Self Defense

Yay for Guns
I like guns.  The shooting sport is something I’ve actively participated in for almost 40 years.  My children enjoy shooting as well.  We have had wonderful opportunities to create memories, and build skills that will allow them to safely enjoy the sport for many years to come.

Don’t go around hurting people
I support the right of an individual to defend themselves from harm with any means at their disposal.  We are guaranteed the right of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.  If an individual feels the need to take that right from another individual, I hope they are effectively stopped with whatever legal means necessary.  Possible means include: Guns, knives, nunchucks, the red turtle shell that never misses in Mario Kart, Karate, pepper spray, taser, etc.

A little Victim blaming
Recently, we had a fire in the back yard.  My middle son, playing in the fire after being told not to, had a metal roasting rod in the hot coals.  He grabbed the rod too close to where it was in the fire, and burned his thumb and forefinger.  I imagine it hurt like hell.  He received the care to treat the wound, but he received zero sympathy from his loving father.  HE had been warned, and HE put himself in a position to get burned.  Literally.
If a person chooses to put themself into harms way by trying to hurt someone else, they are playing with fire, and risk getting burned.  People don’t like to get maimed or killed by other people if they don’t deserve it. 

I Don’t Carry a Gun
I have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.  I have guns that are great options for concealed carry, but I hardly ever carry one.  Why, you may ask?  I just haven’t felt the need.  I try not to put myself into situations that could escalate into a violent encounter.  I avoid riots, I try not to incite road rage, I put the toilet seat down after peeing, and I don’t try to take what isn’t mine.
I 100% support the right to carry a concealed weapon, and the right to use it in an appropriate situation.  I also strongly feel that carrying that weapon increases the accountability and obligation to avoid conflict and de-escalate potentially volatile situations.  True strength and power is having the ability to exercise force, and choosing restraint whenever possible. 

Not Guilty.
Kyle Rittenhouse.  If he was my kid, I probably would have killed him myself before he could have been arrested.  He was in a bad place at a bad time.  HE was stupid for being there.  HE put himself in a place where things could escalate.  They escalated in a tragic and terrifying way.  He took action to preserve his life.  His life is changed because he took lives.  The families of the people shot are suffering.  His family is suffering.  He was found innocent, acting in self-defense.

The poor decisions of several people led to tragedy.
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Let’s Make Good Decisions
In the wake of the Rittenhouse trial and subsequent verdict, I’ve observed a variety of reactions.  We see members of the die hard far right spike the football, almost like it’s open season to hunt protestors.  We see the far Left claiming this is pure racism and encouraging more protesting and riots.  The media is stoking the flames on all sides, thriving on the discord, and throwing journalistic integrity out the window.  In the midst of all this tumult and chaos, we have YOU, noble reader.  YOU have the ability to calm your world.  YOU can be the voice of reason.  YOU can de-escalate conflict.

You can also learn how to properly defend yourself and others Heaven forbid the need should ever arise.
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You can also take up shooting sports… Promise.  It’s fun.