Comments on: Happiness is a warm gun

By: K

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:30:29 +0000

Congrats, new sister in the club! BTW, many gun shops have firing ranges, so when you’re travelling and feel like cooling down, just call them and ask. If they have ranges, they usually rent weapons, too. You can try out different things for a nominal rental fee. That’s how I selected the models I ended up buying.

By: RonL

RonL — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:41:31 +0000

Good for you.
Hopolophobia is socially crippling condition.
Shooting is fun. It teaches focus, responsiblity and control. To shoot well, one must also learn to control their breathing and, eventually, their heart beat.

By: kiwano

kiwano — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:12:31 +0000

Your post reminds me so much of my own experiences, except you will find over time that gun ownership will make you angry. I mean last year, I got quite angry when the University that I studied at decided to basically evict the student gun clubs which had introduced me to the sport.

Of course if you place the blame where it belongs, on the regulators and not on the guns themselves, it’s still really enjoyable.

By: Dane

Dane — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:14:02 +0000

How can you have not seen all the ads for firing ranges in Vegas. I lived in Vegas for 7 years, up until the end of 06. Every hotel and restaurant that has those placard advertisement walls, the ones that have ads for shows, parks, excursions, etc., has about three different cards for gun ranges. You can fire fully automatic weapons for a $1 a round!!! I miss Vegas. Anyway, if you’re ever there in Vegas again it is worth the money to fire these weapons. MP-5s, HKs, AKs, Uzis and more. Also, if you can find someone with the bolt-action .50 cal. I highly advise you them take you boulder breaking

By: Ugarles

Ugarles — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:52:55 +0000

24 comments? Regular Clareified readers can expect to see a lot more posts about guns.

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:23:31 +0000

Hey Dawn, what a great photo, with the fabulous Dawn Signature big smile. Hummhh…have you considered to be the spokesperson for the shooting range?

So, what’s next…skydiving? You know, the next time you come to California…that’s what you will get

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:36:23 +0000

Excellent! Welcome to the dark side. The 10/22 is, as many have said, an excellent rifle to start off with, and I still regret selling mine many years ago. Just wait until you try shooting pistols. There is even more fun to be had there, especially when you get the opportunity to shoot absurdly large impractical guns, just for the fun of it.

Remember, you are an American. This means you can, just because you want to.

By: Gib

Gib — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:10:05 +0000

Somewhere, Charlton Heston is smiling.

Not as big a smile as yours, but still, he’s smiling.

By: Dex

Dex — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Welcome to the gun culture! Your comment about anger reminds me of a time I was in Philadelphia in ’00. My employers were having their convention in Philly. Having checked my hotel’s location, I decided not to spend ten days in that neighborhood, naked. I applied for, and got, a PA nonresident permit.

During convention week, I’d scheduled an afternoon off. Right before I took off, one of our delegates came running up and demanded the use of a computer and printer, to run off some “floor resolutions”. He pulled up the document, and started printing out something resembling the Communist Manifesto. I sat there, repeating to myself, “Mustn’t choke a delegate, mustn’t choke a delegate…”.

As it happened, there was a pistol range near my hotel. I went over there, with my target-shooting magazines and some targets. Got into the range, and started in on a box of ammo. My first group was splattered all over the paper, in annoyance. As my groups tightened up, I could literally feel my blood pressure dropping from the Zen of it.

Incidentally, our officers told said delegate to sit down and shut up, when he raised his “motions”.

By: falnfenix

falnfenix — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:19:00 +0000

kudos for joining the ranks of lady shooters. i love seeing fellow women overcoming their fears of firearms in the most logical way possible.

By: Turk

Turk — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:14:33 +0000

Bravo madam. Well done. It’s interesting how calming the range is isn’t it? When I’ve had a really bad day at work, I like to go down to my local pistol range and put a box through my Smith and Wesson. The goggles, ear phones, and individual range booth cut you off from the world. The concentration and breathing, it’s like meditation. Zen archery with a gun.

By: Fearsclave

Fearsclave — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:40:55 +0000

I was interested to read the evolution of your views on guns. I used to feel much the same way, until I moved out to the country and decided to take up hunting. I went from mild anti to self-avowed gun nut, member of the gun lobby and occasional gunblogger in the space of a couple of years. And my second rifle was a Ruger 10/22, like Tommy, but with a wood stock and blued finish. They’re great little rifles.

Exposure to and actual experience of firearms is the best possible way of dispelling the fear, misinformation and prejudice that gets spread with respect to guns, shooters, and the shooting sports. It shows people that guns, when used responsibly, make people happy. Shooting things is fun, and the sport brings people together.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:46:40 +0000

Congratulations!

The 10/22 (Tommy) you are pictured with is one of the best and most fun entry level rifles you can find.

How is your pistol permit application going? Have you started the process to own one yourself? If so, please document the process.

By: Wolfrick

Wolfrick — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:55:00 +0000

Good for you! I wish everyone would approach things the way you did. Only through exposure and education can we overcome the fear and hatred which divide us from each other.
I’d love to take you shooting! If you’re ever down in Texas, look me up.

