Tuesday
Jul152008
NRA means "No rentals available."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 4:07PM
My sister is a proud Republican. She loves lower taxes, big business (She has told me "what's good for business is good for people." repeatedly) and an individual-rights approach to the Second Amendment. She's among the many that are thrilled by the Supreme Court's ruling to lift the handgun ban in the District of Columbia, especially since she 's living in DC for the summer. To celebrate she and a family friend went to the National Rifle Association's shooting range this past week.
They toured the museum and paid for the range. My sister had to fill out paperwork and get a 30-minute evaluation on using a hand gun. She's been shooting before and has had training. When she passed the written test they indicated a lane for shooting. She asked how much for gun rental. And that is when she got a shock.
There are no guns for rental at the National Rifle Association's shooting lanes.
Many shooting ranges provide rental for a variety of handguns for those who are recreational shooters but don't bring or own guns. The leading lobby for gun-owner's rights takes their mission quite literally-- it is helpful to be an actual gun owner if you are interested in shooting there. Hearing this story from my sister was pretty amusing, especially since they had administrated the whole vetting process with her plainly standing there in a tank top and jeans. How many 20-year-old interns do YOU know with a conceal and carry permit? And in that clothing where on earth was she supposed to be packing heat?
Beyond defending the right to keep and bear arms, the NRA kindly suggests you bear them if you want to shoot on their range. Bring your own or go home.
They toured the museum and paid for the range. My sister had to fill out paperwork and get a 30-minute evaluation on using a hand gun. She's been shooting before and has had training. When she passed the written test they indicated a lane for shooting. She asked how much for gun rental. And that is when she got a shock.
There are no guns for rental at the National Rifle Association's shooting lanes.
Many shooting ranges provide rental for a variety of handguns for those who are recreational shooters but don't bring or own guns. The leading lobby for gun-owner's rights takes their mission quite literally-- it is helpful to be an actual gun owner if you are interested in shooting there. Hearing this story from my sister was pretty amusing, especially since they had administrated the whole vetting process with her plainly standing there in a tank top and jeans. How many 20-year-old interns do YOU know with a conceal and carry permit? And in that clothing where on earth was she supposed to be packing heat?
Beyond defending the right to keep and bear arms, the NRA kindly suggests you bear them if you want to shoot on their range. Bring your own or go home.