gun « Robin Writes

Do you know why “gun violence” is a problem? Because of batshit crazy people, that’s why. Do you know why it’s a bigger problem now than, say, 20 or 50 or 100 years ago? Because there are more people—higher population equals a higher percentage of batshit crazy.

And do you know why it seems like ALL THE TIME there is a batshit crazy person shooting up the place? The Internet, that’s why.

We used to have news programs 2-3 times a day. Now it’s 24/7. Here’s an example—remember when, if there was a tornado coming, the news channels would broadcast that to let everyone know? And remember, too, when it was going to rain or a thunderstorm was expected, those news people would say, “Well, looks like rain and wind and lightning today, folks!”

And that was it.

Today, it’s “OMG, we’re in STORM MODE! Stay tuned while we interrupt all your favorite programming to tell you it’s RAINING!”

Doesn’t that tell you a single thing? We’re drama queens.

Particularly when it comes to social media—everyone wants to be “first.” You know how those annoying “first” comments used to pop up all the time? Now everyone wants to be the “first” to announce a MAJOR EVENT! JUST HAPPENED! OMG, look at me, I TOLD YOU FIRST!

Let’s break this down a bit more:

Why do people want to own and shoot an AR-15 which, by the way, is NOT an automatic weapon. It’s semi-auto—one pull of the trigger equals one shot. But why not just own a regular rifle or handgun?

Because it looks cool.

I kid you not. It’s the difference between a Mustang, for example, and a Taurus. They’ll both do the job, but one is really awesome.

And an AR-15 is NOT a military weapon. It’s modeled after one, the M-16. Remember when kids used to be allowed to play with toy guns? Even if they weren’t, of course, they’d still point fingers and yell, “Bang!” What did those toy guns look like? Real guns, amiright?

Of course, you may be so “progressive” that you didn’t allow your kids to play with toy guns. I have a friend like this—she has seven boys. They still pointed fingers and yelled, “Bang!”

On another note, a friend posted on social media—okay, several of them—that he wished that there was no more violence and hate in the world.

About that. We all would like that. Yes, even gun owners. But it will NOT HAPPEN.

First, you can’t legislate feelings, although you can outlaw acting on one’s feelings. This, by the way, is part of sane adulthood—not an oxymoron—you CAN FEEL whatever you want, but you simply don’t act on it.

It’s called responsibility.

Second, and most important, is that the world is full of sin—things like hate and violence—and those are simply not going away because one wishes it to be so. Or because one organizes marches or groups or sit-ins or protests.

Thanks to that whole kerfuffle with God, Satan, Adam, and Eve, this is the way things are. Sinful.

Yeah, yeah, I know it’s Tuesday. Our move to the farm has taken an unexpected turn, so that’s my excuse. Tune in Wednesday for all the details . . .

Weapons. Everyone should have one for defense.

Before you freak out over this statement, consider how many things could be USED as a weapon: canned good—yes, we all had a laugh over this Internet sensation, but think about this in the context of your home, not a classroom—heavy knickknacks, sharp knives, a large hardcover book.

Take a look around you. What if someone broke in to your home right this minute? Or what if you answered the door, expecting a religious treatise or something, and it was, instead, the bad guy?

The old baseball bat by the door is almost a cliché, but it could be effective. So, too, could a heavy object. Or a kitchen knife, if that’s the location of the break in. Almost anything can be used as a weapon, if you’re willing to grab it and get up close.

First, you have to have that mindset. Naturally, it depends on the situation—the intruder might just be annoying, or maybe he didn’t expect to find you at home and he’ll run. On the other hand, perhaps he IS bent on destruction, robbery, or death. Your death.

Mentally prepare, and have something at hand at all points of entry.

And practice. You might feel silly, but really, it could save your life or at least minimize injury; and no one has to know.

Then, of course, we have your standard weapons: guns, knives, hatchets, arrows, and so forth.

Practice daily or weekly, but practice. With firearms, you need to become familiar with the handgun or shotgun or rifle; you need to learn safety procedures and practice those EVERY TIME you bring out your weapon.

Ammo can be pricey, but you still must practice on a regular basis. Forget a quick-draw—just be ready to use it, slow and steady, if necessary. Defense consists of two prongs, if you will: mental prep and skill/ability. Even if you don’t “like” to use your firearm, you may, at some point, need to.

While handguns have less range than long guns, knives are typically used for an up-close encounter unless you become proficient at throwing. Throwing knives are, of course, different than a kitchen knife or a hunting knife; know the different and practice often. Start close to the target, and when you become consistent, move back and keep practicing. Same goes for hatchets. These are mid-range defenses.

Whatever your weapon of choice, you should strive to become proficient, and this means practice. Just like with common, everyday objects, you first need to mentally prepare to defend yourself and then have the weapon at hand—and then practice until it becomes second nature.

I know some of you will be concerned with who is to be accorded “bad guy” status. Sometimes, yes, this can be difficult to discern; pick up a psych book and do a little reading and research on signs and clues.

Most of the time, however, in spite of TV and movies, you’ll know right away that this intruder means you harm. After all, he’s already entered your home, or your space, uninvited, and he seems determined to come at you or steal from you or attack you.

This is not the time to wonder if he’s the “bad guy” or to run down a list of clues in your mind. This is the time to go on the offensive. Sure, you can wait until he makes his move, but that might be a fatal decision.

And sometimes, just a show of being well-armed with any kind of weapon is enough to deter the “bad guy.”