Is it Right Because it's a Right?

By Cori Tyler

We see a lot on the web, and in the news, and we hear a lot of stories about people carrying firearms.  Unfortunately, when it makes the news, it’s never a positive story.  We have to turn to our own sources to hear stories of criminals thwarted by responsible citizens going armed.  While the liberals and their media scream about the bias of the evil NRA, the sad truth is the NRA is often the only place we’ll hear about firearms used to save lives.

One of my favorite sections of the NRA journals is “The Armed Citizen.”  I think it’s great to see the good guys winning some, and doing it with responsible exercise of their Second Amendment Rights.  I also like to watch shows about shooting and hunting, because I love to see people enjoying the fun, recreational side of those Rights, too.  That’s one of the awesome things about shooting.  It can be a serious or fun as you want it to be.

The thing is, we have to do it responsibly.  If we don’t, people can get hurt or dead.  Almost as tragic; irresponsible use of firearms fuels the fires on the opposing side better than any other factor.  Have you noticed how every time someone does something stupid with a firearm, the anti-gun crowd is right there?  Before the deed is done, you can hear choruses of, “See, see, see?  We can’t trust them!”

When I say “does something stupid,” it’s a pretty broad stroke of the paint brush.  I mean, criminals do stupid things with guns.  Of course, even within criminality, there are special kinds of stupid.  There are the lunatics who shoot up schools, churches, malls, and businesses.  There are the gang-bangers who do drive-by shootings and hit children instead of their targets.  There are the careless owners that give the wrong people access.

I think all of these people are pretty obviously “doing something stupid.”  There isn’t much to discuss there.  We know there will always be those kinds of stupid people.  They will always behave in a manner that will sooner or later have a tragic outcome.  You can’t legislate intelligence, and punishing the rest of us for their actions is senseless.

I want to discuss an even more special, specific kind of stupid.  Often these ninjas are intelligent and capable enough in daily life.  Unfortunately, they seem to acquire only enough knowledge to be a pain in the ass, or even dangerous.  Their actions support the antis arguments just as strongly as those of the lunatics.  These are the ones whose discussion on the subject only extends as far as, “The Second Amendment is my permit-to-carry.”

Do not confuse my position on this matter.  I believe the Second Amendment IS the protection of the Right to carry a firearm, or other weapon.  Its intent is to arm the citizenry for defense against criminals and governmental tyranny.  Arms do not provide the benefit intended by the Second Amendment if they’re locked up at home, or in the trunk of one’s car.  They must be present and ready.

I’m not arguing those things.  I’m arguing these idiots’ inability to make themselves part of the politely armed society our forefathers intended.  In times when rifles were part of daily attire, men carried them to ward off attacks during travel or shoot game at opportune moments.  Handguns weren’t as practical at that time.  They weren’t very accurate, took just as long to reload, and weren’t very portable or concealable.  They offered no advantage for any of those purposes.  By the same token, rifles weren’t much help in an immediate self-defense situation.

Technology progressed.  Today, we have rifles that can fire hundreds of yards (or more) with repeatable accuracy.  Repeating and semi-automatic actions are commonplace.  If we want to jump through the hoops, there are many places where we can even waste ammo and money on full-auto firearms.  (Which would really be a lot of fun!)  Still, we don’t face highwaymen or sudden game opportunities to feed the family.  My point being, in day-to-day common society, our long guns aren’t the most practical choice.

I’m going to go a step further with this one.  Open carry isn’t very practical either.  Now, it’s your choice, but it doesn’t make tactical sense.  You see, concealed carry benefits the carrier AND society as a whole.  That’s because the bad guys never know just who is armed.  All they know is anyone COULD be.  This deterrent effect is established statistically.  Refer to Lott’s “More Guns Less Crime” or the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report for any place that’s gone from no carry, or open carry, to concealed carry being common.

Open carry accomplishes only one thing.  It makes people who don’t know you nervous.  Then, someone calls the police, because that’s who we call when we’re scared of someone.  Then the police show up and see a person carrying a gun.  Now, EVERYONE is nervous, because the guy with the gun is either A) realizing that he’s in a precarious situation, or 2) intentionally triggering a confrontation with law enforcement.  You know the guys I’m talking about.  They’re the ones shouting, “Am I being detained, sir?” over and over, while they just coincidentally have their video camera rolling for YouTube.

Is it their Right to be walking down the street, rifle or shotgun slung or even at low-ready?  I believe it is.  I also believe just because you have the Right to do something does not make it the right thing to do.  Judicious exercise of our Rights is the best way to strengthen them.  Not only does it take away the ammunition opponents might use against our cause, but also puts us in a different public light.

Here’s the thing.  If you aren’t carrying your firearm daily to be a protector, professionally or otherwise, you should examine your motives for carrying.  Our Second Amendment doesn’t specify an exact reason to carry.  It leaves that decision up to you.  Despite all my advice here, it really IS your decision, just as it ought to be.  I’m suggesting that the righteous citizen, who carries, is one whose goal is to enjoy peace while keeping the ability to protect peace, freedom, and all they love, should those things be endangered.

In daily life, the tactical element of surprise is your best bet to do that.  That means a concealed handgun, if a firearm is your choice of tool.  I’ll also add in that you should get trained to safely and effectively use that firearm, as a service to yourself and those you’d protect.  I’m not saying this as a plug for LLDT, thought we certainly CAN help you there.  I’m saying, if the choice is to be untrained or trained, I want you to be trained, even if that means you go somewhere else for your training.