His ‘n’ hers matching pistols
Debra Jean and I bought two new 9mm handguns today. We went to buy one, but couldn’t decide on which to get, so got one for her and one for me.
She got the “girly gun”, the Smith & Wesson Model 908S semi-automatic pistol. It’s a small concealed carry model. (We’re gonna apply to get carry permits. Wish us luck. We live in California.)
DJ’s gun (expanded photo size not actual size. They’re small, but not that small, and are pretty hearty):
I got the 910S semi-auto pistol. It’s basically the same gun, but an inch longer, a little heaver, with a larger-capacity magazine. (10 shots max in California, hers holds 8.)
My gun:
We have to wait ten days to pick them up, but we bought ‘em. They were on sale. They list for 650 each. We spent 1200 Including the testing, the background checks, tax, and a book on self-defense laws and technique, and a book on first aid.
We had to pass a state-mandated written safety test. It’s got 30 questions, you are allowed to get 6 wrong. We studied on the car ride there. DJ missed none, I missed one. Here’s the PDF of the California government study guide we used.
We’re psyched! Can’t wait to play. (And practicing at the range will be much cheaper than with the shotgun. 9mm parabellum ammo is about 30 cents per shot, shotgun is a dollar a shot.)
We bought them now instead of later, because if Obama gets elected, he plans to make it LOT harder to buy a gun. He’s got a bad record on legal gun ownership and gun rights.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
They are also good for pistol-whipping!
Taking the BDSM rape-fantasy to the next level?
… Just cover the stock with fur, ….like the handcuffs.
Whatever turns you 0n, baby!
August 21st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Not our thing. At all.
We are so into safe and sane gun use, that it’s not even funny.
We would never point even an unloaded gun at a person we love.
MWD
August 21st, 2008 at 11:22 pm
So what is your thing, carrying them around to prove your American white macho manliness? You ought to understand that not anything anyone says is a charge put against you, hence there is no rush for self-defense. You bought 3 guns, and you’re politically correct. End of case.
(Sorry Skip I mouthed off at your associate again)
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:04 am
Interesting. I got rid of all my guns because I was so sick of all the violence that Bush shoved down our throats and you are now gearing up for what I hope will be a peaceful Obama presidency.
Side note - I still have guns but I don’t actually possess the guns. I have them buried in more than one state, in PVC pipe and with ammo. Having grown up in Michigan (think Canadian type redneck militia) and have had more guns than most small town police forces. I’ve either buried, given away or cut/welded/melted into art most of them. At least all the ones with no serials on them (I live in DC, go figure). I STILL can’t keep them out of my house. After my last one met the grinder someone gave me a really sweet .38 snub nose police special. I’ve decided to keep if for the last showdown when the police state takes over and the jackbooted thugs kick in my door. I decided it would be better to go out in a shootout than die a long death in a ‘peace through labor” re-education camp.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:41 am
Chery - You live in China, where you cannot legally own a gun and are taught by the gov that guns are only for the police, the “Daddy” that protects you. In America, we can protect ourselves if we need to, and know that Daddy isn’t always around to protect us against criminals who will have guns no matter what.
Communist countries, historically, always disarm their citizens.
As for the white-male bashing, hmmmm…..sounds racist to me. And anyway, the person who got me into guns the most is a black guy. Most of the people at the firing range we go to are Hispanic. Many are women. The very cool book on gun safety I’m reading was written by an Arab. All these people are law-abiding and sane folks. If you wanna get nasty (seems like you do), the only Asian gun owner I can think of is the guy who shot and killed all those people at Virginia Tech. (It was the biggest single-shooter mass murder in American history):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacksburg_shooting
As for “You ought to understand that not anything anyone says is a charge put against you,”, What do you mean? You think I would shoot people for being mean to me? I wouldn’t. If someone calls me a faggot, or even punches me on the street and walks away, I’m not going to shoot him. It’s just silly to think I’d do anything like that. You watch too much American TV and movies, most likely. Guns for self-defense are only for defense against a lethal threat.
Boris - All my guns are legal, have the serial numbers, were purchased legally and are registered.
And Obama will seriously limit American citizens’ rights to buy and keep guns, if elected.
MWD
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 am
I think it’s becoming a very expensive hobby for you Mr. Dean =). But we all splurge when we get into something new. Find an old record player in the garage, suddenly we’re spending hundreds on old LPs which sound worse and are less convenient than listening to the exact same tracks in our iTunes. Not sure what kicked off the gun craze in Nestlandia, but glad you’re having fun with it.
Having a carrying permit, does that mean you can have it on you at all times? Like, when you go grocery shopping, or to the video store? I’d feel hella creepy walking into a store with a gun on my hip.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 am
I took a glance at the pdf you linked in your post and had that same sensation of “recognizing the underlying elements” that I did when I bought my first four-track. I used to think musicians were magical. The recording process conducted by some wizard that was able to capture the sound and attitude of the band playing off of each other.
