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| This is one of my favorite weapons. This is a Sig Sauer. This particular one takes a 40 s&w ammo, which can effectively stop almost anything. |
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| This is my back-up weapon. It takes the same ammo as my primary weapon. It is similarly secured elsewhere. This is a Glock 27. This particular one also takes a 40 S&W caliber round. |
This week, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell signed the repeal of the "One handgun a month" law in Virginia, as it came to him from the Virginia legislature. This move has been widely criticized by gun control advocates. First of all, in Virginia, when one purchases a gun of any kind,in advance of such a purchase, the dealer calls a particular team of experts who are state police troopers, and with the full computer database system of the state police and links to federal ones as well, that persons three pages of information combined with their identification information is run. This might be an instant database check, or it may not be. Sometimes, if information is found on the person or someone with a similar name, they will call the dealer back in several hours. The state police make sure not only that you have not had any convictions of any kind, but also that you do not have a mental health history for which you have been hospitalized, or that you have any domestic assault calls to police, whether you have been convicted of such, or not. Believe it or not, this check by police is very good and quite comprehensive. I have guns which were specially ordered by a particular individual whose background check came back from state police as less than perfect, and then the gun had to be discounted, and I bought it. There are also people who have names which are similar to those with criminal records who must wait while the state police ascertain that they are not the "James C. Smith" convicted of something in 1997. In Virginia, checks before gun purchases are pretty detailed.
Secondly, it may not seem that being permitted to buy a handgun every thirty days is unfair, however, it can be restrictive. Periodically, Virginia police, SWAT, detectives, etc. consign their almost new handguns as their department acquires the newest ones. Under the old law, I was only able to buy one of these amazing and exceptionally maintained weapons from a dealer, because of the "one handgun rule". I was not able to buy two and then close the purchase every thirty days, because these weapons are such a hot property and are sold so quickly. This means I miss the opportunity periodically to purchase a couple of the same weapon. This can be a very wise thing to do. Having two of the same handgun can be very wise. When one gun it out receiving maintenance, you still have the weapon which is most familiar to you, available and in use. When a weapon which is normally a couple of thousand dollars, is available for $800. many of us would like to buy two. Then, I quite likely may go for another year without buying another. I also might have liked the idea of providing the same model of weapon to my eldest son, and myself. The repeal of this law might make the purchase of several of the same weapon possible when necessary.
People who are unfamiliar with handguns do not realize that there are truly different guns of different purposes. Some handguns are wonderful to carry, but lack the power you might need should you need to use one. Others have power like a hand cannon, but might be hard going to carry in the hot summer, especially for a women in less clothing than in winter. There are many guns for many purposes, and sometimes people would like to own, one for the farm, for example, and a different one to carry during the day day. Many people use one weapon to carry and one of the same model with which to practice. Monthly practice makes us very good with our weapon, but it accelerates the need for professional assessment and maintenance of the practice weapon. The repeal of this law makes these uses more possible for law abiding citizens.
Thirdly, my having multiple weapons and a concealed weapons permit (as do many adult members of my household) makes my home safer than homes without, not less safe. I can't carry a rifle with me everywhere, but I can carry a sidearm, as I live my life and work on the farm, pretty much without anyone knowing. This weapon allows me to repel predators which are attacking livestock, kill probable rabid animals before they get close enough to us or our own animals, and potentially defend ourselves from anything from abduction to robbery. Guns have made my family more safe in an increasingly dangerous world, not less so. There are many times when a deputy from the sheriff's office simply can't make it here quickly enough. Our being armed makes it less likely that we will be robbed and attacked, and my newest kydex holster makes it much less likely that anyone can grab my weapon, even if they know its there, as I use the same type of custom holster as do local police.
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| This is an example of a retention holster of which I spoke. Unless I release the weapon, it is very very difficult for anyone to snatch this weapon from my holster. Many police officers pay to have one of these retention holsters custom made for them. Mine is sufficiently hidden that most people do not know it is there. |
The Mayor of New York City has expressed concern that allowing the purchase of more than one handgun in Virginia might translate to a few winding up in New York City. Last I checked, Virginia has strict laws against sending these weapons anywhere other than Virginia. Crimes involving weapons are prosecuted vigorously here. (See our very full prisons) I also notice that handguns are virtually impossible for law abiding citizens in New York to own. Mayor Bloomberg, maybe if you had a mechanism by which law abiding citizens could own handguns, then a few would not feel compelled to own one illegally. Remember that if handguns are outlawed, then only the criminals will have guns. Believe me, you want law abiding people like myself, who are properly trained and who hold a concealed weapons permit, and people like my family in possession of one. In very bad times or disasters, people like us might be important to the protection of people, animals and property.
