Yes, Even More Letters!

Today's letter comes to us from "Ryan", a student attending college right here in lovely MA:

Hi there,

I just stumbled upon your blog after seeing "My Cousin Vinnie" on TV and Googling ".357 magnum" to see what one looked like. I'm sorry if you don't like people e-mailing you, but I figured this would be a better way to achieve contact than commenting on a post with a comment that didn't have much to do with the actual topic.

I'm a student, currently 20 years old, living a little while outside of Boston. I'm looking forward to two things next year: legal alcohol consumption and the possibility of purchasing a firearm. I don't really have any questions about the first situation, but lots about the second. First being, it is 21 that is the legal age for the purchase of a handgun, right?

Mostly I just want to know about what it's like to own a gun. Particularly I'd like to know from you, as you seem to own quite a collection. What's the fascination? What does it change about your life? Have you noticed any change in yourself, for the better or worse? What's it like owning a gun in MA? I'm a registered independent that typically leans left (yeah, I rooted for Obama, haha), so what do you think this would mean for me? Does moving affect anything?

Lastly, do you have any recommendations for a first time buyer?

I'm still not entirely sure I want to buy... I'd prefer to take up a martial art, but at the moment I don't have the resources. I'm also not entirely sure how often I'd need one for anything but recreational shooting, being a soft white kid from the suburbs. I've always had a fascination with weapons, though, ever since I was a little kid, and yeah, I play lots of first-person shooters. For some reason guns, swords, bows, etc. appeal to me. I guess it's the testosterone? On top of that, the prospect of being able to protect my (future) family with more than a baseball bat is reassuring, although
I can also imagine a gun causing things to escalate...

If you choose to answer, thanks. If not, I don't blame you. :P

Thanks for your time!

Ryan

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Of course I chose to answer. I try to answer my e-mail whenever possible (although I've had a handful of, well, odd messages come through from time to time that I've chosen not to respond to) - basically, a genial, polite message will get some sort of response. Call me an ass and tell me I should drop dead for owning guns, yeah, I'm going to ignore you. Respectfully disagree and I'll talk your ear off about why I feel the way I do...

So here's my response to Ryan's questions:

Good afternoon Ryan,

Sorry about the delay in getting back to you - it's been a pretty busy weekend on my end, otherwise I'd have gotten in touch sooner. I enjoy it when people e-mail me - heck, I'm shocked that anyone reads my scribblings most days. I'll address your points individually, as you ask some excellent questions that I'll take a stab at
answering.

(With your permission, I'd like to post your questions and my response on the blog; I'd be happy to omit your name - either all or just last - as well as location if you would prefer).

*First being, it is 21 that is the legal age for the purchase of a handgun, right?

Certainly in MA - you must be 21 to obtain a Class A or B LTC, which would permit you to purchase a handgun. I believe Federal law puts the age of purchase at 21 as well, but the age at which one can own a handgun varies from state to state, with some states setting it 18 and others lower (15?) IIRC.

*What's the fascination?

Hmmm. That's a damn good question. I think there's two distinct factors at work here. The first is a lifelong fascination with all things mechanical - Legos, Erector sets, etc. I've always enjoyed tinkering, building, making things work (even if I can't work on my car to save my life!). Firearms are intriguing from an engineering standpoint - you're talking about a vessel capable of containing explosive forces, and it's got moving parts too!

The other aspect is the historical side. I own firearms that are over 100 years old, and I still take those to the range and shoot them from time to time. The majority of my collection is older than I am (and by your standards, I'm probably ancient...) :) What other machines that contain explosions last decades to centuries under even light use? Additionally, a good number of the firearms in my collection were guns I inherited from my grandfather, my namesake. When I hold the Colt .38 Special that he carried as a town police officer, I'm holding a tangible piece of my family history. I can imagine my grandfather shooting this same gun some 60 years prior, although most likely at the town dump or sand pits rather than a range...

*What does it change about your life?

Other than causing a largish hole in my wallet, not a lot... Well, actually, that's not entirely true. Living in MA, which is decidedly anti-gun, it tends to make one stand out that one is a firearm enthusiast - I've joked about gun owners being ranked somewhere around pedophiles in MA, and while that's certainly hyperbole on my part, it's also not entirely untrue. The looks I get from people when they find out I own guns are overwhelmingly negative - there is a real stigma to it.

*Have you noticed any change in yourself, for the better or worse?

