blaxsun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
"Yes, I own assault rifles." Not expecting that response to the question, you could almost hear the air being deflated out of the next argument that was poised... Then, after a pause - curiosity. "Really?"
"Yes, with one key difference: mine are commercial versions." Another pause. "Oh. What's that?"
"They lacks the requisite mechanism to fire in full automatic. So they're semi-automatic only."
"Ah. But aren't there still machine guns in Canada?" "Sure, but there are a relatively small number of them, very few people can posses them - and you haven't been able to shoot one anywhere in Canada since 2003. In fact, you need a special permit just to take it to a gun show for display or to a gunsmith for maintenance. And to store it, it basically has to be rendered inoperable."
"Really? Wow. I had no idea."
And so the conversation went, as I introduced a non-firearms owner to the relatively unknown world of black rifles. By the end of the conversation he was pretty much sold on the idea of not only getting his RPAL, but investing in a AR15 down the road.
Now at this point in the narrative, it should be obvious that I deviate from the standard "playbook". Pretty much from the outset. Why? Because I think it insults people's intelligence to try and argue semantics. And let's be honest: most of the stuff we own is almost indistinguishable from the military version. And really, that's the whole point. Isn't it?
For all intents and purpose there is no "sporting" use for the majority of our black rifles, beyond the odd varmint or hunting application of a few that are non-restricted where you can legally hunt with. I see absolutely no benefit of trying to argue the merits of hunting hogs with fully-automatic AR15s from helicopters in Texas, especially since we're in Canada. Competition and training? Definitely. Target shooting? For certain. Collection or military buffs? Yes. Self-defense? Absolutely.
Wait, self-defense? Yes. The preservation of life. Specifically, my loved ones and I. If it's good enough for our armed forces to defend this country with - it's good enough for me to defend my family. Don't agree? No problem. You take 911 and I'll take 556.
I mean, where would the logic be in getting an RPAL, shelling out over $2k for rifle, optics and accessories, having to register/ATT it - and then be limited to where we can shoot the damn thing if it didn't give us the same advantages and benefits that our military also desires?
But this simple statement also ignores the vast majority of benefits with something like an AR15 platform. Lightweight, low recoil, intermediate caliber, durable, rugged, reliable, dependable and, most importantly - easy for anyone to shoot. And did I mention modular? Smaller/larger hands? No problem - we have a myriad of angled pistol grips to choose from. Need a shorter or longer barrel? Simply swap out an upper (since the lower is the registered part). Prefer a fixed, collapsible or adjustable stock? No problem. They even come in pink now. What about people that might have disabilities or physical challenges? Again, covered. From lightweight hand guards and rail systems to vertical grips to offer increased stability and control, it's covered. You can even get the recoil down to something on par with a .22LR. And do we even need to touch base on the available options for optics?
It's about picking and choosing your battles. There are people convinced that Stephen Harper is evil, and that he probably willed Jack Layton cancer. There's one in every family (some of my extended family being no exception) - and you'd be further ahead lighting yourself on fire than trying to win an argument with these wingnuts.
So contrary to what might be the 'popular' course of action, I'm not going to shy away from my hobby by hiding in the shadows.
Yes, I own assault rifles. What of it?
"Yes, with one key difference: mine are commercial versions." Another pause. "Oh. What's that?"
"They lacks the requisite mechanism to fire in full automatic. So they're semi-automatic only."
"Ah. But aren't there still machine guns in Canada?" "Sure, but there are a relatively small number of them, very few people can posses them - and you haven't been able to shoot one anywhere in Canada since 2003. In fact, you need a special permit just to take it to a gun show for display or to a gunsmith for maintenance. And to store it, it basically has to be rendered inoperable."
"Really? Wow. I had no idea."
And so the conversation went, as I introduced a non-firearms owner to the relatively unknown world of black rifles. By the end of the conversation he was pretty much sold on the idea of not only getting his RPAL, but investing in a AR15 down the road.
Now at this point in the narrative, it should be obvious that I deviate from the standard "playbook". Pretty much from the outset. Why? Because I think it insults people's intelligence to try and argue semantics. And let's be honest: most of the stuff we own is almost indistinguishable from the military version. And really, that's the whole point. Isn't it?
For all intents and purpose there is no "sporting" use for the majority of our black rifles, beyond the odd varmint or hunting application of a few that are non-restricted where you can legally hunt with. I see absolutely no benefit of trying to argue the merits of hunting hogs with fully-automatic AR15s from helicopters in Texas, especially since we're in Canada. Competition and training? Definitely. Target shooting? For certain. Collection or military buffs? Yes. Self-defense? Absolutely.
Wait, self-defense? Yes. The preservation of life. Specifically, my loved ones and I. If it's good enough for our armed forces to defend this country with - it's good enough for me to defend my family. Don't agree? No problem. You take 911 and I'll take 556.
I mean, where would the logic be in getting an RPAL, shelling out over $2k for rifle, optics and accessories, having to register/ATT it - and then be limited to where we can shoot the damn thing if it didn't give us the same advantages and benefits that our military also desires?
But this simple statement also ignores the vast majority of benefits with something like an AR15 platform. Lightweight, low recoil, intermediate caliber, durable, rugged, reliable, dependable and, most importantly - easy for anyone to shoot. And did I mention modular? Smaller/larger hands? No problem - we have a myriad of angled pistol grips to choose from. Need a shorter or longer barrel? Simply swap out an upper (since the lower is the registered part). Prefer a fixed, collapsible or adjustable stock? No problem. They even come in pink now. What about people that might have disabilities or physical challenges? Again, covered. From lightweight hand guards and rail systems to vertical grips to offer increased stability and control, it's covered. You can even get the recoil down to something on par with a .22LR. And do we even need to touch base on the available options for optics?
It's about picking and choosing your battles. There are people convinced that Stephen Harper is evil, and that he probably willed Jack Layton cancer. There's one in every family (some of my extended family being no exception) - and you'd be further ahead lighting yourself on fire than trying to win an argument with these wingnuts.
So contrary to what might be the 'popular' course of action, I'm not going to shy away from my hobby by hiding in the shadows.
Yes, I own assault rifles. What of it?
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