I make no bones about it: I don't even check the mail without carrying my concealed .45.
I carry everywhere I can, legally. And today's slaughter in the Pittsburgh synagogue is why.
Here's the thing: you have no way of knowing when some lowlife is going to shoot up your location, or rob it... or rob you.
And, as a result, I carry a weapon. I carry it to protect my family, to protect myself and to actually protect others around me.
The inevitable anti-gun backlash will follow, as will the inevitable "blame it on Trump" derangement.
That's for another post, however.
Today's question is much simpler: if you had been sitting in that synagogue with your weapon, exactly what would you have done?
Do you know?
Would you have been prepared mentally to pull your weapon and end the threat?
Could you take someone's life to defend others or yourself?
NOW is the time to have that discussion with yourself. Even then, it's easy under the guise of an academic/intellectual exercise.
Can you take someone's life? Would you? Do you know when you can or should?
If you don't know the answers, then you need to find out.
Because at the time you need to pull your piece and fire it?
That's too late to figure it out.
Carry your weapon. Practice with it. Understand that a target likely won't provide you with a clear shot. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. (In any public establishment, for example, always find a way to face the entrance) And understand this:
What happened in Pittsburgh can happen anywhere. And yes, I carry in church because it HAS happened in churches. And yes, I carry in movie theaters because it HAS happened there.
Shopping malls, stores, schools, libraries, and synagogues.
Gas stations, banks, ATMs.
And if you don't carry? Then start. Get a handgun. Learn to use it. Get a permit to carry it.
Do NOT find yourself helpless when you need a weapon. Understand this: chances that you'll ever use it (I've been carrying since 1996 when the Columbian helped set my then boss up for death threats and have never needed to draw it in anger) are slim to none.
But the thing about guns is you never really need one... until you REALLY need one.
Those folks in the synagogue today?
They needed one. In the worst way. And it's very likely at least some of those who died and who were otherwise wounded would still be with us today if at least one of those in attendance had been carrying a weapon and knew when... and how... to use it.
Don't find yourself in that situation. Don't look back in regret.
Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
Having a gun guarantees nothing except a chance that you otherwise simply would not have. The more you know about your weapon and how to use it, the bigger the chance is that if the time ever comes, it can save your life and the life of others.
Otherwise?
You're just a target.
I carry everywhere I can, legally. And today's slaughter in the Pittsburgh synagogue is why.
Here's the thing: you have no way of knowing when some lowlife is going to shoot up your location, or rob it... or rob you.
And, as a result, I carry a weapon. I carry it to protect my family, to protect myself and to actually protect others around me.
The inevitable anti-gun backlash will follow, as will the inevitable "blame it on Trump" derangement.
That's for another post, however.
Today's question is much simpler: if you had been sitting in that synagogue with your weapon, exactly what would you have done?
Do you know?
Would you have been prepared mentally to pull your weapon and end the threat?
Could you take someone's life to defend others or yourself?
NOW is the time to have that discussion with yourself. Even then, it's easy under the guise of an academic/intellectual exercise.
Can you take someone's life? Would you? Do you know when you can or should?
If you don't know the answers, then you need to find out.
Because at the time you need to pull your piece and fire it?
That's too late to figure it out.
Carry your weapon. Practice with it. Understand that a target likely won't provide you with a clear shot. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. (In any public establishment, for example, always find a way to face the entrance) And understand this:
What happened in Pittsburgh can happen anywhere. And yes, I carry in church because it HAS happened in churches. And yes, I carry in movie theaters because it HAS happened there.
Shopping malls, stores, schools, libraries, and synagogues.
Gas stations, banks, ATMs.
And if you don't carry? Then start. Get a handgun. Learn to use it. Get a permit to carry it.
Do NOT find yourself helpless when you need a weapon. Understand this: chances that you'll ever use it (I've been carrying since 1996 when the Columbian helped set my then boss up for death threats and have never needed to draw it in anger) are slim to none.
But the thing about guns is you never really need one... until you REALLY need one.
Those folks in the synagogue today?
They needed one. In the worst way. And it's very likely at least some of those who died and who were otherwise wounded would still be with us today if at least one of those in attendance had been carrying a weapon and knew when... and how... to use it.
Don't find yourself in that situation. Don't look back in regret.
Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
Having a gun guarantees nothing except a chance that you otherwise simply would not have. The more you know about your weapon and how to use it, the bigger the chance is that if the time ever comes, it can save your life and the life of others.
Otherwise?
You're just a target.
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