Not in the sense that I’m plotting evil mind you, but rather in the sense of left-handedness, which is originally what the word “sinister” meant. Unfortunately for us southpaws, the relatively stupid tribal cultures from way back when decided that being a lefty (all 7% of the world’s population that are left handed) was a sign of being in league with satan (thanks, both Muslim and Roman Catholic churches!) so back in the day preferring the port side was one of those things that parents would try to make sure their children didn’t do.
An interesting factoid about left-handed people: most left handed people display some level of ambidexterity, and in general are much more naturally ambidextrous than right handed people. Whether or not that’s a function of living in a world which is largely right handed is open to debate, but it would make sense that left-handed people growing up would acquire a higher level of ambidexterity simply because everything is right handed.
Nowhere is this more true than in the shooting sports, where most guns are set up for right handed people. In fact, a good friend of mine is a lefty, although you wouldn’t know it from watching her shoot, as she runs right handed guns and gear. I actually do the same thing, I run right handed rifles, pistols, and wear my pistol on the right side of my body for a “strong side” draw. Part of that has to do with the fact that I’m cross-eye dominant, which means my right eye is the stronger of my two eyes. However, the primary reason that I shoot right handed is when I started shooting seriously at the Academy, it was easier to use all the piles of right handed gear and guns they had laying about. I mean honestly, have you ever tried to find a left-handed free pistol? Good luck.
What happens as a result of this is that a left handed shooter is faced with a choice when they decide to do more than just casually plink at stuff. They can either A) spend a disproportionate amount of time and money trying to find gear built for them, or B) just learn to run everything like you’re right handed. Myself, and a few other shooters I know simply opted for the latter, because it was less of a hassle to learn that way. On the bright side, when a course of fire calls for “weak hand only” I’m generally at less of a disadvantage than a right handed person, because I use my left hand a lot more than the average righty does.
So take heart, left handed shooters. You’re probably going to be better at weak hand shooting than a right handed person!
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