Gunless for a Fortnight

Tomorrow (Monday) morning, I’m headed east, first to the Washington DC area to teach a four-day class, and then up to Boston MA for another four-day. Although Virginia, where I’ll actually be, is “friendly” enough that I could take my guns and get in some shooting, Boston is not. Decidedly so. Consequently, and since this is a single two-stop round trip, I’ll be travelling “without” for the next two weeks.

And that’s a shame, really, because while in Virginia, I’ll be less than half-a-dozen miles from the NRA’s headquarters. Seeing the gun museum there is very high on my list and, if I had my guns, I’d just have to try out the indoor 50 meter range if, for nothing else, than to be able to say, “Been there, done that.” But with Boston on the bill for the same trip, it’s not possible. (I’ll check but I don’t think they have rentals.)

Regardless, there are quite a few local clubs in both areas and, on other trips, I’ve been able to meet some of the members and, from time to time, been offered something to shoot. Since I travel a lot – two of three weeks will have a trip, often five or six days “out” if you count the all-day flying days as “out” – my gun-less-ness is more common than I’d like. And while I appreciate a lender’s generosity (and try to leave something for them to compensate for the cleaning they then have to do), I do suffer the occasional pang of guilt when I have to shoot someone else’s guns.

But, I’ve been around a block or two in my life and, for the most part, I’ve learned how to live with guilt. So when the opportunity presents itself then, “Sure, I’d love to shoot. What’cha got?”

In Boston, I’ve shot at the Old Colony Sportsmen’s Association back in 2006. We had a great time, I was soundly trounced by the club’s excellent shooters, and I have very fond memories of going out with the group after the weeknight evening event for refreshments at the local watering hole. I’m hoping for a repeat experience this trip.

10s and Xs!