I'm no hero.  I'm just an average guy.  I have a mortgage and two car payments.  I have a wife and three kids (and one rather large dog).  I have bills and I have a paycheck.  Did I mention I have a wife and three kids?  I would do anything to protect them, up to and including the sacrifice of my own life.  As for the job, the cars and the house; those things mean nothing to me in comparison to my family.  My wife is my one and only true love and my kids give my life meaning.  My family is my entire world.  I would be devastated beyond all belief if I ever lost one of them.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I'm not a gun nut, but I am knowledgeable when it comes to firearms, thanks to the 20 plus years I spent in the Army.  One of the things I am grateful for is the fact that after six deployments I have never fired a weapon at anyone.  I think taking another human being's life is something that I'd have to cope with for a long time, even if it was justified.  Killing someone has never been on my list of things to do.

That being said, I have never felt the need or desire to carry a gun anywhere here in the US, but whenever there is a mass shooting I think, "well, maybe I need to start carrying," but later I think of reasons not to.  I guess I have always thought it won't happen to me.

Not anymore.  I'm going to get a concealed carry permit.  Not just for the sake of my family or myself, but for everyone around me.  Does that make me sound like a self appointed police officer?  Maybe it does, but I don't care.  When I enlisted, I took an oath to defend against all enemies foreign and domestic.  If you pick up a gun and put a child in your cross-hairs, you have made yourself an enemy combatant, therefore I will kill you without a moment's hesitation.

Why this change in attitude?  I have a responsibility.  I have never paid for any of the training I have received.  I did not pay for the thousands of rounds I have fired to develop and maintain my marksmanship.  Truth be told, taxpayer money is the reason I am able to put two rounds center-mass followed by one to the head, all in the space of three seconds.  I spent my career as an MP, and I have trained enough with handguns that I can now do this without slowing down to aim.  I'm not trying to brag, just explaining why I feel this sense of duty and responsibility.  Regardless of how I developed my skills, the bottom line is this:  I'm fully trained and fully capable.  How can I have that skill and not put it to use in defense of US citizens?  Here's my new philosophy:  I have retired from the Army, but apparently I'm still in a combat zone.  So are you, by the way.

For those of you who think you are capable (and can afford it), I encourage you to obtain your concealed carry permit, but don't stop there.  Do not allow yourself to become a danger to the innocents you want to protect.  Learn instinct shooting, and learn surgical shooting.  Know the difference between the two, and know when to use each.  Practice often; it is a perishable skill.  Spend time at your local shooting range.  You'll soon find out who the regulars are.  Make friends with them, and if you ask, they'll teach you.  Develop your own techniques, and before you know it, someone will be asking you to teach them.  And keep these words on your lips:

Lord, I am my brother's keeper.  Let me be Your sword and shield.  Let my aim be true.  Let me save Your children from the beast, for he walks among us.

Happy shooting, fellow Ebaumers.