Warms my heart.
Posted on 12/18/2004 10:42:36 AM PST by forest
One result of the terrorist threats is a steady business in the gun shops. Many thousands of Americans have been purchasing their first weapon, then wondering about all the little associated problems -- like, what to do with it.
That handgun is designed to kill people. That's about it. Other than acting as a paperweight in the "in box," there's not much else it can do effectively.
On the other hand, handguns have a lot in common with other tools, such as a chain saw or automobiles. All can kill people when used improperly. All require some specific knowledge to operate properly. And, we should never allow little kids access to any of them unless under strict supervision.
Some people teach kids to drive at a very young age -- I learned when I was twelve. Even more Americans teach their children to shoot at a young age. Personally, I helped teach some Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts a few decades ago. The fact is, in many areas of the country, it is common to see young boys, not yet old enough to drive, carrying guns around. We did, as kids.
Shooting should be a family affair. Children need not learn to shoot with dad's 357 magnum, or even a 9mm. The trusty 22 is available for that and I still own the original Ruger 22 semiautomatic handgun that was evidently designed with young kids in mind. Still today, neighbor men borrow that Ruger to teach their sons and daughters to shoot safely. My only requirement is that they also make care and cleaning of the pistol a part of that training.
It is not just our right to protect home and family, it is also our duty. Police are spread thin in most communities and usually stay busy. We are our own first line of defense.
Writing for the Wall Street Journal in "Only Guns Can Stop Terrorists," Professor John R. Lott, Jr. reported: "States that pass concealed handgun laws experience drops in violent crimes, especially in multiple victim shootings -- the type of attack most associated with terrorism. Bill Landes and I found that deaths and injuries from multiple-victim public shootings fell by 80% after states passed right-to-carry laws."[1]
In some areas of the country, some men sometimes openly carry handguns. For many reasons, I prefer concealed carry, but that is my personal preference. Nonetheless, those who carry openly make a very good point. They want potential terrorists and other types of misbehaving cretins to know that any type of threatened violence will be met with immediate force.
The liberals, of course, get all bent out of shape about either open or concealed carry. However, both are allowed in many areas of the country, so there is nothing the liberal gun grabbers can do about it -- other than whine.
John Lott reports a self-evident fact: "It's harder to victimize armed citizens." Now that more than 30 states issue concealed carry permits for almost anyone who wants one and takes the training, there are millions of good Americans who are often both armed and well trained. Which means, there is also likely to be a number of good armed Americans able to respond in an emergency. This could be a rather significant surprise, and deterrent, for a would-be terrorist.
The average citizen cannot do much of anything to stop the use of aircraft as bombs, of course. Still, there are a number of other things we all can and should do -- such as pay attention to what is happening around us. If something happens that is too unusual and out of place, call it in and let the armed men who also have badges investigate the situation.
Because, even though millions of good citizens may be armed today, they are also trained to understand that there are very few instances when they may actually legally use their weapons. The protection of self, family and others nearby from instant harm is one instance. But, that's about it.
Everything else is police work. And to initiate that, the legal weapon of choice is still the telephone.
So why are we walking around armed? Because, as Professor John R. Lott, Jr. reported: "States that pass concealed handgun laws experience drops in violent crimes, especially in multiple victim shootings." As many studies show, when honest citizens, competent with weapons, are walking about armed, all of society benefits. It is as simple as that.
1. <http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=95001226>
I sold it to my neighbor a while back. He says he shoots that one more than his Glock.
L
Oddly enough only two of the four times was I in my home State of Alabama, and one of those (the guy I outdrew) was from Georgia.
I've never had to use mine or even brandish it. I have gone downstairs a couple of times in the middle of the night with the 20 gauge.
"God created all men, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
Don't remember who said it but, boy, is it true.
Warms my heart.
I don't see how you guys carry those 45's. Granted they are more effective but too big for me.
Very, very close: Dr. Kleck is at Florida State University in Tallahassee, not the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Correction accepted. Thanks.
I use several different holsters - in cold weather I have a Bianchi Scorpion shoulder holster under my left arm. In warmer weather I use a belt holster just behind the point of my right hip (if I can wear a light jacket), or an inside-the-pants holster that looks like a pager (if I can't).
The Sig P245 is a little thicker than the Colt Combat Commander, but not much. I switched to the Sig because all the climbing in and out of vehicles I do made me nervous about carrying the 1911A1 in Condition 1 (cocked & locked) even though I KNOW it has a grip safety . . .
I have one full-size 1911 that I have an ITB angled holster. Or I carry the subcompact Glock30 with a shoulder holster with two extra mags or a paddle holster. Very comfortable you just cant take your jacket off.
Or if I’m just running out the door I stick the glock in my waistband and that’s fine. (chamber cleared)
Im not a big guy at all 5’9” 160lbs Look average and drive an average car. You’d never think if you saw me that I carry a pistol.
this has been a good day for gun articles. thanks for posting this.
I would suggest that the primary purpose of a defensive firearm is, in most cases, to convince an attacker that he doesn't want to get shot. Its secondary purpose is important if the primary purpose fails; the perceived effectiveness of the secondary purpose enhances the effectiveness of the primary one, though.
Even something like a .25ACP which has only a 50% likelihood of immediately stopping someone physically if fired will probably have a 95%+ chance of stopping the attacker even before it's fired.
Try Thunderwear. Unless you're wearing spandex, you'll do fine.
5.56mm
I agree.
Without Banglist it don't go where it needs to go..
I have a little Taurus .22 for just that purpose. It won't stop anybody unless the shot is perfect (and I'm very good shot with a handgun) but it will sure scare the hell out of them.
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