It was in those days that I met some of the world's best athletes like Jethro 'The Jet' Dionisio, Valerie Levanza, Athena Lee, Dick Kahler, Jomini Abaya, Allan Lua, Jay Racaza, Mary Grace Tan, and a lot more.
I also got to see some of the top foreigners in action as they competed against the Filipino shooters and lost many times.
I have not been to the shooting range for a long time. It is not because I have lost my love for the sport, but more because of other responsibilities that I had to take that has kept me away from covering the competitions.
I still get in touch with old friends from the Cebu Pistol and Rifle Association (CPRA) like Jing-jing Osmeña, Nyor Bing Lim, Titing Gamallo, Bob Kahler, Mike Jo, Inting Go, and several others. I see most of them at the golf course now, but I know deep in them, they are true-blue shooters.
I think I have not written about shooting since the World Shoot back in November 1999.
These past few days, shooting has again been hogging the headlines, not because of the Filipinos, who are among the best in the world when it comes to the sport, but for the series of deaths that I would say have been brought partly by irresponsible gun ownership.
My friends from the shooting community have been espousing responsible ownership of guns. In fact, the rules are very strict when you join shooting competitions that there are only specific areas where you can handle your weapon. Any accidental discharge would mean a DQ across your name.
There are safety equipment that are also required like eyewear and earplugs and people cannot just walk around the range like they are carelessly strolling around the malls.
Many people equate guns with violence, but those who know better believe that violence can only happen if you don't know how to properly handle your weapon and you have not been properly indoctrinated on the rules of gun-handling safety.
What is very scary to see now are these small kids playing with pellet guns, who seem unaware of the dangers that lurk as they shoot at each other like actors straight out of the movies.
They probably see the people engaged in air soft shooting on TV or on the newspapers and think that it is safe to use these guns that discharge small plastic pellets even without the proper gear. What these kids probably don't realize is the fact that people engaged in air soft shooting wear protective gear like masks and thick clothing.
Responsible gun ownership can start with teaching the young how to properly handle weapons and not just think of them as toys.
The cardinal rule of course is never to point a gun at anybody, whether it is loaded or not, unless you plan to shoot. Even toys can be dangerous if not properly handled.
We fear for the safety of our family members because of people who have guns that are very irresponsible when it comes to handling them. What we can is to inculcate in the minds of the children that guns are fun to have but can be very dangerous if mishandled. Better yet, if you can't teach them to handle toy guns, or even real guns, properly then don't buy them any.
Yes, we have the right to own guns to protect ourselves, but others too have the right to be protected from irresponsible gun owners.