By: Wolfrick

Wolfrick — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:52:26 +0000

I offer free gun training to anyone who wants it. This basic orientation includes safety and firearm handling and storage, as well as actual hands-on shooting with my weapons on my range.
Why? I believe everyone has a responsibility to know how to safely handle a firearm. Whether you wish to own one or not, you might encounter a gun in the course of your daily life. Could you handle it safely and calmly? Get trained, and your fear will disappear.
I am a Texas Certifield CHL Instructor and a lifelong hunter and shooter.
If you’re interested in my offer of free gun lessons or to ask questions, please feel free to email me: rick dot berry at gmail dot com.

By: Wolfrick

Wolfrick — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:46:04 +0000

The FOUR RULES* of Firearms Handling:

RULE ONE: TREAT firearms as if they are loaded, no exceptions.
RULE TWO: NEVER point a firearm at anything you’re not willing to kill/destroy/buy.
RULE THREE: KEEP your finger off the trigger and outside the
trigger guard until your sights are on target and you’re ready to shoot.
RULE FOUR: KNOW your target, what’s between and beyond, and what your ammunition can do.

*There are many different sets of rules for firearms handling, but

they boil down to these irreducible four. Learn and live these

FOUR RULES and treat all the other “rules” as good advice.

By: Nello

Nello — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:22:11 +0000

Kudos. Personally, and as a new shooter, I find target shooting to be very zen-like myself. If you’re interested you may want to look into a ‘local’ IDPA chapter, once you receive your permit.

And by the way, next time you’re out in Begas, look up the Las Vegas Gun Range and Firearm Center on Blue Diamond rd. They rent firearms and you can shoot things that are not available here in NYS.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:21:15 +0000

Dawn, I’m glad you had the opportunity to learn that “sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar” – or, a challenging hobby is just a challenging hobby. You’re absolutely right about the state of mind – it’s almost impossible to hit anything if you’re shaking with rage. If you want to be able to consistently hit anything, you’ve got to be calm and focused. It can almost be a kind of meditation. When you really get into the zone, there is no you, there is no rifle, there is no range, there is only the shot.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:37:31 +0000

Do you not read other people’s blogs? Ok, bad question.

I blogged about my visit to the Vegas Gun Range (a mere 10 minutes from the strip) back in March ’07!

Get the net (um, but don’t get mad at me). I always knew you’d be a sniper one day.

By: KaT Adams

KaT Adams — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:23:20 +0000

Good to see a positive take on this. Shooting for fun is a great hobby, and it’s sad that even a citizen like yourself is stuck with NYC’s overbearing laws on the subject. I’m here to and the legal hoops and fees just keep me at melee and thrown object range for self-defense. Ironically, the times I’ve been mugged or pick-pocketed have been dealt with without the weapons I hadâ€“except my hands and mind, of course As you’ve just experienced, it’s all about training. Cheers, and enjoy shooting! .22′s are a lot of fun (And don’t let anyone tell you they’re whimpy even if they areâ€“treated with respect they’re just as much fun as the big-bores!)

By: Rauch

Rauch — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:16:40 +0000

glad to see you had an enjoyable experience at the range Dawn, and like Wesley said “Welcome to the gun culture”

By: Dawn Summers

Dawn Summers — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:57:39 +0000

Thanks! I’m excited to get my handgun permit…then I start my gun blog…and yes, casca, I will count on you to teach me the lingo so I don’t get laughed at.

By: Wesley

Wesley — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:39:51 +0000

Welcome to the gun culture – Safe & happy shooting!

By: Adelheid B

Adelheid B — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:38:20 +0000

Wow, that’s pretty cool overcoming your fears by learning more about it. That’s how I overcame my fear of creepy-crawlies. Now, I’m kind of embarrassed and ashamed that I used to squash spiders, and throw things at garden snakes in my yard, after I found out how they help keep pest populations in check and are actually pretty neat creatures. I actually think some snakes are kind of cute, now. It was an eye opener, and I’ve noticed since overcoming that fear, I approach a lot of my other fears more objectively. It’s just too bad so many other peoples can’t learn to become more objective like that.

By: maxomai

maxomai — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:17:16 +0000

Great post. I started shooting ten years ago more or less the same way. Welcome to the club!

By: Dawn Summers

Dawn Summers — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:01:38 +0000

Really? I was thinking it would be good advertising? Like “You’ll enjoy my job just as much as I do call 1-800-Summers”

By: pearatty

pearatty — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:52:45 +0000

You’re looking just a little too happy in that picture. You might want to erase this post before you start your sniping career.

By: Casca

Casca — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:20:27 +0000

Ah, the Ruger 10/22, my favorite 22. I got my first one when I was 13. You should get one of your own. They’re inexpensive to buy and operate, and a great weapon for learning site picture and trigger squeeze. Before your asshat friends voted to limit magazine sizes, you could buy enhanced magazines that would hold several hundred rounds. BTW, the bullet is the piece that launches down the barrel. A round is the complete cartridge; casing, primer, charge, and bullet. You might want to avoid the use of the word “nozzle” too, relative to firearms. Someone will eventually laugh at you.

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:15:17 +0000

I don’t remember your position about online dating, but you should totally use that last photo for your profile!