Then I sat for 6 hours recording a drum track to a metronome. And laying down acoustic guitar tracks until my fingers bled. I no longer sat in awe, with my headphones on, at panning techniques or tap delays. I could do them myself with a couple foot pedals.
I saw a reference in the pdf, one of those “for more info about yadda yadda, go to chapter 3″ and just sat smiling at myself for a second. I’m no longer in awe of writers who finish 300 page manuscripts. I’ve done it. I’m no longer in awe of people with book deals and editors and publishers. I have them now too. And I can recognize when others are using the techniques I’ve learned.
Music eventually came around full circle for me. The more I learned, the more I was able to recognize WHEN IT WAS DONE RIGHT. When an engineer mic’ed a kit perfectly and had a magical blend of high-hat and crash. When the guitar feedback rang out from the chorus under the next verse and tapered away into reverb. Knowing the technique eventually restored the magic and opened my eyes to tricks I couldn’t even see or recognize before learning the techniques. I have no doubt this writing experience will do the same.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 am
Alan wrote:
>I think it’s becoming a very expensive hobby, but we all splurge when we get into something new.
I know! We’re done buying for a good while though.
>Having a carrying permit, does that mean you can have it on you at all times? Like, when you go grocery shopping, or to the video store? I’d feel hella creepy walking into a store with a gun on my hip.
Yeah, but don’t worry. They rarely issue them in California, only if you own a store in the hood or are a diamond courier or something like that. (Or if you’re a lawyer or a judge.) I’ll apply anyway though.
You have to conceal them if do get a permit. Otherwise, the site of them would panic people. And some “hero” might try to knock you over and disarm you.
MWD
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 am
Alan wrote:
>I took a glance at the pdf you linked in your post and had that same sensation of “recognizing the underlying elements” that I did when I bought my first four-track.
Yeah, that’s the thing with the guns. Something new to love and master. Never thought I would. I used to think guns were evil.
>I used to think musicians were magical.
Me too. Until I met a lot of them. lol….
And congrats on our book. You kicked ass, sir. I’m damn proud, loved working with you, and would do it again sometime if you want.
MWD
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:47 am
Michael: “All my guns are legal, have the serial numbers, were purchased legally and are registered. ”
I don’t think this is necessarily a good thing. Now you are on record as a gun owner and when the police state starts to disarm the “good citizens” the outlaws will still have the guns. I know I will. I don’t think it really matters how strict they make gun laws. My uncle used to make his own when I was a kid. My current neighbor makes his own (he’s a machinist). I’ve known people in Michigan that made fully automatic machine guns. I’ve known people that have converted otherwise legal semi-auto’s into full auto’s. In Europe you can buy very accurate replica guns that after very few modifications are fully functional, non registered death machines. In short, gun laws are like speed limits. They keep the lawful people in check but so many people ignore them. Go to a gun show some time and see how easy it is to get a gun without a waiting period. I went to one in Virginia and found as many available in the parking lot as were inside. Another interesting thing about gun shows in this area is that you can buy more nazi memorabilia (or rebel flags) than you can find guns.
I’m not knocking your new passion in the slightest. I grew up with guns and have a very healthy respect for them and their owners. I’m only tossing out some junk food for thought.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:13 am
>Another interesting thing about gun shows in this area is that you can buy more nazi memorabilia (or rebel flags) than you can find guns.
Gun ownership is a wide tent. My dad would be appalled by a gun show, but he owns a gun. He’s 86 and pretty mellow.
MWD
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:03 am
It’s understandably hard for some to comprehend why anyone would want to own or carry a gun. It’s as bold a decision as announcing your sexual preferences. But even your sexual preference won’t make you involuntarily submit to governmental scrutiny. It takes courage to announce either in this day in age. There are more negatives associated with legal gun ownership than almost anything else a free person can do. In a sane civilized law abiding society, a gun is a recreational device. It’s just fun to shoot. If you have never been a part of that sport, you may not understand. What is nice however is that in the blink of an eye when you are alone and have the possibility of losing your life, and the law is away protecting society, your sanity and your life become more important than political correctness; then the gun become a tool to stop a threat, protect your family and put out a “fire” of criminal fervor. Not everyone should own a firearm. But anyone that does should be responsible, mature and trained accordingly. Personally, I want the choice to decide for myself and not have the government or a Home Owners Association make that decision for me. And if I have to become a pariah, another minority, and associated with other scary people that believe that freedom isn’t free then so be it. It’s not a white or black thing, it’s a rights thing.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:25 am
Here I am with a fully auto AK-47. I’d suggest you look into getting one. If you like blasting shit with your shot gun you will LOVE one of these.
http://flickr.com/photos/boriskafka/2110138073/
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Hi Rev Kenn!
