I am a lawyer by trade, but I own sixteen firearms. Multiple Glocks. Multiple AR-15s. A whole box of magazines that hold greater than ten rounds. A shotgun based off the AK-47 design. A World War II battle rifle. A purpose-built sniper rifle. Why does a lawyer need so many weapons? The answer is simple: Practicing law is my job - but shooting is what I really love.

I go to the range every weekend. I train with professionals about twice a month. There have been some weeks where I have competed at four or five different competitions. When I sit at home watching TV, I am reloading ammunition for the next hunt, range day, or match. I am not only a life member of the NRA, but I am also a dues paying member of six different shooting associations and two private shooting ranges. I am certified by the NRA and both a range officer and a pistol instructor. I am certified by the State of Texas to teach concealed handgun courses. Although I would be more than qualified to defend myself if the need ever arose, I pray to God that I will never need to. In fact, the sole purpose for most of the guns I own is recreational.

I helped a close friend who was college student start a shooting club on his campus several years ago. I offered the students free firearms training. In fact, most of the firearms training I offer in my spare time is free of charge and 90% of my students are in college or are college-aged. Why do I do this? First and foremost, because I want today's generation to understand the importance of the right to keep and bear arms. I remember how guns and gun ownership was demonized while I was a college student. Young people today need to understand that there is another side to the story and that, while an evil man with a gun is a very dangerous thing, a good man with a gun is no threat to anybody (with the possible exception of evil men).

There is one unique aspect to my perspective; I ENJOY my right to keep and bear arms and I want others to ENJOY it as well. Gun ownership is a big responsibility, but it is not a chore. Shooting is about more than hunting and self defense: it is about having fun. Fun is the reason many people purchase these so-called "assault rifles", because lets face it, the AR-15 is incredibly fun to shoot.  Some of my happiest days have been at range days shooting competitions with my friends.  The fellowship and camaraderie that comes with spending a weekend shooting a competition with your best friends is unlike anything else - and that is probably the biggest reason that I own guns and shoot them regularly.

The picture displayed is me with a Glock 17 pistol competing in an International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) competition.