Introductions, one and all...

[Eric R Shelton]

Hey everybody, I'm Eric, the somewhat overwhelmed host of the new Handgun Podcast.  My involvement with being a 2nd Amendment advocate seems like such a whirlwind event that I'm sometimes shocked to find myself here.  I mean, 6 months ago I finally felt badgered to the point that I finally joined the NRA, and now here I am with a podcast running in the same network as ProArms, and Massad Ayoob!!!  Ok, so he's not as famous as Babe Ruth, but he's the guy whose articles I grew up reading in the magazines!  It just seems like the more ardent (but polite, and informative) I become about the Second Amendment, and handguns in particular, the more there is that needs to be said, and the more venues open up to me.

So any new listeners, feel free to introduce yourselves here, talk about your background, expertise, and welcome to the show!  While you're here, make sure you listen to ProArms, Mark (The Man) Vanderberg and his Gun Rights Advocates Podcast, Kenn Blanchard at The Urban Shooter, Doc, Shawn, and all the rest.  I can't believe the company I'm in, and I truly feel lucky to be doing this.

As a fun little intro (if the forums allow) I thought I'd post the YouTube video I made that went around some of the blogs a month back or so...

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/cYg-jVal5b8&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/cYg-jVal5b8&rel=0</a>

[melensdad]

Hi Eric, great little video, sends a powerful message.

I gather from the title of your podcast you are going to focus on handguns, but what aspect of them are you going to focus on?  Gun reviews?  Shooting sports like modern practical competitions?  Self-defense use of handguns?  Collecting handguns?  Vintage guns?   

[Eric R Shelton]

Hey melensdad.

My inclination is to cover more of the self defense aspect of handguns, because that's primarily what I use mine for.  But since I'm fully aware that reviews and experience are on the side of the ProArms podcast, this is really more of a catch-all, and to be dictated by listener response.  I might spend a full episode on holsters, and then another one on hot topics I see popping up on various forums.  It may even be a dozen episodes or so until I find my groove and figure out where to go with this.

User reviews of guns, collecting, and competition are ALWAYS welcome here!  And thanks for checking out the forum!   

[Gail]

There's plenty of room for reviews, everyone has their own opinions, needs, likes, dislikes etc... Don't let us stifle you. There are so many guns, so little time.

Gail

[Armed Ape]

Hey Eric,  us  AZ boys will have to stick together  Glad to see you are on the team.  I enjoyed your shows!!  Looking forward to more.  

[Eye 4 N Eye]

Man what a powerful message! I agree with you 100% besides for being another fellow Arizonan and fellow CCW card member. I am new here and will start my first podcast hopefully soon. Thanks for the video and soon we will will send a message to people like Obama! Respectfully luckygreen...

[Eric R Shelton]

Hey Tony!  What part of AZ are you from?  I'm guessing the PHX area, so we'll have to meet up and go shooting during the NRA meeting next May!  I've already got some tentative plans with Dustin from Dustin's Gun Blog.  We'll have to do some kind of Pro-Gun Web Geek Range Day!   

And luckygreen, welcome aboard!  Glad you liked the video!  I've got some more intricate short movies planned, but they're going to need voice-overs and editing, and be a little bit more light-hearted.  Are you going to be a part of our GRRN?

[Rob Kroupa]

Hi, I'm Rob.  I'm originally from Texas but am currently stationed in Germany. I've really enjoyed the first two episodes especially the piece on how everyone should own a .22.  I would really enjoy more episodes like that along with gun reviews along with accessory reviews.  Thanks for the podcasts.

[Eye 4 N Eye]

Are you going to be a part of our GRRN?

Actually I am trying to figure what role of a podcaster I can do. I do music as a hobby while attending school for law enforcement  and love to speak about gun rights since its my passion. I definitely would like to help out as much as I can.

[WayniacKT]

Wayne from Texas here. Im in the Houston area.
Love the show (love all the shows). I hardly listen to the radio anymore, just podcast after podcast!

I carry concealed everywere I can legaly (and sometimes where not legal, dont tell).

Cheers,

[Eric R Shelton]

Wayne, I mirror your statement more than you know!  LOL.   

