We live in a time of turmoil. The news, when one chooses to follow it, is unsettling. And having worked in the tv business, one learns that all news is designed to sell ad time.
That’s how they survive. Viewership is best gained by generating passion, controversy and anger. And with the news these days, that’s not a tall order.
Firearms have become a lightning rod for debate, criticism and partisanship. But firearms are also how I provide food for my family. Are there too many of them in this country? No doubt yes. Do they get into the hands of people bent on trouble? Yes, again. Is the mental health system woefully understaffed, undersupported and underfunded. Yes, yes and yes.
But the firearms vilified by some are the same ones I use for hunting. They are the most reliable, the most accurate and the most suited for the rugged conditions in which I hunt.
These are the “black rifles”, the “military-only semi-automatics” or an AR. These rifles are my choice when hunting in heavy brush, harsh weather conditions or extremely dirty, muddy or dusty terrain. They don’t jam, mis-fire, mis-feed or malfunction.
Could I hunt with old school lever-actions and bolt-actions? Probably...but not with 100% confidence that every shot will go where I want, when I want and as quickly as I may need. I have dropped deer and hogs with rapid follow up shots that would have been extremely difficult with a lever-action or bolt-action rifle.
So I am very torn between what is the best tool for the job I look to do and what unbalanced people decide to use in their quest for violence and publicity. But do not think that an AR is only good for killing other human beings in war. It is also the best tool I have found for providing food for my family.
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