Idiots with Guns
Reader Don writes:
My step daughter [name withdrawn] playing with her boy friend’s, AK-47. [Her boyfriend] is the photographer.
Obviously she doesn’t remember a thing I told her. But then, when they are 17 you can’t tell them anything anyhow.
Hopefully, posting her photos on Idiots With Guns might shock her as much as shooting her boyfriend would.
Actually, it’s Xavier that runs that series (Part 1,Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5). I couldn’t find his email so I’ll run my own submission to Idiots with Guns. Far be it from me to turn down a reader request, so, here’s idiocy number one:
Keep your finger off the trigger unless you’re ready to shoot! Here’s another:
Never point a weapon at something unless you’re willing to destroy it.
Update: Meanwhile, here’s some idiot terrorists with guns.
November 30th, 2005 at 10:23 am
Heh!
At least she is wearing the approrpiate Kalishnakitty Pajama bottoms.
November 30th, 2005 at 10:46 am
Reminds me of Jane Fonda
November 30th, 2005 at 1:19 pm
Yeah, I kind of liked the hello kitty pajamas, too.
And it’s technically possible that she didn’t violate the second one, if (a) the camera was on a tripod with a timer, and (b) she was willing to destroy the camera.
November 30th, 2005 at 1:20 pm
Then idiot Tom sees the part that says her boyfriend is the photographer, but that doesn’t change the equation. She just has to be willing to destroy the boyfriend. It wouldn’t be the first time.
November 30th, 2005 at 1:55 pm
She doesn’t seem to realize that no self-respecting VC would be seen in anything but black PJ’s.
December 1st, 2005 at 3:04 pm
So my standard procedure of locking the action open; making damn sure that the chamber is clear and the magazine is empty and if possible, detached; inserting a piece of white paper into the action, and angling the firearm towards the light; and looking down the muzzle end of the firearm to inspect the rifling is unsafe? Because I have no interest at all in destroying my eyeball π
December 1st, 2005 at 5:55 pm
I took these magnificent pictures sent in by Reader Don. There is nothing all that shocking going on except for some fantastic wardrobe choices. As enlightening as Captain Holly is trying to be, I think 1) We are all well aware charlie didn’t run through the jungle in Hello Kitty pajamas and 2) most young women these days do not keep vietcong jungle fatigues or NVA officers uniforms in their overnight bags.
She saw the straw hat of mine and wanted to take some fun pictures for her friends & mother. Before I let her anywhere near the rifle I took the entire bolt assembly out – something you may or may not be able to see in the pictures. She even asked first if she could point it at the camera for one picture, and I held it out to the side. With the bolt carrier lying on my couch, I think the worst thing that could happen is she drops it on her toe.
What is most shocking to me is her having access to your guns for all those years, without you teaching her even one of the four basic rules, Reader Don.
December 1st, 2005 at 9:52 pm
She is quite smashing in her wardrobe. On that much we can agree.
As far as what she did learn or did not learn, the burden of teaching now lies on your
shoulders. I have faith that you are up to the job. As Xavier notes in his most recent Idiots With Guns posting; “As we train, so shall we live, and die”
You have your work cut out for you. Best of luck, Boyfriend. You are in my prayers.
Cheers
Reader Don
p.s. nice AK. Perhaps we can punch paper at the range some time
December 1st, 2005 at 11:19 pm
Hope you two get this worked out π
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:37 am
[…] In my post on Idiots with Guns, the boyfriend has responded. So did Don. […]
December 2nd, 2005 at 1:37 pm
Captain Holly was being tongue-in-cheek, but I realize it’s hard for some people to detect humor/sarcasm without having a smiley attached. π
December 5th, 2005 at 8:52 am
One of my goals with the “Idiots with Guns” series is to educate. I hesitated to use the word idiot at first, I tried dumbass, then moron, but idiot seemed to fit better, without being too insulting. π
What one must remember is the power these images posses to influence others who are ignorant of proper gun handling. Just like movies create people who hold pistols sideways, these images create people who point guns at inappropriate things.
I’m sure this young lady is an intelligent sort, she is not drooling cornflakes down her chin, but her gun handling does not reflect that. Shame on the person who removed a bolt from the gun rather than simply teach proper gun handling. You missed the opportunity to educate somebody, and instead taught that this behavior is acceptable. Even worse, your actions insulted her intelligence. Why would you remove the bolt when she could be taught good gun handling instead?
In each “Idiots with Guns” post I state “The purpose of Idiots with Guns is not to humiliate, but to educate.” I mean that. Anytime we hand a novice a gun we should take the opportunity to educate. We might not get another chance.
Good luck to you and your girlfriend. Remember the real safety is in your head, not on your gun.