This has nothing to do with the LAPD but rather, my experiences prior to joining the force. I attended the University of New Mexico starting in 1971. I had never really been west of the Mississippi. Since I was a fanatic about surfing I chose to land-lock myself so as not to become a permanent surf bum. Hailing from the east coast, New Mexico was a real culture shock. I stepped off the airplane at Albuquerque International when they still rolled up the steps to the plane. The dry heat slammed into me like a blast furnace. Pickup trucks had rifles on racks in the back windows. Cowboys walked around with big hats and even bigger belt buckles. Navajo Indians sat about the terminal, which was about the size of a gymnasium back then. They had hand fashioned silver and turquoise jewelry laid out in front of them. Not having any money, purchasing any of their wares was simply out of the question for me back then. I asked one of the Indians in which direction I should travel to reach the University. This was to prove to be a rather bad call.

I had my dad’s Navy duffle bag from WWII and a battered suitcase. Between the two they held all of my worldly possessions. I headed off in the direction the Indian had pointed towards… West! About three hours later I had crossed the Rio Grande River on Central Avenue. With no University in sight I inquired about the location of my future studies and was oriented in the complete and total, opposite direction. Four hours later I had arrived. Lesson #1; disregard directions from monosyllabic Navajo’s. Especially, if you’re from the East Coast.

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Firearms are mechanical devices. Just as with a vehicle they require maintenance, proper care and cleaning. They are subject to breakage and problems. Some problems are shooter induced and some are not. I do not envy the manufacturers of equipment. Imagine the scope manufacturer who receives the ‘out-of-whack’ scope that ‘would not hold a zero.’ Turns out it was not locked down or it was mounted on backwards. “Jeeze that’s far away.” Filthy guns which have not been cleaned will probably not work too well either. Reloaded ammunition does not really indicate the serviceability of a firearm. If the loads are light, double charged, not seated properly or simply of poor quality then the fault lies, in the ammunition not the firearm.

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