Determination or Desperation

[P95Carry]

I hope the former will apply to all here who choose to carry - and that the latter will not be resorted to or experienced. Idea world I know.!

The alert and responsible CCW should have determination to never be caught off guard and - if cornered and unable to retreat from deadly force, be determined in answering such. Training will be vital but so will mindset.

Let's leave the desperation for the sheep and anti's - who when suddenly awakened from a bright white - will only be able to respond with desperation and panic at best - and probably lose.

Why do I even mention this at all? Just a reminder, no more, that your mindset is paramount and to those who are new to carry, analyze this and make sure you are ready. Carrying the gun is only a part of the whole.

Not only do you have to come to terms with the (possible) taking of a life but you also have to possess a deeply ingrained determination that in a fight you cannot avoid, you WILL win and hopefully without recourse to desperation measures. You are not dead until you are dead!!

There endeth today's short sermon

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[rocky]

Well put. Training should be such, that you react, instead of contemplate action or recourse.

[gddyup]

+1 Chris

Mindset is the key. Like Chris' signature states, you are no more a musician because you own a piano then you are "armed" because you own a gun. It's not the gun that defends your life. It's the willingness to USE that gun that defends your life. If you cannot come to terms with the fact that you may have to use that handgun to kill someone who has threatened your life then you best re-evaluate. Without the willingness and training to use that tool, it's more of a danger to you than a salvation.

[HappyGunner]

Very good point P95Carry.

The time to think about this item is before it's needed.

[elkhunter]

Great Point Cris. Mindset is key.

This reminds me of an old email joke I once read, on Liberals, Conservatives, & southerners.
Each are confronted by an armed BG.
Lib response: Thinks to self how unfortunate this BG's life is and what the Lib must have done to bring this upon himself.

Conservative response: BANG!

Southern response: BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! (sounds of reloading.......)BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Southern man's son: "I think you got em Daddy!"
Southern man's Wife: "I think he is still moving honey."
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Southern man's daughter: "Nice grouping Daddy. Are you using Winchester Silver tips?"

Hey, it's a joke, but I never forgot it, and every time I carry, I think about the responsibility and the reality of possibly having to use it. It is sobering and makes me think more about getting some specific training.

[QKShooter]

Wise & Timely Words filtering down from the "raised pulpit on high" of our great gun Guru P95Carry.
Good thread Chris. I hope that everybody will read it & that it will sink in.

[P95Carry]

QK - you are too kind.

My ''pulpit'' tho - is fairly and squarely down here - at street level!

[madmike]

My ''pulpit'' tho - is fairly and squarely down here - at street level!

Well, don't fall off of it anyway, 'ya old Phart!

By the way, I passed "mile marker 54" on the 22nd of this month. And I still don't know where this road is heading!

mm

[QKShooter]

Chris....you are UP There a bit...your personal pulpit is propped up on a few cinder blocks anyway.
You have a good number of years under your belt as a qualified instructor & (for sure) you are right on top of things related to Realistic Self Preservation Shooting.
We give credit where credit is due here.