Course Review: Introduction To Guns By Martin Cruz

A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Martin, approached me with concept he had designed regarding an introduction to guns. I consider this friend of mine to be a "gun nut" in the sense that he is extremely passionate with firearms and everything to do with them, including the education of people who are not familiar, who are afraid or simply curious about firearms be it through YouTube videos or hands on application. So when he came to me with this course concept, I thought it was a very good idea to help educate the general public when it comes to firearms. Being a fairly long time firearm owner and hobbyist shooter, I wanted to give this course a try despite my familiarity with firearms and the safety involved. So I agreed to enroll in his class.

The "school day" arrived and I found myself heading down South (Alabang area) as the designated location for the class was the BuCor (Bureau Of Corrections) Shooting Range in Muntinlupa. I met up with Martin and another friend at a specified rendezvous point and we took 1 car to the range. I was pretty excited because I haven't gone shooting in a very long time and I'm sure my CZ 75 missed being fired as well. We got to the open air range and thankfully, it was quite windy despite being sunny. We all got settled at the covered area of the range to begin the course.

To give you a brief overview, the course is designed for people who have never fired a gun or for those who are looking for an introductory course on guns. Jerick (the other friend we came with) was exactly that, he fell into both categories.

The first topic that was to be discussed was and will always be the most important one, SAFETY.

A laminated copy of the Four Rules of Gun Safety which is internationally known and applied was laid out in front of us.

The Four Rules Of Gun Safety:

1. Consider all guns as loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle of the gun point at anything you don't intend to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
4. Be sure of your target and what is around it.

Each rule was discussed in depth and very detailed along with actions and concrete examples and there was always room to ask questions.

After the Safety aspect was thoroughly discussed, we moved onto the next topic of the course which was the discussion of the basic parts of a gun, in this case, of a semi-automatic pistol. This was easily grasped and discussed thanks to the presence of firearms during the discussion, it was a simple "point-and-explain" kind of discussion using 3 types of firearms which differed in terms of some parts (Glock 17, CZ 75 and a 1911).

Basic Parts:

1. Slide
2. Barrel/Chamber
3. Sights
4. Hammer (for the 1911 and CZ 75)
5. Trigger
6. Safety (Thumb safety for the CZ 75 and Grip Safety, Thumb Safety for the 1911)
7. Magazine Well
8. Magazine Release
9. Slide Release/Slide Stop Lever
10. Magazine

After the basic parts were discussed, their functions shown and questions were answered, we moved on to the next topic on the course which was discussing how a gun operates. It was basically discussed by demonstration.

First off, the gun was safety checked (magazine check and chamber check to show clear) and then laid on the table pointing down range. The first area discussed was the magazine, it was a pretty straightforward discussion and a demonstration was shown on how to load it, it's quite similar for almost all pistols. Unloading was also demonstrated. Moving forward, the main firearm was now going to be discussed, it was safety checked again before moving on to the demo, the firearm discussed was the Glock 17, Martin showed the basic functions and operations of the pistol moving from loading the magazine (with a dummy round) into the gun, racking the slide to chamber the round, chamber checking the pistol to show that the round was indeed chambered and then proceeding to racking the slide again to unload the chambered round while explaining that when using a live round, after the initial chambering of the first round, once the the trigger is pulled causing the firing pin to strike the primer and cause the combustion to send the bullet out of the barrel the slide will move back (either by recoil operation for some guns or by blowback operation for other guns) to serve 3 purposes: ejecting the spent casing, cocking the hammer or striker for the next shot and loading another cartridge into the chamber which happens on the final motion of the slide (moving forward). This will continue to happen after each trigger pull so long as there are bullets left in the magazine, once all rounds are spent, the slide should lock back via the Slide Lock, which was also demonstrated. After discussing and demonstrating the slide and its functions, the magazine was unloaded to show the magazine release function and before putting the gun down, it was safety checked again. This demonstration was also carried out for the CZ 75 as well as the 1911.

The next 2 topics were discussed in combination which are composed of Basic Gun Handling and Dry Firing.

The Basic Gun Handling part was more for Jerick's benefit since he's never handled a firearm before, but I also reacquainted myself since there's no harm in doing so. The logic behind dry firing, for new shooters and those who've never handled a firearm before, it's to get a good feel of the trigger minus the gun shot. By dry firing, you would be able to familiarize yourself with the weight of the trigger as well as the length of the trigger pull before the shot goes off. For regular and professional shooters, the logic of dry firing is the cheapest way of practicing your trigger control and refining your technique and can be done even at home since no rounds are expended.

