People who carry a gun daily are an asset to society. A committed carrier is a benefit to all the people in their environment without those people even knowing it. If a madman chooses to shoot up a crowded shopping area or restaurant, even anti-gun zealots would be hoping and praying a legal gun carrier would end the deadly situation. Of course, we know “an armed society is a polite society” even when most people have no idea who is actually armed.
Studies have proven that when most people carry a gun, they become more self aware and less likely to get themselves involved with a conflict because they know the potential danger that could occur to their livelihood. One bad decision and everything they know and love could be gone in an instant. They understand the risk of losing everything outweighs any “tough guy” approach that we often see in society.
Unfortunately, at times, we see over-zealous carriers who get their permit and feel they are an extension of law enforcement. They make the mistake of involving themselves in other people’s conflicts. I am not talking about protecting someone who is clearly a victim, but rather entering a chaotic scene and playing the role of “peacemaker” because they are carrying a gun – it’s not a great idea. Most of the time, it is difficult to figure out the details of what is happening and who is at fault to begin with. By involving oneself, the situation immediately becomes a gun-related incident because the permit holder is carrying a gun.
So what would be the most beneficial thing to do in that situation? Get yourself and loved ones in a safe area and be a good witness. In the midst of chaos, people scatter and leave the area. By the time officers enter the scene, they have no idea who was “right” or the “good guy” in that situation. Offering quality information of what you witnessed would be most beneficial to the good guy in that situation.
Watch the video below and let us know your experiences, along with any other information that you feel would be beneficial.
All opinion articles are the opinion of the author and not necessarily of American Military News.
