NoVA Gun Owner

[string6guru]

Hey Everyone,
I just joined and would like to introduce myself. My name is Chris. I've been living in NoVA for most of my life. I did live in the great country of Texas for a bit. 3 years active duty army ('96-'99) as a tanker and then after I got out I stayed in the state to pursue an education in audio engineering. I moved back in 2002 to find that NoVA had seen a drastic change after 9/11. Everywhere changed after that day but none more evident to me than my old home. The people I knew and once considered friends were like strangers and there was an air of uncertainty that clouded everything. Needless to say it was hard to get back into the groove of things but, like everywhere I go, things tend to work themselves out. I got married in 2011and that's when I bought my first gun. I live just a bit south of the beltway on rt. 1 and if anyone is familiar with the area you know it can be sketchy. I had a man just walk into my house (condo) who had mistaken it for his friends' place and I quickly thought "what if?" So I have a 12 ga. shotgun at the ready and I remember to keep my doors locked.
I didn't really pay much attention to what happened in politics. Growing up around here you learn that most politicians are all liars and the ones that aren't are completely overshadowed by the ones that are. So even as a vet I never thought I had a chance to make a difference. That is until the shootings at Sandy Hook and more importantly the news coverage. As I watched the medical examiner give his statement on Saturday morning bells went off in my head. My inner voice was screaming at me saying "Wake the f*** up!!! Something is not right here!" So I started digging. Needless to say my eyes are open now to all the hypocrisy and misdirection and outright corruption.
I now realize just how important the Second Amendment is. It's the only thing that keeps us citizens, We the People, with any power. To make a simple analogy, it's just like the US and the USSR having nuclear weapons. It's a deterrent of preemptive strike. If the one side had nothing to defend itself with then they would be conquered. So we need to protect our right to bear arms at all costs. One person alone cannot do this, but a group of people can which is why I've joined this forum.
I've since bought a pistol, stocked up on ammo and make regular trips to the range. A shotgun is good for home defense in close quarters but a pistol is great for suppressing fire and extended range. My next purchase will of course be a rifle but I think that will have to wait until the frenzy subsides. I just don't have $2000 for an AR-15 which I'm familiar with.
I look forward to discussing topics and throwing in my $.02 on issues with everyone and thanks for taking the time to read this.

[GeneFrenkle]

Welcome!

[Taggure]

to VGOF

[Palladin]

To VGOF!

[OakRidgeStars]

Welcome to VGOF!

[allingeneral]

Welcome aboard, string6

Now that you've awakened - have some coffee

[moss20]

Welcome

[Trotter]

Welcome from Fairfa va.
Also Ranch in Luckenbach Tx. Gota Love the Hill Country.

[gunderwood]