Alphecca

Mutants Show No Mercy

An elderly gentleman living in Chico, California no longer felt safe. He began the process of obtaining a concealed-carry permit and was pretty much there. Then, he had a change of heart and writes about it. From the Chico News & Review:

The shooting test required 30 rounds, 15 in regular light and 15 in subdued light. Qualifying means 26 slugs in a still paper target measuring 7.75 inches by 11.75 inches at 21 feet. In spite of less than perfect distance vision and a slight hand tremor, I scored 27 with my trusty .38 special snub-nose revolver.

Next, I tackled the probing application form and had it almost finished for the sheriff to sign when a growing sense of ambivalence made me pause. I pondered what I had learned and thought about all the trouble I could get into with a handgun. Maybe with my gun so readily available, I'd use it before I absolutely had to if I suddenly encountered danger. Yet hesitation could mean becoming a victim, perhaps of my own gun. Also, shooting at a person is different than shooting at a target. In a crisis situation, adrenalin starts pumping big time, meaning my hand could shake enough so I'd miss that crucial first shot. So many split-second uncertainties.

Then I thought about how much I would hate to kill somebody, yet only wounding an assailant would mean a certain lawsuit. I decided to leave my gun at home. Many others decide differently because I also learned the range routinely scheduled extra classes for all those seeking permits to carry.

I'm now hoping to level the risk field a bit with pepper spray, plus maybe get a dog.

Secondly, if you are going to carry a gun, you MUST be mentally prepared to use it -- as a last resort, of course -- if necessary. If you don't think that you can, leave it home because otherwise you will certainly die in any armed confrontation.

The doubts this fellow has about his own abilities makes me think he is making the correct choice to use a spray and a dog.

I do want to point out one thing, though. No normal law-abiding person WANTS to kill another human being. I can assure you (rather, him) that the mutants preying on folks such as this guy will have no compunction about shooting or stabbing him. They won't blink an eye.

The drug-crazed or alcohol-fueled thugs and gang-bangers out there don't have any mental brakes that stop them from mugging, beating, raping and killing elderly men and women. When someone like that attacks you, they will not be having second thoughts or doubts. If you draw a gun in such a situation, you must be ready and able to shoot them. You can't show mercy because they will show none towards you.