Glock 26
Virtually everyone that learns I am a shooter and instructor asks if I carry a handgun. The conversation usually goes something like this:
Friend: “Really? You carry a gun?”
Me: “Yes I do.”
Friend: “Where?”
Me: “Everywhere. I even carry a spear gun in the shower.”
Friend: “No!”
Me: “No; but everywhere else.”
Friend: “But why?”
Why indeed? I usually hit on a few of the high points, issues of logic, common sense, gentle persuasion enabling those that already know me to accept a side of me previously unimagined, for few are prone to look on a teacher of English as a swaggering gunslinger.
So I recently sat at the keyboard (my natural weapon) and put together a list, a list that doesn’t—can’t—cover all of the reasons, but perhaps may serve as a resource for others, and for me, a starting point. Perhaps you, gentle readers can contribute to the list.
I CARRY A HANDGUN BECAUSE:
* Evil exists and may confront anyone at any time and any place.
* Self-defense is a God-given, natural, inalienable right.
* A handgun is the most convenient, usual and effective means of self-defense.
* Three times in my life I have raised my right hand and sworn a solemn oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. I have never betrayed those oaths and never will.
* By carrying my handgun, I honor the foresight and wisdom of the Founders in writing the Second Amendment.
* It reinforces and upholds the Social Contract.
* I know that Thomas Jefferson was right:
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
That’s why we have a Second Amendment, not for hunting, not for self-defense, but to allow the common man to resist a tyrannical government, if necessary, and always to deter tyranny.
* It demonstrates—day after day—that I am the master of my government, not its slave.
* I am a free man and no evidence of that fact is more meaningful and convincing than that I own and carry firearms.
* It sorely vexes those who would enslave me—all of us—through tyranny, soft or hard.
* It reminds them that in America, there are lines no rational, honest politician dare cross.
* It reminds them at every iota of power they possess is on temporary loan from me and every other American.
* It reminds us all that the whims of the highest politician may not prevail over the Bill of Rights.
* It is the very means by which an oppressed citizenry may force despots to respect the Bill of Rights.
* Even in our democracy, tyrants are always present and always waiting their chance.
* With this in mind, Hubert Humphrey, one of the most devoted and famous Democrats of the last century was right when he said:
Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of the citizens to keep and bear arms. This is not to say that firearms should not be carefully used and that definite safety rules of precaution should not be taught and enforced. But the right of the citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government and one more safeguard against a tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible.
* There is no gift so precious as God’s gift of life.
* To fail to protect God’s greatest gift is man’s greatest failure.
* My life is worth far more to me, those that love me, and to a just society than the lives of vicious brutes who would take it.
* The lives of the innocent—friend or stranger—are worth far more to me and to a just society than the lives of vicious brutes who would take them.
* Those who willingly and meekly surrender to criminals surrender more than valuables; they surrender civilization itself.
* I am old-fashioned enough to think it my duty to protect those who have less ability than mine to protect themselves.
* I know human nature. Like the Shadow, I know what evil lurks in the hearts of men.
* I know that many criminals experience pangs of conscience. I also know that it does not prevent them from being predators, only occasionally it causes them to feel badly thereafter.
* I know that sociopaths exist, in greater numbers than most imagine, and that they have no conscience.
* I know that some people really like hurting others. Very often, we don’t need to engage in psychological navel gazing to understand the actions of predators. They do it because they want to do it, because they like to do it, and some, because it is an intense sexual thrill.
* I know that such people are everywhere, and are for most, impossible to pick out from the mass of humankind.
* I know that living a virtuous life is no defense against such people.
* I know that having a Progressive political and social philosophy not only is no defense against such people, it encourages and helps them.
* Politicians sometimes speak of a “war on crime.” They have no idea. The streets are the battlefield, and whether we like it or not, we are all the combatants.
* The police have no legal obligation to protect me—or anyone.
* The police simply can’t protect anyone; there are far too few of them and far too many of us.
* When seconds count, the police are always minutes (or in Detroit, an hour) away.
* I accept personal responsibility and live accordingly.
* As an adult, I am solely responsible for my continuing existence.
* Accepting personal responsibility encourages me to be continually aware of my surroundings, to be tactically aware.
* Having situational awareness makes it more likely I won’t ever need to use my handgun.
* My training and experience give me confidence that if I do need it, I will use it effectively and properly.
* It gives me the ability to deter those younger, stronger or more numerous than myself.
* It gives me the ability to defeat those younger, stronger or more numerous than myself if they are too stupid, too drugged, or too predatory to be deterred.
