tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post5856951893144103985..comments2024-02-23T02:02:35.985-05:00Comments on Mudpies and Magnolias: Shootin' ClassMaggie Toussainthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-64250443332387216952013-02-05T11:50:59.031-05:002013-02-05T11:50:59.031-05:00Hi Casey,
First, thanks for stopping in at Mudpie...Hi Casey,<br /><br />First, thanks for stopping in at Mudpies. It's nice to meet new folks. Second, I can see how proficiency makes a big difference with regard to handling a firearm. I hope to become more proficient in knowledge and handling.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-53617191306688692232013-02-05T11:48:32.191-05:002013-02-05T11:48:32.191-05:00Hi Steph,
Thank you for sharing your experience i...Hi Steph,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your experience in the Army, and I thank you for your service to our country. We are lucky to have the freedoms we have in America, but with that freedom comes great responsibility.<br /><br />I participated in the shooting class to learn more about guns, so that I wouldn't sound like such a goober when writing about guns. But I also believe housebreakers shouldn't have a weapons advantage. How the gun policy settles out will have a lasting impact on all of us.<br /><br />Thanks for your visit.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-58924651790628311172013-02-05T11:44:44.531-05:002013-02-05T11:44:44.531-05:00Hi Savanna,
You and I are on the same wavelength....Hi Savanna,<br /><br />You and I are on the same wavelength. As economic times continue to squeeze our wallets, more and more people are driven to desperate measures. I don't consider myself an expert by any means, but I have the knowledge that I can do this. I want to become more proficient - fumbling does you no good if your personal safety is at risk - but I'm already so pressed for time. We'll see if it remains a priority.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-17277482263308991812013-02-05T11:41:53.915-05:002013-02-05T11:41:53.915-05:00Hi Ilona,
So glad to have you visit again. Good t...Hi Ilona,<br /><br />So glad to have you visit again. Good thoughts on gun training and safety.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-48748651948118655522013-02-04T14:43:32.904-05:002013-02-04T14:43:32.904-05:00Good job, Maggie. I'd encourage you to make t...Good job, Maggie. I'd encourage you to make the effort to continue gaining proficiency. There is a sense of empowerment, achievement, and self-sufficiency that comes with mastery of firearms. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09314603521383332654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-11579313881485040272013-02-03T20:31:54.306-05:002013-02-03T20:31:54.306-05:00Maggie, I loved hearing about your experience. I l...Maggie, I loved hearing about your experience. I learned to fire guns/weapons when I joined the army. I did the M16, M203 grenade launcher (attached to the M16) M60 machine gun, 50 cal, Colt 45, 9mm Beretta, 38 Cal, and a shotgun. I am right eye dominant. Recoil never bothered me but with the shotgun, my shoulder always turned black and blue. I enjoyed the training I got and I always treated guns with a healthy respect. <br /><br />Since I left the Army in 1997, I haven't fired a gun, but nowadayws I'm looking forward to getting my own firearm. Yes, I want to protect myself simply because any FOOL in the US can get a gun and that FOOL may not treat a gun with respect. Maybe it's part of my military heritage. I'm glad I do have the right to own one. <br /><br />I respect those who don't have them in their society. Ultimately the tempation to use the gun is there and how one responds to that makes up the measure of that person/society. <br /><br />Smiles<br />StephStephanie Burkhart https://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-1290222262045910292013-02-03T18:34:57.891-05:002013-02-03T18:34:57.891-05:00Maggie, thanks for writing about your experience. ...Maggie, thanks for writing about your experience. I'd enjoy learning how to shoot for real. The couple of times I've been able to do it, I was darn good... but that was long ago, and it was just about shooting some targets. In these times, I think we all need to learn 'whatever' protection methods we can... and, as a writer, it would sure be interesting and valuable to learn the ins and outs of how to handle a gun properly. Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-14310222569913477652013-02-03T15:23:33.921-05:002013-02-03T15:23:33.921-05:00I've always felt that anything that can protec...I've always felt that anything that can protect you should be considered. I do believe that no one should have a gun unless they have been trained to use it.Ilona Fridlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-86175603357997276192013-02-03T14:55:41.122-05:002013-02-03T14:55:41.122-05:00Hi, Ernie! I ate the granola bar before we got to ...Hi, Ernie! I ate the granola bar before we got to the firing part of the class, but if I ever go to a real range, I will use your advice. And argh on my instructor for not saying to wash our hands. I went right from the class to Zaxbys and then to the grocery store.I ate my salad with a fork, but I didn't even think about all the gunpowder in my hair and clothes.<br /><br />I would like to talk with you at some point about recoil. I fired two types of 22s, so I didn't experience a .38. The revolver I shot looked and felt like it came out of the old West, but the trigger was easy to work. The semiautomatic I shot seemed to be mostly plastic, and it was much lighter than the revoler. I honestly couldn't tell the difference in the weapons in respect to recoil or accuracy, for that matter. Once I understood how to correctly line up the sights, everything worked just fine. one of the things that struck me was how many different numbers of bullets went in each gun, whether 5-8 for revolvers and I don't know how many went in a magazine, 10 or so? So no more counting six bullets and thinking the bad guy is out of ammo.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-9744826388455640982013-02-03T14:47:25.126-05:002013-02-03T14:47:25.126-05:00You are so lucky to have a weapons expert close at...You are so lucky to have a weapons expert close at hand, Maryann. Thanks for the visit and the comment.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-79594178258439463152013-02-03T14:46:29.532-05:002013-02-03T14:46:29.532-05:00Welcome to Walmart...Welcome to Walmart...Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-76770994294958327802013-02-03T14:45:34.039-05:002013-02-03T14:45:34.039-05:00Thank you for your comment, Anonymous. I can't...Thank you for your comment, Anonymous. I can't offer any hands-on advice for your sister because I think everyone's situation is different. But having her learn more about handguns and understanding the responsbility that goes with having or carrying one might go a long way in making up her mind.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-75450083865580126462013-02-03T14:40:29.271-05:002013-02-03T14:40:29.271-05:00Janis,
I appreciate your comment and you sharing ...Janis,<br /><br />I appreciate your comment and you sharing your experience about learning to shoot. I wanted to strike the right note with this post, and I'm glad I didn't offend someone who is passionate about guns. I didn't take this lightly and I admit to being a bit nervous during the class. Some of the revolvers looked like the cap guns we'd had as kids as I was struck with the unfortunate urge to giggle - which I quelled, but it was a near thing. I'm so glad I didn't embarass myself.<br /><br />I respect everyone's opinion about handguns.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-50626909990459488272013-02-03T14:30:46.293-05:002013-02-03T14:30:46.293-05:00Hi Sandra,
Living on a farm or a rural area is di...Hi Sandra,<br /><br />Living on a farm or a rural area is different. Wildlife threats are very real and potentially deadly. There were guns around our home as a kid, but I had no interest in them. I was more the type to climb the oak tree, put my fingers in the ears, and write down what everyone was doing. I guess that part hasn't changed much, LOL.<br /><br />I thought I would shoot with both eyes open, but the instructor advised me against it. And since I had good luck doing it his way, I complied. But I've done other things through the years, like some early microscope work that was all done with my right eye. Poor lefty, all out in the cold like that.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-51528660988724788902013-02-03T14:24:27.193-05:002013-02-03T14:24:27.193-05:00Nancy,
I skimmed all the comments, and I see Erni...Nancy,<br /><br />I skimmed all the comments, and I see Ernie(a former cop) made a comment at the end about recoil. The guns I shot were 22s, one revolver, one semiautomatic. I didn't have the chance to fire others like a 38 so I can't compare what that recoil would have been like. There was a lot of discussion in the class about stopping a threat. It appears the higher calibers of bullets tend to go right on through a target, while a 22 doesn't, and it can cause more tissue damage. That part of the discussion made me squirm. I wouldn't fight anyone for my TV, but don't touch my laptop.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-83086374172908700032013-02-03T14:19:31.522-05:002013-02-03T14:19:31.522-05:00Hi Terry,
