Smoking Guns

Loaded guns and debates...

Smoking Guns        by Sami S. Khalil

Gunshots echoed everywhere as he was paying his dues at “The Magnum” outdoors gun range. The attending clerk handed him a liability waiver to sign, which was intended to protect the place from lawsuits if people injured themselves.

The famous range had three grounds with obstacle course as much. The first was called “The Foreground” for beginners. The second “The Middle Ground” for semi-professionals. The third carried the name “The Background” for graduates.

This range promised a truly shooting experience with an ultimate skill level.

 People did like the place as they flocked to register based on the word of mouth. It had a good safety record, but in case of bleeding injuries, there was a nearby hospital to rush them to it. Another good thing related to customers’ wellbeing is that eye and ear protections were provided.

The reason Britt was here because his dad (a retired police officer), was adamant that his son learns how to properly handle guns, while learning the rules. The first rule was to treat guns as loaded at all times. The second was never to fire the gun at the ground. The third and most important one was to always use them in self-defense.

Now, as Britt signed the liability form, it was trigger time. He was handed a burnished “Magnum 45”, assigned a highly trained instructor. While both were doing the walk and talk, the instructor commanded him to act like the preppers and vigilantes, to be ready for any fight/war scenario by an enemy attack or macho bullies. “Act fast and furious lest you be killed”, he said. “Feel the action if you are going to gain any traction.”

As they walked down the path, a Native American bust popped out of nowhere. Britt pulled his gun and started shooting. Further down, more busts emerged: space aliens, Big Foot, bears and zombies. Britt shot them all with high accuracy while replenishing his magazine quickly. He passed gleefully the first obstacle course.

As the time neared the second course, Britt could not jump the gun, but wait for his turn. This time, he was blindfolded for the training. He had to rely on his

 

senses to feel the delicate movement of his opponents. With fingers trembling, his unspoken thoughts careened around his mind with such monstrosity. As the walk and talk commenced, he would hit the target sometimes, miss other times. He needed over fifty percent to pass. Eventually he did, vanishing the fears of failure that dragged him.

He geared himself now for the hardest third course. Before the walk and talk, the instructor admonished him: “Listen Britt! Shoot them all. Dare they not rise against you. You have the right to bear arms and the right to vanish reasons.”

As they walked, a strange thing happened. Britt’s busts popped up all along the path as he shot them nervously one by one. He felt like his own assassin, or you might say character assassinator. Nothing soothed his nerves for his feelings were wrapped and swaddled by shock.

After the course ended, the instructor congratulated him on passing the test with rictus sneers. He said: “Britt! You have passed the last course. Although I saw the shock on your face, you obeyed orders and never flinched. It is not about killing the self, but taming it. Violence is never the answer. Peace, safety and justice entail you vanish this real enemy. I’m not sure if there were a grave deep enough for our egos. But go ahead, find a fitting place to bury it.

As you know, we can be blinded by hate, biases and rapt convictions. For the real battlefield is one that is not distant, but within. Ask not what guns can do for us, ask what we can do with guns. Always remember this, 

Truth is louder than a loaded gun.”  

 

Reviews

[lightsong]

always such rich values and virtues your stories hold dear Sami, and always You end them with the great surprising ones, " I am not sure if there were a grave deep enough for our egos. But go ahead, find a fitting place to bury it." our worst enemy is our own selves, people should start from their insides before going outside wanting to change the world, change the inside if You want to change the outcome. to choose Kurt Cobain and his famous sentence " I wish I had a gun" is more perfect and special to me, I love him and I don't believe at all that he killed himself, for that sentence... I feel my belief that he wanted to have a gun to shot the world, the horrible world he hated. another amazingly written story Sami, well done my friend.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Did not know that. You taught me something. Very talented and gifted artist. I wish I have his looks , too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your cherished memories.

[wordman]

you carry a weapon in hopes you never use it,but if you do only to protect the innocent

[Sami Khalil]

An excellent summation and understanding of this write. Glad to see you upon my page sir.

[wordman]

catching up sami,not here much

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Same here. Off and on.

[mattavelli]

Hello, Sami! :)
This was an interesting read, compelling as you unfolded it. It would be great if guns could be used as shields, but really all they're good for is putting holes in flesh, or carrying the weight of that threat, violence. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful story.

[Sami Khalil]

Hi Mattavelli! So good to see you visit. What you said is absolutely true and worth the examination. Thank you so much my friend. See you soon.

[Ankita Dwivedi]

Desperation often leads people to find assylum in violence , dear Sami . we must look beyond our won distinct communities and national boundaries , to love humanity and not let hate get the best of us . Thank you for a though - provoking piece . Good to visit you after long . keep safe and smiling :)
With love , Ankita

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well said. Thank you Ankita for this truthful and well needed explanation. Glad to see. Be safe and sound.

[Einstein Noodle]

interesting commentary Sami. at first i thought it waaaaaaaaaaaaay slanted as this is no puplic shooting range you are talking about. i suppose one might find something like it on a law enforcement range .. but never an instructor like that nor teachings like that. i don't think even terrorist groups have the sophistication of pop out targets. so your closing did surprise me sir .. you do make a statement but it seems conflicted .. even the character of the instructor changes and seems out of place .. with a sneer he seems to become a father talking to a son ... also ... no one would give a beginner a 45 to learn with ;) its like jumping on a Harley Road King without ever riding before. i think your trying to make a point but i think this one needs some rewriting .. its there ... but not real clear to me .. i think the strongest line is the one about how your protagonist feels as if he is destroying self too .. for me that's the best part of this one.
E.

