Mental Exercise For Concealed Carry Folks
Thought provoking little exercise. It originally came from John Holschen in a seminar at the Rangemaster Tactical Conference.
Surviving Extreme Events
For the sake of argument, let’s say that you stop into the same gas station every morning for a cup of coffee on your way to work. The same register clerk (let’s call her Tina) is working each day. You develop a friendly rapport with Tina as you buy your daily coffee. You guys don’t hang out, but you know each other’s names and recognize each other on sight. In other words, Tina is just a casual acquaintance.
One day you enter the gas station and see that Tina looks extremely sad. You ask her what’s wrong. She tells you that she has a medical condition that requires a $50,000 surgery. She has no health insurance or the means to pay the large bill. Tina tells you that she will die if she does not have the operation.
Would you give Tina (a casual acquaintance) $50,000 out of your own bank account in order for her to have lifesaving surgery?
Unless you are incredibly well off and philanthropic, most of us would answer that question with a very certain “no.”
We might try to organize a GoFundMe page for Tina. We might contribute a little cash towards the cause. We may help Tina get in touch with additional resources that may be able to assist her. But give someone with whom you have only a passing acquaintance $50,000? Not many of us would write that check. Our resources are better directed taking care of ourselves, our family members, and close friends.
Now, let’s change up the scenario a bit…
When you walk into the gas station today, you see that Tina is being held at gunpoint by an armed robber. The robber appears agitated. You think he might actually shoot Tina in the face as she fumbles to open the cash register drawer.
The robber does not see you. You are armed and close enough to the robber that you can hit him with your CCW gun very easily. Tina’s life is very clearly being threatened by a crazed robber armed with a deadly weapon.
Would you shoot the robber?
I’m betting that a lot more of my readers would answer “yes” to the shooting question than would write Tina a $50,000 check for her medical procedure.
Yet if you shoot someone, you risk being arrested and sentenced to a long prison term. You risk lawsuits from the person you shot, the business where the shooting occurred, and any innocent bystanders who were “traumatized” by your actions. Your legal expenses and bail money will very easily surpass the $50,000 mark.
In both instances you are potentially saving a life.
In both instances, it costs you $50,000.
Why are you more likely to shoot to defend the life of an innocent acquaintance than you are to pay for her surgery when both actions cost the same?
Do you truly understand the potential downsides of shooting a criminal assailant? Are you willing to write that $50,000 check? Are you sure you really want to engage this potential threat?
If you pack a pistol you need to make that decision well in advance of the actual incident. Be very prudent when stepping into other folks’ problems.
Discussion and some comments at the link above.
The Elites don't fear the tall nails, government possesses both the will and the means to crush those folks. What the Elites do fear (or should fear) are the quiet men and women, with low profiles, hard hearts, long memories, and detailed target folders for action as they choose.
"I here repeat, & would willingly proclaim, my unmitigated hatred to Yankee rule—to all political, social and business connections with Yankees, & to the perfidious, malignant, & vile Yankee race."
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