Chapter 26

"Why do you have guns at home?" Yu Lan, who was helping clean, burst out when she saw two guns in Qi Ping's bedroom. Her first reaction was panic, and then she wanted to have a serious talk with Qi Ping. These weren't toy guns; toy guns couldn't be so realistic and heavy.

"Mom, it's not illegal for individuals to own guns in the U.S. As long as I don't carry them around, it's fine. This is a very common thing; it's normal for everyone to have a gun, even more than one. I live in a remote area, so having two guns is quite normal. One is a handgun, which is common, and the other is a hunting rifle for hunting," Qi Ping quickly explained. This matter really couldn't be misunderstood by his mother, as gun ownership is illegal in China and is a symbol of crime.

"Mom, Little Qi is right. It's indeed legal for individuals to own guns in the U.S. He lives alone, and it's quite normal for him to have two guns. It's necessary for him to have guns; I heard that if someone enters his house without permission and gets shot, it's not a big deal," Qi Lei spoke up, supporting Qi Ping.

"It's not that extreme. Shooting someone isn't legal, but if they pose a threat to me, it's a different story. Americans take private property very seriously, and owning guns is quite normal. California has stricter gun laws, but I heard that in Texas, you can carry a gun as long as it's not visible," Qi Ping quickly added. This matter was indeed too serious for his parents.

"But you shouldn't just leave the guns in the bedside table; that's not safe," Yu Lan finally understood. No wonder there are so many shootings in the U.S.; it's because everyone has a gun.

"My guns are registered and locked up, so there's no problem," Qi Ping quickly said, feeling vindicated and ready to capitalize on the moment.

His mother finally stopped talking, and at that moment, Qi Ping's brother ran over. He had never seen real guns before, except for the riot police's guns at stations and airports. Now, touching a real gun was something to boast about, especially since guns are banned in China.

Not only did Qi Ping's brother come over, but his father also shuffled over. Cars, good horses, and weapons are things men have always liked, with few exceptions.

"Maybe after lunch, I can take you to the shooting range for a few rounds. It's safe there. I have guns and ammunition, but it's hard to guide beginners. The shooting range is fine; there are professionals to help," Qi Ping suggested, seeing his father and brother's interest.

"That's not a good idea. We don't have green cards, so it might not be allowed. Besides, just looking is enough; there's no need to spend money on shooting. We can't shoot targets," Qi Lei seemed to disagree but was clearly tempted.

"It's not a waste. It's fine. Tourists trying guns is normal. I can take you to the range I usually go to. American shooting ranges are like supermarkets; there are many, and I just won't buy you guns. It won't cost much; we can each shoot 20-30 times for less than $100," Qi Ping encouraged, and $100 was indeed nothing to him.

They were swayed. Legal gun ownership and the low cost were indeed tempting. Most importantly, a little devil inside was constantly tempting them. They were in the U.S.; not trying something interesting would be a regret.

"Let my brother take some photos and post them online. Your colleagues and classmates will definitely be envious. Guns, you can't do that in China," Qi Ping, a master at digging holes, was leading them into one.

"Make sure to note that it's legal here, or I might get reported and investigated. When taking photos, include foreigners and English signs to avoid trouble," Qi Lei clearly wanted to show off but avoid trouble.

Qi Ping nodded repeatedly. His brother, though married and nearly 30, was still a child at heart. His father, Qi Weihui, was also instructing the two sons on how to avoid trouble.

"Don't look at me like that; I understand. I plan to take you to the gun store when we have some free time. We'll go out to play after you adjust to the time difference. San Diego is fun and not far from here. There are beaches, the ocean world, which is the largest marine park in the world, and I haven't been there for Xiao Benben. I'll also take you to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Disneyland. If you had more time, I would take you to Oakland, where the largest Disneyland is," Qi Ping said enthusiastically, with many plans for family outings.

Although they complained about the cost and time, it was clear that the family enjoyed it. Since it didn't affect Qi Ping, a happy family outing was the best. His mother's attitude also improved when she heard that Qi Ping was learning to fly a helicopter; as long as it wasn't illegal, she didn't say much.

Children have their own world, and young people's views are certainly more modern. Being in the U.S. required some changes in perspective, such as gun ownership and helicopter flying, which were all fine.

"Qi, welcome," said the young man in uniform, though his English was basic, Qi Lei understood.

"Chris, this is my father and brother; their English is terrible. We want to look at guns and try the shooting range. Is that okay?" Qi Ping smiled and asked.

"OK, as long as you pay and have a gun license, there's no problem. Many tourists come here, so I don't see any issue," Chris said warmly. "Have they ever shot guns? I can give you some recommendations."

They chose the Glock 17 for his father and brother. This gun is used by police in over 40 countries and is widely used in the U.S. It is small, light, and reliable, with low recoil and many safety features to prevent accidental discharge.

Qi Weihui and Qi Lei were wide-eyed, just as Qi Ping had said. The guns were displayed in cabinets, and they could pick and choose. It didn't feel like buying guns but more like buying cabbages, though these 'cabbages' were expensive.

Although he didn't shoot, Qi Ping enjoyed translating for his father and brother. Despite their constant misses, it didn't matter; they were having fun, not competing.

"Let's go home. My hands are numb; the recoil is quite strong," Qi Weihui said, embarrassed. It was getting late; they had lost track of time while having fun. It wasn't that they didn't want to shoot anymore, but their hands couldn't handle it.

"Hehe, I'll take you again in a few days. You're almost hitting the target now; that's a good score," Qi Ping paid the $200 and played a few rounds himself. The three of them fired over 200 rounds, no wonder their hands were numb.

After returning home, they naturally received a scolding. They had gone out after lunch and only returned when the sun was setting!

The three men were silent, feeling a bit guilty. They had overdone it this time and promised to improve. Learning from mistakes is what men should do.

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