Sadly, in 2016 there is still a group of people who think gun owners are violent and dangerous.
Well, to be very accurate, gun owners can become violent and dangerous, but it is best to say that we use righteous violence and are a danger only to those who would threaten us with harm.
The last thing I want to do is hurt someone. But it is on my list.
That’s only supposed to be a little bit funny. Violence is always our final option, but that means it is an option. You, as a gun owner, must be capable of violent actions. But more importantly, you must know clearly when those violent actions are appropriate and legal. You remain responsible for your actions, and state self-defense laws can be very confusing.
But let’s get back to the topic of violence and the requirement that you be able to employ overwhelming force without hesitation when it comes time to do so. The only way you will be able to carry out this requirement of self-defense is through training. And just like that sentence above, your training needs to cover both the ability to get violent and the justification for that righteous violence.
In most cases, self-defense is more about thinking than it is about shooting. Of course we want you to shoot quickly and accurately when the time comes, but, more importantly, you must be able to accurately identify when that time has arrived and be mentally ready to act even before that.
These are tough questions that you must ask. And when I say ask, I don’t mean simply saying to yourself, “Yeah, I think I could shoot someone if I had to.”
In a past edition of Concealed Carry Magazine, we featured a photo of a gunshot wound in conjunction with a story about first aid. We got complaints from people who said they didn’t want to see things like that in the magazine. My response was simple: If you can’t even stand to see it in a magazine, what are you going to do on the street when you have to try to help someone you love?
You must be mentally prepared to handle the most desperate situation of your life. You can’t do that without thinking about your reaction to such a situation ahead of time. Far too many people simply assume they will be able to react appropriately. Unless you have taken the time to acquire training that will actually cause you some stress, you can’t even begin to understand what’s coming your way.
The thoughtful part of gun ownership and concealed carry is that you must know the laws, you must have a realistic understanding of deadly force decision-making concepts and must know you will be able to react. Once you make those commitments, then you can really focus on all the other tactical elements.
Please keep this in mind: As a good, honest, caring, responsible gun owner, violence should always be your final option. But it should be on your list. And you won’t be able to do what you need to do if you don’t think about it ahead of time.
