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Preparing for the Potential of Violence
With our busy lives getting in the way (although I can’t for the life of me figure out why I feel so busy!) we have tried to maintain our shooting practices at the gun range at least every two weeks. I’ve been using a small Glock with an extended magazine, and for a while was practicing with the fake bullets at home, practicing my carrying in my specially designed purse. My husband carries a Ruger (because it’s small) but likes his Glock. (Yes, we do have a CCP here in FL). Recently he bought a Kel-Tec Sub 2000. We went to the range today, and practiced for about an hour; if we shoot much longer than that amount of time, we find that mental and physical fatigue catches up with us; accuracy begins to disappear.
But now I’m wondering about the months ahead. Even in Florida, there will be the potential for violent protests, particularly if a decision comes out on Roe v. Wade. As always, I try to be a realist, not planning on the worst but also not burying my head in the sand. It doesn’t do any harm to get in extra practice and continue to become more at ease with my weapon.
Yet I can’t help wondering if the mindset I’m developing is healthy. I don’t want to live my life with a siege mentality. I don’t want to wonder if I’m sitting in the least or most vulnerable seat in a restaurant. I dislike the guidance for situational awareness, even though it’s for my own good.
Not only are issues of arming myself arising, but are there other steps I should be taking? Will we have to track ammunition costs to be sure we don’t end up paying outrageous prices in the months ahead? Will we be plagued with more demands for ineffective gun control? Will we have to pay more attention to supply shortages of other kinds?
As these thoughts pass through my mind, I’m resolved not to let my life be compromised by the fears of others. I am going to continue to live a life of awareness, richness, and relationships to the fullest extent possible.
Then again, are you making any special preparations for the months ahead?
Published in Guns
There might be a time when the only way to save yourself is to kill your attacker. I maintain that is a rare moment. In nearly all cases, if one is in a position to kill the attacker, one is also in a position to disable that attacker instead…especially if your weapon is a Byrna pellet launcher.
I copied this my comment from another thread that reminded me of the story:
The agent, in this case, may have actually been able to hit the guy with a non-lethal weapon that his wired in values would allow him to aim. On the other hand, if carrying a non-lethal weapon would affect how the carrier perceives their chances and abilities, they are probably better off carrying powder and lead devices. I’m not a Ph.D., so bear that in mind when/if applying this information.
I am not critical of anyone who chooses to use non-lethal force. I just don’t think you want whatever it is to be confused with a gun if it isn’t actually a gun.
I don’t disagree. I imagine though that objects that are not shaped like a pistol do not aim as quickly. From the perspective of the one you’re aiming the whatever-shaped-object at, he/she will likely react regardless. Now, before the aiming starts, it could be handy to have something like a taser built into your smartphone.
But it’s called a launcher. So there’s that.
Perhaps you could explain that a little more because I don’t immediately see your reasoning. What would you have it look like, a slingshot, a bat, a tire iron, a marshmallow? Again, to be clear, this is my personal choice. For those who choose to carry a firearm with regularity, as long as you are extremely well trained, I applaud you.
Also, my intended use is self-protection against home invasion. I think my weapon of choice is best for that purpose.
If someone else thinks it’s a gun (including law enforcement), he could shoot you and hit you because you are carrying what looks like a gun. It might be difficult to act before he does. I don’t think anyone is necessarily trying to talk you out of your choice, cdor, but just realizing and weighing the limitations. Any choice has its pluses and minuses, and we all weigh them differently.
Just so.
I don’t see the difference between being shot for a thing that looks like a gun, and being shot for something that is a gun. If he had a gun or a knife, or a cell phone and raised his hands the wrong way he could just as easily be shot by an officer.
His point is that he is choosing not to kill. And I respect that a lot.