A few months ago, I was contacted by Mieke Groeninck. A very nice and polite young lady from Belgium Television. They contacted me because of this blog and also the fact that I am a federally licensed gun dealer. Over the course of a couple of months, we spoke several times and finally the arrangements were made for their team to come to Iowa.
Last Wednesday we drove to Winterset to meet the crew. Their lead reporter, Bijorn met us outside of The North End Cafe. They were set up with a camera inside waiting on us. The only direction he gave us was to enjoy our breakfast and to discuss the political situation just a month away from the election. We enjoyed a good breakfast and even refrained from looking at the camera. After we ate, the photographer, Jeff, wanted to see my carry gun and get a few pictures. They had already told the staff what we would be doing. I unholstered and cleared my weapon and he had me make a few different poses. I was uncomfortable when he had me aim at the camera. We had both checked that the gun was empty, but there's just something about pointing a gun at someone that doesn't sit well with me.
I called John Reed, a friend and member of the IFC to meet us.
After the inside shots, we went around the corner to the John Wayne statue. There they had had us checking out the statue and discuss why we thought that he was a hero. Naomi is a big fan of his westerns and I'm more of a war movie fan. The Sands of Iwo Jima is one of my favorite movies and John Wayne was one of the reasons I picked the Marine Corps when I chose to serve.
John Showed up and they wanted to see his carry gun too. There was a trailer with a flag pole and a steel cutout of a kneeling soldier and a cross. That's where they had John stand for his interview. After the interview, we left to come back home and the crew went with John to his house for some more footage and a chance for them to shoot his guns. When I talked to John later. he told me that they had a great time. He also told me that Jeff had never fired a handgun before. So he got to experience something new.
On Saturday, they came by the house. They wanted some footage of my shop area and me working on a gun. I broke down and cleaned my mini 14 for them. Then Bijorn and I discussed the gun laws and how easy (or difficult) it is to get a gun in this country. He asked me what could be done about some of the crime in this country. Of course I have no easy answer. I did thell him that I thought locking the violent offenders up would be a very good start.
We also discussed things like Aurora, where the shooter passed background checks and legally bought his guns. I explained that all I have to go by is the answers they give on the 4473 and the yes or no answer I get from the FBI. T told him that all I was, was a dealer and not a mind reader. I used him as a example and explained it that if he passed the background check, I had no idea what he was going to do with his new gun when he leaves my shop. We filmed for a hour and a half so I don't know what they will use. They also got some more footage of Naomi here at home.
In all, it was a great experience. The whole crew was professional and fun. We are proud to have some new friends. When this all started to come together, Naomi was a bit apprehensive. But after meeting everyone in a public space, she was fine with it.
The Crew;
Bijorn
Joe, the video operator
Jeff, the photographer
Other "stars"
Yours Truly
John Reed
The kneeling Soldier Statue.
The High Standard 1911 that I carry
Last Wednesday we drove to Winterset to meet the crew. Their lead reporter, Bijorn met us outside of The North End Cafe. They were set up with a camera inside waiting on us. The only direction he gave us was to enjoy our breakfast and to discuss the political situation just a month away from the election. We enjoyed a good breakfast and even refrained from looking at the camera. After we ate, the photographer, Jeff, wanted to see my carry gun and get a few pictures. They had already told the staff what we would be doing. I unholstered and cleared my weapon and he had me make a few different poses. I was uncomfortable when he had me aim at the camera. We had both checked that the gun was empty, but there's just something about pointing a gun at someone that doesn't sit well with me.
I called John Reed, a friend and member of the IFC to meet us.
After the inside shots, we went around the corner to the John Wayne statue. There they had had us checking out the statue and discuss why we thought that he was a hero. Naomi is a big fan of his westerns and I'm more of a war movie fan. The Sands of Iwo Jima is one of my favorite movies and John Wayne was one of the reasons I picked the Marine Corps when I chose to serve.
John Showed up and they wanted to see his carry gun too. There was a trailer with a flag pole and a steel cutout of a kneeling soldier and a cross. That's where they had John stand for his interview. After the interview, we left to come back home and the crew went with John to his house for some more footage and a chance for them to shoot his guns. When I talked to John later. he told me that they had a great time. He also told me that Jeff had never fired a handgun before. So he got to experience something new.
On Saturday, they came by the house. They wanted some footage of my shop area and me working on a gun. I broke down and cleaned my mini 14 for them. Then Bijorn and I discussed the gun laws and how easy (or difficult) it is to get a gun in this country. He asked me what could be done about some of the crime in this country. Of course I have no easy answer. I did thell him that I thought locking the violent offenders up would be a very good start.
We also discussed things like Aurora, where the shooter passed background checks and legally bought his guns. I explained that all I have to go by is the answers they give on the 4473 and the yes or no answer I get from the FBI. T told him that all I was, was a dealer and not a mind reader. I used him as a example and explained it that if he passed the background check, I had no idea what he was going to do with his new gun when he leaves my shop. We filmed for a hour and a half so I don't know what they will use. They also got some more footage of Naomi here at home.
In all, it was a great experience. The whole crew was professional and fun. We are proud to have some new friends. When this all started to come together, Naomi was a bit apprehensive. But after meeting everyone in a public space, she was fine with it.
The Crew;
Bijorn
Joe, the video operator
Jeff, the photographer
Other "stars"
Yours Truly
John Reed
The kneeling Soldier Statue.
The High Standard 1911 that I carry
