The Math Teacher moonlights as Mary Kay Man

I'll be carrying something besides a gun

As most of you know in addition to being a gun addict I am a teacher in the public school system. I really love teaching and believe that God has called me to this field. I went back to college full time at Kennesaw State University at the advanced age of 45 to earn my degree in education. In order to make myself a better teacher I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington last December with a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. Needless to say, all of this education I have acquired over the last few years was not free and I had to take out numerous loans to be able to pay for it. It is now time to begin paying back those loans and to be honest the teaching profession isn't the most lucrative field I could have chosen. I didn't need any of my degrees to see that I had more money scheduled to go out than come in.
Mathematically, this is a recipe for disaster.

There are two solutions to this problem.
Decrease the amount going out. (Spend less)
Increase the amount coming in. (Make more)

Spend less -
We could eat out less, which we have started.
Reduce or cut out the cable/Internet bill. I was able to get it reduced but I can't cut it out.. I mean, wouldn't you miss me?
Use less water, cut the lights off, run the thermostat up or down.
Don't drive any where unless you have to.
And I'm sure you can think of all the same ones I did.
The problem is that we never have lived what you would call, "high on the Hog", so there isn't really that much to be saved.
I could stop buying ammo/guns and sell what I have. Just so you know how serious this is I have actually sold seven guns the summer and I have shot very little. That's why you haven't heard much from me. (This is supposed to be a blog about guns.)

Make more -
As a teacher I don't really have time for a second job at Kroger, McDonald's, Walmart, etc. so I began to look at other things I might do. After extensive research on various things such as Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Disciple's Cross, Fuller Brush, etc.; I have decided to become a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant.

When you stop laughing understand that Mary Kay is a fantastic company with a really good program to help people. Will I be doing your make-up and hosting a lot of parties?  Probably not, but I do promise to give you the best possible customer service and get what you need to you as quickly as possible. 
So check out my website and help a teacher out -
Mary Kay by Bill Stanley
And as always.....

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

New Gun = New Job?

I want everybody to know that I did get a new gun a couple of weeks ago but there is absolutely no truth to the rumor that I will be joining Navy SEAL Team 6 this summer. I'm guessing this rumor got started because the new gun I have is a Sig Sauer Navy Special P226 MK25. Yes, this is the exact same 9mm handgun that SIG sends to the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC). It comes complete with a phosphate finish applied to all internal components, “providing corrosion resistance in even the harshest of saltwater environments.” As opposed to the mildest of saltwater environments like maybe a salt water fish tank.

It even comes with an engraved gold anchor right on the side of the gun. Apparently, “the pistol’s slide hints at its military origin, while the UID code on the right side serves as a genuine badge of authenticity.” Better yet, “The true mil-spec 1913 rail is machined into the hard coat anodized alloy frame, providing a solid mounting point for lights, lasers and accessories.” The MK25 comes complete with two-piece polymer grips, SIGLITE night sights, three mags, and a card certifying that yup, it’s a collector’s piece alright. This firearm came from Stoddard's Range and Guns in Douglasville and I got it by trading three guns for it. That's right three guns. It was a pretty good deal when you consider that “the only other way to obtain an authentic MK25 pistol would require a Naval enlistment and training with elite forces.” That’s IF you got in AND you don’t get to keep the gun even if you DID. Which you probably wouldn’t so  . . .

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

To shoot or not to shoot?

To shoot or not to shoot? That is the question.

Since most of you know I am a big supporter of the Second Amendment you probably think this article has to do with something really important like when is it OK to pull your gun and shoot someone who is trying to hurt you or your family. Or is it alright to show a bad guy your weapon in hopes of scaring him off? Those are both very important topics but shall be addressed another day.

