I live in a small sized city. Due to the nature of my business and activities I have a slightly public image in a rather defined demographic. Because one of my roles is in public service, I sometimes have to take unpopular public positions on issues that affect people emotionally and financially.
While our city is considered very safe compared to many, I have had acquaintances get held up as they’ve come out of their homes for their morning paper. I have had friends mugged while enjoying an evening on the town. I have had a business robbed… twice. I have had to outrun an irate and road raged driver on the highway. My wife and I live alone in a nice community but near the woods and a major highway. I know that we have one of the best, most highly regarded Police Departments in our state, but I also know that it could be 4 to 5 minutes before one can show up to an emergency. The difference between life and death.
Therefore, I am an armed citizen.
It is my right, and my responsibility. It is my sacred obligation to be able to protect and defend my family, my life, and property. I don’t need public approval, social acceptance, or have to rely on laws to tell me how I should do this. The 2nd amendment and my common sense tell me all I need to know. Even without the 2nd Amendment, the right of a man to protect those he loves is unchallengeable despite the civic or criminal consequences. I will never be the guy that just watched as bad things happened to me family. A close friend in law enforcement uses the term, “I would rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6”. I could not agree more.
To me, it is as natural as putting on my socks. My wife and I are armed 24 hours a day. I am physically uncomfortable if my pocket gun is out of my pocket. I cannot relax watching TV on the other side of the house knowing that my firearm is in the bedroom and the front door is between me and it. So it stays in my pocket. I don’t take my dogs out at night for their last pee, without first making sure it is in my robe or pajama’s pocket. I don’t check the mail without, or answer the door, …ever. We keep his and hers side arms attached to our bed, and a short barrel pistol grip multi-round 12 gauge within reach. I started to feel silly about taking my handgun out on the patio with me when my wife and I enjoyed our hot tub, until a police chief friend I highly respect told me he takes his “into” the tub with him and lays it underwater, within reach so he doesn’t have to lunge for it in an emergency. I carry at least one extra magazine at all times. I take at least 2 guns on trips where legal and try not to travel to areas where being able to protect my family or myself is not legal.
And, before you think I am a mafia don, or some other miscreant, I’ll tell you that I am nice guy. I fulfill a civic role, I am an independent business owner creating jobs and contributing to the local economy, I have raise successful children, I play golf, the guitar, like cars, motorcycles, little dogs, and ice cream, ( to a fault ). I am a Christian, love my Wife, love my Mom and I Pray. I have a concealed weapons permit. I am law abiding and I have only ever been in a courtroom to see a judge sentence the people who robbed me … twice … to probation with no jail time.
There are many like me. I am an armed citizen, but I could be your spouse, your neighbor, your clergy, mail carrier, or the guy who cuts your grass.
I look at the knee jerk laws that were passed today in Connecticut and watch the debate in DC and across our country and am dismayed by the ignorance of our elected leaders. I know full well it is a shame, a false sense of security. It give people a feel good moment, but that is all. The criminals, terrorists, thugs and gang members, laugh at our laws. We are making their job easier. Good law abiding citizens who don’t want to break the law or are afraid to, are sheep in a world of coyotes. The elected representatives of Conn. Just lit an open for business sign on the unsuspecting citizens of their small sleepy communities. A brightly let neon sign that says to all criminals and bad guys, “Unarmed Sheep Ahead, Attack at Will”
I, and thankfully my Wife, prefer to be sheep dogs. We will not let any temporary government get in the way of our right to protect those we love. I pray the good representatives of my state do not make me a criminal for protecting the lives of my loved ones and my property. And I pray for the sheep in NY, CT, CA and other liberal bastions of do-gooders who now have targets on their backs.
God bless and keep the good citizens of Connecticut.