When I wrote the piece describing why some women choose to “paint” their AR-15s, I knew I’d get responses telling me I’m not tactical and that I’ll likely die in a firefight carrying around that bright gun. These responses hardly offended or surprised me because as I said in the piece I wrote, I’m not tactical. And I never will be. Guns are a hobby for me. But rest assured, the Muddy Girl camo AR-15 isn’t my only rifle. Hell, it’s not even my only .223 rifle.
Is being “tactical” necessary? For me…nope. I couldn’t care less. My primary reason for owning a gun is (surprising twist here…) I love guns. Yes, self defense is important and I have a concealed carry permit and I carry every time I leave my house. I hope I never have to use it in a defensive manner, but I intend to be prepared.
But I’m certainty not foolish enough to think that I could go into a battle and prevail (with or with out a pink gun) because I have no experience doing such things. My time is spent shooting pieces of paper taped to plywood. My time is spent disassembling, cleaning and reassembling guns.
My goal is not to be a militia hero or a war veteran. My goal is to know every firearm I own and all of the accessories I choose to purchase. My goal is to have enough firepower to defend myself or children should it ever come to that. My goal is to enjoy shooting and have fun with my firearms. If that means I have to be “tactical” and “cool” and “militia-like,” I lose interest. I’m not a warrior. I’m hardly a fighter. I’m a hide-and-hope-they-don’t-find-me type of gun owner.
We all own guns for various reasons and to assume that everyone owns guns so they can fight a war on our soil seems more than a little stereotypical. Something those who would roll back our 2A rights probably think. Not all People of the Gun own them primarily to defend themselves, either. I didn’t buy my first gun for that reason. Yes, that’s a great byproduct of purchasing a firearm; but I bought my first to enjoy a sport that my father and brother and I enjoyed together. For me, it’s a hobby first and self defense second. Coming in a very distant third is any potential that I’d need one in a firefight.
Kudos though to those of you with the strength and testicular fortitude to learn to function in a military or militia. That’s just not me. I’m not “tactical” or “tacticool” and I’m OK with that.