18
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE “GOOD GUY WITH A GUN”
The ‘good guy with a gun’ mantra is often trivialized in today’s society, especially by talking heads that lack any real knowledge of firearms or gun culture. The fact of the matter is millions of good men and women in America carry firearms every single day. There is nearly a million active License to Carry holders in our great state of Texas alone. These people choose to do so, not because they are scared or paranoid, but because they recognize, that while however unlikely, the events leading up to a situation where you find yourself needing protection are not within their control. That being said, providing yourself with the tools and skills needed to react is within your control and it is a decision many Americans have undertaken. One may even go as far to argue it is a responsibility or civic duty.
In September of 2016 at a mall in Minnesota, a man began stabbing people. Completely unprovoked. Ten innocent people were stabbed by this man, before he was confronted by Jason Falconer, an off duty police officer and firearms instructor, who happened to be carrying at the time. The incident ended with just one deceased, the perpetrator.
Just last month we all witnessed in horror as reports came in from Sutherland Springs, Texas. A deranged assailant, who should not have been able to purchase a firearm and was denied a firearms license by the state of Texas, attacked unsuspecting civilians in a house of worship. Upon exiting the church, this coward was engaged by another citizen. He was shot twice before fleeing the scene and, believing he would not survive, took his own life.
These reluctant heroes have many things in common, but one in particular stands out above the rest. They chose to act. Not only did they possess the fortitude and presence of mind to react appropriately in the moment, but, equally as important, they both made decisions in their lives to take on firearms ownership as more than a hobby, but a responsibility and a civic duty. It takes a great deal of training to gain all of the proficiencies and confidence required to help you survive a deadly situation. These are not “lucky” shots; these are skills acquired through many years practice and experience.
There will always be calls for more regulatory action or to ban certain weapons, but these are seldom realistic, meaningful solutions and we simply cannot legislate away violence and hate. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves because we cannot realistically rely on someone to always be there looking out for us. We must start taking a more proactive approach to defending our own safety of the safety of our loved ones. We must not resign to live in fear, but choose to live confidently. Carrying a firearm is a lifestyle choice and it is one we hope you choose to appreciate and fully embrace.
18
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE “GOOD GUY WITH A GUN”
The ‘good guy with a gun’ mantra is often trivialized in today’s society, especially by talking heads that lack any real knowledge of firearms or gun culture. The fact of the matter is millions of good men and women in America carry firearms every single day. There is nearly a million active License to Carry holders in our great state of Texas alone. These people choose to do so, not because they are scared or paranoid, but because they recognize, that while however unlikely, the events leading up to a situation where you find yourself needing protection are not within their control. That being said, providing yourself with the tools and skills needed to react is within your control and it is a decision many Americans have undertaken. One may even go as far to argue it is a responsibility or civic duty.
In September of 2016 at a mall in Minnesota, a man began stabbing people. Completely unprovoked. Ten innocent people were stabbed by this man, before he was confronted by Jason Falconer, an off duty police officer and firearms instructor, who happened to be carrying at the time. The incident ended with just one deceased, the perpetrator.
Just last month we all witnessed in horror as reports came in from Sutherland Springs, Texas. A deranged assailant, who should not have been able to purchase a firearm and was denied a firearms license by the state of Texas, attacked unsuspecting civilians in a house of worship. Upon exiting the church, this coward was engaged by another citizen. He was shot twice before fleeing the scene and, believing he would not survive, took his own life.
These reluctant heroes have many things in common, but one in particular stands out above the rest. They chose to act. Not only did they possess the fortitude and presence of mind to react appropriately in the moment, but, equally as important, they both made decisions in their lives to take on firearms ownership as more than a hobby, but a responsibility and a civic duty. It takes a great deal of training to gain all of the proficiencies and confidence required to help you survive a deadly situation. These are not “lucky” shots; these are skills acquired through many years practice and experience.
There will always be calls for more regulatory action or to ban certain weapons, but these are seldom realistic, meaningful solutions and we simply cannot legislate away violence and hate. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves because we cannot realistically rely on someone to always be there looking out for us. We must start taking a more proactive approach to defending our own safety of the safety of our loved ones. We must not resign to live in fear, but choose to live confidently. Carrying a firearm is a lifestyle choice and it is one we hope you choose to appreciate and fully embrace.