HZ has given me permission to share his recent email to me:
Sad, sad story ....
Went to the range to enjoy the fall weather. Absolutely perfect day too ... crisp air, bright sunshine with only a hint of a breeze and the smell of fresh earth after an overnight sprinkle. The first hour or so (I lost track of time) was spent with my bolt action. I was in harmony and the groups were tight. It was time to bring out the M14.
After a few rounds I realized that I was being watched. The range was crowded but it was apparent that one individual had taken an interest in what I was doing. He finally approached and started to ask about my rifle. I quickly learned that he was a new shooter and had only recently purchased his first weapon of any kind, an AR15.
He was now very interested in my M14. It has been a long time since I have been around a brand new shooter that has been bitten by "the bug." The guy almost exploded when I offered to let him put four rounds downrange with my rifle. I coached him through the proper loading, safety and hold. He was still smiling even after the first round served notice that he wasn't shooting a .223 anymore.
He couldn't say thank you enough and came over again a little later to show off his brand new AR rifle. He was as proud as a new papa. After some more pleasant conversation he packed up his rifle, smiled and waved goodbye. He backed out of the parking space (located right behind the firing benches) and drove away. That is when I noticed his two bumper stickers. "Teamsters for Change" and "Obama 08."
He sent me this email under the subject "Total Failure," and a subsequent email implied he considered part of that failure to be his:
I was lamenting (personally ... to you) my total failure to read the person before me. I couldn't help but feel that I should have been doing something more than coaching.
No, we're not responsible for those who have so little regard for freedom and so little interest outside their own self-gratification. That said, it wouldn't hurt to be able to sound people out, and to engage and educate when appropriate, be it at a range, a gun store, or wherever the opportunity presents itself. So perhaps this lesson learned will inspire some future success stories.
7 comments:
HZ, I don't know why you would consider this any kind of "failure."
You introduced him to two things there on the range:
1. A rational, friendly, ordinary gun owner.
2. A superior gun in a safe, unemotiona situation
Now, if you had known his supposed political position before hand, you might have blown this opportunity without even meaning to. Maybe the bumper stickers (or even the car) belonged to someone else, but it doesn't really matter.
What you did do, and do well, is plant a seed. It is entirely possible that this person will evaluate his ideas about guns and gun owners in the light of this experience.
But, in any case, his politics are not your responsibility. You did your part. You were rational, courteous, helpful and safe.
I call that a shining success.
for every one of these useful idiots, there's one of me just like him: got myself an AR and keep it clean until the day i can finally take it to the range, waiting on that upcoming appleseed shoot (even though i won't join their group), never fired an M14, and probably wouldn't stop grinning for days if you let try yours. oh, just one difference.
the two bumperstickers on my car are "AR-15" and "end the income tax in massachusetts."
so. may you have hope.
It isn't our place to grill everyone we cross paths with to make sure they aren't delusional. If it were how would we ever get anything else done?
Maybe your help will cause him to think.
I think the simple act of letting of him shoot your M14 and the act of presenting a good disposition is more important than any words you could have said. As they say, "Actions speak louder than words" and "Lead by example, not by words."
Clearly, the man with the AR-15 has had a seed planted in his mind at some point. That is why he bought the AR-15. By your actions, you helped water and grow that seed. One day it will blossom.
I would point out that if BHO manages to win this election those of us already in the choir won't be surprised when he renigs on his campaign rhetoric and starts pushing a socialist agenda including wealth redistribution and citizen disarmament. It will be folks like your range friend who come to a realization that they've been had.
And you gave him the makings of a rock to cling to when that happens.
Obviously an Obama win would be a setback for what most of us here believe in, but we have to suck up our disappointments and keep focused on long term goals. Your kindness may just have won us a friend we will desperately need in 2012.
Like uncle said, when he is brutally betrayed by the blessed holy one, with guns, with jobs, with taxes, and the rest of the socialist platform he will see the truth. I hope.
Did he say WHY he bought it, or WHERE he bought it?
Hell, perhaps he had the stickers only to avoid hassle at work? Wife's car?
It may not be a failure.
Perhaps it is best that I didn't see the stickers. I know I myself have come a long way in my stance. Heck, I used to believe in reasonable restrictions. Then I figured out that Constitutionally, I should be able to buy a select fire weapon with no more hassle than plunking down the cash and walking out the door ... same as buying a pencil.
Maybe I'll see him again someday and find out he's made the same journey I did.
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