Guns And Safety
By Susan Steffen - Kraft
This article is about my story dealing with someone carrying a gun and how I reacted. Different people might react differently to someone carrying one in public but it is me and I confess I am a bit unorthodox. I also speak a bit on our rights to bear arms and safety prevention tips.
I went to the Maverick to buy something for my daughter, little expecting the incidence I was about to be involved in. Not finding what I wanted I asked the clerk for help and within a few minutes I was back behind a man and in front of another one.
The gentleman in front of me was trying to buy some beer and was being asked for identification. It was pretty obvious to me he was over 21 but the man behind me yelled, "Ya, make him show it." I turned and said "Now, he might not appreciate your interference!" He said "I don't care I know him!"
Then the clerk said, " Oh, you have a gun!" My first thought was he is showing her that because he is upset over her insistence he show some proof of his age. Great, there are others in the store and we need to warn them.
So I said loudly, "You have a Gun?" A question calculated to hopefully not upset him and to let others know what was afoot. That was why I phrased it as a question. The man turned and flipped back his coat and exposed a gun at that point. I said "Sir, I just want you to know that I support your right to carry a gun and I believe in the 2nd Amendment! I call our Idaho Senators all the time to let them know how I feel!"
I could see others back further in the store starting to pay attention at that point. Like what the hell.... At that point the clerk said, It's alright, I know this man!" I was just teasing him! Oh well.....what a relief. The man behind me started chuckling and all I could think was that it was nice they were all in on this except me and the other customers.
The man then paid for his beer and then came over and said "So you call our Congressmen all the time about this issue?" I assured him I did. Then he told me the next time I called to talk to them about the immigration issue. I assured him I did and would. I should have told him maybe you should do that however I was still a little shaky and revved up about the incident so did not think to do so.
There are different ways to handle a person with a gun especially if you do not carry and are a woman. I reacted in an unorthodox way I know. That is me however. A different time maybe I would have handled it different. However, I face things head on so that is what I did. Warning the others was my first thought overall!
As to the 2nd Amendment.....Our founders were clear that it is our right to carry and bear arms. Gun control only aids the criminal and controls those who wish to be responsible. I oppose a power of monopoly by our government.
“The great object is that every man be armed.” and “Everyone who is able may have a gun.”
Patrick Henry
American Patriot
“Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not.”
Thomas Jefferson
Third President of the United States
“Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.”
George Washington
First President of the United States
The Assault Weapons Ban was in effect when Columbine High School mass shooting occurred and you see, it did nothing to stop that. And let me tell you that anyone who uses a gun in a criminal act should be punished and good. If you are not a citizen of the U.S. you should go directly to jail if you use a gun or carry one. If you are not a citizen you should have no rights on that level especially if you are illegal. But then you should not be here illegally. If you have killed someone (unless you are later proved innocent) and are out of jail then no gun for you either.
So in some cases I do believe there should be due diligence. You will always have people that abuse the freedom to have a gun. Just look back in time at the Hatfield s and McCoy s. Jesse James is another example. With freedom comes a certain amount of danger.
You might ask why I am for guns when I have none myself. I grew up in a non gun family. My father would never have owned one. He was a gentle soul and non violent. I respected him for his way of life.
However, if you choose to have a gun I defend your right because of the 2nd Amendment. If you choose not to that is also your right also. However I also believe it is your right to protect yourself anyway you see fit. Which if it is with a knife, wasp spray, bow and arrow, karate, etc. then you do so.
If passivity works for awhile then do so and then strike quickly. There are people who were kidnapped who had no gun and talked their way out of it and or escaped. We never know for sure what will work and why.
I remember on a late night talk show years ago someone saying that if a man is attacking a woman with rape on his mind (and we know many times the general public will not help by the way) that one way is to yell FIRE, sing the Star Spangled Banner, tell the person you do not care you have only months to live from a bad disease that is catching, etc. Many times it will work as they will think you are crazy. I myself would try any and all.
I would love to own a Poison Dart Frog for use as a weapon but since I don't, I do have knives and other things that are handy as many different items can be used for a weapon. The best defense is to be prepared and to prevent if at all possible. My Mother always said "Prevention is worth an Ounce of Cure!" She was a very wise woman. Alarm systems and lights outside your door and locking it are just one of several ways to prevent a crime.
Remain aware of your surroundings
Appear confident and think What if.....
Keep your cars keys and house keys in your hand and always check your cars backseat
even if you locked it and keep an eye on vehicles passing and be aware if
someone is behind you. This while walking at a good pace across a parking lot
Especially at night be aware and keep an eye out
If your life is on the line manners will not matter but at the same time
cooperate if necessary until you can escape and or attack when your attackers
guard is down.
And by the way umbrellas make excellent weapons as does a cell phone to call the police
if you are worried about something or someone. Better to be safe then sorry!
