Why The Rifle? What Is Its Use? Really?

[Gabe Suarez]

At another forum...that is usually very good, the discussion of of generalizing and prioritizing has come up. The general gist seems to be that training with rifles is a Walter Mitty pastime and one is better served by making sure his teeth are clean and he is eating right.

The various posters seem to have been in agreement and have brought out certain statistics to show that even a bolt action single shot 22 will do for a "civilian". Those of us who "run around the hills with rifles seemed to get painted with an unflattering brush". It was not insulting mind you, but one can discern a tone, and the tone was that if you train with rifles you ae wasting your time as all you will ever need is a 6 shot revolver.

The question then is why bother owning much less shooting and training with a rifle. Heck...why even own such an expensive and troublesome implement??

Why men are drawn to possess weapons is an important one, both sociologically and politically. It is also important historically. As anyone who is remotely familiar with the historical record will attest, history was written by the sword, not the pen.

Man is attracted to weapons (not just guns, as they are a relatively recent invention), because the mere possession of them is the ultimate expression of individual power, personal responsibility, and the freedom to choose one’s future.

In ages past, an unarmed man was at the mercy of beast and brigand. Is it any different today? By taking up arms (and their study), we are saying that we take responsibility for our safety and that of our loved ones (whether simply a family or an entire nation). Need I remind anyone that the fact Americans are armed is an actual "check and balance" of the governmental process. An armed man cannot be enslaved...and armed man ius free...because he says so!

This simple resolution is a powerful one. It is a profound statement that the individual does, indeed, have the power to enforce his own commitment. To recognize such a feeling of individual power and freedom is an exalted experience. In my opinion, that itself, is the reason for the widespread fascination with firearms and their use. Some would identify this as a Walter Mittyism. I say it is what makes us Americans! Every American should have a rifle. If he cannot aford one, he should save up and buy one. No need for an AR or AK...and Enfield is better than a set of golf clubs!!

This is also, unquestionably the underlying reason why citizens of oppressed countries will still keep a gun or two hidden under the floorboards, in spite of any tyrannical laws prohibiting it. They may dislike America...but I expect it is all out of jealosy.

This attitude supersedes any considerations or arguements put forth by apologists such as the NRA (sporting has nothing to do with keeping tyranny in check). It is based on the mere possession of the artifact itself and what it conveys to its wielder. This is separate from any concerns about actual ability with the weapon.

I believe this is also the “bottom-line” reason for the anti-gun movement, or actually anti-anything-martial movement, whose advocates seek to divest themselves of any personal responsibility or power, and instead, want to be taken care of like children by a paternal governing body. These pseudo-americans have no concept of what freedom is. They are afraid of actual freedom like they fear a raging storm outside their childhood bedroom windows. They are not "fpr freedom", they are for the illusion of security provided by subjugation. In essence, they seek a sort of “freedom from freedom”, and are intimidated by any whose ideology differs from theirs.

These two ideologies are distinctly incompatible and must be intolerant of one another. One group is afraid of individual power, personal freedom and the subsequent responsibility. The other group seeks these things out like a voracious hunter. As a result of the seeking, they are drawn to firearms as the tools by which that which they seek will be found and preserved.

Today’s man of Freedom may never need to shoot for blood, or stab an enemy with a fighting knife, bu he is drawn to the warrior arts and possessing firearms and other weapons for the same reasons his Neolithic ancestors first sharpened stone clubs.

They are the tools of power. With such tools man need not fall prey to beast or brigand...or dare I say, politician. This personal security, and ability to enforce his will is the root of freedom, and the by-product of freedom is personal responsibility.

All of these gifts are diminished, and potentially lost without the teeth of enforcement, specifically weapons, to protect them.

[georgel]

Well put Gabe. These ideas are so lost today. Our founding fathers knew the nature of people and government and therefore provided checks and balances for us. This was driven home for me during 4th of July a couple of years ago when they were reading the Declaration of Independence on the radio. It had never before been so clear for me. It's about freedom from oppression and tyranny. I mentioned to another member here that I don't think people come into office with evil thoughts of oppressing and controlling others. Most are intending to do good, but they eventually loose sight of what is right and fair. They get lost in the power as power corrupts. This is a human failing that we are all subject to. And as you imply, it's not necessarily the use of the guns that empowers, but the possession of them by the masses that offers the potential of qualified resistance.
Every man/home should own a military caliber rifle.

[bubba w/a 45/70]

Aye!, Aye!

Cannot be said much better!!!

[mjkoenig7]

Sadly, most current Americans have no freakin' idea of what freedom really means. Hell - I'd estimate that 50% of voters in this country are so ignorant of our governmental structure and who their representatives in Congress ARE, that they ought to, as Neal Boortz has recently said "have their voter registration cards yanked and burned in front of their faces - these ignorant voters scare me to death." And by the way - there IS NO Constitutional right to vote. We need to have a basic voter competency test in this country. Here's another choice quote from brother Neal: "I've come to the reluctant but inescapable conclusion that roughly 50 percent of the adults in this country are simply too ignorant and functionally incompetent to be living in a free society." Amazingly - most Americans still think the United States is supposed to be a democracy - a form of government the founding fathers specifically stated they wished to avoid at all costs. We live in a constitutionally-limited republic, people!!! Thank God for the enlightened MINORITY in this country - including most WT members. It has always been so - never during the American Revolution could you have taken a poll of the general populace (according to many reliable historians) and found support for the war of independence from Britain to be above 30%. And yet - by God's grace - a small group of determined freedom-fighters helped bring this blessed country into existence. Now we again face the sickening spectacle of (a likely majority of) American citizens who would quickly and gladly appease and surrender rather than fight for their God-given freedom.

