We have had a lot of new members this year, some are new to CCW and others are coming up to it. This is far from original subject but I want the newer folks to think hard about it and make no apologies for bringing it up.
First off and pretty obvious - if you carry a gun you also carry a huge burden of responsibility - it goes with the territory. That needs accepted 100%.
Secondly is the thinking behind your decision to carry - not just the protection of self but, the coming to terms with the possibility you may have to take a life (or more than one) to achieve that end. The ''hunter's freeze'' will not save your hide - slight dalliance may be fatal. Neither tho will hasty and poor judgement do much good.
I consider we all have to regularly remind ourselves, not only why we carry but - gain continued and maybe even increased acceptance of what we may do in extremis. We must accept the dictate of ''him or me'' - and accept too the fact that our decision should be only brought on by a BG's efforts to harm us. We should take no blame.
If our actions cause death - can we be ready for that trauma? Your answer after due consideration must be yes - and you must be able to live with your actions, and the legal sequele also.
Carrying a gun is not macho - it is a considered decision to take responsibility for one's own survival and that of loved ones. The response to threat may have to be sudden and definitive - therefore IMO you have to have these mindset factors straight in your head in advance. It goes without saying too that a suitable degree of training and practice is also paramount but, without the necessary ''mindset adjustment'', IMO - even that may not suffice.
I ramble as usual but just want newer folks to get this aspect straight for themselves. I feel it is key to best results, not to mention promoting the responsibility angle - something I wish the anti's would realize we regard as very important.
<steps off soapbox> :soapbox: :smilez:
First off and pretty obvious - if you carry a gun you also carry a huge burden of responsibility - it goes with the territory. That needs accepted 100%.
Secondly is the thinking behind your decision to carry - not just the protection of self but, the coming to terms with the possibility you may have to take a life (or more than one) to achieve that end. The ''hunter's freeze'' will not save your hide - slight dalliance may be fatal. Neither tho will hasty and poor judgement do much good.
I consider we all have to regularly remind ourselves, not only why we carry but - gain continued and maybe even increased acceptance of what we may do in extremis. We must accept the dictate of ''him or me'' - and accept too the fact that our decision should be only brought on by a BG's efforts to harm us. We should take no blame.
If our actions cause death - can we be ready for that trauma? Your answer after due consideration must be yes - and you must be able to live with your actions, and the legal sequele also.
Carrying a gun is not macho - it is a considered decision to take responsibility for one's own survival and that of loved ones. The response to threat may have to be sudden and definitive - therefore IMO you have to have these mindset factors straight in your head in advance. It goes without saying too that a suitable degree of training and practice is also paramount but, without the necessary ''mindset adjustment'', IMO - even that may not suffice.
I ramble as usual but just want newer folks to get this aspect straight for themselves. I feel it is key to best results, not to mention promoting the responsibility angle - something I wish the anti's would realize we regard as very important.
<steps off soapbox> :soapbox: :smilez: