Should I Carry A Gun For Protection?
The World is Getting More Dangerous by the Day
We see the acts of violence and terror on the news and our brains work hard to close the cognitive dissonance by working to convince ourselves that we are safe and those things can't happen to us. Frankly, those crimes and news worthy stories are statistically rare. The odds of most of them coming to your front door could be relatively low … until it happens. Until the day when you become the minority in the statistic. The day when you are chosen at random as the victim of the modern criminal. But in case you want some hard figures:
- The odds of having a home invasion in America in 2016 were 1 in 128.4. How many homes are in your sub division?
- The odds of being murdered in America this year are 1 in 19,912. What is the population of your city?
Source: Crimes and Disasters most likely to happen to you
Guns Can't Be Eliminated:
One of the primary motivations for many Americans who decide to arm themselves for self-defense is the realization that criminals will always have guns. Consider:
- No amount of legislation or great police work will fully remove firearms from the hands of the criminals. Countries in which guns are illegal, and have been for decades, have proven this.
- Today, and it is unlikely to change anytime soon, there are a lot of guns in this country. Roughly 347 million… or 1.1 guns per citizen. (Source)
- The number of new guns being imported and sold in America is increasing at a significant rate. There was roughly a 250% increase in the number of guns per capita in America over the last 50 years and the trend over the last 10 years is as straight up as it has ever been.
If You Don't Protect You and Your Family Who Will?
You must assume responsibility for protecting yourself and your family. Nobody else is available or capable in the moment.
In Warren v. District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C. App. 1981), the court stated “… courts have without exception concluded that when a municipality or other governmental entity undertakes to furnish police services, it assumes a duty only to the public at large and not to individual members of the community.”
In 1999 (most recent year for which we have data) there were 150,000 police officers on duty at any one time. That includes desk clerks, supervisors, etc. For a population of 300,000,000 that is approximately 1 officer on duty for every 2,000 citizens. Take out the administrative officers and consider that many officers are on duty with a partner and the numbers quickly get worse.
“You could beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you could fight back. But are you prepared?” “Consider taking a certified safety course in handling a firearm so you can defend yourself until we get there. You have a duty to protect yourself and your family.” -Sheriff David Clarke Milwaukee WI
According to the 17th Annual National Survey of Police Chiefs and & Sheriffs; 94% of law enforcement officials believe that citizens should be able to purchase firearms for self-defense purposes.
95% of the time the police do not show up in time to prevent the crime OR arrest the criminal (U.S. News and World Report)
Are You Ready to Be a Gun Owner?
Could You Actually Shoot Someone?
STOP. Before you jump to any conclusions you need to pause and consider this. Think of the absolutely worse case scenario in your mind. Someone is choking and beating your daughter; two men have broken into your home and are beating you to death, someone has attacked you in a dark parking lot and you are all alone. In these worst case scenarios would you be willing to act to save your life? Would you be willing to do whatever it took to survive or save the life of someone you love? If the answer to these questions is an emphatic NO then you are not ready to carry.
Who Counts On You For Protection?
Who depends on you for protection? Children, grandchildren, siblings, a spouse, co-workers, neighbors, friends, etc. Are you willing to step up and do what is required to defend them from the wolves, predators, attackers, criminals, and terrorists who want to destroy everything that is happy about life?
What is Your Life and Survival Worth To You?
Sure guns cost money … but then there is the gun safe, the training, the ammunition, the time and energy; and so much more involved with truly preparing to NOT be a victim. It isn't convenient and it won't be super fun or easy at first. Are you willing to work through the initial discomfort and expense in order to defend yourself? As Americans we all invest significant amounts of money each month into car insurance, home insurance, health insurance, and life insurance. Most of us gripe about it but in the end we know its important because it is worth it to have the peace of mind of knowing the protection is there.
You have to approach your own firearm related personal protection the same way.
Where Does Your Journey as a Gun Owner Begin
Training and Education
Like many things, firearm education is a journey. You need to begin by taking a basic firearm safety class. Depending on where you live you may find a lot of options locally from qualified instructors. Often time, basic firearm classes are presented or available as part of a local concealed carry class which qualifies the student to apply for a concealed carry permit. Regardless of your intentions to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm, these beginner courses are the perfect place to get started.
>Take Your Basic Safety Course Online (And qualify for a permit to carry in 28 states)
After this initial training course you will be able to pursue ongoing training.
When I was a Correction’s Officer, I worked with a rookie fresh out of the Correction’s Academy. He confided in me that he wasn’t sure if he could actually shoot someone. I shared with him a rap sheet of one of the more violent career criminals housed in our prison. When he found out that this individual was up for parol soon, he went down the next day and purchased a gun for home self-defense. Lethal violent crimes are on the rise daily. Victims are randomly chosen. Women and young children are most often targeted. Years ago, I knew an elderly grandmother who loved her grandchildren more than life itself. She too never imagined ever being targeted. One day, while stopped at a convenience store for gas and treats for the grandchildren, a serial killer grabbed one of her grandkids in an attempted abduction. She successfully fought off the abductor but not before being shot to death in front of her grandchildren. The abductor was later killed in a shootout with police while trying to abduct yet another young child just a few blocks away from the first attack. We never think that it’ll happen to us until we suddenly find ourselves being attacked. Everyone can be pushed to the point of shooting someone in self-defense if the right buttons are pushed. I pray that you never have to use your gun except for practice. But if you are ever confronted with a serial killer trying to abduct one of your children to torture to death in the most horrific ways imaginable, I pray you love them enough to take steps to protect them and yourself. Buy the gun . . . learn to use it . . . get a CCL and live a long and happy life!
Although the thought of taking someone’s life is not something I would ever want to do. If I was faced with a life and death situation, with someone trying to kill me or a loved one, you bet I would defend myself. I carry every day and have loaded gun on every floor of my house. I’m home all day alone and you never know where you’ll be in the house if someone breaks in. I go to the range every month to keep my skills sharp and pray I never, ever have to use my gun for anything other that target practice.
While I hope I am never required to use my firearms again, I will always maintain the option. I believe all citizens of the United States should take safety and firearms training, at least once in their lives. The 2nd Amendment, and our duty as citizens to me, requires it. While I do not think everyone should carry, that is each citizens decision. But they need to have the training and knowledge to choose the option that fits them.