What I want to talk about today is, should I go to the range and shoot today? Most of the time when I make my weekly visit to the range it is with my 21 year old son. We started shooting together about 4 years ago and have gone most every Saturday since then. As you might expect, I enjoy shooting but part of the fun has always been spending time with my son, Joey. It's cool that he has grown into a fine respectful young man and even more cool that we have something that we can do together. When we first started, I could always out shoot him. He out shoots me sometimes now. Don't tell him but I think that is kind of cool.

So now for the problem. Joey has a job. Now, don't get me wrong I think the fact that he has a job is great. Heck, I have a job and so do most other responsible people. The problem is that Joey and I like to shoot early on Saturday mornings. Joey has started working almost every Saturday morning. The reason we go on Saturday mornings is it's usually less crowded and less people just means there is less chance for some sort of accident to happen. At a public range, you never know who the person in the next lane may be and how safe are they with their guns.

Do I go to the range early in the morning and shoot by myself?
Do I not go shooting and wait for when Joey can go?
Do I go later in the day?
There are some Saturdays that we could go later in that day but that doesn't work every weekend because sometimes he works most of the day.

I guess the real question is do I like shooting well enough to do it by myself?
Well, duh. Where's my range bag?

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher
  

Why do people want guns?

There are as many different reasons for wanting to own a gun as there are guns to own.

First, a gun can be used as a sporting tool. Guns can be used for target shooting and for hunting. I enjoy target shooting and it is very popular in the United States. You don't see it glamorized much but there are even a few different shooting events in the Olympics. The Olympic games include competitions for both men and women, with a total of 15 events in all - including five in each of the three major shooting disciplines – Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun. Men usually compete in 50m rifle three positions (prone, standing, kneeling); 50m rifle prone; 10m air rifle; 50m pistol; 25m rapid fire pistol; 10m air pistol; 10m running target; Trap (shotgun); Double Trap (shotgun); and Skeet (shotgun) Meanwhile, women sure shots usually participate in 50m rifle three positions (prone, standing, kneeling); 10m air rifle; 25m pistol; 10m air pistol; Trap (shotgun); Double Trap (shotgun); and Skeet (shotgun). As you might have guessed guns are also a vital part of hunting. I myself have never been hunting but it is something that I think I want to try. Maybe this fall....

Guns are also a valuable tool for self-defense. A gun is an equalizer. This means that a gun allows a small or nonathletic person to defend themselves from a criminal no matter how big or strong the criminal may be. There is an old saying that says, "God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal". Guns are also actually a great crime deterrent. When a criminal thinks you might be armed, he is less likely to choose you as a victim. The right to defend oneself from criminals is a basic human right, and a gun is one of the best tools to protect yourself, as well as your family, from crime. If you look at most mass shootings, they ended when someone else showed up with a gun, usually the police. The criminal either surrenders or takes their own life. This would lead you to believe that if they thought someone in that school, church or office had a gun they never would have started.

Finally, the founding father's believed that gun ownership was necessary for a country to truly be free. They created the Second Amendment so the people could protect themselves from the government. If the government distrusted the people so much as to disarm them, then that government no longer truly represented the people. In other words, in our structure of government, the power is supposed to lie in the hands of the people. How would it make sense for that government, of the people, to take away the most effective means of self defense from those people?

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Why do I carry a gun?

I'll preface this by saying that I carry a gun most every where I go. In fact, there are only two places that you would find me without a gun.

So, why do I carry a gun?

1. Because I can. It is a right afforded to me by the U.S. Constitution and the Georgia State constitution. It is afforded to me by a concealed carry law that law abiding citizens should never have had to fight for. Nonetheless, it has been hard won through long and expensive legislative action to develop what we have today. It is a right and the more of us who obtain the license and carry the guns, the harder it will be for controlling politicians to reverse it in the future.

2. Because it is my duty to take responsibility for my and my family's safety. I have lots of friends who are police officers but police generally arrive at a crime scene after the criminals are long gone and the devastation to citizen victims is already done. It is foolish indeed to believe that that our civil governments have the ability to protect us from the sub human predators of our society.

