Wednesday, October 22, 2008

This May Sound Alarmist, But...

OK, I'll get right to the point. It's October 22. The election is November 4, and the next President takes office in January. If McCain is elected, your 2nd Amendment rights will likely remain intact, though a super-majority of Democrats in Congress could hamper that. (Not saying one party's always right and one's always wrong, but Dems are usually wrong on the right to bear arms/self-defense. There are some independent-thinking Dems, too.) If Obama is elected, you can expect the sorts of infringements that Clinton pursued and more. His rhetoric is accommodating but his record is very anti-gun.

So, if you've been thinking about buying a gun, now's the time. In Illinois, you need a Firearm Owner's ID (FOID) card. That costs $10 now and lasts 10 year--a bargain. The turnaround time is about a month, so get an application in now. In the meantime, start saving up your pennies. $300-350 should cover a decent 12- or 20-gauge pump shotgun or a semi-auto .22LR rifle with transfer fees and a little ammo. Shotguns are hard to beat for home defense. A .22 rifle is not particularly powerful but is the preferred way to learn to shoot if you're new to shooting sports. There are other options, but those would be my suggestions.

If you've never been shooting, let me know (friends and acquaintances only, please). I'd be glad to introduce you to your first gun and range. Please DON'T buy a gun without getting some thorough training, though. Gun ownership is not for everyone and should only be undertaken by those willing to learn how to safely and responsibly exercise this right.