Commentary – We Stand Before Evil

 

20 minutes . . . . .

Please, think about that . . . .

20 minutes . . . .

Time enough for an espresso and conversation with a good friend . . . .

Time enough for a “long” morning snuggle with your child or grandchild or spouse . . . .

Time enough to walk down the aisle, greet the love of your life and become life-long mates . . . .

Time enough for evil to walk into a quiet community elementary school and slaughter 27  -  teachers and their charges . . . .

20 minutes . . . .

Or . . . .

The time it takes for an armed response to a shooter in that same quiet community . . . .

It seems the jackals (ok, ok – I’m kinda pissy about the anti-crowd right now) are out it full force. They are determined to take away my fully automatic weapon (really?????), limit the size of my “clips”, ban pistols with removable magazines (can you say Glock, M&P, 1911 . . . .???) . . . . . the 24/7 mutters, grumbles and snarls about my exercising my 2^nd Amendment rights is filled with ignorance, fallacies and emotional appeal fully framed in the slaughter of innocence and the frantic despair of the parents, family and community.

And . . . . when all is said and done . . . . their words change NOTHING . . . . not a single fricking thing . . . .

I have no idea why you are reading this blog, why you train, if you carry . . . . but I have my suspicions.

The reason is simple really . . . . We Stand Before Evil.

The elephant in the room in this tragic situation is that there is no amount of rules, regulations or new laws that can protect our children from evil. Or the customers in the local theater, big box store or even their house of worship. And still, while politicians posture, we know what our personal decision has been. We . . . . YOU . . . . ME . . . . we are the last line of defense between evil and our children, our family and our friends. We fill that 20 minute gap – armed, trained, prepared, determined. We take the place of a Principal – unarmed by the chattering classes – and engage a mortal threat. We stand in the stead of an unarmed counselor to protect those around us. We protect a young first grade teacher rather than have her pleas for mercy met by a burst of gunfire.

We . . . . YOU . . . . I choose to stand before evil.

20 minutes . . . .

Time is important . . . . especially when it comes to defending your life or the lives of family and friends. 20 minutes for help to arrive . . . . . you can do better. How could you use 20 minutes – every day – to make sure you are the best warrior you can be, to make sure when you stand before evil – you are the one that walks away. Some suggestions:

Exercise: If you can’t move, run, focus, get your fat butt between you and the intended victim – you will fail. 20 minutes, 3x a week will do wonders for you.

Dry fire draws: I’ve been hammering on the use of a LaserLyte round and dry-fire draws in the morning. Honestly, 3 days a week seems to be my average – 20 minutes, 25 draws and first round engagements. You will be amazed how much things “smooth out”.

Read: There are a number of great authors and trainers that have good, valuable knowledge to pass on to you. Crack a book – learn something new every day.

Clean your weapon: Nothing is more unsettling that drawing your carry weapon, pressing the trigger and . . . . CLICK! Shoot it, clean it, use it – as though your life depends on it . . . . because it does.

MOVE!!!: Get out of your “lane”. I know this is hard – I know the restrictions on so many ranges. But folks, you must find a range where you can draw from concealment, move your damn feet and engage a threat. You. Must. Do. This. For at least 20 minutes of some of your range trips.

Use a different weapon: Comfort with your own weapon – and intimate knowledge of it – is simply a must. But during your next range trip with your shooting buddy, ask him to swap with you for a couple of magazines. Become comfortable with a wide variety of weapons that may find their way into your hand. If you can’t make it go BANG . . . . you go home in a Ziploc.

Share your stories: For many of you, your reason for carrying a weapon is deeply personal. Share it. Don’t allow the media’s stereotypical description of a person who carries become the norm and a definition of you.

Defend your decision: You carry with a purpose. Defend your right to protect yourself, your family and your friends. Write an article for a local paper. Share your thoughts with your Facebook friends. Write your elected officials. Let them know how important your 2^nd Amendment right is to you.

Hug your children . . . . your wife/husband/partner . . . . time is short, even if things go well.

Pray: Find a method of prayer that works for you – there are many. Take time to develop your relationship with God. I’d like to say I have this part of my life well in hand . . . . and yet it always feels like a work in progress. Many days my prayer is simply “Please?” or just a simple “Thank You.”

None of these suggestions will tax a 20 minute time limit . . . . incorporate them into your life.

20 minutes . . . . such a very short time . . . .

To prepare to stand before evil . . . .

One final reminder . . . .

Wear your damn gun!!!