* Criminals fear the guns of armed citizens far more than the guns of the police.
* Domestic terrorists have always been with us. The victims and survivors of Columbine High School (1999) and Virginia Tech (2007)—and I–have no doubt of this.
* In virtually every school shooting in recent American history, the police played virtually no role in stopping the killers. Armed citizens did.
* We are at war with uniquely blood-thirsty terrorists determined to slaughter Americans on American soil.
* I frequent the places (schools, theaters, shopping malls, grocery stores and other soft targets) terrorists long to attack.
* I can imagine few feelings worse than being unarmed when and where a terrorist attack takes place.
* Even unarmed, I would have no option but to attack armed terrorists shooting innocents.
* Armed, I would be able to save at least some lives and stop at least some killers.
* I could not bear the thought that I was less prepared than the Boy Scouts—in any situation.
* It is important to me to know that I can make a real difference when it most matters.
* I appreciate well-designed and made devices.
* They’re like fire extinguishers. When you need one, you need it right now, badly, and nothing else will do.
* The discipline of the gun helps to make me a better, more effective person.
* Thomas Jefferson was also right when he advised his 15 year old nephew and ward (in 1785):
A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.
* Shooting and being a part of the “gun culture” is uplifting and simply fun.
* I recognize that I am the weapon; the handgun is simply a tool.
* Foremost, I am an American; it is my tradition and heritage.
Stately McDaniel Manor 
Agreed on all points.
Some things I would add to the list:
* I recognize that a right not exercised is a right at risk of loss through attrition and/or entropy
* In addition to heightened situational awareness, carrying causes me to think, to act, and to respond more responsibly, more patiently, and more cautiously.
* The higher the percentage of people known to exercise concealed carry, the lower the crime rates, because criminals move on to more fertile ground.
* I enjoy associating with the people and culture who represent the least criminal, least violent, and most law-abiding of anyone in our society.
* I want to pass on to my wife and children the skills and confidence to be able to protect themselves in every situation, and so I learn, and lead by example.
Sir,
Great article. I will not presume to make additions but i will post a link on my blog. I am enjoying the end of summer drive to write. How long before you must go back to school?
Dear blackshepherd:
In about two weeks I’ll be back for in-service training, and in another week and a half, the kids arrive. Of course, I’ll be at school for the next two weeks getting everything ready.
Mike you are on a roll lately. There is little that I could add to your list or Chip’s addendum except that
*that I refuse to let me or my family becomes just another victim to political correctness without a fight
So, how exactly is the carrying of a handgun relevant to resisting the US Government? I can understand self-reliant self-defense, I can understand not trusting the police to protect you, and I can certainly understand wanting to be able to resist enemies foreign and domestic. Small arms can stop a mugger, a gangster, or a terrorist before they have a chance to commit crime.
However, do you actually think the US government could be stopped with small arms? If the US government becomes a tyranny, a real honest-to-Stalin tyranny, there’s nothing small arms can do against tanks, aircraft, or artillery strikes. Even the finest marksman with sniper training from the military is going to have it rough against a force unconcerned with collateral damage using air superiority and heavy armor.
I’d like an answer, because I hear this all the time, and it seems like a silly argument in the modern era. Unless you have missiles, especially MANPADS, you are in for a world of hurt – ask the Chechens, if you can find any after the Russians were finished with them.
Most important reason – because LEOs are just too heavy.
This is the response of someone unfamiliar with history. The US has been stopped by small arms repeatedly. See notably Vietnam, Iraq (2nd time) and Afghanistan. No force is ever unconcerned with collateral damage. Especially during a counter-insurgency. Even more so in their home country.
Dear OmegaPaladin:
Tactically speaking, a handgun is used to obtain a rifle. A rifle is used to obtain a machine gun. A machine gun is used to obtain an armored vehicle or explosives, etc, etc.
The government knows very well the danger that small arms represents in a nation of marksmen and markswomen, a nation with many veterans, and a nation of people with a tradition of eliminating tyrants. Federal agencies aren’t buying thousands of small arms and billions of bullets to fight against terrorists, but to fight against their fellow Americans.
Historically, people armed only with the weapons they can carry have, over and over again, fought super powers to a standstill. But you assume that American police officers and soldiers would obey illegal and unconstitutional orders to imprison and kill fellow Americans. Our armed forces are all volunteer. No doubt, some small portion of the military would betray freedom and their fellow Americans, but they wouldn’t last long. Imagine a small enclave of despots holed up in Washington DC or other places, protected by an ever-shrinking cadre of traitors and surrounded by millions of enraged and well-armed Americans. They wouldn’t last long either.