3. Because I live in a real world in which I recognize that dangers are present. To do otherwise is to stick our heads in the sand and ignore an ever-present danger among us.

4. Because I want to be part of what makes criminals wonder if the next person they choose to assault may be the one that ends their life. The more law abiding citizens that are armed, the less sure criminals can be of the outcome of their actions against us.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Shooting a Handgun Accurately

I enjoy shooting and go to the range most every weekend. Although I'm no expert by anyone's definition, I think I'm at least an adequate shot at around 20 to 25 feet. So I thought I would share some basic handgun shooting tips. There are of course many different ways to shoot a handgun but I'm going to concentrate on the simplest handgun techniques that I feel will work for most people.

There are five major components of an accurate shot:
the stance, or how the body is positioned;
the grip, or how the gun is held,
the sight alignment,
the correct trigger pull, and
the follow through.

Stance

A proper stance provides the following:
*Good stability and ability to handle recoil
*Natural position allowing as many muscles to be relaxed as possible and reducing shaking and tension while shooting
*Easy transformation to moving or shooting in different directions

There are number of different stances. One of the simplest stances to master for a newbie is the Isosceles stance. The name comes from the shape created by the arms and the body of a shooter when looking from above.
Here is how you do it:
1-Set your feet apart at about shoulder width or slightly wider.
2-Move the strong foot slightly back.
3-Point your toes straight.
4-Slightly bend your knees.
5-Lean the entire body toward the target.
6-Roll your shoulders forward and relax.
7-Grab the gun (see next step for the proper grip) and extend both arms in front of you.
8-Slightly bend your elbows to the side (not down). The arms should not be tense in elbows and shoulder more than it is needed to keep the gun up.
9-Relax your wrists. Let them absorb the recoil. When shooting, the gun should move up and down hinged at your wrists. The elbows and the shoulders do not move.
Try it a few times in front of a mirror.

Grip

Here is how you do the basic two hand grip:
*Place the gun in the web of your hand as high as possible.
*Move your index finger above the trigger guard.
*Move your thumb forward and slightly upward.
*Squeeze the rest of the fingers around the grip. You should use the strength similar to what you need to use a hammer.
*Put the middle of the weak hand index finder under the trigger guard
*Form a fist with your weak hand, squeezing around your strong hand. Use slightly more strength with your weak hand than you use with your strong hand.
*Make sure that the base of the thumb of your weak hand touches as much metal of the gun as possible.

Sight alignment

The sights are coming in different shapes and sizes, but the underlying principle is the same. You need to align three objects: the front sight, the back sight, and the spot on the target you want to shoot at on a single straight line both vertically and horizontally.
In most cases the eyes should be focused on the front sight. The target and the back sights should be out of focus. In rare cases when you shoot at very short distances (e.g. under 6 feet), you should focus on the target instead, switching to more intuitive “point and shoot” mode. But for the majority of the cases you should look and concentrate at the front sight.

Trigger pull

Incorrect trigger pull is the biggest source of inaccurate shots. Even experienced shooters tend to “anticipate” the shot and compensate the movement, jerking the gun too early and, as a result, missing the target.

Here are the proper steps to pull the trigger:
*Place the point between the first and the second phalanx of your index finger on the trigger
*Pull it back until you have picked up the slack.
*Squeeze the trigger, steadily increasing the pressure. No jerking movements.
*Make sure you squeeze directly backward, without applying any pressure to the sides.
*The shot should happen suddenly, surprising you. That will prevent you from jerking the gun in anticipating movement.

Follow through

The main goal of the Follow through is to prepare for the next shot as fast as possible with minimal effort and re-aligning.
As soon as the shot is produced, while the gun is still moving in your hand, move the finger back, releasing the trigger to the point it resets. You should not release it completely all the way, just to the point it resets and would produce another shot when squeezed again.
If you are using the proper stance and grip the recoil moves the gun first up and slightly aside, and then the gun naturally moves down. Catch this movement down and direct it to the new or the same target. Do not use a separate movement, just ride the same one the gun does anyway. Simply correct it slightly so it ends up in a place you need.
As a result of a proper follow through you will finish the shot with your finger on a trigger ready to pull and the sights on the target. With some practice it becomes an automatic reflex laying a good foundation for rapid fire.

