Going about my errands today, I had two education opportunities because people noticed the Glock 27 tucked into my waistband. The first was a lady and her daughter, who asked the typical question; are you a cop? Even though I wasn't dressed like Rick in the Official Docker Detective Kit.
I replied that no, I was not, just an honest citizen who knows that the police can't really protect us from crime, that I take responsibility for myself, etc. The woman went on to tell me how she is so concerned for her safety and her daughter's. She's mostly for gun control, but is starting to realize that mostly that won't stop criminals. Thought my innocuous little Glock was "ok", though we "still need to get rid of those assault weapons." Got to educate her a bit on the fallacies about assault weapons. Her nodding head and wide eyes told me she was shocked that she'd been duped for years. Told her about the rapist that an armed woman killed a few days ago in nearby Apache Junction. Wider eyes. Ahh...a convert ripe for the picking...
I left them with my card and an invite to go target shooting. When they call, I'll take the fully Rambo-ized SKS with me so they can see that an ugly gun is just...well, beautiful in its own way.
Next up was a group of Mexican stockboys (25-35 year old range) in a discount store in South Tucson. You know, land of the gang problems. They were shocked that a person could carry openly in Arizona. They had heard all sorts of bogus information about gun ownership and carry restrictions, some of which could have landed them in jail (they thought it was legal to have a gun under the car seat). These guys were also very concerned about crime in their area, especially for their wives and children.
They were VERY impressed with the "beauty" (that's what they called it, in Spanish) of my Glock. Asked to handle it, but of course that would not have been at all prudent. I offered to let them shoot it if they'd like to join me for some range time. Offered to bring the ammo if they buy the beer afterwards, and promise to each sign a pro-gun letter to their legislators.
The Glock is more than they can afford, but I advised them to go buy a Saturday Night Niggertown Special* while they still can. I suggested a Bersa or Jennings .380. I'm no expert in cheap guns, anyone else have some good info that I can pass on to people on decent cheap weapons?
* Please, no racist flames. For those who don't know, that's what the term originally was. Gun control against these cheap guns was meant to keep the poor blacks defenseless.
-- Carlos Alvarez, Tucson, AZ, USA, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy http://www.neta.com/~carlos
When they took the 2nd amendment, I was silent because I didn't own guns.
When they took the 4th amendment, I was silent because I didn't deal drugs.
When they took the 5th amendment, I was silent because I was innocent.
Now they've taken the 1st amendment, and I can say nothing about it.