The Gift I Hope to Never Use
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I got a Christmas gift this year that I never want to use. It is something I have considered acquiring for years, but never purchased. Now that I own it, I hope to leave it safely stored and never use it for its intended purpose. It only weighs a few pounds, but can stop a full grown man dead in his tracks.
I once told a police officer friend I was considering purchasing a gun for my home. He was happy to inform me of all of the different calibers; revolver vs. semi-automatic, manufacturers, etc. His opinion was definitely biased, because his weapon of choice is a .45 caliber Glock. I did not know it at the time, but that conversation started me on a four year journey that ultimately led to the purchase of my own handgun.
I should say here that I am no stranger to firearms. I have owned a shotgun since my early teens and have even completed a gun safety course. Though I am not an avid hunter, I have spent a fair amount of time in the woods with a loaded gun and shot my fair share of small game. There is nothing better than fresh pheasant- I’d take it over chicken any day.
Before I became a father I had always had the, “It will never happen to me,” approach to home security. I will admit that my shotgun was always loaded and under my bed when I lived in a couple of seedy neighborhoods, but the idea of ever experiencing a home invasion seemed unlikely.
Once I became a father, things changed. It was no longer practical or safe to keep a loaded shotgun in the house. My sixteen-gauge Winchester Model 12 is very capable of protecting my family, but getting it from the place it is hidden in my closet, removing it from its case, and shoving three or four shells into it quickly is not an easy task. Slapping a loaded clip into a semi-automatic handgun seemed much more efficient and the small size is more versatile in close quarters.
I’ll admit, owning something so potentially lethal unnerved me a bit. I don’t know why, but a pistol seemed so much more deadly a weapon than my shotgun. I spent many hours weighing the factors involved in owning a handgun and I had nearly convinced myself to purchase one, but I was still hesitant to pull the trigger- so to speak. Then something happened to help me make up my mind.
Most of my extended family, including my parents, live in a relatively small town in Ohio. During my weekly phone call to my mother back in September of 2008, I was made aware of my cousin’s experience with a home invasion.
It was about 11:30pm, his wife had just left the house for work, and his infant daughter and 6 year old step-son were asleep upstairs. As he sat in his living room watching ESPN he heard something moving around in his bathroom. He walked around the corner and noticed the light on; and heard the door close and lock. He shouted and asked who was there. Immediately, he heard more commotion and the window being forcefully opened. The perpetrator fled through the bathroom window and vanished into the night. To this day my cousin does not know who was in his house.
As I listened to my mom recount the story, all I could think was, “What if the intruder had had a weapon?” My cousin is a big guy who can take care of himself, but fists are no match for bullets. I hung up the phone, looked into the innocent eyes of my first born, my precious little girl, and reminded myself that I am the only thing in this world on which she could depend for protection. This is not to say that her mama is not a fierce protector, but I am the man of the house and I take that responsibility very seriously. A Glock model 21, .45 caliber semi-automatic, was my Christmas gift to myself.
I’ll never forget the feeling of that weapon in my hand the first time I held it. It wasn’t a power trip kind of feeling, or a feeling of invincibility, it was more of a “Whoa, this is a little freaky” kind of feeling. I had in my hand the ability to terminate a man’s life if I so desired, and that is the last thing I ever want to do.
A trip to the shooting range quickly demonstrated its awesome power. I was speechless after the first clip was emptied. The action was smooth, the recoil very manageable, and the thundering boom impressively intimidating. At that moment I understood the breadth of the responsibility involved with having such a deadly weapon in my possession.
The thought of owning my own gun and being faced with potentially firing it at a person reminds me of the terrible decision President Truman faced when deciding to bomb the Japanese. Only God knows the heart and mind of Truman, but I am willing to bet dropping those devastating weapons- with the potential to wipe out thousands of people- was an agonizing decision. Critics said the use of the atomic bombs was overkill, and maybe it was; but I hate to think of how many more lives may have been lost if he had not taken such action.
I am not a violent person. I know there are non-lethal methods I can use to protect my babies, but why chance having something happen to my family to spare the life of someone who intends to harm them?
I hope I never have to train my sights on a human being, but rest assure I will not hesitate to shoot dead any person intent on harming me or my family. Thank God I live in a country where I have the right to protect my loved ones. I rest a little easier knowing I have my Glock at the ready if the need ever arises. I pray it never does.
