After Brady was signed, I bought my first gun, a Smith & Wesson 5906, a double-action high-capacity 9MM semi-automatic pistol. Within a few months, I bought a Glock 22, a high-capacity 40S&W semi-auto pistol to accompany it.
When Congress was debating the "It's a Crime, Bill", I decided that more needed to be done. I bought one or two Russian SKS rifles (they're inexpensive, and now thanks to BC, impossible to import), a Chinese MAK-90, and a Mossberg 590 12 guage pump shotgun.
Target shooting turned out to be a lot more fun than I had imagined, so soon I was going to both pistol and rifle ranges for a few hours of paper-punching almost weekly. I got involved with the San Jose Zouaves, a local DCM rifle club, and through the club I bought from Uncle Sam a M1 Garand rifle, genuine WWII surplus. With this gun added to my collection, I became more interested in US military small arms. Soon I added a 1917 Enfield rifle to my collection. The Enfield was significantly modified from military configuration, with a sporterized stock, and a non-GI peep sight, so I later added a stock 1917 Enfield to the list.
At this point, I didn't have even one revolver, though I had rented them at the pistol range from time to time. I discovered during one of these rental sessions, that I was a much better shot with a revolver than a semi-auto pistol, so I bought a Taurus 607, .357 Magnum 7-shot revolver, in the 6inch barrel, stainless finish configuration.
A few .22 rimfires later (Marlin 60SS rifle, Browning Buckmark Varmint pistol), I bought my current favorite gun, a Kimber 1911 45ACP, in the Stainless Gold Match configuration.
Most recently, I bought a Bushmaster Competition Rifle, an AR-15 variant. I still haven't been to the range to shoot it.
Now, some 19 guns later, I credit James Brady and Bill Clinton for my
exposure to this hobby. Thanks Bill, you've made at least one more
ardent 2nd Amendment supporter! I should mention that along the way
I became an Endowment Member of the National
Rifle Association, as well as a Life Member of the California Rifle
and Pistol Association.
Last updated 12/10/98
Copyright 1998 Steven Ellis
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