As I said - I am no expert but maybe these ideas will help you enjoy shooting as much as I do.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Gun Safety Rules

You never fool around or play with guns. Guns are dangerous when they are not handled or used properly and can easily injure or kill you, and those around you. There are no second chances with a gun and the rules for safe gun handling must always be followed to avoid accidents.

Gun Safety Rules

RULE 1. Treat every gun as if it were loaded.

Even if you are picking up a gun out of a case in a store, assume EVERY gun you come across is ready to fire until you personally observe the chamber and see/feel that it is empty. If you set an unloaded weapon down, assume it is loaded again when you next pick it up. The only way to avoid negligent discharges is to make this second nature. IMPORTANT- simply removing the magazine from a pistol does NOT unload it. There may still be a round in the chamber that can kill or injure someone. You must observe the chamber of the weapon to determine if it is unloaded.

RULE 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.

Do not point even an unloaded weapon at anyone. (The muzzle is the part of the gun where the bullets come out) There is never a reason to point a gun at any person, unless they are a threat to your life, and you intend to defend yourself. You cannot accidentally shoot someone or something if you never pointed a firearm in that direction in the first place.

RULE 3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.

The natural instinct when picking up a firearm is to put your finger in the trigger guard. DON’T! This could cause an accidental discharge if the gun is loaded. Even if you are at a shooting range with no one around, you should not put your finger on the trigger until your weapon is pointing at a safe target. Almost every accidental shooting could arguably have been avoided by following this one rule alone. This is very important.

RULE 4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

Even if you hear a bump in the night, do not fire at anything unless you know what it is, and what might happen if your bullet misses or goes through your target. Also, be aware that bullets may ricochet off of a hard target and go in unexpected directions- sometimes back at you. Ensure that what you are shooting at can handle being shot, and that you are not going to injure anyone unless they are an actual threat. Do not use telescopic sights as a substitute for binoculars when identifying persons, animals or objects.

Notes: Learn these rules until you can recite them without looking. There is much debate over the exact wording, but the point remains the same. There is no excuse for unsafe firearm handling. Discipline yourself to follow these rules and avoid becoming a statistic. If you do not know how to do these things (ex. you are not sure how to safely inspect a weapon to ensure that it is unloaded), find someone who can show you before you attempt to learn on your own. Always read the manual that is provided with your weapon. Each weapon is different, and has unique facts that must be known about it to ensure its safe operation.

GeorgiaCarry.Org

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Customer Service

First - I'm sorry its been such a long time since I posted. Life just gets in the way sometimes.

I want to share a short story that shows what true customer service should be -
It was a couple of weeks ago and my wife and I were on our way to dinner for our weekly Saturday night "date". Gentlemen, if you aren't dating your wife you are missing out.
We stopped by Stoddard's Range and Guns in Douglasville. We didn't go by to shoot, just to pick up my birthday present. Can you say busy? All the lanes were full and people were waiting to get their turn to shoot. I used to work in retail so I know how it gets. Sometimes when you get busy in a retail setting you move into a higher gear and some of the customer attentiveness suffers. Retail settings get very stressful as the staff tries to balance customer satisfaction with efficiency. I have gone into and worked in stores before where customers walk in the door and wind up leaving because no one even knows they are there. I say all of this because that was not what was happening yesterday at Stoddard's. People were greeted as they walked in the door and everyone was having a good time. The employees spent time with the customers and made them feel like they were the only ones in the store. People were laughing and joking but everyone was still being taken care of in a timely manner. Our transaction was handled by Adam whose knowledge of guns is only exceeded by his knowledge of everything in else in life.
Good Job - Dant, Jason, Adam, Paul, Gary, Jeff and Jonathan.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Glock Virus

