Posted on 05/10/2008 5:31:22 AM PDT by marktwain
KUDOS TO THE firearms debate at Bridgewater College ("Bridgewater College to Host Firearms Debate," April 9). This debate was excellent, informative, thought provoking.
I publicly thank the college for bringing two such outstanding individuals in their fields to our community. The auditorium was filled largely with students. Prior to the debate, my companion and I expected the audience to be strongly biased against Second Amendment rights, handgun ownership, concealed-carry permits, etc.
At no time could we detect any bias, either pro or con, by the level of courteous, enthusiastic applause given to both gentlemen after each of their statements and responses. The questions posed by the students afterwards were very insightful and had been carefully researched.
I was standing in line with a comment and question relevant to the discussion, because of a local crime in the late 1980's that affected our entire community. My proximity to the crime location, and vulnerability at the time, shaped a personal decision I made regarding the topic of the evening. Due to time constraints I was unable to ask my question, where the entire student body could hear both the question and the response, which I directed to Dr. John R. Lott afterwards.
I wanted the students to hear my story. At the time I was faithfully walking every day alone. Around this time, I was walking within a half-mile of the vicinity where Shirley Collins who, along with her dog, was brutalized and killed. Not by a gun, but a knife. I was about 48 years old, lived in the area at the time, with a husband who was disabled and a handicapped daughter. I trusted that we were safe in our own populated neighborhood.
I grew up around firearms. My dad was career military. He was in World War II. He had been an Infantry Small Weapons instructor, also teaching at two different military academies in Chicago (Lane Tech and Tilden Tech High Schools). He was on the National Fifth Army Pistol Team and a hunter. We lived in Europe for three years. I learned to shoot at the age of 15, but it took a potentially close encounter in Harrisonburg at the age of 48 to decide that I might need to become proactive about my own protection.
I've since learned in various self-defense concealed carry and other programs, that a knife-wielding person can cover 29 feet in two seconds. Unbelievable, but true.
As a woman, I think carrying a concealed weapon is the best way to keep a criminal from seeing a gun he might attempt to take, thereby being a primary safety factor! Periodic refresher classes, although not required, certainly are not out of order. I'm also a gun-safety fanatic, thanks to my father's legacy!
Dr. Lott confirmed to me privately in my later question to him, "the liberal concealed carry in Florida has considerably reduced the crime rates in that state!" He also named to me six or seven other states as well.
We owe Dr. John R. Lott our thanks for the research he's done on crime and gun control laws, and what this means toward securing our rights for concealed carry and our personal safety on local, state and the national level. Talk to your representatives!
“I’ve since learned in various self-defense concealed carry and other programs, that a knife-wielding person can cover 29 feet in two seconds. Unbelievable, but true.”
I remember seeing a police training video when I was training for my CCW about that subject. It was narrated by a female police officer who had been attacked in just such a way. The guy cut her badly and left her scarred for life but she managed to kill him. The guy who taught the class was the head of the Nashville SWAT team and he had us practice a draw and stance to counter a charge. What he stressed most was not letting them get close enough.
Inside of 20 feet a knife is as dangerous or more dangerous than a gun. Especially if your gun is holstered and concealed.
I totally agree with the author, and remain puzzled why only 6 or 7 states have 'figured it out'!!! I also agree we owe a lot to Lott!
“Inside of 20 feet a knife is as dangerous or more dangerous than a gun. Especially if your gun is holstered and concealed.”
Amen. I have always been very scared of knives, I guess that’s why I have always carried one. Box cutters scare me worst of all.
WE may have won a skirmish ,but at best we fight a small rear guard action. Socialism is on the march.
Which is why you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Which is why I carry both a pistol and a knife.
>>>>Especially if your gun is holstered and concealed.
That’s why I like pocket pistols like the Kel-Tec 3AT and NAA (even at a puny .22 mag or LR).
You can have your hand in your pocket, already holding the pistol and ready to fire, and not have to be concerned about drawing or snagging or much else in order to fire the weapon.
IMO the obsession with large calibers and large mags is a red herring that is absolutely trounced by the advantage of having a weapon (of any caliber) accessible and in your hand.
I agree. The first rule of gun fighting is to have a gun. It’s hard to conceal a gun on your person when it’s 106 degrees. But with my NAA .22Mag I have 5 shots in the pocket of my short pants or dungarees and nobody knows it’s there. I simply slip my hand into my pocket if I think I might need to shoot and know I can bust a cap on someone before they realize I have a self-defense tool.
Unlike my larger guns, I never leave the house without it. It weighs nothing and isn’t a bother. I used to carry a Rossi .38 Special 2” in the summer but would leave it home or in the car more often than not. I never think about leaving the NAA at home.
I’d rather have my .22Mag in my pocket than a .45 out in the car.
>>>>But with my NAA .22Mag I have 5 shots in the pocket of my short pants or dungarees and nobody knows it’s there. I simply slip my hand into my pocket if I think I might need to shoot
I love it. Some day I’ll get around to buying a pocket holster for the NAA, which is why I end up with the Kel-Tec more often right now (holster keeps it vertical in my pocket).
I’m still tempted by the NAA 22 LR, which is so small it looks like a keychain accessory.
I got mine at a gun show and got a pocket holster free with the purchase. It holds the gun upright in my pocket and the gun slips right out leaving the holster in my pocket if i draw it.
I like mine so much and talked about it so much, my son and son-in-law both got NAAs and they liked theirs so much they each bought their wives one. My wife still carries her .38 in her purse.
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