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
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
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
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
Saturday, April 14, 2012
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
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
Saturday, March 24, 2012
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
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
Sunday, March 18, 2012
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
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
Monday, November 21, 2011
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
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
Friday, October 7, 2011
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
Thanks for listening,
The Math Teacher
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