I carry a gun

[lowwall]

Good Read.

 

[Diabloman]

Well worth the read.
http://thegazette.com/subject/opinion/guest-columnists/i-carry-a-gun-every-day-20150104

I carry a gun every day


Ernie Traugh, guest columnist
January 4, 2015 | 12:10 am

Every day I get up and put on a gun. It’s part of my daily routine. No different from making coffee or feeding the dogs before I leave for work.

There is so much misinformation about who that makes me. I’m a “gun nut.” I’m one of “those right-wing Second Amendment people.” I’m the scourge of the earth to some.

Funny how that works.

They don’t even know me but they are worried that I’m what’s wrong with this country, this state and this city I call home. I walk among them and they don’t even know it. I’m the guy in the jeans and Under Armour shirt, the guy in the $200 sport coat and $125 shoes, the guy in Nike pants and a hoodie, and some days I’m the guy with dirty hands from working in the yard, but most of all I’m the guy they never see.

Oh, they acknowledge me sometimes. When I hold the door for them because my parents raised me that way. When I let them go ahead of me in line at the gas station because they seem to be in a hurry. When I pick up their baby’s pacifier in the aisle at the grocery store and hand it back to them because it fell out and they didn’t notice. But they don’t see me. I’m just another guy in the store with things in my hand. But only my left hand. I don’t carry things in my right hand. Not at the store. Not in public.

Why? Because I’m “that guy.” I know that bad things happen. Every day. Everywhere. So I try to be aware. I try to study my surroundings. I expect to not see it coming every time. I expect that evil may show up while I’m shopping or walking through the mall or eating at a restaurant. It doesn’t make me crazy. It doesn’t make me paranoid. It simply makes me aware. Unlike a lot of people that walk by me every day. Looking at their phones, their notes, their purses, or any of the other distractions that plague us. I get it.

I also get that there are wolves. Hungry. Lean. Skilled at their trade. Studying you. Studying me. They like you. They don’t like me. I see them at the mall. I see them at the gas station. I see them right here in this town. Do they know I’m armed? No, they don’t. They know that I’m aware. I look at them. Kill them with kindness. It’s a like a mutual agreement. I see you; you see me. Let’s not kid each other.

It’s weird in a way. The man and his friend in the store that looked all around and even glanced at the camera above us — those guys see me. I’m aware that the door is over there. I’m aware that the coffee pot is within reach and full. He urges me to go first to the counter. “Oh no, you go please. I have all day,” I reply. Now he has to make a purchase. Now he knows I’m polite …. I’m polite and I do not want them behind me in line.

The lady with her kid? She doesn’t notice me, but I’m there. I have a phone. I have a flashlight. I have two knives. I have a firearm. And I have a plan. If this doesn’t go well I want to get her and that little one out of here. Chances are nothing is going to happen until they’re gone anyway. I’d like to leave too.

One man asks the other a question. He hands the guy a few extra bucks to make the purchase of an item at the counter. They leave. I make my purchase. I call the employee by name and tell him to have a good night. I walk to the door and hold it open for the woman approaching. She says, “Thanks.” I say, “Yes ma’am.” Then, poof. I’m gone.

Just another uneventful trip to the store. The best kind ever. It’s funny those men truly saw me but other customers didn’t. Why? Maybe too busy. Maybe too much on their minds. Maybe because they didn’t worry for one second about those two men or me.

When I get home I don’t tell my wife about the two men who lingered. The two men who entered together but stood so far apart. The two men that seemed to have no sense of purpose or item they were in search of. No need to talk of them because nothing happened. This happens daily. Sometimes once. Sometimes multiple times. I like uneventful days.

Most people don’t know me. But man, they sure do judge me. If I use a gun to defend myself they will read about it. They will hear about it. They will weigh in on what should have happened.

I have seen bad people do bad things. I have seen good people dumbfounded and in shock because they couldn’t comprehend what was happening in front of them or, worse yet, to them. It’s not fun or pretty to think about, so most people don’t. They don’t stay awake late at night watching videos from self-defense experts. They don’t read the articles. They don’t look at unedited news on the Internet. They don’t search out the videos of people fighting for their lives and losing.