Once Jerick was confident and familiar with the firearm, it was time for the most anticipated area of the course, Actual Live Fire.

We started off getting Jerick comfortable for his first shot, situated at about 3 and half meters using the Glock 17. When he had his fill, he moved on to try the CZ 75 and eventually found more comfort with the Glock and continued to shoot at varying distances and at steel targets as well. After the instructional live firing was done and Jerick was satisfied with his performance, we all took a seat under a shed to discuss what was learned and how we felt after the course. We also discussed the purpose of owning a firearm, be it for personal protection, home defense or for a hobby, going through each in detail. And finally, to close out the course, Martin made some recommendations to Jerick to find what’s best for you and it really boiled down to what you’re comfortable with using and the practicality of what you’ve decided on when it comes to choosing a firearm for yourself, especially when it will be your first firearm.

If you’re new to guns, curious to learn in a fun and informative environment, I would highly recommend this course to you and I’m sure that you’ll have a great time learning!

For more information, please check: https://www.facebook.com/GunBasicsPhilippines
For informative and fun videos, please check: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAgeOfExploration?feature=watch

Is The Total Gun Ban Really A Solution?

Is the total Gun Ban really a solution?

After reading and hearing a lot of talk about a Total Gun Ban being implemented here in our country (The Philippines, for those who may be reading this elsewhere), it has sparked some thought in me and I have decided to voice out these thoughts. Various events have sparked this talk of a Total Gun ban, events like the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in the United States or the shooting spree that took place in Cavite, Philippines. These are truly tragic events and my heart and sympathy sincerely goes out to those who have been affected by this. But what I’m going to say next may not appeal to other people or maybe a cause of disagreement, that’s alright by me, this is simply my opinion.

Let’s take a step back and analyze these events and other similar events. Who is to blame? Most people will say “Guns! Guns are to blame!” Hold on to that statement as you read my next few statements. A gun or a firearm is an inanimate object, it is a tool that was created by man and used by man. Following that trail of thought in the quoted statement mentioned above, the blame wants to be placed on an inanimate object that cannot commit any action on its own without human intervention. Let’s go a bit further following that logic. When a car accident happens, should we also exclaim “Cars! Cars are to blame!”?  If this logic was followed for every accident or tragic event that occurred that involved inanimate objects and the proposed solution for these events and occurrences would be to ban the objects involved in the events, then perhaps everything would be banned already.

Take a look at the September 11, World Trade Center Terrorist Attack for example; when this happened, people did not go and blame the airplane that crashed into a building and then propose to ban all airplanes, the blame went to the terrorists who committed the act. Because in truth, the plane had nothing to do with the event that occurred, sure, the plane was the major cause of the explosion and the death involved in the attack, but did the plane do this on its own? No. The terrorists caused the plane to crash into the Twin Towers whether it was them directly or indirectly by manipulating the pilot. If you removed the plane from the equation, would this stop terrorist attacks from happening? I highly doubt it.

I may have digressed a little from the topic of discussion, but I believe the paragraph before this was necessary to make my point a little clearer. I know that those against guns would probably have a follow up statement of “Well, the examples you mentioned above, like the cars or the planes, these were made for transportation, what about guns? Guns were made for killing!” Though I don’t totally disagree with the intent of a firearm, it still remains an object, thus the intent actually becomes subjective in the hands of the user. It could be used for killing an animal for food or hunting purposes, it could also be used for killing another human being whether it is defense against a threat or used for murder. As mentioned above, the intent becomes subjective depending on the user. What about the history of the knife? Dating back to the Pre-historic age, long before firearms were invented and before knives became more commonly known as utensils, they were used for hunting and yes, for survival as well which sometimes involves the act of killing. But here are knives today, found in every household all over the world. Despite knives also being involved in violent crimes, there has never been any talk of a “Knife Ban”. So why the bias towards firearms, why the focus on banning them? I believe it’s because of the negative stigma that has been placed on firearms by society. Yes, I agree they are dangerous objects and sadly, they have been involved in deaths as well. But what people fail to see is that the gun didn’t pull its own trigger, a person did that, the reason behind that action was decided by a person as well, not by the firearm.

