September 8, 2007

Kept and Borne

7:41 pm | Culture | My Life

What you’re looking at is a Glock 19 safe-action pistol, and I am now a proud owner of one of them. You’ll recall a post on SIO a while ago in which I bemoaned the fact that morons out there blamed the Virginia Tech massacre on American gun culture and lax firearms legislation, after which I came to the conclusion that the only reasonable thing to do in the face of the tragedy at VT was to arm myself. The Glock 19 was, in fact, one of the weapons that the gunman used in the attack.

Glock is the most famous and popular maker of polymer-frame sidearms, legendary for creating quality weapons that are absolutely, utterly reliable. The Model 19 is chambered for 9mm rounds and is a compact version of the Glock 17, weighing about 5.5 pounds. I chose the Glock 19 primarily for concealed carry purposes, and it’s a great performer in that category for a number of reasons: 1) you can depend on a Glock without fail to fire when you pull the trigger (no external safeties, hardware failures, or jams to worry about); 2) it’s lightweight polymer and has service pistol dimensions on a compact frame that’s very streamlined; and 3) it has a magazine capacity of 15 rounds.

Michigan is a great state for firearms enthusiasts. Without a criminal record, you can go to the Police Department and get a license to purchase (no charge) then head straight to a dealer and walk out with your handgun the same day. The Concealed Carry permit process takes a bit longer and is much more expensive, but if you meet the very reasonable requirements you’ll get it. This all makes me very happy.

Comments

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Bonnie

Comment on September 8, 2007 @ 7:53 pm

Wow! I think concealed carry is a arduous task in Massachusetts.
In a newspaper around here they have a little thing where they poll 5 random people on the street about current events. Following one of the recent shootings (might have been VA) they asked people what they thought about gun control and the shooting and 4 out of 5 said the government should step in and make absolutely sure that people are not armed and able to do something like that! It’s really too bad that people think the answer to gun violence is taking away all of the guns. Almost like saying if some doctors wrongfully administer a (normally) life saving drug, have the governement make the drug completely unobtainable to all.

Bonnie

Comment on September 8, 2007 @ 7:54 pm

I meant getting licensed to conceal carry was an arduous task, not the actual carrying of a gun :p

Andrew

Comment on September 10, 2007 @ 12:11 pm

What good is having a concealed carry permit, when you just told the whole world about your weapon? Its sort of like Hezekiah’s mistake of showing the Babylonians all his “stuff”.

Don’t let the other guy(s) know what’s in your arsenal (or treasury).

James

Comment on September 11, 2007 @ 8:46 am

An interesting point, Andrew. One observation would be that telling the world about my weapon to me is the same as telling the world about my drumset. It’s not that big of a deal. Some folks would like to make you think it’s a big deal, but it isn’t.

The point of a concealed carry permit is pretty obvious: to be lawfully able to carry a firearm, concealed or not. Sadly they don’t make “exposed carry permits”, which I personally think they should.

Steven Carr

Comment on September 11, 2007 @ 11:30 am

James,

Minnesota has reciprocity with Michigan. If you get a permit to carry it will work in Minnesota. I have a permit to carry. Although I have not the streamlined gun you have. I have used my Ruger GP-100 in the .357 Mag. as my weapon to carry. Its a bit bulky and only conceals well in winter. I do like your gun, but must tell you I am ashamed of your caliber choice. The .45 ACP is a much more preferable choice to the 9mm (I never trust the caliber if it is metric). The 9mm does not pack much for wallop as the .45 ACP does. At least you had the know how to get a Glock and not a High Point or Taurus.
By the way, Andrew, your comment is sheer stupidity. Don’t you realize that one of the reasons the Russians never nuked us was because they new we could send an impressive arsenal of nukes their way as soon as their birds were in the air? If someone knows you have a gun they are less likely to attack you.

Bonnie

Comment on September 11, 2007 @ 4:58 pm

“Sadly they don’t make “exposed carry permits”, which I personally think they should.”

What do you mean they don’t make exposed carry permits?

You mean to carry any gun, whether you carry it concealed or exposed, you need a concealed carry permit?

I have a fried who carries around an exposed gun all the time. I don’t know what kind of permit he has though.

James

Comment on September 12, 2007 @ 9:58 am

What I meant was that you’re not allowed to carry a firearm around exposed in Michigan (”brandishing and flourishing”). So the only legal way to carry a firearm on your person is to get your CCW permit.

Bonnie

Comment on September 12, 2007 @ 8:38 pm

The topic of carrying an exposed gun has come up in our family lately and I used to think it was great to have one exposed - it’s all the more deterrent. But someone pointed out everyone would know you were armed and if they had a bigger gun, you might be the first to go. I guess the thinking would go that if you conceal carry, they won’t pinpoint you as someone to take out first.

Jeff

Comment on September 13, 2007 @ 11:28 am

Pretty! We should head out to the firing range some time.

BTW, a society with a standard of concealing weapons means that criminals KNOW some people may be carrying, but they don’t necessarily know which ones. This level of uncertainty and risk for the criminal helps to reduce crime. Criminals typically prefer to avoid difficult situations. That’s why they’re criminals instead of workers.

Andrew

Comment on September 13, 2007 @ 11:11 pm

I think I get what you mean, when you compared your drums to your weapon, but the purpose of your weapon is deadly force, I would guess your drum playing won’t kill anyone. Never the less, if you’ve not already done so, read the Art of War by Sun Tzu. (It’s not long)

http://classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html

James

Comment on September 14, 2007 @ 2:09 pm

Ah yes, the Art of War. I’ve actually read it and the commentary on it by Sun Pin. Not to brag, of course.

Steph

Comment on September 15, 2007 @ 7:44 pm

Good for you James! This is next on my list after taking the women’s self-defense course. We have the right to bear arms.

Liz

Comment on September 18, 2007 @ 8:55 am

Oh dear God.

Droll Flood

Comment on September 19, 2007 @ 8:36 pm

Nice. 15 9mm rounds will give you plenty of bullets to make up for the lack of punch. High capacity is a good thing, Glock is a trusted name for guns, but I must admit, aesthetically speaking, Glocks are ugly. Functionality first, beauty second. And the bullets will hurt however ugly the gun is.

You wouldn’t have had another option from which to choose would you, James?

The very idea of owning a handgun is really out of the question for me. I simply can’t afford to purchase one of them. When I do get around to it though, I lean towards Ruger, S&W, or if I’ve got big cash flow the Desert Eagles (whatever their brand name is, I can’t remember what it is off hand). The .41 or .44 would work well.

James

Comment on September 20, 2007 @ 3:43 pm

The original Desert Eagle is designed by Magnum Research and manufactured by Israeli Military Industries. But would you really want to use one of those for carrying?

Droll Flood

Comment on September 20, 2007 @ 9:16 pm

“But would you really want to use one of those for carrying?”

Well…’heaving around’ maybe a more fitting way of putting it.

Steven Carr

Comment on September 25, 2007 @ 12:44 pm

Droll,
The Desert Eagle is really a pimp gun. However, if your wife doesn’t mind cleaning up the mess after you shoot an intruder’s head clean off, it is quite effective for home defense.

My conceal and carry permit is due to expire in 2008. Perhaps you, me, and James could take the class together. What fun that would be.

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