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Hey Catlyn,
You bet they are. I hear rumors all over the place about projected restrictions on the right to bear arms during the Obama administration. Not sure how much of it is just hype, but I wasn't about to take any chances. I saved for 3 months to get my Glock, and it was worth the trouble.
Hope you are able to get yours soon as well. They are remarkable. Best to you in '09 and thanks so much for reading... :)
LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! Congrats!! You go!!! A Glock 45 is one of the smoothest guns I've ever shot. When making my purchase, it was between a Glock 45 and a Kimber 45. I chose the Kimber for 1 reason. The safey. As you know, the Glock's safey is the intentional pull. The Kimber has a double safey. It's a powerful feeling. After you put a few hundred rounds through her, she'll be right at home in your hand. In fact, she'll feel like part of your hand. It's so awesome you got her!! I'm happy for you and for your family!! The recoil is less with the Glock, but I ordered a stainless which weighed a little more and that kinda evened out the recoil between the Glock and the Kimber. I go no where without my baby. Her name is Kim. Not too original, I know. But it seemed kinda obvious. LOL I carry 2 clips with me. My holster has a place to store an extra. I have hollow points switeched alternated with just regular ones. If I'm pulling the trigger constantly, I don't want to get her barrel too hot. I was afraid straight hollow points would do that. I hope to never use them on a human. (I do LOVE target shooting! We shoot in our back yard.) But, if the times comes that I need to, I will. We had an instance where I had to pull on a man. I had always wondered if I had it in me to do it. And I found out that I do. Good to know if I have to do it again. Our deputies carry 9 Glock, but they had rather carry a Glock 45. I know this because I asked them. (I got to shoot one of them. They are smooth and the 9 will travel longer, but the 45 just does more damage. And if I have to shoot someone, I want them dead.) But, they have to take what the taxpayers give them. I feel since their lives are on the line, they should get to carry what they want to carry and let us taxpayers pay for them like that. Again, thanks for the hub, I loved reading it!! 2 thumbs up!!
yes the constitution has this provision for a reason. Unfortunately the next administration will try to undermine most of our hard fought for liberties. So, if at some point you don't agree it may be necessary to have a weapon. i have heard that they are going to tax ammunition outrageosuly
yes the constitution has this provision for a reason. Unfortunately the next administration will try to undermine most of our hard fought for liberties. So, if at some point you don't agree it may be necessary to have a weapon. i have heard that they are going to tax ammunition outrageosuly
yes the constitution has this provision for a reason. Unfortunately the next administration will try to undermine most of our hard fought for liberties. So, if at some point you don't agree it may be necessary to have a weapon. i have heard that they are going to tax ammunition outrageosuly
yes the constitution has this provision for a reason. Unfortunately the next administration will try to undermine most of our hard fought for liberties. So, if at some point you don't agree it may be necessary to have a weapon. i have heard that they are going to tax ammunition outrageosuly
yes the constitution has this provision for a reason. Unfortunately the next administration will try to undermine most of our hard fought for liberties. So, if at some point you don't agree it may be necessary to have a weapon. i have heard that they are going to tax ammunition outrageosuly
Hey ASU,
There was never any other choice for me, because of the accessibility to the Glock and the price. Glock’s North American headquarters is in Smyrna, GA, which is only 20 minutes from my home, so it was a no- brainer. Plus, my police officer buddies can have their guns rebuilt for free at the Glock plant and I can use the same service at a discounted price if I ever have need.
My baby is the S/F model, which basically means the handle is a tad bit thinner than the standard model 21 so it is more comfortable to shoot with one hand. I have some pretty big mitts, but the S/F handle feels like it was made to be in my hand.
I’ve looked at the Kimbers and those honeys are expensive! Beautiful guns. Everything I have read about them says they are the best. I’m not sure if I will ever purchase another hand gun, but I will give them a look if I do.
Before I purchased my .45, the only other hand guns I had shot were a 9mm (I think it was a Taurus) and my dad’s old .22 revolver. The police officer friend I referred to in the hub explained the difference between the 9mm and .45 this way. He said, “Do you want to slow the intruder down, or do you want to stop him? If you want to stop him, get the 45.” That happens to be his service weapon of choice.
