You Don't Know Me, and I Have a Gun!

[Dali Llama]

You Don't Know Me, and I Have a Gun!

You don't know me, or maybe you just don't know that you do. I am your neighbor, doctor, clergyman, nurse or just another nameless, faceless stranger in the crowd. I have a state authorized, court issued permit to carry a concealed handgun. I do so whenever possible.

Though you don't know me, there are a few things, however, you should know about me.

The local police fingerprinted me. The fingerprint cards were submitted to the FBI and a criminal background check was performed. Before that, I had to pass state and local background checks. I had to present evidence to the court of approved training in firearms laws, safety and marksmanship before my application would even be accepted.

I am not a felon, junkie, drug dealer, stalker or even a shoplifter since any number of indiscretions including alcohol or other drug abuse or even simple assault or a restraining order would disqualify me from holding a permit.

My classroom training covered when it is appropriate and legal to even indicate that I have a gun, much less display it or actually use deadly force.

Doing so in any circumstance, under which I am not in immediate fear for my life or the life of another, would mean more than the loss of my permit. Most likely, I would also be charged with brandishing a weapon, disorderly conduct and/or assault.

If it was determined that my use of deadly force was not to protect a life in immediate danger, I would probably be charged with second-degree murder or first-degree manslaughter. On top of these, I would also face civil liability.

Like most people who legally carry concealed handguns, I practice regularly at a range. I am well aware of the laws and regulations affecting me. I am more well trained than some law enforcement officers.

I am not a non-resident alien. I am a good citizen, and I vote.

I am aware of the responsibility I bear, and I will walk or run away rather than risk confrontation. I will retreat as fast and as far as possible. I always avoid conflict. I know that should a situation escalate, I could be identified as the instigator and face losing my permit or worse.

Should the need arise., however, I will act swiftly, intelligently and decisively to protect my life and the lives of those around me

Are you still afraid of me?

Throughout the entire United States, no police officer has been injured by a person with a legal handgun. A number have, however, been assisted and even rescued by armed, law abiding citizens.

You should feel a degree of comfort knowing that there may be someone nearby with means, motive and training to possibly save your life, or that of those around you.

Criminals, on the other hand, should feel fear. They never know if their next intended victim may be armed, trained, and ready to effectively defend themselves.

If you feel safer patronizing establishments with a NO GUNS ALLOWED policy, please keep in mind that the criminals don't obey the signs or the laws. That is why we call them criminals.

Criminals know that the law-abiding customers of that establishment are easy prey, and will have little to no fear of the consequences of their actions.

There is no need to fear me, I am just another loyal, law abiding American.

You should, however, be very afraid of those who endeavor to turn the entire law abiding population of our great country into defenseless victims.

[jh45gun]

:agree:  :agree:  :yeah:

[Haywire Haywood]

Pretty good except for the part about being better trained that some LEOs.  I know one CCW holder personally that barely passed his marksmanship course (with a borrowed weapon, he failed it with his), and to this day hasn't shot the 6 44mag rounds I loaded up for him nearly 2 years ago.  I hold a CCW but don't carry.  I look at it like the trout stamp I buy every year.  I have yet to catch a trout but I look at the fee I pay as supporting the cause.

Ian

[darrell8937]

He may be better trained than most,, some,, afew.. who knows. I have out shot a few cops. I just like to shoot more or get in more practice... Lets not get int the ego.. thing.. Practice as much as you can. It makes no difference if you are a cop or civilian.  Training and practice is the key. I one saw three off duty cops. one was a friends brother,, traw their pistols in responce to a back fire from an old chevy. The look on their faces were "priceless" in my opinion they acted inproperly for the situation. Nothing came of it as there were no bed wetting liberals in the parking lot. Cops make mistakes, civilians make mistakes,, hell , even my dog does,, he ran full speed into a door not long ago. his expression.. was " I ment that!"   ps,, I know some cops that barley pass as well. I would rather have a cop with a strong sence of justice and no negative attitude than a "Ron Letham want to be.. He is a competive shooter by the way.

[tripper]

To carry or not to carry is a personal thing and is deternend, I think , by where a person lives. I happen to live in a very small town and some places i wil carry in and some I wont, not because of sighns but because I know the people that own it and know they will not say anything but also know that they worry about how some other costoumers might feel if they should happen to notice the weapon.
 As fare as the better trained and better shot then law enforcement goes I feel he is speaking for himself and not the average person.
 The way the law enforcemnet reacted to a back fire I would say is what they are trained to do. I would not bring judgement on them with out knowing thier back ground as fare as the conditions they work under. I have been out of the jungle since 67 and have worked hard to control my reactions to such things as back fires and unexspected fire works. Look at it his way, if they had been on protctive duty with your bro. would you rather they waited for the secound suspected shot to react to protect him? If you had thier training and worked under thier conditions yo may well have reacted the same way.

[williek]

I believe statistic will clearly show that you are in far more danger from a person with a gun if you know them.  Particularly if you know them well and love them or once loved them.
Is this a wierd world or what?
williek

[ajj]

The "statistics" you mention simply reflect the fact that the thugs, morons, drunks and drug addicts who start shooting when something irritates them are most likely to be irritated by the people they spend time with. To say that you or I or any other reasonably sane person is "in danger" of being shot by a friend or family member is idiotic but it is the kind of thing the the banners are fond of saying. They know better. Sorry for the rant, but really...

[bullet maker]

Very well put ajj----and might I add a big Amen.


bullet maker

[Sourdough]

My folks live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee.  My Mom lives in fear that someone in the family will be shot, everytime someone leaves the house.  Yet everytime she finds my Dad's pistol, she will hide it from him fearing someone will come in and take it from my Dad and use it on them.  She opts to be totally defenseless.  

She can't understand why I, and my wife both carry.