A man stabbed outside a bar. A couple hijacked and killed in front of the store. A store clerk shot even after complying with a robber’s demands. A video from inside the grocery store of a mad man with a gun shooting people while looking for his ex. Dashboard cameras of an officer involved in a shooting. It’s an ugly world so they choose not to see it.

I don’t train for the warm fuzzy days where everyone gets along. I train for the other days. I try to round out my skill sets. I look at what others have done to succeed. I watch videos of those who haven’t. Some refer to it as making something good out of something bad. Like watching videos of officers being killed as every person that’s gone through any type of law enforcement academy has had to do. Learn from others’ experiences.

People from all walks of life legally carry guns. Some are men and some are women. Some are old and some are young. The ones I know train. The ones I know are aware: Aware of their surroundings. And aware of all of the armchair quarterbacking that will be done if they ever have to use that tool of last resort on their belt. So why do it anyway? Because they value their life and the lives of others. Simple.

My so-called “gun nut” friends and customers are some of the most congenial, trustworthy people I know. I only wish everyone had such friends. I wish everyone understood like I do.

• Ernie Traugh is owner operator of Cedar Valley Outfitters, which opened in 2001, and has been a reserve police officer since 2004. Comments: erniecedarvalleyoutfitters.org
_________________________

Good Read....!

 

[Ablediver]

No question about it. Be invisible. Be alert. Your friends sit out with you on your back porch. The bad people try to break in through it. As a truck driver for twenty years carrying everything from stereos to soft drinks to cigarettes, I was alert and kept my eyes open. I never got robbed.
In the latter part of my working life, I was in the medical profession and worked in a maximum security prison. I know the look they give you. It never changes when they get out. You're a target. When you become older, or infirmed, or have a handicapped placard on your vehicle, they key in on that . Be alert, keep your eyes open, and your head on a swivel.

Ablediver out

 

[Jon406]

Good read, still relevant today.

 

[Swamphunter]

The more "I'm that guy" the better.

 

[any ruger]

Plus on eye contact . A boxer watches his opponents eyes.

 

[WV338]

I’ve carried a gun for 25 years and most people didn’t have a clue that I was carrying and I didn’t tell either. Once in a while a wife of a close friend would ask during a conversation “why would anyone need to carry a gun. Are they looking for a fight?” My answer to her would be, “You wear a seatbelt while driving, are you looking to get into an accident?” Then they understand.

 

[cwo4uscgret]

Three plus years ago I went to an AA Meeting in the American Church in Paris, France. There was another function at the church - they had their own security and was actively searching people and their bags.

I carry - almost all the time; a few places I respect the "No Guns Allowed" like the hospital and court houses. Other than that the worst that can happen is to be asked to leave. If I return (with a handgun on my person) I can be charged with trespass.

I am a retired Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer and a retired Customs and Border Protection Officer - working on the US - Canadian Border. I do my banking with Chase and had a good relationship with my local branch in Michigan.

One afternoon, after work, I went home and took the dog with me to go to the bank. Pounce was a 140# German Shepard who only tolerated other people. So walking into the bank, in uniform (including duty belt), and the dog the branch manager said where were you 3 hours ago...when they were robbed. I told him, fortunately I was at work. I can see it now - off-duty CBP Officer walks in on a bank robbery, the robbers see the blue uniform with a badge (and the dog) and shoot me.

The police, later, caught 2 of the 3 robbers; the 3rd was shot and killed during a drug deal in Detroit gone bad. The crew was from Detroit; they would steal a car in Detroit, park their car a few blocks from the ban your k; drive to the bank, do the robbery, and as the police were responding to the bank they were in their getaway car and on their way back to Detroit.

A good lesson learned and something I still do today - before I fully commit myself to entering a bank (and some other businesses like a gun shop) I look and scan the lobby before I go through the 2nd set of doors.

Situational Awareness - check your surroundings!

 

[powder smoke]

How would the pastor of the church know your packing if you do not tell him?
Out of sight out of mind. Besides if he don't like it go to another church and support them!
They get money from Parishioners not God!

 

[Snake Pleskin]

How would the pastor of the church know your packing if you do not tell him?
Out of sight out of mind. Besides if he don't like it go to another church and support them!
They get money from Parishioners not God!

So do you ever actually listen to a Pastor or Priest? I didn't think so. I am sure you find one that mouths what you want to hear, because if they didn't, you'd just go to another Church! LOL! Is that what Jesus tells you to do?

