Massachusetts First

After mulling it over for a couple of years, I finally got my license to carry. I had no interest in carrying a firearm or even owning one, for that matter. It was about protecting our Second Amendment, a hard “yes” from the peanut gallery.

I took an NRA pistol safety course which included two hours of range practice. I did ok. Ok, enough for the instructor, Mike, to pass me. He told me he was happy to help me another time. About six months later, I arranged to meet Mike at the Danvers Fish & Game Club pin range. When I hopped out of the car, Mike said, “Where’s your gear?” “What gear?” “Ah, your gun?” Oops! Who knew I needed a gun for target practice? So embarrassing. Mike called the gun shop across the street and told them he’s sending me over. He wanted a Smith & Wesson 380 Easy Shield (the gun men love to sell to women) ready. Oh, boy. A thousand bucks later, I was tricked out and headed back to the range.

I hated my Not-So-Easy Shield; impossible to rack and lock. Although I engaged an instructor, I wasn’t getting any more comfortable shooting. I was spiraling down and ready to throw in the towel. As a last-ditch effort, I contacted the Women’s Committee. Bingo! I was home with my peeps! The ladies are a blast. I don’t love my Easy Shield, but we’re friendly enough. My shooting has improved, but, more importantly, I am at home at the club, volunteering and participating in club events. Without volunteers, the club dies. No more kids’ archery. No more gun safety classes. No more community for those interested in conservation, sportsmanship, and education.

Believe it or not, this story is less about guns than kinship. Clubs, churches, and community programs are essential to preserving our freedom. The globalists’ authoritarian tentacles are latching on everywhere. The pandemic-era lockdowns are a perfect example; the schools are closed, the churches are locked, and small businesses are shuttered. Mask adults and children, push an experimental vaccine and isolate those who honor their medical sovereignty. Remember the completely arbitrary social distancing? So stupid. Luckily, people coalesced and rebuilt our bond from the rubble left by two years of pandemic mania. The next time and if we are not vigilant, there will be a next time, less of us will have the energy to assert ourselves.

Find your place. Get involved. Keep the faith.

by Laura Tamagno