And lastly out of many things I found on many sites do dash into a bar, restaurant or any
doorway you can to get away from a possible would be attacker
Thus I hope that many of you who do not believe in guns at least look up and practice these and many other safety suggestions. I also suggest that people who believe in guns do not just rely on their gun either.
I went to the Maverick to buy something for my daughter, little expecting the incidence I was about to be involved in. Not finding what I wanted I asked the clerk for help and within a few minutes I was back behind a man and in front of another one.
The gentleman in front of me was trying to buy some beer and was being asked for identification. It was pretty obvious to me he was over 21 but the man behind me yelled, "Ya, make him show it." I turned and said "Now, he might not appreciate your interference!" He said "I don't care I know him!"
Then the clerk said, " Oh, you have a gun!" My first thought was he is showing her that because he is upset over her insistence he show some proof of his age. Great, there are others in the store and we need to warn them.
So I said loudly, "You have a Gun?" A question calculated to hopefully not upset him and to let others know what was afoot. That was why I phrased it as a question. The man turned and flipped back his coat and exposed a gun at that point. I said "Sir, I just want you to know that I support your right to carry a gun and I believe in the 2nd Amendment! I call our Idaho Senators all the time to let them know how I feel!"
I could see others back further in the store starting to pay attention at that point. Like what the hell.... At that point the clerk said, It's alright, I know this man!" I was just teasing him! Oh well.....what a relief. The man behind me started chuckling and all I could think was that it was nice they were all in on this except me and the other customers.
The man then paid for his beer and then came over and said "So you call our Congressmen all the time about this issue?" I assured him I did. Then he told me the next time I called to talk to them about the immigration issue. I assured him I did and would. I should have told him maybe you should do that however I was still a little shaky and revved up about the incident so did not think to do so.
There are different ways to handle a person with a gun especially if you do not carry and are a woman. I reacted in an unorthodox way I know. That is me however. A different time maybe I would have handled it different. However, I face things head on so that is what I did. Warning the others was my first thought overall!
As to the 2nd Amendment.....Our founders were clear that it is our right to carry and bear arms. Gun control only aids the criminal and controls those who wish to be responsible. I oppose a power of monopoly by our government.
“The great object is that every man be armed.” and “Everyone who is able may have a gun.”
Patrick Henry
American Patriot
“Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not.”
Thomas Jefferson
Third President of the United States
“Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.”
George Washington
First President of the United States
The Assault Weapons Ban was in effect when Columbine High School mass shooting occurred and you see, it did nothing to stop that. And let me tell you that anyone who uses a gun in a criminal act should be punished and good. If you are not a citizen of the U.S. you should go directly to jail if you use a gun or carry one. If you are not a citizen you should have no rights on that level especially if you are illegal. But then you should not be here illegally. If you have killed someone (unless you are later proved innocent) and are out of jail then no gun for you either.
So in some cases I do believe there should be due diligence. You will always have people that abuse the freedom to have a gun. Just look back in time at the Hatfield s and McCoy s. Jesse James is another example. With freedom comes a certain amount of danger.
You might ask why I am for guns when I have none myself. I grew up in a non gun family. My father would never have owned one. He was a gentle soul and non violent. I respected him for his way of life.
However, if you choose to have a gun I defend your right because of the 2nd Amendment. If you choose not to that is also your right also. However I also believe it is your right to protect yourself anyway you see fit. Which if it is with a knife, wasp spray, bow and arrow, karate, etc. then you do so.
If passivity works for awhile then do so and then strike quickly. There are people who were kidnapped who had no gun and talked their way out of it and or escaped. We never know for sure what will work and why.
I remember on a late night talk show years ago someone saying that if a man is attacking a woman with rape on his mind (and we know many times the general public will not help by the way) that one way is to yell FIRE, sing the Star Spangled Banner, tell the person you do not care you have only months to live from a bad disease that is catching, etc. Many times it will work as they will think you are crazy. I myself would try any and all.
I would love to own a Poison Dart Frog for use as a weapon but since I don't, I do have knives and other things that are handy as many different items can be used for a weapon. The best defense is to be prepared and to prevent if at all possible. My Mother always said "Prevention is worth an Ounce of Cure!" She was a very wise woman. Alarm systems and lights outside your door and locking it are just one of several ways to prevent a crime.
Remain aware of your surroundings
Appear confident and think What if.....
Keep your cars keys and house keys in your hand and always check your cars backseat
even if you locked it and keep an eye on vehicles passing and be aware if
someone is behind you. This while walking at a good pace across a parking lot
Especially at night be aware and keep an eye out
If your life is on the line manners will not matter but at the same time
cooperate if necessary until you can escape and or attack when your attackers
guard is down.
And by the way umbrellas make excellent weapons as does a cell phone to call the police
if you are worried about something or someone. Better to be safe then sorry!
And lastly out of many things I found on many sites do dash into a bar, restaurant or any
doorway you can to get away from a possible would be attacker
Thus I hope that many of you who do not believe in guns at least look up and practice these and many other safety suggestions. I also suggest that people who believe in guns do not just rely on their gun either.
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