Yesterday afternoon my son and I went into Stoddard's to punch a few holes in some paper people because sometimes paper people just need to be shot at. I had my Gen 4 Glock 17 and he had my Gen 3 Glock 17. I'm proud to say that I did out shoot him yesterday. After we shot we hung out for awhile and watched a little football in their member's lounge. I eventually wandered back to the sales floor and looked at the last two Glock 21 LE trade-ins that they had. As you might expect, one of them decided it had to come home with me.
You have to like the thought of 13+1 rounds of 45 ACP and LE trade-ins are always a sweet deal because there are a lot of police officers who don't enjoy shooting as much as you and me. So these guns are usually in excellent condition except for some holster wear.

I now am now the proud owner of -
Glock 21 - 45 ACP
Glock 17 Gen 3 - 9mm
Glock 17 Gen 4 - 9mm
Glock 34 - 9mm
Glock 22 - 40 S&W
Yes, I know this list is missing quiet a few different calibers so I'm probably not done.
Heck, I don't even have a Glock 19.

To make matters worse - Stoddard's has become a Glock LE Dealer so you know they are going to have all kinds of Glocks just lying around. I'm not in law enforcement but I am a Glock Armorer and a member of GSSF so I qualify for some Glock discounts. This could get ugly real fast.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

I Like My Glocks

As most of you know I have a few different firearms. I am proud to say that I have Walthers, Smith & Wessons, Rugers, Kimbers, Colts, a couple of Heckler & Kochs, and a few Glocks. A lot of gun aficionados look down on Glocks. As for me, I feel that the people at Glock make a fine product that has an important place in today's gun industry. I have a Glock 22, a couple of Glock 17s and one of my newest acquisitions a Glock 34. I have to say that I really enjoy shooting my Glock 34 at the range. It's a fairly large gun and the weight of the gun is 22.92 ounces empty, and 32.79 ounces loaded. It will hold up to 18 rounds of 9mm ammo. The total length is 8.15 inches with a barrel length of 5.32 inches. The sight radius is the advantage with this larger gun, and the sights are easy to recover and line up after each shot. The trigger pull from the factory is 4.5 pounds. It is a major shooter that is extremely accurate for a tactical pistol with the added benefit of GLOCK reliability. This is also one of the most popular pistols among IDPA competitors. If you're looking for a good, full size tactical pistol, you couldn't do much better than the GLOCK 34. I may or may not ever compete with it, but I expect that this is a gun that will be with me until I'm too feeble to pull the slide back by myself. I bought this gun from the folks at Stoddard's Range and Guns in Douglasville, Georgia. If you stop by tell them I said hey.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Which gun?

Since I own a few different handguns I have often been asked which one is my favorite. That's not an easy question to answer. I have more than a few guns in most of the different calibers available. Since I have my GWL I carry a gun most of the time except for when I'm at work. You would think that my favorite gun would be the one that I carry the most. I would guess that is true for the most part. In the state of Georgia you have the choice to carry your gun open or concealed as long as you have a Georgia Weapons License. I would say that 75% of the time I carry concealed which usually means I leave my shirt un-tucked to conceal the gun on my belt. There are three guns that I find myself carrying most of the time.

The first one is an
H&K P30 in 9mm.
I bought this gun brand new from Stoddard's in Douglasville.


The following is from the H&K website -
A recent HK pistol design, the P30 is a modern police and security pistol that combines function and safety. Ergonomic features include a special grip frame with interchangeable backstrap inserts and lateral plates, allowing the pistol to be individually adapted to any user. Ambidextrous controls include dual slide releases and magazine release levers. Extensively tested, the P30 has already been adopted by several European police agencies. Excellent weight and balance make the P30 naturally pointable, easy to control, and accurate to shoot. An open notch rear sight with luminous (non-radioactive) contrast points allows for fast and accurate target acquisition, even under poor lighting conditions.
During a recent (2009-2010) endurance test, a P30 test pistol fired more than 91,000 rounds without any major component failures.

