I was asked to start what we hope will become a sequence of blog posts from LRC bloggers talking about what guns they prefer for purposes of self-preservation in a defensive mode (yep, The Boss had something to do with this). The question is – What do you prefer to own or carry? Before I answer my own question, that question brings me to this video interview with Ted Nugent (thanks to Richard Nikoley for the tip). Indeed, make fun of my linking to Ted if it amuses you, but there is virtually no one, especially of celebrity status, who so consistently gets it so right and so clear on guns and self-defense. I am so unforgiving of anyone – especially the allegedly pro-gun yet pro-permit Republican types – who thinks that we need, or should have, a series of licenses and permits (permissions from self-serving authorities) in order to stand prepared to defend ourselves. Anyone who thinks I should have to grovel at the feet of local establishment officials to be granted government licenses in order to exercise my natural rights to defend myself and my property is on par with Satan. Elected officials cannot and will not defend me, so I will do it myself, whether or not their authoritarian-tainted paper with my name on it gets their stamp of government approval. And how dare they, the citizen tyrants who lecture me on the necessity of official government licenses, operating with their minuscule knowledge of the Constitution, the Second Amendment, the traditions of our American roots, and natural rights. And these wretched people believe they are acting favorable to the self-defense view by telling the rest of us they support gun rights if and when our privileges are fully in line with all state permissions and enforced by the jack boots of arbitrary government laws.
As Nugent says, the Second Amendment, along with the understanding of natural rights, is so obvious that it is insane that this issue is an argument. My view: no one should ever declare statements, or issue passes, licenses, or whatnot, that tell another individual where, when, and how (or if!) they can defend themselves (obeying private property rules, of course). How politically incorrect has it become, even among the “pro-gun” Republican-conservative types, to insist, as I do, that there should never be any limitation whatsoever on the ownership and carry habits of firearms, and that anything else is undeniably totalitarian. The NRA has long been limp on this issue; thank goodness Nugent remains on its board. GOA (Gun Owners of America) is better, and JPFO (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership) is unyielding.
For me, asking me what I prefer to use for personal protection doesn’t get a clear-cut answer. In fact it’s complicated because of the many things I do, and each situation demands a unique approach. It’s like shoes, only I say, Gee, what gun do I carry today? Except that unlike most women, I like guns better than shoes. My choice of choices is the 1911 .45 ACP, with mine being the Taurus in the duotone model. When I told Mr. Rockwell why I like the .45, he asked that I please not spell it out. I like it because it stops s _ _ _. My Ruger LCP .380 makes a nice backup piece, but also, due to its size and weight, it is my choice of weapon when I am rollerblading or cycling (mountain biking and road), or when I am working outside on the property and wearing shorts and summer clothing. It’s a great pocket gun, even for someone as small as me. I’ll use a Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point or a Buffalo Bore +P. I also carry a Smith & Wesson .38 Model 642 Airweight. I am also adding a Springfield Armory sub-compact 3″ 9mm to the concealed carry closet.
One of my favorite rifles, as my friend Michael Gaddy knows, is the Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM. At home, my Remington 870 Express 20-gauge shotgun, an all-American workhorse, makes a fine home defense weapon, and the youth model is especially great for smaller shooters. This past weekend I shot a Barrett .50 BMG Model 99, and what a treat that was! At $6k for the gun, scope, mount, etc., and about $5-6 per round, I won’t be buying one of those soon.
LRC bloggers, please do reply to this post and chime in with your preferences. LRC writers who don’t/won’t blog: email me (click on my name above for my address) and I will blog yours for you if you’d like. Update: Dear gentlemen, PLEASE REFRAIN from writing me to “give a woman advice.”
