
People kill people!