The second gun a carry a lot is a
Nighthawk Talon II 1911 with Bobtail in 45acp.
I bought this gun used from Stoddard's in Douglasville.

The following is from the Nighthawk website -
The Talon II comes with all the standard features of the full size Talon, match grade barrel, lightweight match trigger, forged slide stop, tool steel sear, extended mag catch and tool steel hammer. Small wonder that it’s one of our best sellers. The Talon II is a true 4.25" bushing barrel gun.
I'll be honest with you, I don't really know what all of that means but I do know that this is one excellent, easy to shoot handgun.

The third gun I have been known to carry a lot is a
Walther PPS in 9mm.
I bought this gun brand new from Wild West Traders in Marietta.

The following is from the the Walther USA website -
Walther PPS - More Conceal, Less Carry
The Walther Police Pistol Slim (PPS) model narrows the margin between concealment and confidence by packing Walther innovation into an unbelievable 1.04 inch profile. It's amazing how much professional-grade design actually fits into this lightweight sub-compact. Available in either 9mm or .40S&W, the PPS packs in more power. All in all, the PPS embodies both the legendary quality and tradition of innovation that make it not just a great pistol — but a great Walther pistol.

So, those are the three guns I carry the most. Would I say one of them is my favorite? Maybe....
My favorite gun to target shoot is my
Walther P99 in 9mm.
This was another used Stoddard's purchase.
My favorite gun to just look at is my
Smith & Wesson Model 625 JM Revolver in 45acp.
The fine folks at GA Firing Line in Marietta got this for me.
So which gun is my favorite? I have no idea.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Websites used in this post -
H&K USA
Nighthawk Customs
Walther PPS

Where to shoot

So you want to go to a range and shoot a few rounds? I shoot at two ranges that are pretty close to the Powder Springs area -

The first range is called
Wild West Traders
2445 Austell Rd.
STE. 200
Marietta, GA 30008
I am a member at Wild West and this is the first range I shot a handgun at.
Wild West Traders has twelve lighted 25-yard lanes featuring a target retrieval system. For range use they allow pistols up to 45 caliber, and rifles that shoot pistol calibers. Twenty-two (22) calibers are allowed but NO magnums. They do not allow rifles, air guns, paint guns, or shotguns. Wild West Traders was founded in 2006 but the range is located in the old Hot Shots location which has been around for quite a few years. They have some of the lowest range rates in the state and charge only $10 per hour to shoot.

Next up is
Stoddard's Range and Guns
5840 Highway 78
Douglasville, Georgia 30134
I am also a member at Stoddard's. (Well, I said I was addicted to guns didn't I?)
Stoddard’s Range and Guns, the newest addition to Georgia’s ranges, is a state-of-the-art full service gun range and store. Stoddard’s features 12 lanes of 25 yard shooting for handguns, rifles and shotguns of all calibers (there are some, but very few exclusions). All lanes at Stoddard’s are controlled by a unique touch screen, multi-programmable system. Shooters can practice on moving and turning targets that can be controlled by the shooter, or chosen from a pre-programmed menu. Adding to the experience, Stoddard’s provides a fully air-conditioned environment, where the shooter is not exposed to the harmful smell and taste of lead and other airborne contaminants. A washstand, and lead-removal floor mats, protect the customer from carrying home an invisible coating of lead.

So that's the two ranges that are closest to me in Powder Springs. I enjoy shooting at both places and do most Saturdays. Yes, I shoot at one of them in the morning and then go to the other one in the afternoon. I know, that seems like a bit much but as I have said -

I'm addicted to guns.

