Here’s the deal. We live in uncertain times. The one thing we can count on is that we can’t really count on anybody but ourselves. Now I’m a big believer and supporter of both our military, and our public servants (police, fire, EMS). I believe they are ALL underpaid, overworked, and unappreciated. However, no matter how good they are, they can’t be everywhere at once. And when it comes to defending yourselves against the wolves of the world, your best bet is not to hope a shepherd is around when you need one, but to stop acting like a sheep.
My wife and I have taken that attitude to heart. And so, last year, with both went through the training and licensing process to obtain our Concealed Carry Licenses here in the great state of Texas. Recently Mrs. Digital had a birthday, and today I bought her another handgun. She was delighted. Now why, you might ask would I buy her a handgun (and why, pray tell, would a woman find that an appropriate birthday gift)?
Simple. The best way to keep yourself safe is to live aware. Once you’re aware of your surroundings, you become awake to the fact that there are things you can do that will maximize the odds of your survival, in any crisis situation. First, try not to put yourself in dangerous situations. Next, be aware of those surroundings, and take steps to minimize your risk factors. Third, be ready, willing, and able to defend yourself, should the need arise. Hence, the gun.
We’ve taken to going to our local indoor range on a regular basis, averaging about 50 rounds apiece, per week. That’s a lot of lead. But luck favors the prepared, and I’ve gotten to were I can put eight rounds in a three inch center at 25 feet. (Most defense happen within a distance of no more than 25 feet. Mrs. Digital is not far behind in the skills set department.
On a recent trip to South Texas, my wife drove my mother-in-law, and traveled with her handgun in her purse. My mother-in-law was upset. “Why do you need a gun?” “What do expect is going to happen?” And of course, the ever-popular, “those things are dangerous…you can take it, but keep it unloaded!”
Um…an unloaded gun is every bit as useful in an emergency defensive situation as one locked in your bedroom safe. (Or in other words, “useless.”) One of the ironies of gun ownership is you end up with everyone you know taking one of two positions: “I don’t get why anybody would want to own a handgun,” or “what are you packing?” (Robert Benchley once said, ” Agree or disagree with the following statement: I believe there are two kinds of people…those that sort people into two groups, and those that don’t.”)
I’m a big believer in “empowerment,” as long as by “empowerment” you mean “self-reliance.” I think it’s important to be able to protect yourself, your family, and your property. Some of my friends think I’m some kind of “gun nut,” who’s just looking to blow someone away. Forget it. The last thing in the world I EVER want to do is to shoot someone. If I’ve learned anything, is that a gun is the absolute last resort. In fact, in many cases, just showing a bad guy that you’re armed is enough of a deterrent. I hope that the training my wife and I have undergone will give us the edge in an emergency, to be able to deal with whatever comes our way, and, God willing, we’ll never need to fire our weapons in self-defense. Given the choice, I’d much rather have a gun and never need it, than die wishing I’d had the ability to defend my family.
With the uncertainty of the upcoming election (and the plans the far left has to try and gut the 2nd Amendment wherever possible) I think arming yourself now is a really good idea. I feel confident that my wife and I can both defend ourselves, and in the process, level the playing field between us and whoever might seek to do us harm, making these just a little less-uncertain times.
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