Much has been made in the last week after VA, and weeks following the Utah Mall shooting, about the dangers and/or benefits of gun ownership and the use of firearms for self-preservation. Much more has been made of people saying they would do this or that, or would legislate this or that; much emotion, much volume. Skipping over the utopian futures that we all harbor, be them ones where all guns have ceased to exist, or where sufficient people are armed that attackers stand little chance of success, let's talk about today and now.
What is your plan for self protection and preservation?
We live in a country with dangers to our person and families. We mitigate these as best as is possible by choice of state, neighborhood, and living a life of de-escalation and avoidance of violence. But as with all the best plans made by God and humans, the worst does happen.
How many of us have planned out a response to an attack? How many of us know where to go if our houses are broken into, or how to evade/escape if an attack takes place while we are at the mall?
For days now, people on all sides of many debates have hammered away at the choices that other have made, experienced, or planned in case the worst happens. It is very easy to attack others, but it is hard to honestly have a plan yourself. I frankly expect that much of the worst vitriol in these attacks has been at least in part sourced from a fear of being unprepared in part or in full.
Is your plan for the home? Is it for the parking garage? Is it for the large social gathering? Is it for the dog that attacks your kids in the front yard? Can your plan(s) work with the situations we read about every day in the papers? If not, are you making another plan?
So, now if we can, let's stop yelling about how stupid the other guy is, or how better the world would be if only it were perfect, and honestly answer the question:
Do I have a plan? Is it enough or can I do more?