I am not a member of the NRA, I haven’t gone hunting since I was a teenager and I don’t have any desire to own or operate high caliber, fully automatic weapons. In fact, until we bought this property we didn’t own a gun.
A large, secluded property, Dangerous or rabid animals in the area, protection against intruders, an increasingly crazy world – We hope that we will only use our firearms for target shooting and training, but, the Boy Scout motto makes a lot of sense.
“The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes…. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”
– Thomas Jefferson, Commonplace Book (quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria), 1774-1776
The question is, how much have things changed since 1776? The answer is, I don’t know!
I was encouraged that when I purchased a gun that I had to certify that I met the criteria to own a gun and pass a background check. Unfortunately, those who do not meet the criteria often obtain weapons by less legitimate methods.
Guns are Dangerous! They should be treated with caution and respect! Gun owners should know how their firearms work and should practice until they are competent, safe and comfortable using them. This is why, as the considerate husband that I am, I gave my wife a shooting range for her birthday…
There are certain benefits to having your own shooting range: You can shoot whenever you want; If you are a bad shot, nobody else has to know; It’s a cheap date (if you use a small caliber firearm); It is a natural theft deterrent… If you think about it, it would take a special kind of stupid person to see a house with a shooting range and say to himself “I think I’ll break into that house”…
I have great videos and pictures of my wife’s first shots but she threatened me with bodily harm if I post them. It turns out that she is somewhat of a sharpshooter… it is best to respect the wishes of a woman with a gun…
Looks like fun!
It is! One of the fun activities when people come to visit!
Hey, when you get back to Vegas, go out to Pahrump and take a course at Front Sight. They’re world class.
We did it when we lived there! It is an amazing set-up. Our kids took a self defense course there as well. So important to be informed and prepared!
@ D&Jean
My wife and I bought a 50yr old home about 10 years ago. The exterior resembled the exterior of your home before the vegetation removal. However, only on 2 acres, within a wooded community of 2+ acre properties.
With each page of this blog, I feel better and better about being the “crazy” couple that renovated a home that all others would have torn down. (I’ve always felt good about it. 🙂 )
This page holds close to my beliefs, and I couldn’t have presented it better. I thank you for including it in your adventure.
I’m impressed by how much progress you and your family have made in just a few short years, on such a massive, and greatly fulfilling life-project.
Keep up the good work.
Jacob DIY’ing in Ohio
Jacob, thanks for your note! It is great to know that there are other crazy people out there!🤣.
Do you have a blog or Instagram or Facebook with pictures of your project? I’d love to follow if you do.
We’ve got a long way to go but we are seeing major progress and love the property!
Thanks for your kind words!
DeWitt
Living in rural areas you need to have a gun for protection and you’re a bit bonkers if you don’t…love your place!!
Thanks so much. we are loving it! if you want to see more updated info our instragram.com/crazyfixerupper is more up to date. Eventually we will catch up here too.