I like guns! I know that sound a little right wing of me, and undoubtedly many of you probably thought me to be one tree hugging peacenik, but I like guns, in fact I have this vision of me driving my 1986 F-250 without a shirt on, hand out my window clutching the mirror, shotgun propped up against the window, and blasting country music- well almost- since my trusty old Ford truck had no radio. In fact the 36 inch tires and dual exhausts made so much noise that I wouldn’t have been able to hear the radio anyway.
I loved that truck, it cost me $500 and didn’t last too long, two gas tanks, 5.7 liter engine and you had to pump the gas because it never seemed to start. Once it did start it was a riot, you could mow down Honda civics and you wouldn’t feel a thing. I was redneck for a short while. I drove it mostly in mud pits and local quarries- it was a beast and no one ever tailgated- even though it was damned slow.
As for guns all I have is an old .30 caliber rifle with a stuck bolt, and a Ruger 10/22 which is great for garden destroying pests and shooting kedem bottles in the woods. For the last few months I have been debating buying something nice- a little gift for the coming food riots and fuel shortages that are bound to hit us sometime, depression as well- what could be better then stockpiling weapons. I want a handgun- but cannot really afford it, and don’t really like shooting them- I enjoy rifles much more. In fact the only round I could probably afford to do target practice with would be a .223, even though I love shooting .308 and 30.06.
Anyway back to the guns, I found this place in Israel that offers some crazy deals if you want to learn how to shoot some pretty cool weapons. I mean being able to shoot automatic weapons, and tactical terrorist prevention training sounds damned cool to me. For $75 you get two hours of shooting and instruction by Israeli soldiers- maybe even some of those hot girl soldiers in the skirts- that always make grenade launchers look like some fashion accessory. In NY state I know that getting an automatic weapon cost loads and you need a very hard to get Class-C license- so next time I am in Israel- hook me up yo. The place is called Caliber3 and it is located in Gush Etzion.
I think you may be able to deposit me into the category of people that think every Jew should learn how to shoot and own a weapon- times are not peaceful and with the coming depression its likely to get worse- more people hate the Jews then you think. I guess I am a but right wing in this case.
40 responses so far ↓
Ahuva // May 9, 2008 at 8:30 am
Hesh, are you prepared to shoot to kill? If you are not capable of killing another person, *please* don’t get a gun for self defense. It will be more of a danger to you than to the other person if you’re not prepared to do it when push comes to shove.
That said, I *love* shooting ranges. The Ruger 22 is a really fun target pistol. I just believe they belong in the range where they’re safe and fun.
heshman // May 9, 2008 at 8:39 am
No way in hell am I prepared to shoot to kill- that said- there is no harm in buying a weapon for self defense- and semitic defense- think about it- if there were ever to be an uprising against the Jews I am sure I could get in the killing mood.
A23 // May 9, 2008 at 8:55 am
Very slick ad, wasn’t all awkward like some you see on blogs.
Jacob da Jew // May 9, 2008 at 9:16 am
Dude, If I come to Monsey, can we shoot da shizzle?
heshman // May 9, 2008 at 9:28 am
Hey A23- I am super slick- these ads get posted at least twice per month and hardly anyone notices- yes you are likely to see the same ads on Life in Israel, and the Muquata- but I rock it with the ads.
Yes Jacob we can shoot some- just have to go grab some old gefilte fish jars and find a nice off the beaten path area.
Jacob da Jew // May 9, 2008 at 11:01 am
K, I’m gonna be off Sundays in the summer, maybe then .
Ocean Pkwy guy. // May 9, 2008 at 11:29 am
I lived in Florida for 10+ years, LOTS of frum guys carry. They also carry on shabbat. And many Chabad rabbis have guns in their officess. It is part of the culture and is 100% socially acceptable.
kol tov from Ave S.
anonymous // May 9, 2008 at 11:46 am
I seriously wouldnt have a problem killing someone in selfdefense it just isnt too hard
heshman // May 9, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Well I think I would have issues prior- but during an attack, rape- so on your senses are heightened- then again I was taught never to pull a gun unless you plan on using so for instance if your being robbed- I would give the dude the money.
outaline // May 9, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a gun for self protection after a frum girl I know was raped. supposedly though there are halachos about women using weapons of war. I’ve also heard that it’s hard to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon and that would defeat the purpose.
