I liked the color purple before there was a movie, a book or some guy prancing around on stage. I like rap, country, classical, jazz and rock-n-roll. I read non-fiction. I am attracted to women with curves. I like my steak medium-rare. During the summer I like to pack up my motorcycle with all my firearms, ride down to the Family Shooters Corral gun range just South of Eaton Rapids, blast some holes in pieces of paper for about an hour, and head back to Eaton Rapids to grab a bite to eat. I feel very grateful to be a born citizen of the United States of America. I head back to my home in Lansing, watching the sun set, and drive up Martin Luther King Boulevard. I take a chance at being stopped by the police and rev the engine to about 70. I give my motorcycle back and forth leans causing it to dance down the highway. The wind is whipping past my face, and wrapping around my head past my ears because I chose to wear the smallest helmet required by Michigan law. It is a freeing feeling to me. The force of the wind I create fills my torso like a parachute and I happily accept the challenge to find the perfect position to cause the warm summer air to caress my body.
me2u – 9-9 – Choices
When I get home I clean my firearms. Any responsible firearm owner does, although if I am rushing off to the night gig I will save that for the next day. However, without a hesitation I do make sure that I separate my ammunition from my firearms. I place the firearms in a locked case and put them in their proper place. Now, because I am a responsible citizen that has never been convicted of a felony, have met the extreme requirements of Michigan law and passed a federal background check, I have the privilege to carry my firearm concealed wherever allowed by law. I am very proud to be among those that have been allowed this. It is not very often I exercise the open carry right, mostly because the majority of people are ignorant of that right. I would rather not deal with the hassle of having to explain myself.
As a kid I never went hunting. My father never took me out to the back forty to shoot targets. I did have a BB rifle that I barely used. One bad chipmunk death was enough for me. I could not stand the sight of animal suffering. I am definitely not a violent person. I am known for being a quick tempered, hot headed, opinion spewing person, but I genuinely love life. Why then do I conceal carry a firearm? It is my right. It is my choice.
After September 11, 2001 I noticed something that terrified me. The rights of the people were being not only challenged, they were being extremely constricted. Terrorism and fear were strangling this country and I felt I needed to take a stand as an individual in order to be more involved for the sake of all. Freedom of choice reigns supreme. Freedom of voice is necessary. I feel I am fighting a righteous fight.
If you are a person that does not like firearms I wonder how much knowledge you have of them. I would venture to ask if you knew that more than 250,000 people in the state of Michigan have the right to conceal carry. These are men, women, young, old, white, brown and everything else possibly right next to you. The irony of anti gun people is that this right to be vocal about it was bought and paid for with American blood and bullets. Everybody has a line. Everybody has something that they feel is as important to them as life. I want you to continue to believe what you believe and not be afraid to speak on it. I want you to be able to do whatever it is that you want to do as long as you do not infringe upon my right to do what I want to do, or how I want to do it of course, within the confines of law. No law should restrict my rights. In this instance it is my choice to have and use firearms whether it is for hobby, sport or protection. I am that black guy with an old motorcycle, off to the range to work up an appetite and then have my steak the way I like it. Do what you do, I support you.
~Melik / me2upro.com
This column was printed in the May 23, 2010 – June 5, 2010 edition.