As always,
Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

If you want to carry a gun

If you want to carry a gun in the state of Georgia you must get a Georgia Weapons License. To obtain a Weapons Carry License in Georgia, a Georgia resident goes to the Probate Court of their County of residence. The Probate Judge is the issuing authority for Weapons Carry Licenses in the State of Georgia. Procedures vary slightly by County but are mostly prescribed by Georgia law. Most Probate Courts will have a website which will detail the specific procedures used in that County. At a minimum, applicants must undergo a criminal background check, which requires fingerprinting and then processing by the GBI and the FBI. A felony or domestic violence conviction will generally be disqualifying, as are certain other conditions. A mental health check may also be required. Georgia does not have a training requirement to obtain a Weapons Carry License. The cost of applying for a License will be between $70 - $80, some or all of which must be paid in cash.
Georgia has a very active and effective gun rights organization, GeorgiaCarry.Org. I am an active member of GeorgiaCarry.Org. The GeorgiaCarry website has detailed information on procedures for applying in each county. There is also a detailed chronology of Georgia carry laws and history of the past racist roots of gun control. GeorgiaCarry contributed information used in this article.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

My Summer

I just noticed that I haven't been here ALL Summer long. I'm sorry about that, I guess I got kind of busy.

The first reason was - My Mom was very sick and eventually passed away on July 12th. She was a great lady and had a profound influence on my life. It goes with out saying - I miss her dearly.

The second reason had to do with Georgia.Carry.Org, the second amendment group I belong to.

When I wasn't with my Mom this summer I was recruiting members for GCO (this is what we call Georgia.Carry.Org). I went to different ranges all over the state and through special arrangements with the ranges, allowed people to shoot for FREE if they would join GCO or renew/extend their membership if already a member.

The results of my little project -

Total number of ranges visited = only 16

Total miles driven for GCO = 2014

Total money raised for GCO = $5534

Number of members who renewed = 84

Number of new members = 253

Sixteen ranges over the course of the summer may not seem like a lot but it felt like a lot while I was doing it. One Friday, I got up early and drove to Savannah and then drove home that night. I want to go on record and state that although it is possible, you should never consider a trip from Powder Springs to Savannah to be a "day trip". Just for kicks, the next day I drove to Macon and back.

I had a great time and I met a lot of good folks. Most of the people that I meet who are involved with guns are really good people.

I'll try not to let my next visit not be so long.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Interesting Gun Fact

Since I started buying guns I have accumulated a let's say not a small collection. I prefer to not say exactly how many guns I own for two reasons.

-First reason - To be honest I'm not sure. I sort of lost count. :)

-Second reason - I've had to do something the last couple of weeks that I really don't like to do. I sold a few guns.

Yes, it's true. Guns are almost like money. At least they can be turned in to cash very quickly. I do recommend that if you find yourself needng money and you have a gun you want to part with - don't sell it to a gun store or try and pawn it. You will be able to get much more for your gun if you find a trustworthy individual and sell it to them. In order to sell a gun to an individual in the State of Georgia you do not need to fill out any type of paper work as long as they live in Georgia and are not prohibited from owning a gun.
Heck you might even be able to sell your gun to me. :)
I like it when guns are on sale.

Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher

Walther PPS 9mm

The Walther PPS is one of my favorite handguns.
This from the Walther website-

Walther PPS - More Conceal, Less Carry

The Walther Police Pistol Slim (PPS) model narrows the margin between concealment and confidence by packing Walther innovation into an unbelievable 1.04 inch profile. It's amazing how much professional-grade design actually fits into this lightweight sub-compact. Available in either 9mm or .40S&W, the PPS packs in more power. All in all, the PPS embodies both the legendary quality and tradition of innovation that make it not just a great pistol — but a great Walther pistol.

Gun Information and Your Rights

After I got my first gun I was very concerned that I not do anything that would get me in to trouble with it. While on the internet I discovered two very helpful sites.

GeorgiaCarry.Org

Georgiacarry.org is Georgia’s no-compromise voice for gun owners.