I haven’t decided if I will carry my Glock all the time, yet. I know it will go with me if I am out at night, and when I take my kids camping in the woods, but other than that I am not sure. I am going in Tuesday or Wednesday to apply for my concealing weapons permit. I purchased my holster this weekend, so I will be ready to carry soon.
I have one clip full of hollow points at home, but I think I will alternate them with target rounds. Thanks for that tip. I definitely baby my gun. Is your Kim easy to disassemble? I was very impressed with how easy it is to break down my Glock for cleaning.
Wow, you actually pulled your Kimber on someone? I have no doubt I will be able to do the same if I have to, but I hope I never do. Did you ever see the Clint Eastwood movie, “The Unforgiven?” I love the scene where he is explaining to the young cowboy what it is like to kill a man. I picture myself feeling a bit like the young gunslinger felt after his first kill if I am ever forced to shoot someone. Not sure if you like Clint Eastwood westerns, but it is a movie worth watching if you do.
It’s a shame your deputies cannot choose what they carry. I am not sure how our PD departments go about arming their officers, but I am under the impression they get to choose. Many are going with the Glock 40, which is what my best friend (also in law enforcement) bought a few weeks before I bought my 45. He is a little smaller than I am, and the 40 offered a perfect compromise between the 45 and the 9. My 45 was about $60 more than the 40, but worth every penny in my opinion.
We went shooting a few weeks ago and I tried his 40 and he my 45. I thought his 40 felt a lot like the 9mm I had shot in the past. He was impressed with the 45, but thought the recoil was a little more than he wanted to handle.
I envy that you can shoot in your backyard. I live in a residential area, so that is not possible. There is an outdoor range about 30 minutes from my house and I can shoot all day for $15.
I am sure there will be more hubs about the gun and personal protection as we roll into the Obama administration. I definitely plan to buy as much ammo as I can in the next few weeks before congress enacts some insane taxes, like they are rumored to be planning.
Take care of your self. Write a hub about that Kimber someday if you get a chance.
Hey There Vrajavala,
I am concerned about the future of this country. I hope Obama was all talk during the campaign and does not plan to enact all the outrageous legislation to restrict our freedoms and tax us into oblivion like he said he would. I am not very optimistic, but hopeful.
Isn’t it a shame that people, and politicians to be more specific, have lost the ability to say what they mean and mean what they say? What a world this would be if we didn’t have to analyze every word and try to determine whether a statement is truthful or a lie.
Thanks for taking the time to read and best to you in ‘09... J
I just got home from church and thought I'd check in. I just got the message that you wrote this hub this morning LOL. I try to keep an eye out for my favorite writers on the 'hubtivity' page. I am concerned like Vrajavala is. I've heard people talk about Obama spending so much money and that there's not going to be anything to back it up. Just ink on paper. And in order to come up with all of that money, he will turn to fining and taxing everything and everyone about everything they do or buy or use. I saw him tell coal workers that they could mine coal, but to be prepared to go bankrupt because he would fine them for what goes into the air from the mining. I saw him say that with my own eyes. That's a natural resource that we have free here plus it's jobs. But, he doesn't care. I'm not a tree hugger. I don't go out throwing my garbage in the road or littering or anything like that. I just mean that I'd rather have a few less polar bears and a lot more jobs and more fuel from our own country and pay less at the pump. I just don't see polars bears moving from where they are and a few dying is going to doom the planet. God gave us these resources to use. But, our leaders wont allow it. Sorry, I didn't mean to get that far off subject. Just seeing that you bought up taxing ammo, then I saw on TV that gas tax is going up (on purpose), fines for factories for what goes into the air. What else is going to be taxed or fined? This is a wonderful reason to have yourself armed: Uncertainity.
I'm glad you're so excited about your new baby. I can't blame you. My husband says when he buys his he's going to get a twin to yours. He wants a Glock 45. I just love the pull on Glocks. And I didn't feel that the recoil was bad. I guess I got used to shooting daddy's 357 Mag. It's stainless and beautiful! That's a heavy gun for me. He is a Clint Eastwood fan. He raised me watching Clint, and I still do til this day and now my son watches him.