Americans know how to fight and are willing to defend the Constitution. I pray it never becomes necessary, but Barack Obama has made millions consider the possibility.
I see the principle, but the main concern is dealing with the initial attacks by an armed force that has no concern for casualties. Lightly armed forces are going to to take a pounding from the enemy before they can seize the weapons they need. The Afghans had SA-7s and Stingers for dealing with Soviet aircraft as well as IEDs and hostile terrain for tanks. I’d also expect considerable use of drones in any such conflict.
Were the military to get such orders , the chain of command would almost certainly disintegrate. I seriously doubt such a nightmare scenario would come about.
I can see plenty of arguments for guns, but this one just doesn’t seems as solid. Now , stopping a rogue branch of government (like one of the massive ammo buyers) makes a bit more sense in terms of scale.
OmegaPaladin,
It will likely not happen as you imagine, but more along the line of this short story “What I Saw At the Coup” – link below.
http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/what-i-saw-at-the-coup/
Note how targeted resistance – at least in this story – may have great impact.
BTW – in 2001 the US had 10.3 million deer hunters, Wisconsin alone in 2001 had almost 600,000 deer hunters, Pennsylvania over 900,000 deer hunters.
Those numbers are really impressive when compared to the size of standing armies around the world.
RileyD, nwJ
Good post. I will be linking to this later this week!
Thanks,
gfa
Dear Mr. McDaniel,
Unlike you I have never been a police officer or served in the military. However, I have been a teacher for more than thirty years, a coach, a certified state hunting instructor, a hunter, an NRA rifle/pistol/shotgun safety instructor and a sporting clays competitor.
At present I am a 7th grade civics teacher. I think my observations and teachings regarding the Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights would be construed as “strict constructionist”. I am forthright about my beliefs but I often feel as if I am imposing my beliefs on some very unsophisticated students. I would be reluctant for my students to know that I have a CCW.
I am curious. How to you respond to your students regarding these issues? Your public statements and positions must be known by your students and their parents.
I would like to know about your interactions with your students on this issue.
I am a regular reader of your column and find your work very intriguing.
Regards,
Dear Mikey:
Thanks for your comments and questions. I am never shy about supporting traditional American values such as patriotism, love of country, and a healthy appreciation for what it means to be fortunate enough to be born an American, however, as I teach English, these are not matters we often discuss. Kids occasionally ask questions, and when they do, I give my opinions, making sure they understand the difference between my opinions and objective fact.
Each year we do a media unit, and at the beginning, I explain the differences between conservative and progressive philosophies, essentially providing both sides as even high school students really have no idea of these issues. A surprising number suddenly discover they are conservatives.
Actually, relatively few of my kids know my positions, and few of them or their parents read my blog. I don’t hide it, and they know I’m a writer, but people really are pretty self absorbed. I generally don’t discuss my writings with them or my colleagues. There are some exceptions, but for the most part, it’s just not something that comes up as I’m not prone to tooting my own horn, so to speak.
When I write about education, I don’t specifically write about my school, my colleagues, etc.
I suppose my advice is to be careful about imposing your beliefs. In grading writings, I always tell the kids I don’t care about their beliefs, but care very much about how well they express them. That said, there is nothing wrong with having your own beliefs, or with having a life outside the classroom. Professionally, it’s usually best not to trumpet it.
I hope this is helpful.
Thank you. I think we are pretty much in the same boat. If you are ever in the Daytona Beach area just shoot me an email and I’ll take you shooting at my club.
Regards,
Mikey
Dear Mikey:
Should I find myself in your area, I’ll gladly take you up on your kind offer. No such thing as shooting too much. Thanks!
Can’t carry where I am due to discretionary issue, however, if I carried it would be
for the same reason I carry a fire extinguisher in my car.
Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.
Dear styrgwillidar:
Excellent. You’ve inspired me to a slightly different track. Thanks!
Mike,
Just wanted to says thanks for this thoughtful list. I appreciated it. :-)
Dear Mike Abel:
Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful.
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Great list, Mike! Another great reason that I recently read (can’t take credit for it) simply paraphrases the 2nd amendment.
I carry a gun because.. “a well regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state”.
(Where militia is simply the people, of which I am one, trained to arms, which I also am and continuously do.)
Dear Henry:
Welcome to SMM, and thanks!
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