*Disclaimer – This article is not meant to begin, or even continue, a discussion of gun control (pro or anti). It is purely meant to share a unique experience and some insights that were gained during this moment in time. I am a proponent of weapons for sports and personal protection.
I have never owned a gun, handgun, shotgun, or rifle. Not because of any personal resistance, I just never ever got around to taking the Carry and Conceal (aka Gun) license class. So, at the first part of this year, Sid and I BOTH got our licenses and commenced to shopping for the proper handgun for our personal and home protection.
So, one Saturday, my lovely wife and I head down to the local Gun Show where I learned a few valuable pieces of information about myself, others, and our society.
1 – You are Surrounded by Weapons and No One is Nervous.
Unless you grew up in the gun culture, when you think of Gun Shows you get the stereotypical “redneck with a gun” picture in your mind. And to be completely accurate, there were a few of those ambling around…but they were the exception to the rule! Almost every person in attendance was either carrying a gun, wearing a gun, or wearing a knife…even the children were packing… But no one seemed to be nervous and it felt perfectly safe.
2 – People Who are Gun Enthusiasts are Normal.
Continuing to deconstruct the stereotype, much like myself and my lovely wife, our main concern for purchasing a weapon is for personal and home defense. There were also a lot of collectors there as well. So, overall it was a very “normal” group of people. Now, don’t misunderstand me, there were a few extremists as well, but they were truly the exception, not the rule.
3 – Gun Shows are a Fascinating Dichotomy.
When you go to a gun show and take a personal weapon into a gun show, you much make sure that they are unloaded and physically secured via gun locks or zip ties. In other words, the gun show makes sure that no loaded weapon enters the show. They also make sure that there are no half used boxes of ammo brought in as well. The funny thing is that you can walk into a gun show, buy a gun, AND buy a full bag (or box) of ammunition. The show goes to great length to secure a venue where you can buy weapons AND ammunition. Crazy!
4 – Children at Guns Shows are Some of the Most Respectable Kids I’ve Ever Met.
As you may (or may not) know, I am a huge Disney World fan. I have been to the parks so many times, it’s not even funny. And I have seen so many iterations of screaming, ungrateful, rude, crude, loud, grumpy, and disrespectful children that it’s tragic. But one thing that was amazing to Sarah and myself, was how respectful and POLITE all the children I met at the gun show. It was crazy! I’m not saying that there is or is not a correlation to gun owners and respectful children…but there MAY be.
We did not purchase a gun THAT Saturday, but we did a few weeks later. I learned a lot that Saturday. And hopefully, you did as well.