[Cold War Scout]

I'll bet the folks in Pennsylvania that Founding Father George Washington sent in the over 10,000 troops to crush circa 1794 didn't have this lunatic vision that the Founding Fathers were so wonderful and perfect and above being power mongers.

[Paco]

True enough for some but "eggs are to be cracked to make an omlet". I agree, the nirvana of liberty never was. But it has been a good run and the 2nd is strong long after many thought it would fall. Beat the alternative eh? History has been kind to those power mongers.

The rifle is remote power and dominance of the environment. Cooper penned something along those lines in The Art of the Rifle. A fine thing.

[kikr]

It consistantly amazes me how few people are willing to take personaly responsibility for their selves in todays society. From music, to drugs, to guns everyone wants to blame something else for someones decisions, and everyone expects someone else (usually government) to make their decisions for them.

Firearms ownership is a dynamic statement that I am responsible for me and mine.

[Drifting Fate]

Originally Posted by Cold War Scout

I'll bet the folks in Pennsylvania that Founding Father George Washington sent in the over 10,000 troops to crush circa 1794 didn't have this lunatic vision that the Founding Fathers were so wonderful and perfect and above being power mongers.

Ok, sometimes CWS and I agree, sometimes we disagree, but in reading this am I to believe that the corn-fed, raised on television, doesn't know the signifigance of 9/11 current American myopia is just in second guessing the more learned men, men who sacrificed their families and wealth for an ideal?

Flawed as the Founding Fathers had to be due to their mortal flesh, they not only conceived this great experiement, they put their money where there mouth was and rolled the dice.

In this case, the good of the future realized is greater than the good of the few.

Am I the only one who feels the cold chill of history tickling the spine when I hear our Betters called lunatics? Is a mental inventory of rounds in armory not a justified response to the insanity of a current law enforcement officer believing the Constitution is a lunatic creation?

I'm sorry, but I have been hesitant to log into WT exactly because of this sort of attitude. I commend Gabe for running a forum allowing debate, but I shudder when I hear the uncensored establishment vent.

When I find myself too lazy to dust off a rifle, I think of those who came before, the sons sacrificed for freedom, and I am shamed into taking my rifle to the range. The pistol is the instrument of personal defense, the rifle is the instrument of freedom.

[Gabe Suarez]

Originally Posted by Drifting Fate

The pistol is the instrument of personal defense, the rifle is the instrument of freedom.

Now THAT is a quotable quote!!!

[kgoerz]

Once again when our nation is facing threats and an uncertain future. Thoughts of doomsday Armageddon surface. It's all the fault of the other half of society not us. It is natural for people to think this. By no means am I saying it will never happen or things aren't bad right now. You need to think about the difficult times our nation has faced in the past. Threats and wars our nation has beaten down in the past were far worst then what we are seeing today.

Sadly, most current Americans have no freaking' idea of what freedom really means. Hell - I'd estimate that 50% of voters in this country are so ignorant of our governmental structure and who their representatives in Congress ARE

American citizens who would quickly and gladly appease and surrender rather than fight for their God-given freedom

I have to disagree that half of our population would rather surrender. In fact those numbers, where ever or what ever experiences made you come to those conclusions have you seriously misguided.
If we are that willing to roll over how are we fighting WWIII with an all volunteer force? Where did those volunteers come from. Certainly not the America you describe. Having traveled extensively around the world. Having lived in other society's around the world. I have to tell you, that we are not in as much trouble as some on WT believe. Trouble, but far from doomed.

We need to have a basic voter competency test in this country. Here's another choice quote from brother Neal: "I've come to the reluctant but inescapable conclusion that roughly 50 percent of the adults in this country are simply too ignorant and functionally incompetent to be living in a free society.
as Neal Boortz has recently said "have their voter registration cards yanked and burned in front of their faces

Thank God for the enlightened MINORITY in this country

Will people who volunteer for the Armed service have to take your Vote test? Who decides what is a pass and fail grade? Is there a re-test if I fail? Wont Candidates only campaign in the states that have better education systems. Because it has nothing to do with being smart. Just if you are educated. Being smart has nothing to do with going to School.
Be careful what you wish for. Allowing someone to tell you if your educated enough, not smart enough to vote. They will also be telling you not to use the word God anymore. Unless you pass the Religious written exam of course.
The enlightened are still the majority. I served with many of them. We all can do our part. Starting with contributing to society. Not claiming we are some elite Minority and crawling into a Sniper Hole. We each have a part to play. Some more then others. Some of us have already contributed more then most ever will. Good place to start is with your kids. After you burn the stupid ones registration cards when they fail the test. Practice as much as you can with your pistol. If you fail Mr. Neal Boorts CCW shooting test they are going to Burn your CCW card in your face also.
Thats all, I need to go study more