I put a Hogue grip on Kim. The one that was on her was fine, but the Hogue is softer and makes it better for me to grip. It's a wrap-around. I love it. It did change the look a smidge, but that didn't bother me much. I baby her too, like you do yours. My daddy taught me, you shoot it, you clean it. He applied that principle to animals and guns. Every time she gets shot, she gets cleaned. And she gets cleaned even when she doesn't get shot. To me, taking her down and reassembling her is pretty easy. I had to do it a few times to not have to stop and think about what I was doing. As this is my first semi. But, if you take care of your gun, your gun will take of you. In a year or so he's going to pass down his 38 Special to our son and buy him a Glock.
Again, wonderful hub! Good job! You now have a new family member that will be there to take care of you your whole life. (Too bad there's not many humans we can say that about :/ )
I had to skip church this morning. My two year old little guy has been fighting some sort of stomach bug. We made it past the vomit stage, but now everything is coming out the other end and his little bottom is really sore. He is sitting on my lap right now.
I watched the same interview you mentioned when Obama told the coal companies they would go bankrupt because of the penalties his administration would levy against them. All I could say is “WHAT!!?? Is he really saying that?” I could not believe he was so brazen and so stupid at the same time. I guess this is the kind of change for which people voted. I just pray we can survive as a nation for the next four years and a real conservative republican will run for office in ’12.
Your husband will love this gun as much as I do. Of course you already know what I am talking about because you have fired one yourself. You are right about the pull. I never gave it any thought. It was so smooth and easy to handle. I was holding a great pattern on the target by my third clip.
I think it is great that your dad is handing down his 38 to your son. I cannot wait to do the same for my kids.
I am in Ohio visiting with my parents and my dad and I took out his handguns to do a little shooting last Thursday. He has a 380 that he had never fired, a great little Rossi 38 special that he hasn’t fired more than a dozen times, and his trusty old 22 revolver that he has had since I was a kid. He also brought along his Winchester model 62. It’s a pump action 22 caliber rifle that belonged to my grandfather. We had a blast riddling pop cans full of holes and telling stories about times we had gone hunting when I was young. I was impressed with the kick from that little 38, and I convinced him to “loan” me the 22 revolver to plink with back home. I love to shoot that gun and the ammo is way less expensive- for now anyway.
My police buddies love the fact that they don’t have to clean their Glocks every time they fire them, but I do anyway. My dad instilled in me the same ethics as your dad did: If you want something to last, take care of it.
I am a huge Eastwood fan. I own many of the westerns on DVD and watch them often. Also loved the movie Tombstone with Kurt Russell. I am not a Val Kilmer fan, but he did a great job in that film.
Thanks again for reading and for taking the time to share your thoughts… :)
I'll be your Huckleberry! Funny you bring up Tombstone. My son can quote the whole movie. We love that movie too. I'm not a Val fan either, but he made that movie!
I've got 2 guns, one for the each of ya!
I'll remember your son in prayer. That's a bad bug. We had it. Poor thing :(
I think my favorite scene is when Johnny Ringo shows off his gun handling skills and Doc mocks him with his whisky cup. I loved the whole thing, I can quote most of it as well. "Law don't go 'round here, law dog."
Of course there is the scene when the vaudeville actors come to town and the guy actor recites Shakespeare. It was all very well done.
I have been to the tavern where Wyatt Earp was allegedly shot. The Black Hills are breath-taking.
Thanks for the prayers. I want to get back home, but I will not chance it until he is 100%. It's a 10 hour ride, and I don't want him to have to sit that long if his little bottom is sore.
Have a great week... :)
Awesome hub, my friend! Must admit it was Yosemite Sam that caught my attention first...America must wake up, on many levels, not just the right to keep and bear arms...but just as important to our freedom and safety, is the ability to keep and grow our own seeds and food.
If anyone thinks they are two separate issues, please think again. The first way to control a population is to remove the ability to defend oneself the second is to control the food supply.
Thanks for all of the comments, too. Very enlightening and interesting to read. Please keep up the good work...now I'm off to research my own gun...Glock or Kimi, huh??
ASU-
Thanks for the prayers. God definitely listened to yours and the prayers of my mom's prayer chain members. Woke up this morning in Ohio, realized my little guy's diaper was dry and decided to make a run for it. 615 miles later... we are back in Georgia and my Glock is in its new holster and on my hip as I type. Already loaded a clip with alternating rounds as well.
