I work at a maximum security jail, and I get to hear a lot of things. Things that would likely curl most peoples toes.
Lately, in the mainstream media, there's been a lot of talk about how to try to change the violence, particularly gun violence, in this country. My first, knee jerk reaction to that query is simply to ask this; are we trying to curb LEGAL gun violence, or are we trying to curb ILLEGAL gun violence.
Yes, it seems ridiculous to ask, but there is a point to the question.
If we are trying to curb LEGAL gun violence, then by all means, lets legislate for a particular law or laws that will help to curb legal gun violence. Fact is, if there IS legal gun violence, and we want to curb it, the logical way to do so is to make more laws relative to it, right?
Ummmmmmmm........nope. Here's why; legal gun violence would most likely be characterized as violent discharge of a firearm for a LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE PURPOSE, ie: I shot the gunman who was in my home firing his weapon at me or my family. So, if we legislate the LAWFUL (read--law abiding) shooter into making their actions illegal, aren't we then punishing an otherwise law abiding citizen for saving their own life, or the life of their loved ones? I know someone who is trying to do EXACTLY that, and her name is Diane Feinst......wait, I better hold off on that......don't want to end up on any MORE watchlists.....
ANYWAY, so, the other question we are to ask here is; Are we trying to curb ILLEGAL gun violence? Well, that sounds like an admirable pursuit, right? I mean, who can argue against trying to diminish the ILLEGAL use of firearms to do violence in our Country? You know what, if you look at legislation in California in particular, there is legislation to allow those who have illegal gun violence convictions to have lessened sentences in prison, while there is simultaneously legislation to criminalize LEGALLY using a gun to defend your life or the lives of your family. Wait, what? You doubt me? Google is your friend here.
There are a few truths that simply cannot be surveyed or statisticized out of being truths;
1) Evil exists, and evil does evil things.
2) A law breaking citizen has already decided not to follow the law, therefore we deduce that additional laws are ALSO not being followed. A new law will not make a law breaker start following that law, any more than it will make them follow the ones they were already breaking.
3) Illegal gun violence can be mitigated, case by case, by using a reciprocal force to the force being illegally imposed on an otherwise law abiding citizen. This can be summed easier by stating that the only thing that will stop a bad guy killing with a gun, is a GOOD guy shooting the BAD guy with the GOOD guys gun.
4) The United States Constitution grants us, as law abiding citizens, the right to KEEP (have available to us or own) and BEAR (to have on our person) arms. (there is more detail to the ACTUAL language, but for the purposes of this editorial, I digress there.....)
It was not a law enforcement officer that ended the reign of terror in Southerland Springs, Texas, following the murder and maiming of almost 50 people at First Baptist Church; It was two citizens, one driving, the other engaging the murderous shooter with his lawfully owned, lawfully carried, gun. The Police arrive 7 minutes later to find a dead bad guy, and yet, this story isn't resounding just a few short days following the incident, why? Because the truth doesn't help make a case against gun ownership. To the contrary, this particular incident, and MANY others like it in recent years, aren't given face time in media because it's contrary to the agenda of those who wish to criminalize LAWFUL gun ownership, and it's use for defensive purposes.
In this world, there are "sheep", those living life oblivious to the dangers and the evil all around them. The “sheep” are content to have others do the "dirty work" of finding, capturing, imprisoning, and doing battle day in and day out with the predators.....the “wolves”. You see, there are always the “wolves”, seeking their next target, their next victim, their next checked off line item, and they seek out the “sheep” to get their gains. Then there's folks like me, perhaps like you, and like all the law enforcement, military, the jailers and corrections officers. You see, we are the “sheepdogs”, doing whatever nauseating, physically exhausting or destructive things we have to do to either keep the “wolves” at bay, or, to keep them apart from society at large. We aren't necessarily open carrying a gun, we aren't always wearing the outward uniform of what we carry in our hearts, which is this; service, in protecting the “sheep” from the “wolves”, by any means necessary.
Are you a “sheep”?
