Send your prayers

Cop's 3-year-old son shot at home with handgun

Our thoughts and prayers go out to this officer and his family.

so...I'm back...

I know I said I was taking a slight break but I can't. Not because I'm feeling better. I don't think its even been an hour since my last post. I'm restless. Mostly because the first time I've heard from Sam all day, besides this morning when he got home, was 20 minutes ago. He's out working a shooting that just happened...20 or so minutes ago. I'm not worried, too much. I know he'll be fine and I'll get that text he's home safe in another couple of hours.

Worry is actually exhausting *laughs* So I'm going to finish watching this episode on tv and to bed with me.

Good Eye, Sniper

I was going to post this up over the weekend but got sidetracked with the previous post on the I-95 accident.
Any ways, I finally did it! Friday, I finally got to go shooting with Sam. I was nervous about it but he's a very good firearms instructor.

I was able to handle a few different guns that his family brought along. Some were easier to fire than others. I wasn't expecting the "kick" that some of them gave. Like his personal firearm. I fired off one round when he asked how I liked it, and I wasn't hesitant to let him know that I didn't like that one at all! He just laughed and said he would finish the bullets left in the clip.

Now I'm not sure if it's allowed and I've been all over the web trying to find some clarification, just short of asking other law enforcement (Sam is no use, he just says it's fine and not to worry about it). The gun I was most comfortable shooting was his duty gun. I was very hesitant it but he assured me it was okay, so I took his word for it. I was under his constant supervision so I'm assuming it was okay.

But I digress. Everyone, including myself was very impressed at how well I did considering it was my first time. I shot a BB gun at cans once on a camping trip way back (elementary school age) and then paintball once for a friend's birthday. Both of which, according to Sam don't count as shooting a gun...which he's right because they aren't the same but hell I did pretty damn good so they have to count for something. I'm even thinking of posting a picture of my target just to show the world "Hey! Don't mess with me" *laughs*

I have to get into some serious shape for the next time. Who knew that shooting a gun can be so physically demanding of the body? Talk about a workout. During the time at the range my arm muscles would get sore and at times it was hard to hold the gun level with the target. The palm of my hand holding and shooting the gun was tender. The next day it only got worse. My entire upper body: hands, arms, shoulders and back were sore and aching. I felt like I had been lifting weights all afternoon! It lasted until about Monday. I just wish I had the mindset to have grabbed a chocolate milk afterwards at the restaurant, that way those sore muscles could have been avoided.

I can't wait to get back there!

21 Guns

Talking with Jim at work the other day and I'm not sure how we ended up on the topic of guns. I remember saying that Sam wanted me to have a gun. He wants me to be safe and everything like that, but I'm not sure if I would like having a gun. If I did, it would be kept at his house because I'm pretty sure my mom wouldn't let me in the house. She's not a fan of the idea. I'm pretty happy too with the baseball bat or my khukri sword I keep by the side of my bed anyways. But Jim was a little surprised that Sam wants me to have a gun. He said if you have a gun you have to be ready to kill someone if you were in the position to defend yourself. Not to wound, but to kill. There is a whole psychology behind it he started to talk about and he didn't know how cops could do it. And that you don't become a police officer in order to kill someone.

He also knew an officer down in Miami, where he lived for a good part of his life, who was on the force for I want to say over 20 years...any ways it was a long time. And in all that time, this officer never once had to draw his gun on duty. I thought that was pretty impressive and Jim reminded me that that was Miami before it became this place ridden with crime. Even still, very impressive. I know Sam has been in situations where he has pulled his weapon  in his career already but didn't discharge.

Guns, while they have always been a hot topic, are making news well in the news. There have been 30 officer related deaths this year already (31 if you include K9 Ike). But there have also been fatalities involving civilians including this horrible story of a toddler that shot and killed his mother. While it was accidental its still horrible to come across this. I'm not sure how this child who is 2years old was able to access the gun, his father's who has a concealed weapon permit. Who knows if we will ever know.

I think guns are being severely misused and their use glorified by TV, games and gang-related ideologies. Not only that, it would seem they are more accessible to the public than ever whether by legal or illegal means. In light of the outbreaks of campus shootings, earlier this year Texas is considering allowing concealed weapons on university campuses. I understand that they are looking to put protocols in place that would deter just anyone from carrying weapons but I still don't know if this decision is best. I know that weapons are discussed in just about every campus nationwide, this is an excerpt from my Alma mater catalog:

The possession or use of firearms, fireworks of any description, explosive devices, or any weapon is restricted on college property or at any college-sponsored function.Fireworks/explosives are dangerous and are prohibited under Florida law. They may not be brought on campus under any circumstances. Violators of this regulation will be subject to suspension or expulsion...

I'm sure that even if you were a citizen with a concealed weapon permit you still wouldn't be able to posses the weapon on campus. You'd only be able to have the weapon if living off campus. The only way anyone would be able to carry is if they were law enforcement, we did have a few officers that would attend class...but not on duty, though they did have some night courses that I think the officers did attend while on duty, but I'm not sure.

I am hoping that I'll be able to get to the firing range with Sam before this year is through. He's been trying to get me out there since we started dated last year, but every time he and his family were going I was busy with work and its a whole day thing according to him. One of these days I'll go. I want to go and shoot, he thinks I don't because of all the chances I've had to go with him. However, it has made my mom happy that I haven't gone. Like I said before, she's pretty much against it.

Crime happens in the quietest of places

I think a lot of people believe in the notion that because where you live is small and quiet there can't possibly be any type of criminal activity probably aside from internet piracy. Truth of the matter is that there is crime at every turn including the big stuff. I have to admit that its a little nerve wracking when such criminal events take place so close to home.

Late last night, two individuals were in my town looking for someone to rob...what they did was much worse. They started to fire at a correctional officer riding a motorcycle home from work who passed by them. Luckily this officer wasn't injured in the process. The officer was able to get away and alert 911, which leaded into a high-speed chase and crash. They caught the guys too which lets me have another big sigh of relief.

The funny part of this is I take the exact roads they went down on my way to and from work. I think I was able to pick out the spot where they crashed over by 95 on my way to work this afternoon.

Here's the news article from TCPalm: Two men shoot at corrections officer, lead Martin County deputies on high-speed chase before crashing, officials said