I can empathize with expensive hobbies....Hi Terry,<br /><br />I can empathize with expensive hobbies. One of our kids competed cross country on horses and the other was a gymnast for awhile. Both hobbies were extremely time consuming and expensive.<br /><br />I don't see myself joining any herd. Never been a herd sort of person, and I've been told I don't herd well. Just too independent-minded. You wouldn't believe all the committees that's gotten me out of!<br /><br />I know you are very interested in having the right information in your romantic suspense books. I strive to come up to your ease of writing about weapons.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-79223742433432278642013-02-03T14:15:59.429-05:002013-02-03T14:15:59.429-05:00Hi Patricia,
I appreciate your perspective as a r...Hi Patricia,<br /><br />I appreciate your perspective as a rural person and I also thank you for your service to our country. We are so very fortunate to have people willing to fight for freedom.<br /><br />God bless you.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-25952513680512390382013-02-03T14:14:02.285-05:002013-02-03T14:14:02.285-05:00Hi Linda,
I turned off the computer early yesterd...Hi Linda,<br /><br />I turned off the computer early yesterday and am just now getting back to the comments. I greatly appreciate your perspective as a Brit. And I completely get that some gun people can get carried away with an "I'm Mr. Big Shot" attitude because they have a gun.<br /><br />Us Americans are looking at a changing world in many ways. I don't want to get bogged down in politics of any kind here on Mudpies, but suffice it to say, guns are a hot topic over here. So hot, I almost didn't blog about my experience. But it was very meaningful for me and I wanted to show that side of the equation.<br /><br />And I think it would be cool to own a kevlar vest. I've never had the opportunity to try one on. I did try a guy's chain mail once and that nearly collapsed my knees.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-38346571461543000362013-02-03T14:07:10.494-05:002013-02-03T14:07:10.494-05:00Hi Jeff,
It sounds like you have a great set up f...Hi Jeff,<br /><br />It sounds like you have a great set up for target practice. We live in a city, albeit a tiny one, so finding a place to practice has so far eluded us.<br /><br />I applaud your insistence on safety first. People do dumb things. You have to be using your head when you're handling a handgun.<br /><br />I don't know if I could ever shoot lefty, but I am guilty, every now and then, of practicing to write with my left hand, just in case something happened to the right one. I like to be prepared...<br /><br />Thanks for the visit.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-77986729468099126622013-02-03T13:46:37.111-05:002013-02-03T13:46:37.111-05:00I’d like to point out a couple of things: You ment...I’d like to point out a couple of things: You mentioned carrying granola bars to the range and coming home smelling of gunpowder. As you probably noticed, in spite of the best ventilation in firing ranges, guns emit a lot of smoke from gunpowder inside the cartridge (what most people call bullets, but the bullet is only the part of the cartridge that flies out the barrel of the gun). The firing pin on the hammer of the gun strikes the cartridge’s primer, producing a sparking charge that ignites the gunpowder. The gunpowder burns, changing from a solid to a gas that occupies much more volume than the solid, and therefore forcing the bullet through the muzzle at a ballistic velocity. And the resulting smoke contaminates you with nitrates and other stuff bad for you. My point is you should always wash your hands and face well after firing a gun before you eat. Also, it’s a good idea to take off your contaminated clothing when you get home and take a shower and wash your hair. Wearing it around can contaminate your food, family members and pets that get on you. And finally, recoil is a big factor in shooting accurately. You said you fired a heavy weapon. The more weight a gun has, the more that weight absorbs recoil. A small .38 can kick like a mule, whereas a heavy .45 revolver seems to kick less.Ernest Lancasternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-8623019622850519582013-02-03T12:27:24.165-05:002013-02-03T12:27:24.165-05:00The class sounds like it was fun, as well as helpf...The class sounds like it was fun, as well as helpful. I am lucky that my son was an armorer in the Marines, so he has been able to help me keep my weapons straight in my books.