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you sir. Local terrorist groups are plentiful as you know like international ones. The whole point sir of this story is to teach young adults, coming of age, the value and proper use of guns which is for self defense and not violence in any form, shape or size. That is why the 3 levels of training. The last level is self discipline and restraint in the face of hate and anger. You are right, I like to make points in this mad world of pro-guns and anti-guns... So maybe if we can educate the young generation about all of this , it will have a positive direction. It is like teaching them Karate and such and using it only for self-defense. That is why my closing statement. Thank you again sir and be safe in this mad world.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes .. plenty of terrorists to go around the world .. full of blind hate and as cowards will kill, from hiding, innocent civilians all any age and gender .. i couldn't agree more that the youth need sound teaching about self defense that includes firearms ... it is a huge responsibility and commitment to choose to arm oneself .. i know you are making the point ... just think it could use some tweeking ;)

[barleygirl]

It seems we in the USA are having much domestic terrorism these days. Your story seems to suggest that people learn to use guns to avoid using them (roughly, something like that). I love the way you pick an uncommon setting like the shooting range & you slam the reader right into that scene without a bunch of excess description getting there. I feel it is not clear that this guy is going to do course 1, then 2, then 3. This feels muddy & should be clarified. It doesn't become clear until he gets to course 3, then we realize he's doing all three. The way you describe the different courses initially, we get the impression that a person would be assigned to only one course, the one fitting his expertise. Other than that minor distraction, your story proceeds powerfully & with a gripping narrative. Your ending is unexpected & I would wager that it also comes across as unconvincing to many of us who think guns are a problem in this country (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Glad you enjoyed the story and the message. Be safe in this mad world.

[Chris Shaw]

You write so well Sami. Each paragraph flows seamlessly into the next. You carry your reader with you. On the topic of guns I flinch. Even in this type of scenario. We do live in violent times. It's not just guns either. You may have the guns, but we have the knives. And over here they are being used by younger and younger people. The only magnum I will relish is the chocolate coated ice cream dear Sami. They are delicious:)

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Hehehe! What a wonderful review and answer to all of this. Use our sweet tooth instead of our violent tendencies as humans. Let us celebrate the common tasty things in life, let us share love and beauty all around . Violence, aggression and injustice are never the answer. We have the right for self defense, we call alleviate suffering and create a better world not a perfect one. Thank God for good writers like yourself. Be blessed.

[Chris Shaw]

You are too kind Sami. Be
well yourself and take care. Get a bit fed up, see if you can buy a chocolate magnum ice cream. Lifts the spirits I can tell ya :)

[Sami Khalil]

Hehehe.....

[Lydia Shutter]

There is so much violence in the world we live in that we sort of shrug out shoulders and move on when we see it. This is so dangerous. Yes, we all have "loaded guns" whether truly ammunition loaded or words ready to spew hatred. Your story is so well written and teaches an important lesson, Sami. Good one. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and well spoken dear Lydia. You have summed it up marvelously. It is a shame indeed. Thank you so much for sharing and visiting.

[Patricia Wedel]

“Truth is louder than a loaded Gun”...
Quite a story and Perfect example of what Violence means in this our “present time”.
truly, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Our present times are loaded with fake news from all sides and fake claims for inclusivity and exclusivity. People and politics are at each other's throats . Politicians fan the flames of right and left, East and West. Hate, biases and crazy convictions are rampant. Constitution gave the right to carry guns, religions allow only self defense. Violence, aggression and brutalities are frowned upon. Thank you Pat. Be safe in the whirlwind.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Sami.. we will Save our Constitution and Bill of Rights ... praying 🙏 for the Light. truly, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

All true and well said. You are welcome.

[emmajoy]

' For the real battlefield is one that is not distant, but within. Ask not what guns can do for us, ask what we can do with guns. Always remember this, ~ Truth is louder than a loaded gun.”

Had you not been the writer, Sami, I wouldn't have read this and also, as your intended, the picture lured the viewer to.. have.. a.. peep. I did. Found the way it was done, in three moves: the steady near safe enough; the aware go.for.it. but then, ANYTHING might happen. The tension rose with good telling and inference, made me slightly cringe.. wondering perhaps if I wanted to read on.. which perhaps is how you, as writer, means one to think, to feel. Relieved, Sami, to read those final words and see that whilst it is your right to carry a gun, it is not the right to wantonly take a person's life and in turn, dilute or end one's own considered humanity. Could be right off the mark. Thank you for sharing a lesson to be understood and learned.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoeee! I love it. You are right on the mark and right on the money. You understand me and my writes clearly. I'm glad you continued reading and felt safe at the end. Thank you so much for this depth analysis...

[emmajoy]

After I left my review, wondered whether or not to add more. However, had already left too many. But, Sami, you used a son's need to learn as an experience that would take him into a wise, adult world.. all being well. That matters. Guns are not toys.

[Sami Khalil]

I totally agree. I delved also into the raging debate going on in America about guns and the constitution. People are heavily armed in the States plus it is a big business.

[Sami Khalil]

No need to answer....hehehe