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I’ve carried a gun for 25 years and most people didn’t have a clue that I was carrying and I didn’t tell either. Once in a while a wife of a close friend would ask during a conversation “why would anyone need to carry a gun. Are they looking for a fight?” My answer to her would be, “You wear a seatbelt while driving, are you looking to get into an accident?” Then they understand.

Yes, and you have home insurance, but aren't hoping to use it. Keep a fire extinguisher, but hope there is never a fire? Does any of that really make any sense to you? These old worn out analogies really do not address the issue, do they. Children do not kill themselves by accident with a fire extinguisher. People do not commit suicide with their Homeowners Ins., Thieves do not steal your fire extinguisher to rob and murder others and even criminals use seat belts! get my point.(IMHO)

 

[Pat-inCO]

get my point.(IMHO)

You had a point? :eek:

 

[blume357]

I guess his point is a gun is different and really has one ultimate use ... and I kind of agree with that.... it is serious business to carry a gun... I fear a lot of folks don't understand this. It is really not a game and should be done with the knowledge that you carry peoples lives with you. A lot of the public both those that carry as just about all that don't fail to recognize this. I have never experienced it and hope never to, but if one has to use a gun in self defense their life is going to change forever.... it will never be the same.

I'll repeat what my father once told me and believe me he had seen it even though he did not talk a lot about it... I found out this past year he told a friends father that he knew exactly how many men he had killed and not only that but he knew their rank and where he hit them.

Julius Blume: "Son, just about the worse thing you can do in this life is kill a man, in fact there is only one thing worse ... have the need and not the means. "

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I guess his point is a gun is different and really has one ultimate use ... and I kind of agree with that.... it is serious business to carry a gun... I fear a lot of folks don't understand this. It is really not a game and should be done with the knowledge that you carry peoples lives with you. A lot of the public both those that carry as just about all that don't fail to recognize this. I have never experienced it and hope never to, but if one has to use a gun in self defense their life is going to change forever.... it will never be the same.

I'll repeat what my father once told me and believe me he had seen it even though he did not talk a lot about it... I found out this past year he told a friends father that he knew exactly how many men he had killed and not only that but he knew their rank and where he hit them.

Julius Blume: "Son, just about the worse thing you can do in this life is kill a man, in fact there is only one thing worse ... have the need and not the means. "

I agree110%! Dead is forever, there are no do overs! Sometimes I just can't understand all the false bravado, strutting and mouth from people saying they will never give up their firearms, they would go down fighting and they would shoot any one who threaten them etc etc. I say Bull. (IMHO), these are the first ones to cave and run out hands up. Are you really going to stand against the heavily armed forces, sacrifice Mom, the kids, home, job etc to some half arsed shoot out? I don't think so. I know i wouldn't. I was paid tp be in harms way back in the day, and it was NO fun then and sure as heck isn't now! Any idiot can kill you .It only takes one well place, errant or lucky shot, done! I carry as an absolute last resort when I am certain death is imminent. Even then I know I'll be spending years in court justifying what happened. I believe and support the 2nsAmend 100% but I also believe in common sense, training and not acting like an ass ,just because you can. As for what your father says, true it is. My father was a pilot in WWII group Commander 376th bomb group. Flew 33 missions and was the only man left alive out of an 11 man crew twice! He once told me they did precision bombing, then laughed. He says Precision hejj, that meant anything with 1/2 mile! He said they knew they took out civilians, schools, hospitals etc the Germans placed their factories near them on purpose. He never ever talked about it nor wanted to watch any of it on tv etc. Like I said, dead is forever and there is no do over.

