Gun Rights Staunch the Tide

George Rebane

The Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 ruling declaring that private ownership of guns is indeed a constitutionally guaranteed right (here).  Again, the courts have let the total control collectivists know that the “well regulated militia” phrase in the Second Amendment is not the comprehensive gun ban that they have been working towards under various guises since the end of WW2.  Now begin the lower court battles to roll back the byzantine strictures to combat gun ownership/use installed by the left over the years.

As a lifelong NRA member, I will be following and supporting these engagements that also serve to reveal our individual values and concepts of government and governance.

I was thinking about all this yesterday afternoon on our local rifle range owned and operated by the Nevada County Sportsmens’ Club.  As members, we all have to do a certain number of hours of ‘club duty’ each year.  My contribution is to serve as rangemaster for the rifle and pistol range when the club invites the public to shoot noon to 4pm on Sunday afternoons.  So yesterday was my turn again to be ‘sheriff’, and make sure that shooters had a safe and enjoyable time on the range.  I learned this skill in the Army where almost every combat arms officer has to run a firing range to periodically re/qualify the troops under his command.  Being able to make available this community resource then becomes a privilege and an honor for those of us who understand the meaning of liberty and a civilized society that promotes gun ownership and use by law-abiding citizens.

But truth be told, being rangemaster is a lot like flying – hours of boredom interrupted by moments of sheer terror.  Most folks who shoot during the public hours are experienced shooters and understand the meaning and requirement for range discipline.  They also know how to handle the firearms they bring to the range.

However, every once in a while arrives a group of absolute pilgrims, all ready to have a ‘great great time’ on the range with an assortment of dubious looking weapons that they have inherited over the years, have never shot before, and have little if any ability to operate.  And even if they ever did shoot a gun, it was years ago.  But today is the day to get back into shooting and see how all these ancient blunderbusses really work.

My first response is to take them carefully through range procedures and rules, and then I move my folding chair right behind their firing point.  Predictably, they start to inadvertantly violate every rule and need to be reminded of the specifics while caught in the act.  They thank me one more time, and then run into a litany of other problems/questions from how to safe a gun, to its loading, and clearing the inevitable jams that are endemic to poorly maintained firearms.  The job then turns from rangemaster into a kind but firm teacher who can solve most of their problems with his trusty Swiss Army pocket knife.  My overarching objective is to keep them safe, provide them useful knowledge about their firearms and shooting, and send them home with fond memories of a fun time spent with the family on the rifle range.  (Yesterday I again had that qualified pleasure with a family of three.)

What makes all this possible is the character of the overwhelming number of people – from pilgrims to professionals – who shoot guns.  They are to a man/woman courteous, polite, helpful, and extremely well-behaved.  They know that exceptions are not tolerated and will be directed to go seek remediation elsewhere before returning.  Shooting is one of the absolutely safest recreational activities because of this.  And seeing a young person learn to properly handle a deadly weapon, to watch how s/he assumes the mantle of responsibility when that gun is in their hands, to see them follow their parents’/teachers’ directions, and then take pride in putting it all into practice is to me a pure joy.  There I see hope that tyranny may yet be stayed for another generation.

Comments

[Barry Pruett]

After reading some articles about the McDonald v. Chicago ruling, it appears to be an expansion of the 2nd Amendment. Tonight, I am going to read the slip opinion tonight and report. It is over 200 pages long with the dissents, so it is going to take a while.

[Steve Enos]

George, it's my understanding that no new memberships to the Club are available. Do you know if that is the case? I have never visited the Club range but sure would like to have an outdoor shooting range to use that is close by.

Do you know if they have a tactical set up for the range? I like to shoot tactical three gun drills and can't do that indoors at The Range.

With the S.C. ruling Calguns will move forward with their two pending court cases on California restrictions. I love living in Californaia for many reasons, but our gun and soon to be ammo in use regulations are insane.

[George Rebane]

Steve, total membership is limited to a number in the 200 range, and there are no unfilled memberships available. You can put your name on the waiting list, but that will probably take too long. Membership in the private club is an asset that members can transfer for consideration - i.e. sell. I think the quickest way to become a member is to come to the clubhouse and let it be known that you want to become a member, and that you are willing to buy a membership. The club holds and hosts various shoots throughout the year. I'm not familiar with all of them, but have seen a 'western shoot' staged there which may involve something beyond known distance shooting.

[Steve Enos]

Thanks George, I think I'll start by visiting the Club on a Sunday when they are open to the public. Their website says they have a 200 yard range and I would like to shoot that with my long guns.