If you carry a handgun, what mindset do you process? The gun owner in the United States enjoys the right to own a gun. Few countries have that freedom. With this freedom comes responsibility. A responsibility to safely handle and carry the gun. A responsibility to know how to properly use the gun. A responsibility to know the laws of your state. A responsibility to practice shooting the weapon in a safe environment. A responsibility to understand this freedom does not make you a police officer. It allows you to protect yourself and your loved ones. A responsibility to not abuse this freedom.
CCW Holders Are Law Abiding
Only 0.000024% of CCW permit holders have been found violating firearm regulations. This number is even lower than that of law enforcement officers whose numbers are 0.000165%. So citizens with CCW permits prove to be very law abiding individuals.
The Mindset
Unfortunately not all permit holders have the right mindset. Carrying a firearm may require restraint in some cases. It requires the ability to quickly evaluate a situation and take the appropriate action. The appropriate action could be not drawing the firearm. In other situations it may require the quick deployment of the weapon. If a gun owner lacks the ability to make these type of decisions they may not be capable of carrying a weapon.
To Draw or Not to Draw
Two years ago in a city nearby, a CCW permit holder was shopping at a supermarket. At some point he engaged in a heated argument with another patron. Bystanders reported that the exchange of words continued to escalate. At some point the CCW permit holder drew his weapon and pointed it at the other individual. He was arrested for felony intimidation. He also had his CCW permit revoked.
The point is, there was no threat to his life. It was an exchange of words. The other individual was not armed. Could you build a case for self defense? No. Not at all. This individual exhibited no ability to restrain his emotions and should not be carrying a weapon.
Now, what mind set do you possess? Are you able to de-escalate a situation or do you escalate it? Your ability to stay cool is a good measure as to whether you should carry a weapon.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8
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