It’s funny, ya know…seems we Nestlandians are catching more heck for our enjoyment of the Second Amendment than for our bedroom antics - who would have thought?
Boris, I acknowledge your point about the day when the jackbooted thugs try to take my/our guns away that having weapons under the official radar might make them easier to hold and hide. However, I am also deeply enamoured and dedicated to the idea of rule of law. Until the day comes when that ruling law takes such a severe and irrevocable turn that I cannot in sound mind argue with it peacefully, logically, and civilly, I will follow the rules laid out, and do what I can within them to urge change to those I find misdirected. If I live as a criminal, even peacefully, what right have I to expect the rulers to enforce my rights and peace, or even honor them? Faith is a two-sided street, and I do not intend to be the first to sully my side. But, egregiously break that faith from the other side, and I will fight and defend.
And in the meantime, I’m just gonna have a whole bucketload of fun shootin’ my guns.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
DJ, I absolutely understand your opinion and agree with you in theory. Your rationale is well thought out and even better presented. I try to not encourage breaking any laws in most instances. I have grown to distrust authority more in the last 8 years than the entire collective years preceding them. In hindsight I regret getting rid of the legal guns I had. I’m happy I made some cool art out of the illegal ones. It is unlikely that I will ever purchase another gun, legal or otherwise. I do know that I will never hunt again unless it is for survival purposes. I am really glad that you and Michael are as responsible as you are and have thought out your positions. More so that you are open to others opinions and will discuss in an open forum. Happy shooting!
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Howie.
I see your points. But side with Debra Jean.
DJ’s a paralegal. She studied enough constitutional law to fall in love with it. Many lawyers also start out that way, but then become corrupt when they start to practice law. DJ’s still pure. And her love of the constitution is contagious. I’m infected, bad.
MWD
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Michael,
I am not disagreeing with Debra Jean. I’m offering an alternate opinion. Her profession, be it paralegal, lawyer, cop, judge or God really doesn’t matter when discussing opinions. Her opinion has more weight when discussing the legalities but not everyone trust the governing bodies as she does. I certainly don’t. I understand her opinion and do not find any fault with her love of the law. I don’t need to “side with” someone because of their passion of a subject. But I am also not “not siding” with her. It is like saying I don’t agree with an alternate lifestyle (swinger, S&m, gay, straight etc) because I don’t live that way myself. I am pro-gun in most instances. I am not pro-registration, which is the only point where we somewhat stray. I don’t believe my unregistered gun makes it or myself any less safe than one that has told the authorities “hey, I’ve got a gun”. As you may know, I used to be a police officer and have more handgun, machine gun and other special weapons training than many people in the NRA. I’m just refusing to tell the authorities where I keep my weapons or how many I have. It is none of their business and they are all in safe places. I’m sorry our opinions differ but I am certainly not arguing against your or Debra Jean’s points.
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I did not know you used to be a police officer. I also didn’t know you loved guns. I asked Skip, our mutual really good friend, and he said you didn’t have guns. I guess you’ve had them so long you don’t feel a need to mention them. They’re new to me, and as with all new passions, I’m screaming from the rooftops. I’ll settle down once my new passion becomes second nature, keep my new passion in my life and master something else.
The only thing you’ve said that strikes me as a really bad idea is burying guns with ammo. A lot of very young kids have and use metal detectors for fun ‘n’ profit.
I like you a lot, by the way. I agree that we’re not fighting, just having different views.
MWD
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I think I lived so long in subcultures that it now seems “kinky” to me to be very very mainstream at the moment. Law abiding behavior - what a kick!
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Ask Skip about my .38 and that’s all I’ll say about that. I’m sure he’s seen my art where I cut and melted my last shot gun and other gun and knife parts into a peace symbol. I don’t care to go into the details about my life on the other side of the law but I will say that that side is totally fucked up and you have 0 reason to ever trust any cop to do the right thing. I won’t say that they are all bad but I will say that the good ones have a tremendous pressure to protect the ones that are bad.
I have been shooting since I was around 5 or 6 years old. I got my first gun when I turned 13. Meaning I was allowed to carry my own gun, on my own, without adult supervision (having proven myself to the adult authorities in my life to be responsible) to “plink” or hunt in the huge amount of wilderness we had in Northern Michigan. Sure it was a .22 but that’s about all the firepower a 13 year old should have anyway. I was so totally into ’survivalist stuff’ when i was a kid that it would make your head spin. I ate every animal I have ever killed, be it with gun or bow and arrow. I can gut and butcher a deer quicker than it takes most city slickers to hang one from a tree.