I was supposed to go to a shooting range on chol-hamoed that’s when my frummy aunt brought up the halacha and of course my mother decided to side with her.
heshman // May 9, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Wiw that is one halacha that can be taken literal or not. Does that mean they cannot use knives as well.
s(b.) // May 9, 2008 at 2:19 pm
you must’ve missed the latest ban, Hesh. Women are only allowed to use sporks outside the home. Inside the home, knives are only permitted for in-kitchen use.
Maddox // May 9, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Oh cmon, is there anything better than seeing a Hot Chanie walking down the street with an M-16 hung over her shoulders.
outaline // May 9, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I wasn’t interested in arguing with her at the time but according to my dad going to a shooting range is fine
Tzvi // May 9, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I’ve never been a “gun” person, I prefer Blades for defence..I have a sword, and a Machete, and a few other small ones
Moshe // May 9, 2008 at 3:13 pm
NYC gun laws suck. There are a few ranges but they only have 2 or 3 rifles and maybe a pistol and the prices are through the roof and PA is way too far.
In yeshiva, one guy asked the rabbi if a Jewish cop is allowed to carry on shabbat. So the rabbi tells him that a Jew shouldn’t carry guns at all. WTF?! Didn’t answer the question, didn’t say why he thinks that, nothing, end of discussion.
Great to hear that Jews in Florida carry and don’t consider it some kind of evil thing. Though in NY everything’s evil and everything’s banned, just in case.
SUPERFRUM // May 9, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I have a friend who happens to be black. Anyway, her brother was attacked by a drunkard. He managed to take the knife away and killed him - in obvious self-defense, with numerous witnesses. Regardless, the poor guy is now sitting in jail for murder.
There is no justice without G-d.
Hey Outaline, where was this girl raped?
What
Moshe // May 9, 2008 at 4:35 pm
He stuck around after killing the guy?!
anonymous // May 9, 2008 at 4:52 pm
i would just shoot the guy in his leg if he came to rob me like i said before i have no problem shooting someone in selfdefense and i wouldnt have a guilty consciounce or anything of that sort im not usually this harsh
anonymous // May 9, 2008 at 4:53 pm
i mean im not this harsh in other matters
Moshe // May 9, 2008 at 5:02 pm
if you shoot him in the leg, with America’s laws, he’s gonna sue you and you gonna have to pay for his medical bills, emotional damage, etc.
anonymous // May 9, 2008 at 5:08 pm
i would be screwed true
SUPERFRUM // May 9, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Great. You shot someone and killed him in self-defense. Now prove it.
They’re going to ask you: But why did you KILL him?
Adam Hyman // May 9, 2008 at 5:53 pm
America’s laws are not that bad.
There have been a few cases, which are always well known.
Hundreds of people shoot and kill burglers every year….. sometimes the bugler had a knife, sometimes a gun, sometimes nothing.
The people who defended their property almost never go to jail. And the instances that they do, they often should go to jail!…. like when the “burgler” was a mentally retarded 5 year old, who was rummaging in their garage, which they had left open, in the middle of the day.
Getting a gun is a good idea, but learn how to use it!!!
Mak // May 10, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I completely agree with Hesh, and I was supposed to be getting one this year for my 21st but due to circumstances beyond my control, not happening this year. But I am going to the range, so in the meantime… As a native floridian, I do know a lot of Jews who carry guns. which is a good thing.
Yochanan // May 10, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I believe that law abiding citizens should be allowed to have guns. What I’ve never understood is people who are so obsessed with their guns that they teach their kid to shoot as soon as he/she can walk. I mean WTF? Is your kid a freakin’ child soldier is Sierra Leone?
Yochanan // May 10, 2008 at 10:31 pm
“I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a gun for self protection after a frum girl I know was raped. supposedly though there are halachos about women using weapons of war. I’ve also heard that it’s hard to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon and that would defeat the purpose.”
When I had to research my family history for a 7th grade project my mom told me that way back in the day in the shetl some ancestor or sister of an ancestor evaded being raped by a Cossack during a pogrom by killing him with a knife she kept under her bed.
Adam Hyman // May 11, 2008 at 1:21 am
“supposedly though there are halachos about women using weapons of war”
Source, anyone?
I’d think its weird for a woman to love guns.
But if a woman had one for pikuach nefesh, I’d be all for it.
jda10014 // May 11, 2008 at 7:34 am
All Jews should be engaged in self-defense training and weapons training. Period. “Never again” means, “Never again will we be defenseless and weak, and rely on others to save us.”
