The Gun Counter

Originally posted by Dan:
One of the implications in carrying a defensive firearm is that your life has inherent, non-negotiable value. (snip)

I see two options open to him in lieu of employing his own firearm: one, he may try to overpower the assailant, and two, he may comply with the assailant's demands (given he makes demands) and hope that the villian chooses to spare his life.

The first still preserves some assertion that his life is his own and not open to the whims of another. The second option, however, says that you're willing to negotiate with your life, that it may be placed on the bargaining table and bartered.

OP, I say this as heartfelt as possible. Defending your life or the life of another has very little to do with wounding or killing someone. That result is the direct consequence of the assailant's actions.

My own actions are only to preserve life of those who have made no forfeiture of such ( presenting a credible threat to the life of someone in that moment forfeits one's right to life ).

I left my first defensive firearms course terrified of the civil, criminal and emotional ramifications of using a firearm in defense. Up to that point I was of the opinion that I would rather die righteously than live having taken life from someone else. Honestly.

Two things changed for me. First, I came to the belief that my right to life is real and not subject to the willful actions of another. this was a big moment for me. Second, I had someone I loved very much. The thought of someone doing harm to her was horrible, but worse than that was the idea that I would have to watch that evil helplessly.
I held no illusions about a gun making me invincible. But, by God, it made it much more likely that any bad guy was going to have to kill me before getting to her, and that's the way I wanted it - either she's unharmed, or I'm dead.

Today, if I don't carry a gun it's because I hold my life cheaply. I'm past the legal ramifications. I've reconciled the emotional fallout. I try to learn and practice pistol craft everyday to keep from harming bystanders should the worst happen. The moments you can count on me being armed is when I'm with loved ones. Can you imagine witnessing the very worst happen to them and not being at your most capable to help?
(snip)

-Daniel

Aglifter wrote:I did the snips and the bold, posted as requested by the author