Good Morning, and welcome to Football day. My saints are playing at noon, and I need to get ready, so let's get right to it.
   Many of us have been struggling with finding a decent job in this economy. I have had three jobs in the past 2 1/2 years (which really isn't THAT bad, considering...) but I have not been making the money I need, or what I'm used to making. So I decided to try something new.
   I'm not going to get into the details of what I am doing for work now, because, to be frank, it's not a good idea to share it here. Suffice to say it is NOT the coolest job in the world, and no, it does not make me feel superior to everyone. But it carries the potential for pretty good money.
   I enjoy what I do, as I find it very challenging on a number of levels. However, I have been presented with a bit of a dilemma at work;
   There are eight people, including myself, in my department. We all do the same thing, and it involves a LOT of time out of the office, and frequent trips to incredibly bad neighborhoods. I have lived all over this country, and I have to say, a bad neighborhood in New Orleans can compete with any bad neighborhood in the Nation...
   So, here's the point of this blog:
   I am the only person in the office (in my department) who does not have a gun and a carry permit.
   It has been strongly suggested that I get both of these.
   As anyone who has read any of my stuff probably knows, I am as staunchly Anti-Gun as one can possibly be. I have never owned a gun, and I have never wanted to own a gun. I still don't.
   But this job seems like it could change a lot of things for me, and if I continue to work for this company without a weapon, I may be taking excessive risks.
   Anyway, a lot of you have argued with me and told me why having a gun is so important, so I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that at least SOME of you know what the hell you're talking about, and ask for your input on a handgun purchase.
   Currently, I'm looking at a Glock .45, a Glock 9mm, and a Beretta PK4. I'm leaning heavily toward the PK4, as it is small, light, and powerful. (It's also a 9mm...)
   I have a good deal of experience handling weapons. I have been trained to shoot, and to disassemble, clean, and reassemble weapons quickly. But I have NEVER owned a gun, and I haven't even touched one in about 20 years, until the past couple days.
   It seems like, with each week, my choice on this issue becomes more clear.
   Also, I'm trying to stay in the $600.00 and under range.
   Thanks for your input, and have a Golden Grahams Day!