What Would YOU Do?

Although I feel fortunate to live in a state that is not as “gun-friendly” as some others are … one never knows what a desperate/deranged person will do. And because of that unpredictability, I recently considered how I would react if someone “opened fire” where I might be.

My first thought was that I would try and find a place to hide … to become “invisible” to the shooter. But of course, that’s not always possible.

Perhaps drop to the ground and play dead?

Not sure that “running away” is always a good response …

What do you think YOU would do?

There are those who believe (and promote) that carrying a gun on their person offers “protection” in such a scenario. I strongly disagree. IMO, there are way too many variables that come into play during a mass shooting. Even if an individual has had extensive weapons training –or has an abundance of awards for marksmanship — adrenalin and self-preservation are very difficult factors to control. (Not to mention the police could see YOU as the shooter!)

Moreover, stopping a moving/shooting target … especially one with an AR-15 … presents a very real challenge of its own.

In any case, as I mulled over what kind of self-preservation action I might take, I couldn’t help but think … what a horrible way to live! To be concerned, worried, and/or fearful that every trip outside your home could mean facing gunfire.

Added to this unsettling thought was the sad realization that those of us who were born and raised in MUCH different (and safer) times will never again experience life in that same way again.

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Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

The Emotional Side of Gun Control

The recent mass murder of innocent children has focused attention, once again, on guns and gun control.

One of the things I find rather disconcerting is how emotional some gun owners get when any discussion related to modifying gun laws comes up. They scream to all who will listen that the ultimate goal of  the government is to confiscate all their guns. (Of course, this is the mantra of a certain gun organization so why would they not think that?)

They are also quick to point out that the guns used in these killings are often stolen so gun owners should not be the ones targeted. The question then becomes … where (or who) was the gun stolen from?

As far as I know, except for the fanatical left-wingers, the discussion is not about banning guns completely. The more sensible discourse has focused on controlling semi-automatic and military style weapons because they are usually the weapons of choice in these senseless killings.

Just for the record, I am not anti-gun. I have friends and family members who are sensible gun owners. I have nothing against hunting or target shooting. And, in these crazy times, it’s probably smart to own a gun for protection.

But I do feel some gun owners need to stop letting their emotions about guns and gun ownership get in the way of meaningful changes in gun control. And they need to do it before any more people lose their lives simply because they visit a mall, go to church, or attend school.