Thread: Lessons Rifles Teach Us

Greetings All,
Terry Wieland in an issue of Rifle Magazine observed that all rifles teach us something even if it is only that we should not have bought the thing in the first place. I posted some pictures of my dearly beloved's M69 .22 in another thread earlier today and realised that this quite humble rifle had taught me quite a bit so here is what I learned.
Thirty plus years ago the father of one of my wife's friends father died suddenly leaving his three firearms in the custody of his unlicensed wife. Things were pretty laid back in those days and the firearms were disposed of without too much drama and I wound up with the M69 .22. This got me thinking "What would happen if I karked it"? Our children were quite young so disposing of my rather larger motley collection of things that go bang would be another thing my dearly beloved did not need at the time. It was agreed that things would be a lot easier if we both were licenced which was done. Fast forward some years and relicensing was needed. Our lifetime licences had disappeared after Aramoana and as both our surnames started with M we were called up at the same time. A check of our rifles in their storage was required. I thought (at least it may have been me) that we both should own rifles. An instant bid for the M69 was received. Snap. Fast forward to today. Our renewal dates have drifted apart a little with mine bringing up the rear. This has provided some resilience for the relicensing delays currently being experienced.

So what is the point of all this. It is that all adult members of a household where there are firearms need to be licenced. It provides knowledge and safety as well as protection from the unexpected. Quite a lot to learn from a .22. Perhaps there is more to come.

Regards Grandpamac.