I'm back home, and thank the Lord my beautiful Amy girl is OK. She was stopped on Hwy 36 in Brazoria, waiting to make a left turn to go home. A car coming behind her at full speed ran into the back of her Jeep. The impact crushed the back end, spun the Jeep completely around, where it came to rest facing the opposite direction clear on the other side of the intersection. The hinges/brackets on her driver seat were broken and the seat was jammed all the way back. The frame was buckled up, bending and jamming the doors every which way. Her fiance' Albert was traveling 2 or 3 cars behind her. He had gotten stopped at a traffic light, and as he approached the turn off, he saw something was going on. Then her saw their Jeep all mashed up in the wrong lane facing the wrong way. He stopped and ran to her, and she was yelling get me out of here. Neither of the doors would open, so he pulled her out of the driver window. I pulled up about that time, and had to walk forever to get to them. I had no idea if she was badly hurt, in the ambulance or what. When I saw her standing upright, I burst into tears and grabbed her. I was so freakin' relieved! Remarkably, she is OK. Her face and eye are bruised and swelling. Her neck, arm and chest are very sore. She declined ambulance transport, and yes, I fussed at her for that. I know she's going to be hurting worse tomorrow. I was scared to death when I got that call - memories of my nephew's accident still very fresh in my mind. Thank you to everyone who sent up prayers. My God is good! Too much has been happening lately, and I'm plumb worn out...
Saturday, December 14, 2013
To Carry or Not to Carry - That is the Question!
Here is another well written article from Robert Heckler that is designed to make you think about that weapon you are carrying or may be thinking about carrying as a CHL holder. Give it a read. I think that you will find it very interesting since it comes from a cop's point of view. (like to author's facebook page at bottom)
To Carry or Not to Carry. That is the Question!
Because of my background as a law enforcement officer, People often ask my opinion as to what gun they should buy to carry concealed. This question is asked by both men and women but mostly it is the women that ask it. The other question people usually ask me is “If I buy a gun, would you mind helping learn how to shoot it correctly?” My response to that question is always “of course I will!” But when confronted with these questions, regardless if it is male or female, young or old, I always respond by asking them a question. “Are you prepared to kill someone?” When I first started asking that question, I anticipated a much different response than what I usually get. Especially from the female shooters. I hear “Well, I am not trying to kill anyone, I just want to scare them away!” By asking this question hundreds of times to people and getting a variety of responses from them, my opinion is of that a large majority of those wishing to carry a concealed weapon do indeed have the same mindset. They only want to scare them off.
First off. I am very much pro concealed carry and honestly believe an armed society is definitely a polite one. However, those that do carry these weapons must be of the mindset to be willing to use the weapon they carry. If you are not prepared to draw that weapon, squeeze the trigger and remove someone’s life from their body, then you need to get yourself a Taser or can of pepper spray. If you are not willing to use your gun but still present it to an offender, you have now put yourself at a much greater risk than you were before you pulled your weapon.
We have all heard of the fight or flight response. When placed into a high stress situation your animal instincts kick in to survive and you have to decide at that second whether to engage in the fight or flee. Well, criminals do that same exact thing. Their human nature is to survive, just as yours is. More often than not though, criminals commit their crimes without killing anyone. The homicide to assault rate has a very wide margin. A criminal out to commit a crime may have no intentions whatsoever of killing you. But if you pull out a gun, he or she will go into fight or flight mode and do what they have to do to survive. No matter how wrong they are or how right you are. It is the way it is. If you skin that smoke wagon of yours and you are not prepared to use it, they very well may now skin theirs and be willing to use it. They may well sense that you are not willing to use your weapon and attack you with the intention of taking it away from you so that they can use it on you now as a means for them to survive.
9 times out of 10, the offender may scream and scurry away at the site of your gun. But then, that tenth time might just be the time a violator with no intentions of killing, sees your gun as a paper weight in your hands and decides to call your bluff.
A gun is a deadly force option. If you are not prepared to use deadly force. Then you need to get yourself a non lethal option. Gun fighting is not for everyone, but for those of us who wear the title proudly, we know that the mind is the most important aspect of any gun battle.
So, if you already carry, are looking to carry, or have even thought about carrying, ask this question to yourself or to your friend. Before you go and buy a gun, are you prepared to use it in defense of yourself or someone else? Are you prepared to pull the trigger and render a human being lifeless? If there is any question or hesitation, or if your answer is an outright no, then hang up your gun and / or tell them not to buy one. Go buy a Taser or stun gun instead.
For those that have made the decisions to carry and strap on the tools of freedom everyday; I commend you sheepdog. For you have taken on a great responsibility protecting yourself and the flock.
Train hard, train real, train safe.
About Robert Heckler:Robert has been working in the profession of arms for over a decade now. Serving as a SGT in the United States Army Infantry, he served 12 months in Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. After leaving the military he entered the field of law enforcement and works as a Patrol Deputy for a small county in the gulf coast of Texas. Robert specializes in less lethal, firearms, and tactical operations. Currently holds an advanced peace officers license and an advanced SWAT certification instructor, firearms instructor certification as well as instructor certifications in multiple less lethal applications. He also holds a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Management as well as EMT and fire certifications. https://www.facebook.com/robert.heckler.10?fref=ts