[Superheat]

I've just joined the forum.  Eric I sent you an e-mail yesterday, maybe you remember.  I'm reluctant to use my real name due to the fact I will feel more free to disclose details about my carry piece.  Many years ago I started getting into handguns then faded out.  Recently, I have acquired a renewed interest.  I just received my CPL and started carrying only a few weeks ago.  It has been a bit overwhelming.  I don't have a person that I can ask questions to that I feel has enough information, trustworthy or readily available.  But, with all the podcasters I am gaining knowledge.  Eric I am really enjoying your podcasts, please keep going.  Personally, I have two young children and the best wife.  My family is the reason for the recent move to carry.  When I woke up, about 3 month ago, I realized I had virtually no plan to protect them.  I felt like a slug.  Now I am moving in the right direction, thanks to all of you who put forth your fortune and time to help strangers.  When you are talking to your microphones know you are helping someone by gaining information or another opinion.

[Eric R Shelton]

Good on you, Superheat!  I've been getting a few new emails recently, so I'm not sure which was yours...  Sorry!    Anyhow, is a CPL a carry license, or a concealed carry license? 

Anyhow, I've been meaning to devote an episode to holsters, and another to concealed carry- I'm thinking your email may have moved those up in my schedule!

You have the best wife?  Dang!  I wanted to find the best wife someday!   

[Superheat]

The best wife is relative, I found the "best" one for me.  Good luck finding yours.  CPL (sorry this may be a Mich only term ) is Concealed Pistol Liscense which I guess is meaning to exclude the word weapon.  In Michigan we can conceal a pistol ONLY, or something like that.  Maybe they don't want us concealing long guns, haha.  Hope you don't mind if we give suggestions or questions for the show.

[Eric R Shelton]

Hope you don't mind if we give suggestions or questions for the show.

Of course not!    That's why I plug the forums and give my email address in every episode!  No, by all means, feel free!  The listeners are the reason we do this, so feedback of any kind is always appreciated!

[alpineferrari]

I agree that this one fits the best "If handguns cause crime, mine's defective".
My other favorite is  " When seconds are the difference between life and death, the police are only minutes away".

[patrick_ford]

Hey Eric. My name is Patrick and I am an avid podcast listener from NOrth Carolina, not too far from Doc Wesson. (I hope he posts some new stuff soon!)

I love your podcasts and views, but after I heard your testimonial on Brother Kenn's podcast, my respect for your honesty and courage increased even further.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing from you later on.

Patrick

[TMIB]

Hi Eric,

I discovered your podcast recently via the Zune Marketplace, and have been enjoying it a great deal as I listen to it during my commute.

Since this is the "introductions" thread, I guess I should say a little bit about myself. I'm a 35 year old man, married to a wonderful woman for about 2 and a half years now. I am also the proud father of a 14 year old young man, who lives with me about half the time (the rest of the time he is with his mother, my ex-wife.) I work in the computer software industry, but most of my hobbies involve more traditional crafts; I do blacksmithing and metalwork, as well as ride and repair motorcycles.

I'm an Eagle Scout and am still fairly active in my son's scout troop. I recently spent a week teaching metalwork/blacksmithing to scouts for a week at scout camp. My son just completed his rifle merit badge and can of course recite the shooting safety rules from memory.

I believe very strongly in exercising our right to keep and bear arms, as it is unfortunately one of the only ways to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe in today's world. Washington is a "shall issue" state, and I carry concealed just about everywhere I go. There are a few exceptions; places where it is not legal; and places where violating someone's "gun free zone" policy carries consequences that I do not wish to pay should I be discovered. For example, I'll carry at the local mall, knowing that if discovered I'll be escorted off the premises as I'm not in violation of the law. I won't carry at work though, as my employer would fire me if I were found to be carrying at work. Of course the fact that the mall seems a much more dangerous place than my office is probably a factor as well.

I own one handgun and one rifle; the handgun is an H&K USP .45. I've put a lot of rounds through it on various ranges, and I'm confident in my ability to hit my target with it. I know the gun well and how it feels and carries. I've got tritium sights on it and Hogue grips.

My rifle is a  Traditions Shenandoah muzzleloader. I won't go into too much on it, as this is the handgun forum, but suffice to say, I've found black powder shooting to be a lot of fun, and a very unique exciting experience.

Looking forward to more of your excellent show, please keep up the good work!

--TMIB ("The Man In Black")

[Eye 4 N Eye]

Welcome TMIB to the site!!!

[mickmcart]

Nice message Eric. I hope everybody considering Obama sees this video. Keep up the great work on your podcast, I'm almost caught up with them all. I'll have to have you do a guest reading of stories on my show. I like how you're still toying with different ideas on your show, variety is the key. Kenn does that too, it's always fun to listen to where you two are taking your shows.