Keeping sane

American Handgunner, July-August, 2009

I appreciate your magazine as a fairly priced and lengthy read for the money. I have often wanted to write but haven't because the firearm culture in general feels like some kind of men's club, a birth-rite that I don't have--yet. You see I'm only 26 and my father was never really into firearms. While it has been something that always interested me I feel like I don't have my membership yet, and am unsure how to get it. Sometimes I feel like the old timers--whom I have great respect for don't want to be bothered answering all of my questions. It's like getting your first job with no experience when no one wants to hire you because you have no experience!

In those times of discouragement I turn to your magazine. It allows me this almost voyeuristic view into the culture I wish to be a part of. I am somewhat of a "black-sheep with my peers because they are all liberal-putzes and I mean that in the nicest way. As I'm sure you can guess, they hate guns and hunting and worry about things like global warming to such an extent that one particular friend has anxiety attacks--I'm not making this up. There are clearly more important things to worry about that are happening right at this second.

I look forward to the day when I can join the ranks of those knowledgeable crotchety fellows who have the foresight and guts to say "get off my lawn" and other such lyrical, simple things, but things too many are hesitate to put into words. I'll endure with the knowledge that while my liberal friends are crying in the streets because big brother stopped holding their hand, I will be doing fine with my own values and self-reliant ways. In the meanwhile, I find solace in your magazine and for the all-too brief time it takes me to read it cover to cover. The logic and reason I find there is a touchstone for me.

Thanks for helping to keep me sane in the trenches.

J.R.

Via e-mail

Jonathon, consider yourself hereby inducted into the ranks of we shooters. This is as official as' it gets, because if the editor (His Editorship when used in the formal) of American Handgunner doesn't have the authority to do it, nobody does. From this day forth, you are entitled to talk to the old guys, listen to their lies, tell them when they're wrong (since you read the finest gunzines in the world you probably know better than they do anyway) and you are also hereby granted first-person e-mail questions to yours-truly and through me to my entire staff Want to ask Clint Smith a question or ask John Taffin about a load? Send me a note.

And shame on those other guys who've given you the cold shoulder. Anyone who doesn't welcome a new shooter into the fold is an idiot--or worse. And you can tell them I said that, and to read this issue's Insider column where I take that very topic on. Welcome aboard. Your new friend, Roy.