It looks like I started some kind of trend at work. All day yesterday I was talking about the Winchester and a couple of my minions went with to pick it up. When we returned to work the minions kept talking about getting Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards. You need a FOID card in order to legally purchase and own a firearm in the State of Illinois.

Ktreva needs to get hers just in case there is a problem and so I can get her a pistol of her own. Also, just in case something should happen to me, there would be no legal problems with the firearms we already own. Yesterday I told my minions I was taking Ktreva to go apply for a FOID card today on lunch. They decided that they all where going to go get theirs at the same time. So today at lunch IÂ’m taking 3-4 minions and Ktreva to go apply for FOID cards.

Then they want to look at the pistols and rifles to see what they want to buy when they finally receive a FOID card. (It can take 3-4 months to be approved). All of them are novice firearm owners so I’m trying to talk them out of buying the hard to maintain and learn to operate style firearms. One of them wants to buy an AK-47 for home defense. For the first time in my life, I uttered the phrase “You’ll shoot your eye out” and meant it. I’m also trying to explain why .44 magnums and semi-autos are not good beginner weapons. I was taught and believe that you are better off buying a revolver in medium to small caliber for your first firearm. Others may disagree, but it’s my opinion and you probably won’t change my mind.

I recommend Revolvers because they are easier to clean and maintain. They are much more forgiving if you get a little neglectful than a semi-auto is. If a semi-auto isnÂ’t cleaned properly, it is more likely to jam or malfunction. The worst IÂ’ve seen a revolver do is have the cylinder not open because the release pin was gummed up. IÂ’ve seen too many semi-autos end up needing serious repair work done because of improper cleaning and storage.

I donÂ’t recommend large caliber just because when a person is first trying to learn to shoot, they need to work on control first. The kick of a large caliber gun may just be a little too intimidating and they may have issues developing control. Why not start with something smaller and working your way up to a larger caliber weapon. Plus if you are going to use it for home defense, as many claim, you donÂ’t want something that is going to blow holes in the side of your house and into your neighbors.

Not that IÂ’m a firearms expert, far from it. I just happen to be the one person they know that has a functioning knowledge of firearms. They trust me and value my opinion. No matter how funny I think it would be to watch one of them try to learn to shoot using the .450 (Yes, four five zero rifle round, not forty-five pistol round) revolver a local store has, I would strongly discourage them from buying it.

Today at work that has been what all the buzz is about. Going and getting FOID cards, looking at handguns and learning to shoot. Every time I turn around I hear someone talking about what kind of gun they want, what theyÂ’ve shot and how long before they can buy one. IÂ’ve had some other minions start asking me questions about firearms. They all know I shoot black powder, but apparently they never thought I knew a thing about modern.

I wonder if I can use this on my next work evaluation to fulfill part of my mentoring criteria.

Posted by: Contagion at 12:33 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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