Out of Pod Experience

The very first thing i thought when i read this was: This guy never has seen combat action.
He was extensively talking about how leet he is with guns, but indeed: the real deal wasn´t part of his qualifications.
Otherwise his text would be very much different.

In my eyes, he and most of the gun owners are amateurs with delusions of grandeur. Got themselves some guns, put a stint at the shooting range, learned maintenance and cleaning of course and did attend some gun safety classes. And now they think they can take on such situations, have already a film running in their head how they would have saved the day, being the hero and all.

pfft.

Okay, let´s assume you don´t panic when the shooting starts, which is actually rather likely, because not panicking in such a sudden and stressful situation requires specific training, extensive one at that. Many will never be able to learn that, they simply cannot overcome their instincts (one of the washout hurdles of special forces). But there are actually still quite a few who won´t lose their head when it gets serious. Those will still be affected by adrenaline. This will affect your judgement and impulse control in a negative manner. Basically you are very trigger-happy (with a loaded weapon in an elementary school, what could possibly go wrong?). You can learn to handle it of course... if you do the approbiate training.

Let´s now assume you can keep your calm in a serious combat situation. You still need a degree of situational awareness that requires tons of training to achieve, many will never be able to achieve that (another washout hurdle of special forces).

This is needed because in a building with lots of panicking civilians it will happen often that they will suddenly burst into your field of vision, running through your line of fire or hiding somewhere where you can´t see them but still shoot them because the bullets will penetrate. So you need to be sure that now one will stand behind the assailant (human shields are a hollywood-myth), you need to be aware of not producing ricochets that could hit civilians and you must make sure not to hit anything what your bullets can penetrate (Victoria Soto saved many kids by hiding them into cabinets, so you can see why you need to be careful). All of this possibly under difficult conditions like in Aurora (dark room and tear gas). You need a 100% friend-foe identification before shooting even under the most problematic circumstances. And all of this must be happen nearly instantly, no one is going to wait for you to finish your evaluation.

And all of this is also assuming that you are actually a very good shot with very high accuracy even with a moving target (it´s surprisingly difficult for most people that aren´t accustomed to it), run of the mill shooting range practice won´t do and that you have decent tactical knowledge suitable for the situation you need to handle (and of course you should at least have a little bit of physical capabilities... if you need one minute for a flight of stairs you won´t probably be able to lift a weapon by the time you are at your target). If not... well: training, training and training (this is actually hardly a washout reason for special forces, because all applicants have at least some capabilities here and lacking in this department can easily be fixed for nearly anyone with enough training).

And last but not least is coordination. You draw your weapon and run towards the shooting and suddenly there are half a dozen guys with weapons, and no one knows who is the actual assailant and who is just someone that wants to help? You gonna have a shootout? Well the murderer is happy to receive some help from you wannabe-heroes and goes on with his crime. You will hesitate and try to figure out what to do? The murderer will use that time to put a bullet through your brain.
Coordination requires training and approbiate equipment as well.

In conclusion: You are an Ex-Seal? Cool, i don´t have issues with you having as many guns as you want and taking action when things are going south. You only know how to shoot? Stick to hunting and sport, i won´t entrust the lives of children to your so-called martial prowess because i have seen men that were better trained than this -in situations that didn´t came that unexpected because they were happening in war-zones- screwing up. I´m no gun-hater, they saved my lives often enough, but they are tools meant for use for experts and too many are taking the requirements of my trade too lightly and reducing it to shooting, close combat and being strong and fast. And this is a recipe for desaster. If you want to own or use guns outside of very controlled circumstances like sports, you need to get the approbiate skillset for it, which is quite bigger than you thought. If you don´t want to or can´t, you have no business handling guns.

PS: I know there are many situations (most, even) where you will get away with just shooting skills, because those situations are rather straightforward and easy... also mostly the attackers aren´t really that capable either, but this was mainly an answer towards the bloggers suggestion to arm teachers and civilians against those attackers (and the mentioned situations in Aurora and Newtown were among the difficult ones, where an untrained amateur will likely end up killing many civilians as well because he is simply out of his depth), because apparently being a willing and nice Individuum and attending a weekend course can replace a ton of neccessary skills.

I used to work on computer networks for medical doctors, sometimes in their clinical offices.

Ever single one of them insisted that I install and configure their systems to play "Doom" (yes, early 90's).

"Doom" was the only game they liked for it's ability to help them blow off steam between troublesome patients.

I know none of them went out and killed people afterwards. And those games do indeed serve this function.

The only connection these games have to RL violence is too well merged with other factors in the minds of the insane. Games are hardly the primary motivator for their violent actions.

That's what we do... we ban them from life

So the NRA bashes violent video games and their makers, AND FINANCED ONE THEMSELVES (of course).

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/12/national-rifle-association-has-video-game-too

I don't want to assume so I will ask. Are you saying that you don't believe in self defense via Weapons?

If I'm at home and lets say I have a wife and child and a guy breaks into my house I'm not gonna ask him is he wants help carrying my **** to his car or is he like to use one of my kitchen knife to kill me. I'm going to ask no questions and end his life on the spot. Let god sort it out.



That makes no f***ing sense man. Do you even understand what you are saying? so there are groups in Texas who are joining "roving insane groups" because they like killing people? Your not serious are you? I hope you are trolling other wise you are pretty damn stupid. The US is big on rights. Texas big on the Second amendment. The right to bare arms goes beyond the simpleton idea of having a 'firearm'. The law covers not just firearms but also knives, hatchets, machetes, swords, nunchucks, etc, etc,.

On the specifics of firearms tho these groups you are referring to, some are known as militias some are known as Community Defense Units. People who think firearms should be banned, in the most part, ignorant and naive Americans who rely on the government to protect and us feel weapons should be outlawed as we don't need them. That we should trust the government with out safety. Then there's the 'groups' as you put it, that feel that we should be able to Protect ourselves. EVEN from the government. Genocide is possible. Very possible. The world is over populated. The threat is very real. Again as I quoted before.

"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."

So again. When a burglar breaks into your house and goes for your 2 month old babies room and you've given up all your weapons are you going to put it in the government hand? Hope they arrive in time to save your child? I think not. Also as I said. I'd kill him where he stood.

Don't make false assumptions based on whatever it is you are trying to say.

We don't need guns to protect our homes.



It was written back when the best guns were flintlocks that took 30 seconds to a minute to reload Its as outdated as the law in Britain that all males over the age of fourteen are to carry out two hours of longbow practice.

And again with the assumptions. Conspiracy theorist? Simply because I mentioned Genocide? I'm a realist. Just how it is. I spent a good amount of time in the Military and after what I've seen and learned from it only adds to my open mindedness.

Well this isn't the UK. It's the US.

Once again, you assume. And the above just shows how ignorant you are. I said i'm a realist. not a paranoid conspirator. I mention genocide and you post about the Illuminati? lol. What a ******.

Exactly. but, it is what it is man.

stop fighting wars before you ask me to stop playing games