Bullet Boy on Shooting Sports

There is lots of chatter around that since Obama won the election on November 4th that he will take away the right to bear arms.   I must be honest with you and sooth your nerves.   Obama has no plans to take away your weapons.   People inside the gun world, Guns Stores, and the NRA used that as a scare tactic to get you to vote for John McCain.   And post election the gun store folks are keeping that fear alive.

If you are a frequent reader of my blog you know that I am an owner and supporter of weapons – especially insensible weapons.   The insensible weapons are the only ones that may be effected.   Very few people find an actual use for the .50 BMG weapons.   Now don’t get me wrong I would love to put one in my personal arsenal but see no true practical purpose of the weapon.   Plenty of other weapons will do exactly what the .50 will do.   The purpose of legislation to ban guns is to take them out of the hands of criminals.   Most everyone would be safe owning a bazooka but a select few people would not be.   By banning them it will be harder for the wrong people to get a hold of them.   The intent to ban weapons isn’t to strip you of your rights it is to make the US safer.   The problem isn’t the weapons it is enforcement.   Banning more guns will likely have little impact on the problems unless something can be done to correct the problem.

Its obvious we need stronger enforcement of laws in place – sure registering guns and serialization of bullets could help in the investigation – gun owners believe they have an implied right of privacy.

Another reason we don’t have to worry about a new weapons ban in the near future is that Washington DC has much more pressing issues to deal with –   the Economy.   The weapons industry plays a major role in our economy.   Many gun owners only buy American Made Goods and Ammo.   What about AR15 makers?   There are more US Based AR15 makers than I can count.   In fact the interstate commerce laws dictate that certain percentage of weapons be US made.   Manufacturing may happen oversees but final fit and manufacture is done by American Workers.   Gun owners typically buy from local gun shops and dealing locally keeps the money locally.   I can say that within the last 6 months I myself have payed $12,000 at one local gun shop and know that some people spend a lot more than that.   With the bottom up style of economics that we are going to move towards this is the type of enterprise we need.   If it is banned or governed it will certainly hurt the economy.

So here is my stick…   Fix the problems we have now with the gun control laws in place.   Leave new legislation alone.   Don’t go stir up something that doesn’t need to be messed with.   A note to the NRA Lobbyist that are highly paid…   When you go to congress trying to justify your pay – go with the Economic aspect of the weapon industry.   If you pass this XXX number of jobs will be lost and XXX revenue will be lost.   Put the fear of economy into the process and let the bills die in committee.

I have been seeing advertisements and TV commercials for US Border Patrol and Customs Agents jobs. I have been thinking about joining the civil servant ranks. Something just snapped and I signed up to became an agent on the website for Customs and Border Patrol.

Not really knowing what I have gotten myself into I am really excited. I filed the initial application out and requested a duty post in the Pacific Northwest. Just because I request it doesn’t mean I will get it. Some of the larger duty stations are along the Southern Border and Mexico plus at Major International Airports and port cities. I somewhat hope that if I make it through the process, which is long and grueling, I will get a duty station closer to home. When you sign up they can move you to any duty location they need more personnel.

The employment process is vigorous and demanding. There are academic test that require a certain score. I believe the test is a lot like the civil service exam. I am signed up to take the exam in Washington DC. I find my time and date of the exam and if my application has been excepted further within the next 10 days. Then there will be medical exams, background checks, and fitness test. Oh the fitness test. I guess I better get back into shape and loose that weight I gained sitting behind a desk the last few years. If you make it past the background and testing period there is a 14 or 15 week training camp in Georgia. Don’t know anything about the camp but guess it will be like a military basic training. Hopefully without all the Paris Island style Marine Corps “Uh Rah” training. If it is I sure need it to cut my weight.

I am excited about the opportunity to give back to those who have protected our borders for so long. This will be a career change for me. But not one that I haven’t wanted to do since high school. Ever since getting to spend the day with the FBI for an award to an achievement I earned. I have wanted to join the ranks of our federal civil servants.

As I progress more into the beginings of this journey I will keep you informed. Any words of wisdom about how to prepare for the steps ahead of me are greatly appreciated. Now just to tell my family about the decision.