Posted on 02/15/2016 6:21:22 AM PST by w1n1
Tiny Packages Pack Firepower
Some people are larger than life. They are rare. Even more rare are children whose accomplishments would make any adult proud. Alexis Welch of western Kentucky is one such kid. If a writer used Alexis as a book character, most of the readers would have accused them of being unrealistic - nobody is that multitalented, at least in the mundane world where most people live. And yet, Alexis is quite real and keeps getting more impressive by the day.lexis started shooting at age five.
Her grandfather Tryce "PaPa" Welch had already raised one competitor, his daughter Stephanie who became a professional motorcycle racer. Her career was cut short by an injury after a very promising start. Unlike her mother, Alexis had little interest in riding dirt bikes, but a keen desire to shoot guns. The competitive aspects of marksmanship were a mystery to Tryce, so he educated himself and started training Alexis.
Her first rifle was an S&W MP15-22, initially fired off the bench and later unsupported. Alexis is small for an 8-year-old, so gun weight has been a concern. Constant physical exercise and good technique have allowed her to run adult-size firearms effectively.
After she attended several rimfire matches, Tandemkross, a New Hampshire company specializing in parts for customizing competition guns, sponsored her. In the summer of 2015, I was introduced to the Welch family, who live in Owensboro, Ky., which is along the Ohio River across from Indiana, and have been following Alexis' progress ever since.
This girl's main talent goes beyond pure shooting ability: she's enthusiastic, effective and friendly. Articulate and unaffected, Alexis can work with adults, as well as play with kids. Picking up where Tryce started, firearm coaches Gary Welborn and Bob Sanders volunteered their time to train her, and during her first public shoot, Dani Bryan, a female firearms instructor and competitive shooter, took the time to coach her too. Alexis is very popular with teen marksmen as well, many of them treating her as an honorary little sister, and helping her learn more about the sport. She's recently gained the affectionate nickname "Monkey," and ran with it. Read the rest of the story here.
Not impressed unless she intends to join the militia.
Even US Code recognizes this, although it narrows the age range.
She beat me by couple of years! I hope she stays with it.
Bump!
That’s the first time I’ve encountered someone pointing out that distinction.
As sides form hardening constitutionalists vs government, it would not surprise me if when the SHTF, authorities deem firearm owners as defacto “militia” domestic terrorists, who must throw down (turn in) their arms, or risk being red listed for Camp Fema.
RE: “Joining” isn’t necessary, one is qualified by dint of being able-bodied.”
Earned the nicknamed, eh?
And then ran with it?
Spunky kid.
The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
The common law definition is considerably more broad. Able to bear arms? You are in the militia (unless you are a conscientious objector).
THE MILITIA AND THE CONSTITUTION: A LEGAL HISTORY - I won't vouch for all the details in there, but the history looks to be accurate enough for purposes of casual discussion.
Who pissed in your cornflakes? Getting kids, especially girls, interested in shooting is a positive good. If you had read the article she intends to go to college and then the military. Role model? I guess not in your world. But in the real world she is a positive.
The article says she was born deaf. Has she had her hearing restored in some way? I’m wondering how she could plan to serve in the military if she has poor hearing.
Thank you for providing us militia legal reference details.
You must be having a bad day. Have a beer... go back to bed...
I was on a rifle team (M-1s in the fall and spring and match 22s in the winter (in door range). It was hard. It was hard because you had to concentrate for hours at a time; you were uncomfortable (bad weather and target shooting positions are not designed for comfort); there was a record of every shot (no mulligans); day after day practice. Very few people are mentally suited to stay with it for the long term. I know some exceptional shooters that tried competitive shooting and they stopped because it wasn't fun. It took me years to enjoy shooting after that experience.
As a group, shooters are the most inclusive group I have met, because we want everyone to enjoy shooting.
You might also research what it means to be in the militia. You don't join, you automatically become a part of the militia when you are of age.
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