"This is my rifle..."

I remember it fairly well. I was 19 years old and a brand new cadet in the Army ROTC program at UNC. The doors to the Armory were flung wide open, and some of the junior and senior cadets were carrying in locked weapon racks off of a truck into the drill deck. My eyes grew wide as I finally saw real M-16A2s for the first time in my life. They looked lighter, more detailed, and just plain cooler than the fake M-16s we trained with for squad tactical exercises. The slightest scent of weapons lubricant began to fill the air, a scent I'd grow to love. I remember taking the weapon and being given instruction on proper assembly and disassembly of the weapon; I marveled at its simple and elegant design that would propel a live round out of its casing. I recall being filled with a feeling that I can only describe as a solemn respect and weight responsibility for the power that I held.

Unlike the perception that most have, owning or holding a weapon does not change a person into a power-crazed maniac or an off-kilter, gun-toting hillbilly. Sure, we have that in America, but those who still have a sense of reason and a conscience won't undergo some Edward Hyde-like transformation from a thin, nervous, Starbucks-sipping artist to Darth Vader. I was a socially awkward, nerdy, Korean American teenager who grew up in a small Southern city suburb. Crime, weapons and warfare sat in the furthest periphery of my mind while growing up. I am still a socially awkward, nerdy, Korean American guy who against all reason donned a green suit and went traipsing around the world for a few years. A firearm doesn't transform a person into a raging maniac fueled by blood lust and power. Weapons, in the hands of moral, law-abiding citizens, can be a wonderful, useful instrument.

The Supreme Court recently ruled against the handgun ban pushed by the politicians in Chicago. Fully committed to the idea that a firearm somehow corrupts and inevitably creates more violence, they pushed this case to the Supreme Court. Fortunately, this highest court ruled in favor of not only of gun owners but the Constitution. I, for one, and greatly relieved and still somewhat nervous that it was still a 5-4 ruling.

With Second Amendment rights secure for a little while longer, I hope my friends will rediscover an aspect of their common, American heritage - the liberty to protect oneself. I hope to see more firearms in the hands of moral, upright individuals, ready to protect themselves and their loved ones. Imagine the beautiful possibilities.