The Second Amendment and the American gun range

Waiting in line at Target to pay for my make-up remover and mascara, a guy comes standing behind me with a handgun clipped to his southern-cowboy-style jeans. Nobody bats an eye, or even gives him an extra glance. I seemed to be the only one slightly distressed by this. How do I know for sure this guy doesn't have bad intentions, or a malfunctioning switch in his head? It happens often enough, like at schools or recently in Las Vegas.

But still this guy is allowed BY LAW to carry this gun with him when he goes grocery shopping. Arizona has one of the least restrictive gun control laws in the country (and I'm pretty sure the world), stating that anyone 21 years and older can carry a gun openly or concealed without a license... so who knows maybe the guy in front of me also had one in his backpack. These guys (it is always guys...) carrying in Walmart and Target seem to think they are very cool, and very safe. Problem is, I don't.

School shootings, Las Vegas, and all the other shooting-related events we see on the news almost daily show that it might be time to change this gun 'control' law. And although a lot of Americans seem to want this, especially after another mass shooting, nothing happens. Because who dares changing the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, or the freedom to keep and bear arms:

'A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.'

In other words, you should be able to defend yourself and the State. And we're talking about defense against the Brits, or other foreign invaders here, just to be clear. Not self-defense against an annoying neighbor.

But why would you want to change an 18th century law that works so well these days??

I know that before I can truly have an opinion about guns, I should at least try to shoot one first. So against all my principles I went to the gun range, with shaking legs and even more shaky hands (not recommended when you want to fire a loaded gun, I can tell you).

The good old American gun range. You'd expect something well organized and strictly regulated. But this was like walking into a cheap car parts store. Only they have nothing but guns and ammo. The guys (guys again) behind the counter greet you like it is no big deal:

'Hi, how are you today, how can we help?'

'Hello, I would like to shoot a gun.'

'Cool, what gun would you like.'

'Err, what can you recommend for beginners?'

'I guess you could try the Glock.'

'Ok, Glock it is.'

'What caliber would you like?' Guy shows showcase full of guns in all sizes and shapes.

'The one on the left looks good.'

'Do you know how it works?'

'No, but I brought someone to show me.'

'Sounds good, have fun.'

And that's it...

They give you protective glasses and earmuffs, which you really really need, and you walk into a shabby looking area with targets on one side and guys (and yes, a woman too) on the other. You adjust your target to the right distance, load the gun, point in the right direction (this one is crucial), and pull the trigger. And I can tell you, in the movies they never show you what a sound that thing makes. Like heavy fireworks from your hands. And in the end that was the scariest thing for me, not the fact that I had a murder weapon in my hands, but the sound it makes...Might explain why every time I pulled the trigger, I automaticcaly closed my eyes, and surprisingly hit the target somewhere, sometimes.

After getting over the first shock, it is actually kind of fun to try and hit the target. It becomes a sport, not an act of self-defense. You know, how it should be.

But in the end, I still don't like guns. And I would never want one in my home. Allowing people to carry guns to 'defend themselves' is making it too easy for people who want to misuse it. Trying to hit a target at a gun range might be a fun challenge, but this 'toy' can kill a person. So it's basically not to be toyed with. I guess I'm just too European to understand.