The last animal I killed, by choice, was a traumatic experience for me and a life changing time in my life. I knew it would be the last voluntary violent act I would or could ever commit. I still had a love for guns and other explosive devices but would only use for entertainment and sport other than killing. At this point in my life I am happy to have my last firearm but I’d probably be just as happy without it. I didn’t want it, it just turned up. When I move out of the country I already have a gun loving friend who I will give it to. No paperwork necessary. To me it is just another object. Sometimes a prop for photography and sometimes just to look at in admiration of fine craftsmanship. It may upset some of your readers to know that I keep it loaded and right next to my bed. As it is a revolver it would be stupid to keep a device that I would expect to need in an instant in any other state. If it were a magazine style semi-auto I could rationalize keeping it unloaded. If I need it quickly I will not want to be fumbling with putting in bullets or looking for my speed loader. I don’t have children and I don’t have nosy friends going through my dresser in my bedroom. The very few times I have shown this gun or any gun to anyone I have always made sure to remove the bullets, clear the chamber (with semi’s) and hand the firearm to them while explaining how they can be certain there are no bullets in the gun.
I have been arrested for carrying a concealed 9mm in a much younger, stupider portion of my life. I called the NRA, they recommended a lawyer for me and for less than $1000 I got off with nothing on my record and I got my gun back (the one and only firearm I have ever had registered to me). Amazing. God bless America. I still carry concealed if and when I feel like it. I’m not a gangster, an outlaw or a bad ass. I carry for the same reasons you want to get a concealed carry permit. I’m no different than you except that I don’t feel or see a need to get paperwork and am willing to pay the consequences if I am caught. I don’t do it often, rarely in fact, though I am sure you can think of scenarios where you would do it since you are applying for one yourself. It doesn’t make me feel like more of a man but it makes me feel safer.
I also agree we are not stinkfighting, just coming to a better understanding of different, but responsible attitudes towards what gun ownership is all about. The most key part being respect for firearms and safety for all. If you are using a firearm as an extension of your cock or replacement for cock envy (if you are a woman), you are in a totally wrong sport. I’d suggest joining the military or moving to Somalia to get that out of your system. Guns should be for responsible fun in a safe environment or for self defense as a very last resort. Not to feed an ego.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Here is an example of my using my .38 as an art prop:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boriskafka/2565555413/
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Love it. Totally art, and totally says “International man of mystery after a hard day of work.’
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Michael:
Didn’t read all the comments yet, just got in from a late night at work, and am tired.
But saw your comment about Obama, that if elected he will seriously limit gun ownership.
I think it would be more accurate to say: he might try.
No president really has the power to do something like that unilaterally. And even if he (or she) has the power via some emergency declaration, etc., good fucking luck getting the people to go along with it.
The NRA isn’t gonna let Obama or anyone else take anyone’s guns.
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 am
True that the prez can’t do that all on his own, but can influence congress, can appoint Supreme Court judges, can influence legislation.
I doubt the US government will ever go door to door and try to take away guns one by one from the approx 100 million Americans who own them. But I could see them making it very hard to get more, and mainly, making bullets cost about 10 times as much, which Obama has lobbied for.
Obama seems to be of the belief that “guns per se are the problem”, rather than that “guns in the hands of criminals are the problem.” And I think any presidential candidate who wants to limit honest citizens’ access to guns is a hypocrite, because every presidential candidate is protected 24-7 by a large cadre of gun toting guards who are willing to die for him, have amazing firepower, and are probably some of the cream of the cream of the best marksmen in the world. Why don’t I deserve the same? (Or at least easy access to a carry permit for my legal handguns, that permit is almost impossible to get in California….Not Obama’s fault, but he is in favor of making that hard everywhere, and if elected president, would push to get it enacted everywhere.)
It sucks, because the hippie in me kinda wants to vote for a black guy. Seriously. I’ve envisioned that since I was a kid. Probably because it would bug my dad. lol…..
I like the work the NRA does, and I’m a member, but I wish they didn’t have to exist. I kind of hate the idea of lobbyist groups. Kinda reminds me of labor unions: they exist at the start to correct a social injustice, but end up having so much power that it may tend to sometimes subjugate the process, which comes with its own issues. Labor unions seem to fight for the little guy, but sometimes resemble the mob in how they do it.
As lobby groups go, I feel that the NRA is “one of the good ones”, but lobby groups in general scare me….they are the direct implication of the idea that “people with the most money have the power.” I’m not implicitly wary of riches, but historically, riches tends to corrupt, almost without fail.
MWD
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:31 am
I do disagree with the NRA wanting to eliminate waiting periods entirely, and their desire to legalize automatic weapons across the board, but I think that both might be their “wiggle room”. %hat is, in any negotiation, you ask for more than you think you’ll get, and settle for what you really wanted in the first place.