Thanks again for the prayers. I really appreciate it... :)
Hey Karen614,
You are so right about the food issue. I spent 5 years in the midwest before my pilgrimage to the south and I know first hand what our farmers do and how hard they work. Actually did a little farming myself, though I was raised a big city kid in the suburbs of Detroit.
As for a gun recommendation... well of course I am going to tell you to get a Glock. But I trust ASU and her review of the Kimber, and as I said earlier, everything I have read says they are also top notch. Either way, I don't think you'll go wrong.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Have a great week... :)
Great hub...I would much rather own a gun and never use it... than be in a situation where I needed to protect my family and wish that I had a gun. Thanks!
I'm the opposite of you. I've had handguns since I moved out of my parents' house at 18. The shotgun is what makes me nervous. The key is to be secure enough and confident enough to actually be able to use them without hesitation. I'd hesitate with a shotgun. It's intimidating to me. The Glock is a great choice. I'd like to get two more before we're not able to get any at all. Great hub!
Hey Tom,
My sentiments exactly. I will never be the guy on the news watching the coroner put my family in body bags because I could not protect them from an armed intruder. Their lives are far more valuable to me than someone who has no regard for innocence.
Laughing Mom-
My shotgun is now cased in the top of my closet. It has much sentimental value to me and is only shot every couple of years. And though it is true that I do not wish to end the life of any human, I would without hesitation if my life or the lives of my family were in jeopardy. No doubt about it.
I've had my Glock for almost 5 months now and I carry almost everywhere I go. It is safely stowed next to me at night when I sleep and it stays in the kitchen cabinet during the day. I keep a full clip in it, but I do not have a round chambered. My little ones never know where it is and do not have access to it, but it is always close by.
I am considering getting another soon. I am seriously looking at the Model 30 this time; something a little more concealable for when I am traveling or camping.
You are right about these guns. I really love my Glock. It is very accurate, easy to shoot, and very easy to clean.
Thanks to both of you for reading and taking the time to comment... :)
My husband travels a fair amount, and when we don't get to go, you can bet your savings account that mine is right beside the bed with a clip in it.
You're very smart to be so cautious. My two oldest (8 and 12) know how to shoot a gun, and practice pretty regularly. My youngest is still way too young to shoot anything besides a bb gun, but they all are aware we own guns and have a respect for them that causes them to leave them alone. That's not to say we keep them within reach, but I never wanted them to not know about them, then find it and be curious enough to mess with it.
I'm curious as to whether your state requires a conceal/carry license.
My 13 year old stepson shot my Glock one time at the range. I literally mean one round. He was amazed and a little freaked out by the power and definitely has a healthy respect for it. He prefers to shoot the 22.
My youngest are 2 (almost 3) and 5. Both of them have seen my gun and know what it is. Both also know it is completely off limits. They will learn to shoot when they get a little older.
Here in Georgia you need to apply for a concealed weapons permit to legally carry a hand gun. There is no test to take, no hoops to jump through, just a fee of $45 and a clean record. You can carry your gun most anywhere and there is a great website called georgiacarry.org for information on where you can and cannot carry a firearm in the state.
In Kennesaw, GA, where I once lived, there was a law on the books for decades that required all residents of the city to own a firearm. As you can imagine, there was little crime in Kennesaw. I am not sure if the law is still on the books, but I thought it was a great idea.
That's very interesting about the law in Kennesaw. I'm going to have to find out if it's still on the books--just out of curiosity. In Oklahoma, you have to take a class, pay a pretty big fee, have a background check and get fingerprinted. And if anyone files a protective order against you, you lose it.
None of my kids have ever shot a glock--I think they'd be on their backsides, which is probably where I would be with a shotgun.
My dad had a potato gun when I was in HS, and we had a blast with that. We tried arming it with everything imaginable. We also found out that if you load dog food in before whatever big ammo you put in, you've got yourself a very nice shotgun. Of course, that was always just for fun.
Catlyn says:
12 months ago
Audacious ~ I had that gift on my wish list, but Santa did not come through. Guess I still have a little time left to exercise my right to bear arms, though. The times they are a'changin!