I guess I have to add a "Trigger Warning"- no pun intended. Those of you who read my posts probably noticed that I rarely dabble in any Political or Ideological dialogs. But I do dabble in the Philosophy behind people's actions, words, or deeds. For attitude carries a lot of weight if you are lugging around a pistol, knife, or rifle. And now my Grandson has discovered an interest in guns and shooting.
He is amazing in how he can watch a YouTube video, and then make cardboard replicas of pistols, magazines, bolt action rifles, and even tactical vests. All made out of cardboard and none of them dangerous. And now he is into "Quick Draw" pistol shooting. I told him about a guy I once saw put on a heck of a demonstration- named Bob Munden- and now he is practicing "Quick Draws" with his nerf gun. And he is remarkably quick ...and has altered a holster (on his own) to facilitate a faster draw.
All of this is pretend. There are no weapons in my home. Or his. And we have had several serious discussions about weapons and how to handle them safely.
And this is where I am going to trigger some folks and they might try to make my words into some sort of Political Stance or Statement. Nope. I am just struggling with how to present to him good training and beginner courses.
Why?

Well this is where I am going to piss some folks off, but what the heck, we are all Veterans. And Weapons are a large part of our lives and careers. Because it was our job. And we got training. Tons of it. Not so for many "wannabes" I see carrying two pistols with four fresh mags as they stand in line at Jersey Mike's or at Lowes. Hoping to be the "Good Guy with a Gun, when a Bad guy with gun appears. "
And that is why I had to talk with my grandson. One part of me so wants to just go to a Range, or an NRA Starter Class, and get him some real training. Since he didn't grow up out West, or in a Hunting Family, where gun, and gun safety have been taught since they were five, and they got their first shotgun at ten.
I grew up in the inner city...and I live in a small city now. And hunting or target shooting weapons - and their owners have a different attitude towards guns.

What I see all around me now, is what I consider a bad attitude towards weapons and gun ownership. Those guys I see with the tactical gear and every offensive weapon you can carry on a single person, just to go shopping...don't have the right Attitude. They have no philosophy for gun use already figured out in their heads. They just wannabe the Hero.
I gave an example to my grandson of a woman who emptied an entire clip from her Glock at a fleeing shoplifter. Something like nine rounds. And when the Police took her gun she said: "Fine, see if I help anyone out ever again."
I told my Grandson what bothered me about that. First, bullets don't stop until they hit someone, or they run out of energy and gravity pulls them down. Second, that woman had (apparently) already decided in her mind, that killing someone for stealing clothes - was just fine. No need to know why they were stealing, or what they stole...just kill them. Because, you know, a couple shirts and a ring are worth someone's life. Third, hitting a moving target with a pistol, from more than fifty meters...sure some folks can do that. But the FBI, and the Special Ops guys that trained me...said to be sure of a hit, you should be within sixteen feet of a person...and most need to be within 8 feet.
She could have killed innocent folks. And didn't care. And that's what I meant when I say attitude and philosophy have to be securely in place before you carry a weapon.
You can't just use emotion, or we would shoot people who cut us off accidentally in traffic, or try to write an out of state check in the express lane at the grocery store...because we were in a hurry and they made us mad...so out comes the gun. You should know what your personal limits are BEFORE you start packing a gun. If it comes out of that holster...you should already know why you would be willing to draw. And that "why" shouldn't be because I was mad and just reacted.
20 Years ago, I could have just called up the local Gun Shop, or the NRA, and I know he would get some good basic instruction. But not now. Now the person training him will have some sort of agenda, or philosophy that sets ordinary people up as the enemy. And I don't want that. But I see it all around me. Just like that Lady who unloaded that clip...there are to many who want to shoot other Americans because of their Politics, Ethnicity, or Religion.
I don't want him exposed to those attitudes. I would love for him to pursue his talent with quick draw. Or the thrill of hitting a bullseye at 500 yards. Even tho I don't hunt...If he wants to learn how, I want him to make clean shots so the animal doesn't suffer...and will help him eat whatever he gets.
But I don't want him learning from folks who angry about the Government, or hate Democrats, Republicans, Poor People, or any minority. That attitude can easily bring out a gun...and the worst of humanity, over trivial stuff.
And I don't want him shot by someone who "thought it was a gun." Just because he was playing with his cardboard replicas.
We will have more chats in the future...but I think he is beginning to understand just how much responsibility comes with owning a weapon of any kind. He also knows from my stories how much fun it is to blow shit up. Some of the Demo courses I took,I described to them both how much fun it is to take down a tree, or blow off a door...or make a pit that will stop tracks in well, their tracks. It is fun and exciting. But not when the things you are shooting or blowing up...are people.
So for now, I am holding off teaching him much...for the mechanics of weapon handling are fairly easy to teach...the restraint necessary and the reasons for pulling a weapon out...are not.
I don't want a wannabe to become is role model. And that's how I feel.