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-48973583105440745282013-02-03T11:52:48.541-05:002013-02-03T11:52:48.541-05:00Anonymous - I wasn't trying to score any point...Anonymous - I wasn't trying to score any points (oh puns as well!) just trying to get a handle on a very different mindset to us Brits. My hubby is retired police and once said if he was ever ordered to go into firearms training he'd resign. It's still voluntary, though we've got quite used to seeing dainty female officers patrolling Manchester airport looking like the India Rubber woman and nursing, to me, an enormous H&K carbine.<br /><br />The first time I was across in NMexico, I was shopping in Walmart and came to the end of an aisle to be faced with a pallet of boxed ammunition as tall as me. Eggs, bread, cornflakes, ammunition... Surreal. Linda Acasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03096791092366530129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-47639039784330258892013-02-03T11:51:36.344-05:002013-02-03T11:51:36.344-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Linda Acasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03096791092366530129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-15337124930795641082013-02-03T11:31:20.860-05:002013-02-03T11:31:20.860-05:00Linda Acaster makes so many very good points, espe...Linda Acaster makes so many very good points, especially about the potential for dropping the shopping, etc. My sister wants to carry a small gun, but I know exactly what would happen: <br /><br />A mugger comes up to her, while she is on the phone (it is always glued to her ear), she holds up one manicured finger to him, ends her call, drops it in her massive bag, then rummages around in it to find her gun, finally gets it in hand, and tries to point it. <br /><br />Of course, in reality, by this time the bag would have been wrestled away from her, and she would be lying on the ground bloody. <br /><br />It is just not practical for most people to carry a gun on the off-chance that some "bad" person is going to try to harm them. And furthermore, is mugging a shooting offense? <br /><br />A friend saw someone walking around a Walmart with a semiautomatic rifle strapped to his back, and she said it terrified her. Which it would me, as well. I'm sure he thinks he's "protecting" himself and others, but I don't know this person, and he doesn't know me. Who's to say that he might misconstrue an action or word of mine and retaliate? <br /><br />That said, I had police training in college (it was my major) including firearms, and I'm a very good shot. With a target, and with lots of time to aim. My first husband was a cop and he discharged his firearm in the house once, accidentally. It was only a miracle that no one was hurt. If there is a gun in the house, there is potential for disaster. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-61352840788301356082013-02-03T10:15:49.801-05:002013-02-03T10:15:49.801-05:00As a rabid defender of Second Amendment Rights, I ...As a rabid defender of Second Amendment Rights, I thank you for a balanced and civil column. There's so much hysteria about guns today it's refreshing to find such a civil post. <br /><br />As a single woman for most of my adult life, and one who lived in significantly-less-than-prime neighborhoods for much of that time, safety has always been important to me. As a young woman I dated a policeman, who helped me buy a gun and taught me how to shoot. First time I fired a gun it was with his long-barrel .44 mag, a HUGE pistol with bullets roughly the size of my thumb. The recoil almost knocked me into yesterday, and I thought he was secretly disappointed that it didn't dump me on my derriere! However, he said if I could handle that gun, I could handle anything. When we broke up, my brother - a peace officer for his entire life - took over my training. He was not as nice as the boyfriend, but I learned about guns! Now no paper target is safe from me!<br /><br />It's a sad fact that in these days we do have to be so conscious of and personally responsible for our own safety, and in this climate we as writers have to be balanced and thoughtful in our treatment of firearms. <br /><br />By the way, I like shooting just as a simple hobby. Getting fifty out of fifty in the bullseye at a fairly long distance is just as elating as hitting a hole in one.Janis Pattersonhttp://www.janispattersonmysteries.comnoreply@blogger.com