GCO believes that citizens of Georgia and the United States have the right to own and carry the firearm of their choice for any reason other than to commit a crime.
GCO works tirelessly to ensure that the rights of gun owners are not compromised by the Georgia General Assembly, local officials, and those who ostensibly support gun rights while they work behind the scenes to erode our liberties. GCO is a non-partisan, grassroots organization, and GCO works for gun owners, not politicians. We are not interested in “access” or being “inside players.” We will not protect or make excuses for politicians who say they are our “friends” and then demonstrate otherwise by voting against us.

Public policy is controlled by the people who consistently show up and stay involved. GCO believes informed, active gun owners are the best defense against those who endeavor to infringe our liberties. To that end, GCO works tirelessly to keep our membership informed and active, and our members respond with equal passion and commitment.

GeorgiaPacking.org

On GeorgiaPacking.org you can find:

1 - An up to date list of pro and anti gun Bills in the Georgia General Assembly
2 - House and Senate Report cards based on gun related bills they sponsored and voted on.
3 - Georgia Gun Laws in plain English including Deadly Force and Stand Your Ground
4 - Georgia Attorney General Firearm Related UnOfficial Opinions
5 - Firearm Caselaw from the Appellate and Supreme Courts of Georgia.
6 - Weapons Related Georgia Code
7 - Probate Court contact information for all 159 Georgia Counties with a growing list of the actual firearm license process for each county; also accessible through the dropdown box on the left of the menubar at the top of every page
8 - A Firearm Discussion forum to talk about News, Guns, Bills, Laws, Concealed Carry, and the Georgia Weapons License
9 - Places Off Limits to weapons even if you have a Weapons License
10 - License Renewal Guide explaining the changes to the renewal process that went into effect 7-1-06

I joined Georgia Carry and presently serve as the State Membership Coordinator.
I am an active poster on Georgia Packing and I am known on there as The Math Teacher.

The first gun

The first gun I ever bought was a Ruger SP101 in .357 mag. I went to Wild West Traders to see what sort of gun I should buy. I told the guy at the counter that I was 50 years old and had never shot any type of gun but I wanted a simple handgun for self defense. Instead of looking down on me he was very helpful and told me that what I needed was a Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver in .357 mag. He said that if I got the gun in .357 mag. I would also be able to shoot .38 special ammo which would be cheaper to practice with. Armed with what I considered good advice I left and went to check prices at different places.
This was my first lesson in the world of guns. The same gun may cost you totally different amounts at different gun stores, even in the same area. I found the exact same gun at a store called Nick's and made my first gun purchase there. They seemed nice enough but maybe not as patient and helpful as the guy at Wild West. I was very suprised at how easy it was to buy a gun. I just filled out a simple form, gave them my driver's license to copy and waited a couple of minutes while they called someone to "check me out." I passed the background check and I was the very proud owner of my very first gun. They said that I now had range credit and asked if I wanted to shoot. I explained that I had never shot a gun before and asked if someone would have a few minutes to go in the range with me and help me get started so I didn't hurt myself or someone else. He kind of laughed and said they were too busy. There were 3 other guys in the store besides the one who helped me and I was the only customer. This seemed a little strange to me but maybe I was asking too much. I already knew that I was going to sign up for a gun safety class before I shot much so I took my gun home and started down the path that I find myself on now.

Welcome to addicted to guns

They say that the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem.

My name is Bill and I'm addicted to guns.

Two and one half years ago I not only didn't own any guns, I had actually never even shot a real gun. One day I just decided that I wanted a hand gun. I talked it over with my wife Pam and we decided that I would go to a class to learn about gun safety and them I could get a handgun for protection. My son and I signed up for a gun safety class at the local gun store/range - Wild West Traders in Marietta, Georgia. These folks are really nice and helpful and needless to say, I've been back there more than a few times in the last three years. This blog will be about my experience with guns. I went from someone who knew absolutely nothing about guns to a fanatic in a little over two years. I'll talk about guns I've bought and sold and my experiences with gun ranges, stores, training and gun people in general.

Thanks for stopping by,
Bill
The Math Teacher