Originally Posted by
Wes Kenney
I pastor a small church about two miles outside our small town. I'm also the secretary/treasurer for our ministerial alliance, and as such, I help all kinds of folks with utilities, groceries, gas, etc. Lately there have been a few questionable characters stopping by, and there have been a couple of near-fights involving other members of our alliance.
I had a CHL in Texas ten years ago, but when I came to Oklahoma, I never sought one here, and ended up selling my handguns. But the folks stopping by, and just the general sense of responsibility for my/my family's/my congregation's safety have led me to re-arm. I just purchased a Springfield XD(m) .40 and took my class to get my Oklahoma permit.
The church building and the parsonage that is my home sit together on 16 acres of land just outside of town, and I'm legal to carry while at home and in the office. I just have to disarm when I leave until the permit arrives. I've got a custom leather holster on the way from NM Holsters, but I also purchased a SmartCarry copy to use on occasion. The confirmation that is the title of this post came today when I put the holster on for the first time with my weapon loaded and ready.
I was alone in my office this afternoon, and had just loaded both magazines, chambered a round, and tucked the pistol and spare magazine securely into the holster. No sooner had I pulled up my pants and sat down in my chair than I heard a loud, poorly-running engine outside my window. I went to the porch to see a man in his early forties, alone, get out of a beaten up late-90's red Jeep Cherokee and walk towards me. His demeanor and mannerisms were very strange, and very like the bug wearing the "Edgar suit" in the movie Men in Black. His speech was strange, he walked with a pronounced limp, and was just generally "not right." I approached watchfully, and did my best to converse with him at a comfortable distance in the parking lot.
It turns out he was simply a disturbed individual looking for some help. I gave him vouchers for a meal at a local establishment and a night in the local hotel, and when I told him of the requirement for a law enforcement signature in order to use them, he immediately started telling me the story of why he had no driver's license. I told him he should just discuss that with our friendly police force at city hall, and he got in his vehicle and left.
Obviously there was no threat here, but this incident, coming precisely at the moment I had armed myself, confirmed for me that I had made a good decision. I was confident throughout the encounter, knowing that if a threat did materialize, I would not be helpless.
Sorry for the length, but I'm still amazed at the timing of this. By the way, I talked later with the police chief in town, and no one in a red Cherokee ever stopped by. Guess that counter-signature requirement was a good idea...
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