 

[larry1096]

I agree110%! Dead is forever, there are no do overs! Sometimes I just can't understand all the false bravado, strutting and mouth from people saying they will never give up their firearms, they would go down fighting and they would shoot any one who threaten them etc etc. I say Bull. (IMHO), these are the first ones to cave and run out hands up. Are you really going to stand against the heavily armed forces, sacrifice Mom, the kids, home, job etc to some half arsed shoot out? I don't think so. I know i wouldn't. I was paid tp be in harms way back in the day, and it was NO fun then and sure as heck isn't now! Any idiot can kill you .It only takes one well place, errant or lucky shot, done! I carry as an absolute last resort when I am certain death is imminent. Even then I know I'll be spending years in court justifying what happened. I believe and support the 2nsAmend 100% but I also believe in common sense, training and not acting like an ass ,just because you can. As for what your father says, true it is. My father was a pilot in WWII group Commander 376th bomb group. Flew 33 missions and was the only man left alive out of an 11 man crew twice! He once told me they did precision bombing, then laughed. He says Precision hejj, that meant anything with 1/2 mile! He said they knew they took out civilians, schools, hospitals etc the Germans placed their factories near them on purpose. He never ever talked about it nor wanted to watch any of it on tv etc. Like I said, dead is forever and there is no do over.

I think you would be surprised how many people will do the things you so easily discount; we're descended from folks who risked everything to be free, and some of us still feel that way.

Of course, some don't.

Larry

 

[Jeepnik]

I agree110%! Dead is forever, there are no do overs! Sometimes I just can't understand all the false bravado, strutting and mouth from people saying they will never give up their firearms, they would go down fighting and they would shoot any one who threaten them etc etc. I say Bull. (IMHO), these are the first ones to cave and run out hands up. Are you really going to stand against the heavily armed forces, sacrifice Mom, the kids, home, job etc to some half arsed shoot out? I don't think so. I know i wouldn't. I was paid tp be in harms way back in the day, and it was NO fun then and sure as heck isn't now! Any idiot can kill you .It only takes one well place, errant or lucky shot, done! I carry as an absolute last resort when I am certain death is imminent. Even then I know I'll be spending years in court justifying what happened. I believe and support the 2nsAmend 100% but I also believe in common sense, training and not acting like an ass ,just because you can. As for what your father says, true it is. My father was a pilot in WWII group Commander 376th bomb group. Flew 33 missions and was the only man left alive out of an 11 man crew twice! He once told me they did precision bombing, then laughed. He says Precision hejj, that meant anything with 1/2 mile! He said they knew they took out civilians, schools, hospitals etc the Germans placed their factories near them on purpose. He never ever talked about it nor wanted to watch any of it on tv etc. Like I said, dead is forever and there is no do over.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here we even have the right to express it. Whether you would stand against a totalitarian government or not is also your choice. Just remember we have these freedoms because a bunch of civilians stood against some of the best Trained and equipped soldiers in the world.

 

[blume357]

I don't disagree with you Jeepnik but history has been skewed a bit with our revolution. A lot of those 'trained and equipped' that we patriots were fighting were our neighbors.... there were a heck of a lot of colonist that stayed loyal to the king.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I think you would be surprised how many people will do the things you so easily discount; we're descended from folks who risked everything to be free, and some of us still feel that way.

Of course, some don't.

Larry

Feeling it and doing it are not the same. When push comes to shove many "sunshine" patriots disappear faster than their empty words!

 

[Colonialgirl]

And you "know" this because ?

An OATH to defend THIS country against ALL ENEMIES; BOTH
FOREIGN and DOMESTIC

I dont recall ever denying or ending that OATH I took with my right hand held in the air many years ago.

 

[larry1096]

Feeling it and doing it are not the same. When push comes to shove many "sunshine" patriots disappear faster than their empty words!

Governments around the world have made the same miscalculation.

Larry

 

[Jeepnik]

I don't disagree with you Jeepnik but history has been skewed a bit with our revolution. A lot of those 'trained and equipped' that we patriots were fighting were our neighbors.... there were a heck of a lot of colonist that stayed loyal to the king.

True. In addition to the British soldiers and loyalists the crown used Heshian mercenaries. The point is a ragtag bunch of folks have, time and again, proved to be impossible for organized military to overcome.

And here, as in many other places, a lot of the citizens are former military. Folks who still believe in the oath they took upon enlistment. You know that oft quoted bit about foreign and domestic enemies.

 

[Ka6otm]

True. In addition to the British soldiers and loyalists the crown used Heshian mercenaries. The point is a ragtag bunch of folks have, time and again, proved to be impossible for organized military to overcome.

And here, as in many other places, a lot of the citizens are former military. Folks who still believe in the oath they took upon enlistment. You know that oft quoted bit about foreign and domestic enemies.

I too took an oath many years ago.

All enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC.