Can’t you talk about anything but IGOLD?
There’s more to life than politics.
Politics (unfortunately) is important. As gun owners, we’ve found that we can not just sit by, live our lives, not get our hands dirty in politics, and hope for the best. We HAVE to be involved. Otherwise, we lose.
Politics is important. IGOLD is important. Short of family emergencies or medical issues, I can’t think of anyplace more important for Illinois gun owners to be next Wednesday than in Springfield in large numbers, telling the politicians what we think.
But there are other things that are important. This weekend, for example, 45 or 50 shooters and about 20 instructors will gather at Aurora Sportsman’s Club in Waterman for an Appleseed shoot. The shooters, experienced and new alike, will learn or review the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship, and will review the fundamentals of American Heritage. The Heritage of the Rifleman. The American Rifleman, who used to be able, with a regular rifle and conventional ball ammo, to control “the Rifleman’s Quarter Mile” by hitting any target he could see for 500 yards. The Heritage of a Nation of Riflemen, which we once were.
We can get there again. That’s what Appleseed is all about. We’ve got lots of Illinois Appleseeds this year; the Waterman shoot this weekend is the first, but it won’t be the last. You can come to an Appleseed, cheaply and easily. If you can’t afford to shoot 400 rounds of centerfire ammo, bring a .22 rifle and a brick of .22 ammo.
Politics is important. But so is learning marksmanship, learning Heritage, and most importantly, passing these things on to others, both of your generation and the younger generation.
Go to an Appleseed. Bring someone with you. With pre-registration at www.appleseedinfo.org, the cost for men is only $45 for one day or $70 for two days. The cost for women (of any age): free. The cost for those under 21 years old: free.
It’s too late to pre-register for the Waterman Appleseed this weekend, but it’s not too late to plan to go. Walk-ons are welcome, up to the capacity of the firing line. The firing line this weekend can accommodate up to 80 shooters. The cost (for those who have to pay) for walk-ons is only $5 a day more than for pre-registered. There’s room; if you can make it this weekend, come on out. You’ll be welcomed, you’ll be educated, and you’ll have fun, being an American, practicing that most quintessential of American pastimes, shooting.
Next Wednesday, I hope you attend IGOLD, because politics is important. But I also hope you rediscover your Heritage, and help someone else discover or rediscover it too, by going to an Appleseed. If not this weekend, then soon.
John Naese
