By Phillip Marais
In years past, owning a firearm was a simple matter. So simple, in fact, that you were expected to have at least one. Discussions around the braai fires were more along the lines of preferred farriers, the co-op’s new policy and whether or not old Tan’ Sarie up the road has had her bunions removed yet.
Fast-forward a decade or five, add an unhealthy dash of attacks on our rights and a pinch of agenda-driven media, and the situation looks somewhat different.
People seek out firearms for personal protection, but due to the perceived politically incorrect nature of the thing, discussing them with your colleagues, for instance, does not sit well. People are unsure about their rights, their duties, and the myriad of myths around the topic. Where do the enlightened go when confronted with questions? Of course. The Internet.
The Internet is awash with information about firearms. Facebook is one of the most prolific in terms of opinions, and it has created an incredible platform for posting pretty much anything you think exactly as you think it. Moderation is difficult, and information is plentiful. Discussion forums may be more topical and organised, but the opinions still need to be weighed for validity.
I’ve heard this phenomenon termed the “signal-to-noise ratio”. Very often what you read may make perfect sense, but be utter bollocks. Discussion forums, and to a lesser extent Facebook, has the incredible advantage for having a large number of informed minds on-hand to consider the posed problem, and through (often robust) debate crystallise the correct response. The concept of “two heads are better than one” is the reason why higher courts have more than one judge looking at the same problem, after all. Established and properly moderated forums very often have a higher ratio of useful to useless information.
Beware, however. Personalities behind the safety of a computer screen may mean that some opinions are punted more so than others, often to the detriment of the health of the platform. It is on you, dear reader of this esteemed blog, to apply critical thinking at every level of information gathering. Question everything you read, until satisfied that it is valid. (Even what is written on here by me. – Ed)
The term common-sense is often bandied about. In our context, it just means you need to apply your own mind to the problem, and based on that, critically consider the information you get.
I mentioned earlier that firearms make for emotive topics. We are all creatures of emotion, and it can often cloud sound judgment. Yes, the Browning Hi-Power is an incredible pistol. Is it still the best at what it does? Well, nearly everything else in our lives have benefited from new designs, why would the pistol not? Yes, the .22LR calibre is lethal. And perhaps it is true that the Mossad used it in suppressed pistols to conduct covert assassinations. Is that the same as having to stop a drugged-up, adrenaline fueled, enraged robber hell-bent on stabbing you to death? Yes, some people will tell you to carry your pistol with an empty chamber, and that they can rack it as fast as you can shoot your loaded pistol. Does that mean that can rack and shoot faster than THEY can shoot the loaded one? Go through the mental motions.
These are simple examples. Out in the depths of the internet the waters get murky. If you are going to find information on the internet, read a lot. Absorb it. Mull it over. Apply logic. Discard the illogical (like RIP G2 bullets!).
Blogs, such as this one, are generally not subject to the think-tank effect of discussion forums. Opinions and suggestions are likely to be closely linked to the authors own line of thinking. There are good blogs, and there are bad blogs. Read them all, and use your sound judgement.
Except for this blog, of course.
Phillip is a forum moderator, sport shooter and general know-it-all. Coming from a legal background, he fancies himself knowledgeable on gun rights. He detests generalisations, and thinks that Glock is better than CZ
Jacques
•8 years ago
I will choose to use my own logic when it comes to glock versus anything that goes pow pow hahaha.
Thanks for a good read.
Brittius
•8 years ago
Reblogged this on .
GS | Why the Internet is the Best (and Worst) Thing for Being an Informed Gun-Owner. | Brittius
•8 years ago
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Craig
•8 years ago
Good read, thank you. I will reserve comment on the CZ vs Glock comment ……….
Peter
•8 years ago
Nice read but you got it wrong. The untold story is far more likely to be taken a fiction than truth but I welcome anyone to refute what is going to be said. We are in the position we are today with a loss of right due entirely to the short sightedness of firearm organisations. Now criminals have organisations as do woman even animals that get off their lazy useless bums and DEFEND the rights of MEMBER and prospective members. Not one of these organisation would agree, welcome or work with anyone who was going to diminish members rights. Now ask yourself why firearm organisation are the only organisation on earth that will give members rights away, agree with the oppressors of members rights and help those oppressors enforce laws that have removed members rights. Our firearm organisations do this with dependable regularity. Imagine the ANC saying to members look we have speeded up pass book applications and fought in court so you to can apply. We are helping to remove administrative delays…. and working with the authorities to get you the best service possible. The ANC, woman’s rights, animal rights, gay rights….. would have lasted how long had they done that? Our organisations expected to be thanked. Seriously are firearm owners so deluded and indoctrinated they cannot figure this out?
Now most are going to sit back and scoff saying well that in not how it is, reality is we have no rights and must beg for what we get…. I take my hat off to gays, woman and a host of others for having leadership worthy of the name. For having organisations like gun control who are not going to be satisfied until the get what they want. Who do not indoctrinate their members into acceptance of oppression and loss of rights. It is every living creatures right to defend themselves with the best means possible and for humans equal to what they must face.
Where is the firearm organisation that will act in the interests of members, prospective members and human rights? Why does it not exist and we have weak incapable and unworthy leadership in ts place? Are we so afraid that we must cower and offer up the very thing that may save our lives and that of our family and loved ones?
The truth is this is OUR CHOICE. What we do is OUR CHOICE. It our desire not to fight for those rights. Our leaders have said so. Who will tell me different?