The total gun ban is said to promote peace and to reduce violence as well as death. That is a good aim, but let me ask you these questions, what does a criminal care about the law? When have rules ever caused a criminal or an individual with evil intent to stop his actions? Will a gun ban stop a criminal from obtaining a firearm to commit a crime with? Will a gun ban stop someone from breaking into your home and harming you and your family? I really don’t think so. I’m not saying that every household should have a gun, what I’m trying to say is that every citizen should have that choice, the choice to protect himself and his loved ones should the need to do so arise. “But that’s what the Police, Security Guards and Military are for!” I don’t disagree, yes, that’s what they are there for, to protect society. But let’s face the harsh reality, if someone breaks into your home and is in your bedroom while you are asleep with your family, what then? Will you reach for your phone and call the police while this man is in your room armed with something that could harm or kill you and/or your family? How fast would the Police get to your home if you were indeed successful in calling them? If this armed man was attempting to harm your wife, husband, son or daughter right before your eyes, would you not do everything in your power to stop that from happening? Would you not use any means to prevent that person from harming your family and loved ones? I am not trying to put down our Law Enforcement agencies with my statements above, I’m simply trying to point out the reality of situations that do occur in society and I don’t disagree that it is the job of Law Enforcement agencies to protect society, but it is also my job to protect myself, my family and my loved ones by any means necessary.

A total gun ban doesn’t stop criminals from committing crimes, it would only take away the chances of responsible gun owners to defend themselves, their families, loved ones and fellow citizens. What society would be left with are criminals who have no regard for the law and will still be able to illegally obtain firearms or other weapons to commit their crimes towards good citizens that would be left with no means to defend themselves.

I don’t discount the fact that there are reckless gun owners out there, those who have no regard for safety or even individuals who have used guns to commit crimes. But do the mistakes of few really need to affect everyone else? Would you ban all people from driving cars because there were accidents or deaths caused by the mistakes of irresponsible drivers? There are many responsible drivers out there and believe it or not, there are also many responsible gun owners out there.

So I pose the question again, is the Total Gun Ban really a solution?

The Fear Of The Firearm

  Something I wrote back in 2011.

     For as long as I can remember, firearms have been linked to the following words: Dangerous, Scary, Death, Killing, these words along with other negative connotations have been attached to a firearm. I believe, the firearm is simply a misunderstood mechanical object. Although I do not disagree that a firearm is dangerous and yes, sadly it causes deaths. But take a step back and look at the world we live in. Has a vehicle not been linked to deaths? Yet majority of us continue to use them every single day. Has the knife not been linked to deaths as well? And yet, there they are, on our dining tables and in our kitchens. I’m not saying that every household should have a firearm, each person is entitled to make their own decisions and choices, each has their own set of reasons. All I am saying is that the firearm should not be judged simply based on the stigmas that society has placed upon it. As a matter of fact, you can’t even judge a firearm, because it is non-living thing, a mere object or tool. So where then, does the danger come in? When it is manipulated by man. If you come to the conclusion that guns should be banned or outlawed, would you ban or outlaw a knife because you got cut while slicing something? Leave both the firearm and the knife in a vault for 100 years and I can guarantee that they will do no harm, they will simply sit there, oxidizing. Or would you have all cars banned because people have died in accidents related to them? Sometimes, I cannot help but shake my head when I see signs that say “Guns Kill People”, I am not intending any disrespect towards those that have been affected by gun related incidents or deaths, I am simply trying to state a fact that the person wielding the firearm is more dangerous than the firearm itself. Because the firearm will not decide to just pick itself up and pull its own trigger. It is when it comes into the wrong hands, that’s when it becomes dangerous. I don’t discount the fact that even in the “right” hands, a firearm can still be dangerous, but the level of danger is greatly reduced due to the knowledge of the person holding it, his mindset and the choices he decides to make. Now most people might say, “What about those incidents wherein children were involved because they found the gun of their dad or mom.” Well, neither the child nor the firearm is at fault here, I think the answer is obvious regarding who is at fault. Now before you get defensive or have any violent reactions to what I’ve said, ask yourself this, would you put a 6 year old behind the steering wheel and expect good things to happen?

     The point I am trying to make is that, a non living thing, on its own, is not inherently dangerous, sure they are used for activities that are considered dangerous, but standing alone, they are generally harmless. A knife won’t stab or cut someone on its own, a car won’t run over someone on its own and a gun won’t fire at someone on its own. How did people learn to “tame” these objects? Through the desire to be educated, practice and discipline. It’s almost the same process as learning how to ride a bike or learning how to drive a car.