Thanks for the link, Hesh–I’m going to Israel in a few weeks and am contacting the shooting range you mentioned.
Ahuva // May 11, 2008 at 7:44 am
Adam Hyman, target shooting is like any other game of skill. It’s good for improving concentration and hand-eye coordination.
Hesh, just be absolutely sure that you’re okay with it. If you pull a gun and then hesitate…. that could be very bad. You also need to invest the time to be able to load, aim and fire quickly and accurately under pressure. Most people don’t spend enough range time to be able to do it. The rabbi with the gun in his drawer is just fooling himself if he isn’t putting regular time in at the range to make sure he’s fast and accurate.
Upstairs from Jacob Da Jew // May 11, 2008 at 10:43 am
I used to go shooting with my father in law. He was an NRA instructor. If you go with Jacob let me know!
urban gypsy // May 11, 2008 at 5:49 pm
The image of you driving your truck without a shirt on, holding your shotgun out the window, and blasting country music totally makes me smile.
utubefan // May 12, 2008 at 7:00 am
“Never again will we be defenseless and weak, and rely on others to save us.”
Please, please don’t go there. When the IAF flew over Auschwitz, the pilots said about the victims:
“We salute your courage.” That’s the way to speak of these people.
Those who say that women should not carry better be prepared to serve in the Israeli army if they choose to live there. People who rely on the protection of the IDF including the weapons-carrying women, better put up.
VoiceOfReason // May 12, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Like I see some of the people here have already commented, if you pull out your gun you should be mentally prepared to kill, though I would add that my dad taught me that if you ever pull a gun, you MUST aim to kill, not merely wound, since if your assailant has a gun as well, wounding him is not going to stop him from shooting you back. This also ensures you will only ever pull out your gun if you absolutely must; never use it as a scare tactic. The other thing I would mention is to think about getting hold of a “throw away”, which is an unregistered gun that can’t be traced back to you. While this is highly illegal, it ensures that if you ever do have to use a gun, you can dump it and never have to worry about getting arrested for “manslaughter,” which is what they try to charge anyone who kills in self-defense for these days….And yes, I know this post makes me sound like a total right-wing gun nut, but I’m just saying that IF you’re going to have a gun, you should know what to do with it.
Lion of Zion // May 13, 2008 at 12:04 am
“i would just shoot the guy in his leg”
you don’t aim for anything but his chest. it is too easy to miss the leg of a moving target, even at close range. and unless you are shooting a larger caliber, a leg shot might not stop him anyway. and as the previous comment mentions, if you don’t use it to kill, this leaves the opportunity for your assailant to disarm you and use the gun against you.
“30.06″
that’s mine. but it’s not practical for regular target shooting (at least in the city). ammo is expensive and there are no rifle ranges here for large bore. the nearest one is over an hour drive onto long island, and it is an indoor range. you need to go another half hour to get an outdoor range that will let you shoot a 30.06
i don’t know how it is in monsey, but in nyc it is a big pain to get a handgun license (talking residence permit here, carry is almost impossible). it is expensive and they pretty much do everything to frustrate you and make you just give up. (i have one sitting in one police plaza, as i have not had time to go pick it up.)
heshman // May 13, 2008 at 8:45 am
Lion- I am all about the .223 for cheap but long range target practice. I want to get one sooner then later.
In NY state you can shoot 500 feet away from a road on public land- such as wildlife management areas and state wilderness. This only applies when its not hunting season- I found this out the hard way- and in return had to pick up a bunch of trash off the side of the road.
Lilly // May 13, 2008 at 11:14 am
Nice Post
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Why haven’t you written anything about YU/YU Guys? There is so much material ripe for satire in the YU community; you should take it up sometime!
heshman // May 13, 2008 at 11:49 am
Lilly enough with the same comments-
Lion of Zion // Jun 6, 2008 at 1:32 am
“In NY state you can shoot 500 feet away from a road on public land . . .”
are you sure? i’d be afraid to do this. a bullet can travel for miles if there is no backstop.
“I found this out the hard way- and in return had to pick up a bunch of trash off the side of the road.”
nu, now this is for a post
heshman // Jun 6, 2008 at 9:20 am
This is what I have been told- and by public land- I mean wild life management areas and such. Of course you need a good backstop- I had a good back stop- but I was shooting during hunting season which is a big no no- especially bow season- because these guys need absolute silence- my buddies a bow hunter he’s a bit nuts with his hunting though.
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