We’re Not Safe Anymore

At first, I was going to entitle this post, I don’t feel safe anymore. But then I realized that relying on feelings can be a risky business. We may react to situations based on our feelings, but when it’s time to make decisions, we should also trust our rational minds. And my rational mind told me it was time to act.

A few years ago, my husband and I purchased guns, were trained in their use, and even practiced on the range every two weeks. Over time, I became more confident with the gun, and at the urging of my husband, I agreed to become qualified for concealed carry, and he did the same. As a small woman, I decided to buy a special purse that would not be as convenient as wearing the gun on my person, but at least I wouldn’t have to change my whole wardrobe. (It’s important for the gun not to imprint on your body.) I carried the gun a few times, but then my serious health issues got in the way. We stopped practicing and carrying.

But once I recovered, I realized that I wanted to practice at the range again, and my husband was delighted. We’ve been going every couple of weeks pretty regularly. But I still had not started to carry again.

Something changed this week, and it was more than the Trump trial.

I had to acknowledge that we were living in dangerous times.

Ironically, I live in a gated community. My larger community is conservative and blue collar, with a renowned Sheriff, Grady Judd, and a governor, DeSantis, who repeatedly enacts legislation that reinforces our constitutional rights.

I also realize that the country is changing. And not in a good way.

I’m concerned that this fall, even prior to the presidential election, there will be disturbances cheered on by the political Left. Once the election is over, and my hope is that Trump will be elected, I suspect that all hell will break loose. We’ve already seen emotional, irrational protests in the last few years. This time, the Left will also be enraged. It will be prepared to destroy anyone or anything that has supported not only Trump, but traditional values and the rule of law. In past protests, the rule of law took a beating by people who felt they had the right to not only ignore the law, but to violate it repeatedly, whether it was the 2016 election or the death of George Floyd. They ignored boundaries and borders and traveled freely all over the country.

So, I will continue to go to the gun range. I will be practicing drawing my gun from my purse with dummy bullets. Then I will begin to carry my gun with me to prepare my mind for the need to observe my surroundings, wherever I go. I will also go over the safety measures that I have learned in the past and make sure they come naturally.

I hope I never have to use my gun.

But I will be prepared.