Not from merely owning a firearm. It's a chunk of metal, no different than a golf club or a toaster - without a human to pick it up. I'm the same person whether I own a gun, knife, chainsaw, or nerf bat. I trust myself and those around me, therefore the presence of a gun is immaterial.

When I'm carrying, though, it's a different story. I need to be 100% in charge of my emotions and my demeanor. There's no such thing as "road rage" when I'm armed; I can and have gone well out of my way to avoid people who are looking to cause trouble.

*What's it like owning a gun in MA?

It's like having herpes, only there's no treatment for it. I kid, I kid... It's an awful lot like being a Christian in ancient Rome - I joke that we should be drawing stencils of 1911s in the dirt whenever we suspect someone might be a fellow gun owner.

The climate in MA is decidedly anti-gun. I've heard stories of guys whose kids can't have playdates with their school chums because the father owns firearms (fortunately this hasn't been the case for my kids); there are inquisitive questions from pediatricians; basically, you're viewed as some sort of deviant criminal simply for wanting to exercise your Second Amendment rights. It is decidely uncool...

And that's just owning. We'll avoid the issue of carrying in MA for now...

*I'm a registered independent that typically leans left (yeah, I rooted for Obama, haha), so what do you think this would mean for me?

You're 20 years old. I'd be worried if you didn't lean a little left at this point in your life. You've got decades ahead of you to get cynical and turn rightward... :)

What it means is that you rooted for someone whose short political career has been decidedly anti-gun; someone whose administration picks have also been quite anti-gun; however, not everyone is a rabid 2A supporter such as myself and I'm sure there are other reasons you supported Barack Obama. I've made my point on MArooned why I didn't support him, and believe me when I tell you the single worst thing about Barack Obama IMHO is that his 2A views forced me to hold my nose and vote for John McCain...

*Does moving affect anything?
If you want to own firearms without a ton of hassle, move to NH. If you want to stay in MA, I would recommend checking out the Northeastshooters forum linked in my sidebar (http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/index.php) and look for the thread detailing which towns in MA are 2A friendly (http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=8703). The towns are coded red/green/black, with 2A friendly towns green, somewhat unfriendly as red, and decidedly anti-2A as black. It's good reading, especially if you're thinking of getting into the shooting sports as a MA resident.

*Lastly, do you have any recommendations for a first time buyer?

You cannot go wrong with a 4" barreled .22LR revolver. Smith & Wesson makes a 10 shot, stainless steel revolver, model number 617, that is just about perfect. There's also a six-shot model if you're feeling more traditional.

As an aside, I have a standing offer on my sidebar for people interested in shooting. I'm on the North Shore, so if you're outside of Boston you're not too far away. I'd be more than happy to host you at my gun club and give my "Intro to Shooting 101" spiel - safety lecture, etc. and even do some shooting if you're interested. Let me know if this is something you would like to try.

As for your last paragraph, I've got to point something out:

"On top of that, the prospect of being able to protect my (future) family with more than a baseball bat is reassuring, although I can also imagine a gun causing things to escalate..."

I'm a dad. One of my biggest priorities is keeping my family safe. As a tool-using animal, it only makes sense to use the best tool for the job; right now, as things stand, the best tool for defense is a firearm. The day they perfect the Star Trek phaser that will instantly stun an aggressor without pain to them is the day that I will no longer carry a gun for self defense (I'd still own firearms because I enjoy target shooting).

As for a gun escalating things, well, really, if you've at the point of needing your firearm, there's no further escalation possible IMHO. It should be quite literally the last resort. No sane person wants to have to drop the hammer on another human being. I'll go to my grave a VERY happy man if I NEVER have to fire my gun in self-defense. I pray to G-d that I will never need to harm another person; however, I will also do everything within my power to keep people from harming me or mine. The firearm, at present time, is the best tool for that job. It's a chunk of metal designed for one purpose only, to propel a projectile a certain distance at a certain velocity. Nothing more, nothing less. It's not made to kill, or whatever - that decision is made by the person holding the tool.

I'm no less dangerous with a stout cudgel in my hands, a sharp ax, or a pointed
stick...

I hope I've answered your questions, Ryan. Let me know if there's anything I've missed, anything you would like detailed further, or if you have any other questions...

With best regards,

Jay G.

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Ryan e-mailed me back to say that he'd be interested in the offer to go shooting, but that it would have to wait until a school break. Just let me know, Ryan. I'll make time.

That is all.