Credit Where Credit Is Due...

This post is in reference to the article that Porta's Cat posted back on Sept 16, There Is A Difference....

I read his post back then and was very touched and overwhelmed with his thoughts and words and most of all, his confidence in me when it comes to handling guns.

A bit of history on me and guns…

For someone that had a tremendous fear of guns, he has definitely brought me a long way from that scared girl back in High School. I was only 16/17 and here I was, standing in the middle of the front yard, watching a young boy die from a stray bullet (not knowing at the time, that is what was causing the convulsions) and watching his brother watch with such fear for his brother’s life. The age of the boy is vague, but I remember he was so young, not even 10. I remember picking him up as he laid on the front lawn in convulsions and carrying him in to the house where we learned his condition. It was New Year’s Eve, midnight, and his brother came running to the door, where I was babysitting my niece and nephew, banging on the door. Needless to say, although I didn’t want to answer the door, I could hear his screams of fear, “Please help, something is wrong with my brother!” When we got him in to the house and laid him on the floor, my brothers shirt was covered in blood where the boy’s head rested on it. We turned to look at the boy and there was blood all over. I was in fear at that moment, scared for this small defenseless boy that all he wanted, was to watch the fireworks with his brother… That night will stay etched in my memory forever. The boy didn’t live, the parent’s… that was their first night out to celebrate New Year’s Eve alone without the kids. Very loving and protective parents, New Year’s Eve would never be the same for this family, because of that night, they lost a son and a brother. Investigations were done and it was learned that there were some of El Paso’s police officers (off-duty) one to two streets down, that were firing their guns in to the air, celebrating NYE. Needless to say, they never did say if it was one of their guns or not…they were placed on suspension WITH pay until the investigations were finished. The bullet hit the boy behind the ear. I still don’t know if they found the owner of that stray bullet. After that night, I made a silent promise to myself, I would never, ever have a gun in my home or let alone, handle one.

I wanted to thank Porta’s Cat again for his confidence in me and all the time he takes to teach me on how to handle a gun, for taking me to the range so that I can keep my gunmanship up to par, for sharing the knowledge of respecting the power that a gun has. I wouldn't be who I am now in reference to the gun world if it weren't for Porta's Cat! Yes, you have to have a willing "student" so to say, and I am very willing to learn all that I can. I have a lot of respect for all guns and most of all for everyone that strives to share their knowledge in positive ways. I’m far from the gun enthusiast or the gun hobbyist but in Porta Cat’s words:

“Yeah, we get kind of silly around here sometimes. And we don't often make political rants, or discuss the intricacies and nuances and fine points of this that and the other. But if you can't find us one Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, maybe you ought go look and see who is at the range....”

I also wanted to thank those who posted comments and left such supportive words. The words are definitely appreciated and taken to heart.

Catfish
Freddyboomboom
Xavier
Tam
James R. Rummel

P.S.
Being a typical woman, I’m still contemplating a good fashion statement for the gun range without distracting those around me… The vision of camouflage pants or shorts, Camouflage Madonna bra and a small camouflage half jacket with my hair pulled up and a camouflage cap is out of the question huh? Trying not to be noticed, hence the camouflage print!!!!