The Minuteman – Because Waiting For Help Just Isn’t An Option

The Minuteman – Because Waiting For Help Just Isn’t An Option
Go to an actual shooting event, not a gun show; see what it’s like and what it’s about…

Pullman, Wa – -(AmmoLand.com)- AmmoLand.com’s featured Gun Blogger is “The Minuteman”, Barron Barnett on BarronBarnett.com.

Barron Barnett is a big bear of a guy and not to be messed with… that is until you get to know him and it turns out he is a true modern day MinuteMan willing to help out anyone in need.

But we like him most because he is Pro Gun and his blog covers two niches of the shooting sports world that often go unmentioned. One is BoomerShoots and the other is recreational shooting in Washington state.

Read our interview with Barron, we are sure you will like him too.

The Minuteman Blog Interview:

Q: What is your Blog’s Official Name?
A: The Minuteman

Q: What is your Name?
A: Barron Barnett

Q: What is your Online Name that you may post under?
A: Barron, B, or Tux depending on the location.

Q: Where are you located?
A: Just south of Pullman Washington.  (The Palouse to those who live in the area.)

Q: What is the point of view or purpose of your blog?
A: The blog was originally just a way for me to post different events that I went to or was involved in.  Boomershoot actually was what kicked it off.  After putting together the blog I figured I did all that work I might as well make other use of it.  I began blogging about gun-rights, constitutional issues, self-defense, politics, and things I’m involved in.

Q: How long has your Blog been active?
A: The site was built in May of 2008 specifically for a Boomershoot post, but blogging remained light until recently.  My bachelors in Electrical Engineering and getting a job were a higher priority followed by buying a house with my wife.

Q: What do you do for a living or is your blog a full time job?
A: I am actually a software engineer and write code for critical embedded real-time systems.  When I screw up worse things than your phone crashing happen.  That is why I don’t.

Q: Do you have a specific agenda or goal of your blog?
A: My goal is to educate people about gun rights, why the idea of limited government is important, expose them to the idea of self-reliance, and to just try to get people to think.

Q: What is with the Minutemen title?
A: The best compliment I ever got was from my mom when she described me to someone. “He’s an Eagle Scout both literally and figuratively.”  It is no joke either.  The title actually grew from that because of how I act and conduct myself.  The statement of who and what the militia and minutemen were, is long and drawn out and a cause for great modern debate as supposedly now it’s the National Guard. I’m here to tell you it’s not, it is any and every citizen that is able and willing to do what is necessary to protect those around them in their own community.

If you look at my blog my slogan is, “Because waiting for help just isn’t an option.” Waiting is not going to solve anything, you are the help!  In the back of my truck is a go bag, emergency response bag, tow straps, come along (mechanical winch), and just about anything else you can think of to “Be Prepared”.  I even carry my dive equipment during boating season.

I was a life guard in high school and acted as one at scout camp.  If a swimmer went missing the dive response teams were 15 minutes out at minimum.  After 15 minutes your job is most likely corpse recovery except in rare cases of miracles.  It was then I fully realized and understood depending on outside help can get you or someone else killed.

Ever since I’ve done everything I can to help someone when they need it.  I’ve pulled out more cars than I can remember now during winter here on the Palouse.  Thankfully I haven’t had to act as a first responder for an accident or other incidents yet.

Q: What is one thing that you want your readers to know about you?
A: I may look big, scary, and intimidating.  That assessment is completely wrong unless you piss me off.  How wrong is it?  The Square of Virtue is a marvelous thing; also my wife married me didn’t she!?

Q: What was the best thing you did on your blog that got the most reaction from your readers?
A: My Boomershoot videos seem to have attracted a lot of attention, especially the 2010 main event video.  I don’t get much in the way of comments however that video seriously made the rounds in the blogosphere.

Q: What was the worst thing you did on your blog that got the most reaction from your readers?
A: The only negative reaction I ever got was from a troll that I didn’t even have to respond to.  Thankfully a bunch of other visitors fried him before I even got home from work.

Q: Obviously since we are featuring you your blog is Pro gun?  What do you think the outlook is for the future of gun rights in America?
A: Currently I think the outlook is extremely good.  The current administration while very anti-gun is actually afraid to move and push forward.  I think this is partly due to the large backlash that occurred during the midterm elections after the first assault weapons ban.  Businesses like Starbucks currently feel it better to respect local laws instead of creating a gun free zone, and the VPC and Brady campaign are throwing a fit.  Starbucks holds its ground and gets an impromptu thank you by creating Starbucks Appreciation Day.

Q: What is your favorite firearm and why?
A: Do I really have to pick just one?

Just about anything designed by John Moses Browning is extremely high on my list.

Pistol: M1911A1 Make: Kimber Model: Custom Classic – I absolutely love that pistol, trigger always breaks the same, rock solid, pleasure to shoot.

Semi-Auto Rifle: M1-Garand – I got mine just before my 18^th birthday.  It was manufactured January of 1944.  I brought it home and immediately recited, in its entirety the Rifleman’s Creed.

Bolt Action:  Northwest Armswerkes R700 – glass bedded, rethreaded, precision machined tack driver.  It holds a special place in my heart as it was my High School graduation gift from my father.  A year after I received it he passed away.

Kimber 8400 Advanced Tactical is up there too.

Shotgun (Defensive): Benelli M-4, Awesome shotgun

Shotgun (Hunting): Benelli Super Black Eagle II

Q: What hunting or shooting sports hobbies do you have?
A: I participate in Boomershoot every year.  When I have time I do IPSC and Steel, though I haven’t been able to lately.  I am trying to get into competition F-Class and Tactical.  I do make sure to hunt every fall though to stock the freezer for myself and family as well as keep down the varmint population year round.

Q: Of the firearms topics you cover what do you enjoy writing about the most?
A: Shooting events, Boomershoot especially.  The photos and videos made at Boomershoot and associated events are like no other.  Shooting events in general I love, because despite how the media portrays the Gun Culture; they’re the nicest bunch of folks you will ever meet, seriously.

I’ve spent a lot of time around hot-rodders and other groups.  At a drag strip, no one would ever let me take their car down the strip for a run, even a low grade junker.  At Boomershoot this year a man let me shoot his M82A1 with a BOHRs not just once, but twice with match grade ammo, $5.50 – $6 bucks a shot.  The man didn’t even ask for anything in return.  Ry Jones was dolling out 5 shots on his .50 cal to people who wanted too as well.  The people love their toys, they love sharing them, and love talking about them.

Q: What things would you like to do or expand in your blog to in the future
A: As readership increases I might add a forum, I would also like to cover more events.  Just requires more time and money than I have right now; eventually it will happen.

Q: What would you like to say to those that are anti gun or maybe just unsure of the purpose of guns in our society today?
A: If you have never shot before, contact myself or someone else in your area and go actually shoot at least once.  Guns are inanimate objects and tools.  Fearing them does nothing but place you in a weaker position.  People will do bad things with or without the guns. With firearms though, even someone physically disabled can defend themselves.  Go to an actual shooting event, not a gun show; see what it’s like and what it’s about.

Q: What parting remarks or comments you would like to make or promote?
A: There is a lot of information out there, the environment is changing daily.  If you’re a shooter, try and bring someone new the next time you go.  Educate people; it’s the only way to fight ignorance.

Visit The Minuteman at : www.barronbarnett.com