DaveBeal said:
Serious question: How many times have you been in a position where you felt the need for lethal force? In my 51 years, never.
Thus far, in my 31 years, only once. So, one five minute period, out of the approximately 3,263,000 five minute periods that have made up my life. But when I needed it, I
needed it. And I was darn glad I had it.
But, just like Lee says in my signature, it's not the odds that matter, it's the stakes. You're absolutely right. America is a fairly safe place. If you avoid making poor choices about where to go or who to be with, your chances of being involved in a violent altercation are pretty slim. But when it's happening, it's happening to you, and that fact that it was unlikely doesn't make it any less dangerous.
And occasionally, just occasionally, it does happen. If you doubt, I urge you to consider the recent events at the mall in Omaha.
AZ_Rebel: I'm trying to be polite when I say this, so please forgive me if in my imperfections I somehow fail in courtesy. I understand the point you're trying to make, and it's a good one. But your method of delivery leaves something to be desired. Yes, Mr. Beal has set himself up for the typical ridicule of the gun owning community by self identifying as a liberal, but this is The High Road, the home of the atypical gun owner, and there's no reason for us to rise to the bait. (No, Mr. Beal, I don't think you did it on purpose. I'm just trying to make a point.) Making cutting remarks about how "liberal thinking" is an oxymoron, or referring to what he's posted as drivel, really does little to advance your argument. When you smack people in the nose, they tend to close down, and what you're saying will bounce right off. We can't change mind if those minds are closed, and delivering insults right before wisdom is a good way to close those minds down before your message ever gets there.
Mr. Beal came in here "knowing" that CCW was a bad and dangerous thing to have in the world. We had the opportunity to convince him otherwise, (and perhaps we still do) but instead we've likely sent him away not only with his previous ideal that CCW is bad, but with a newfound affirmation of the typical stereotype that gun owners are a bunch of brash, hotheaded jerks.
The average satisfied customer tells three other people. The typical dissatisfied customer tells thirty. We
are in the middle of a culture war here. We do well to convert anyone we can. Honey works a lot better than vinegar.