Chapter 14 of 100
Chapter 14
14 min read3,619 words
Qi Ping got into his car, planning to spend over an hour driving to San Diego; of course, it wasn't to enjoy the beauty of the West Coast. He had other important matters to attend to.
After arriving in the United States and obtaining a green card, Qi Ping had a specific idea in mind: he wanted to get a gun, a gun of his own.
Many men are fond of weapons, but Qi Ping never thought about such things back in China, as it was a crime. However, in the United States, as long as the procedures were complete, owning a gun was legal.
Qi Ping knew that having a gun in the U.S. wasn't a big deal, but obtaining one required some formalities, such as a gun permit. In the U.S., citizens over 18 with American citizenship or a green card could get a permit for long guns. Handguns had more restrictions, requiring one to be 21 years old.
American laws can sometimes seem quite frustrating, as the Constitution sets some rules, but state laws can vary within its scope. In Texas, buying a gun is relatively easy, but in California, a gun permit still requires an exam.
A few days ago, Qi Ping had been preparing. He visited the sheriff's office to attend some basic training, such as learning about the law and gun management. The main part was the exam, but for Qi Ping, this was a small matter, as he had gone through many exams before.
With the handgun safety permit in hand, Qi Ping couldn't contain his excitement. With a green card, he also had a social security number, which allowed him to buy some rifles. However, Qi Ping wasn't easily satisfied; rifles were interesting, but without a handgun, it wouldn't be as exciting.
Qi Ping was amazed by the prevalence of guns in the U.S. This store, which looked ordinary, would be mistaken for a supermarket if not for the gun signs. In reality, it was a gun supermarket, with rifles and handguns displayed in cabinets, quite openly.
Qi Ping whistled, admitting he was a bit naive. In China, guns were banned, so this scene was quite shocking to him. It wasn't surprising that he looked like a country bumpkin.
"Sir, we have many models of handguns. You can choose one you're interested in and try it at the shooting range," a store employee said as Qi Ping walked in. They were familiar with this scene, as many Asian tourists liked to visit gun stores and try shooting.
"I haven't played with guns much before, but now I want to buy a few. Do you have any recommendations, both for handguns and rifles?" Qi Ping needed some advice, as he wasn't familiar with these things.
"Do you have an SSN (Social Security Number) and an HSC (Handgun Safety Certificate)?" the employee reminded him. Gun control in California wasn't as relaxed as in Texas.
"I think I have everything, right here," Qi Ping said proudly. If he hadn't prepared, he wouldn't be so confident.
Since there were no issues with the formalities, there was no need to worry. Even without a gun permit, tourists could go to the shooting range to try a few shots, which was also a business for gun stores. Clearly, no one would turn down money.
Qi Ping had long heard of the Desert Eagle and the Colt Python revolver. The Desert Eagle was known for its power, with a 12.7mm caliber, making it overkill as a handgun. The downside of such power was the massive recoil, which could cause wrist fractures in untrained users.
As a beginner, Qi Ping knew he shouldn't try these powerful guns yet. It was better to start with something more manageable. Being a first-time shooter, he needed to familiarize himself with the process, which was crucial.
The Colt M1911, which served as the standard U.S. military sidearm for over 70 years, was still produced by many companies for military, law enforcement, security personnel, and civilian enthusiasts, even after being replaced by the M9 in 1985.
Qi Ping wanted to try the M1911; it was one of the guns he was interested in, along with the Beretta M9, which replaced the M1911 as the standard U.S. Air Force sidearm. The USP45 seemed suitable for beginners like him.
Qi Ping was quite open-minded, interested in many good guns. As a beginner, he was still learning and needed to rely on his own experience and judgment. He was a bit overwhelmed, as he never imagined he would one day handle real guns and shoot at a range in China.
"Haha, my shooting is terrible. This is my first time, but I really like it," Qi Ping said, feeling excited. Although his first shooting performance was poor, he didn't care. He tried three handguns and made his decision.
Although the USP45 seemed more suitable for beginners, Qi Ping wanted a bit of a challenge. The Colt M1911 was a good choice, especially since it could be customized to his liking.
The M1911 has multiple safety mechanisms, including a manual safety, a grip safety, and a half-cock safety, preventing accidental discharge. The 2.2-pound, 7-round capacity handgun was also attractive for modifications. However, as a beginner, a standard model was sufficient for Qi Ping.
He briefly tried some rifles, like the famous AK47 and M16, just to satisfy his curiosity. For now, he wasn't ready to tackle these more challenging guns. Rifles were not simple, and he didn't need them; handguns and shotguns were enough for now.
The Beretta RS200 shotgun, with its simple structure, few parts, and reliable push-pull bolt action, was safe, durable, and affordable. It was perfect for shooting sports and hunting, especially for a beginner like Qi Ping. With a handgun for practice and a shotgun suitable for the forest, he was set.
Since Qi Ping lived in a remote forest, having two guns was enough to handle emergencies. Although California wasn't as rugged as Texas, it still had a high crime rate, and there were many wild animals in the mountains.
Although it cost him several hundred dollars for the guns and ammunition, Qi Ping felt it was worth it. He was very satisfied with his new toys. These were real guns, and he was quite excited. According to U.S. policy, handguns couldn't be taken home immediately after purchase.
Although the guns still needed to be registered and he had to wait a few days, this was different from Texas, where gun control was more relaxed. However, it was fine, as Qi Ping wasn't in a hurry. He was patient, and since he had already bought the guns, waiting a week or so was no problem.
Qi Ping felt quite busy, even though he seemed idle. In reality, he had been doing a lot to enjoy life and make it more exciting and interesting.
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