Are you a “sheepdog”, like me?
You better HOPE AND PRAY you aren't a “wolf”...............because us “sheepdogs” won't let you make another victim of our beloved “sheep”, to our last breath.
Not on MY watch.
Lee--Proud Sheepdog
I work at a maximum security jail, and I get to hear a lot of things. Things that would likely curl most peoples toes.
Lately, in the mainstream media, there's been a lot of talk about how to try to change the violence, particularly gun violence, in this country. My first, knee jerk reaction to that query is simply to ask this; are we trying to curb LEGAL gun violence, or are we trying to curb ILLEGAL gun violence.
Yes, it seems ridiculous to ask, but there is a point to the question.
If we are trying to curb LEGAL gun violence, then by all means, lets legislate for a particular law or laws that will help to curb legal gun violence. Fact is, if there IS legal gun violence, and we want to curb it, the logical way to do so is to make more laws relative to it, right?
Ummmmmmmm........nope. Here's why; legal gun violence would most likely be characterized as violent discharge of a firearm for a LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE PURPOSE, ie: I shot the gunman who was in my home firing his weapon at me or my family. So, if we legislate the LAWFUL (read--law abiding) shooter into making their actions illegal, aren't we then punishing an otherwise law abiding citizen for saving their own life, or the life of their loved ones? I know someone who is trying to do EXACTLY that, and her name is Diane Feinst......wait, I better hold off on that......don't want to end up on any MORE watchlists.....
ANYWAY, so, the other question we are to ask here is; Are we trying to curb ILLEGAL gun violence? Well, that sounds like an admirable pursuit, right? I mean, who can argue against trying to diminish the ILLEGAL use of firearms to do violence in our Country? You know what, if you look at legislation in California in particular, there is legislation to allow those who have illegal gun violence convictions to have lessened sentences in prison, while there is simultaneously legislation to criminalize LEGALLY using a gun to defend your life or the lives of your family. Wait, what? You doubt me? Google is your friend here.
There are a few truths that simply cannot be surveyed or statisticized out of being truths;
1) Evil exists, and evil does evil things.
2) A law breaking citizen has already decided not to follow the law, therefore we deduce that additional laws are ALSO not being followed. A new law will not make a law breaker start following that law, any more than it will make them follow the ones they were already breaking.
3) Illegal gun violence can be mitigated, case by case, by using a reciprocal force to the force being illegally imposed on an otherwise law abiding citizen. This can be summed easier by stating that the only thing that will stop a bad guy killing with a gun, is a GOOD guy shooting the BAD guy with the GOOD guys gun.
4) The United States Constitution grants us, as law abiding citizens, the right to KEEP (have available to us or own) and BEAR (to have on our person) arms. (there is more detail to the ACTUAL language, but for the purposes of this editorial, I digress there.....)
It was not a law enforcement officer that ended the reign of terror in Southerland Springs, Texas, following the murder and maiming of almost 50 people at First Baptist Church; It was two citizens, one driving, the other engaging the murderous shooter with his lawfully owned, lawfully carried, gun. The Police arrive 7 minutes later to find a dead bad guy, and yet, this story isn't resounding just a few short days following the incident, why? Because the truth doesn't help make a case against gun ownership. To the contrary, this particular incident, and MANY others like it in recent years, aren't given face time in media because it's contrary to the agenda of those who wish to criminalize LAWFUL gun ownership, and it's use for defensive purposes.
In this world, there are "sheep", those living life oblivious to the dangers and the evil all around them. The “sheep” are content to have others do the "dirty work" of finding, capturing, imprisoning, and doing battle day in and day out with the predators.....the “wolves”. You see, there are always the “wolves”, seeking their next target, their next victim, their next checked off line item, and they seek out the “sheep” to get their gains. Then there's folks like me, perhaps like you, and like all the law enforcement, military, the jailers and corrections officers. You see, we are the “sheepdogs”, doing whatever nauseating, physically exhausting or destructive things we have to do to either keep the “wolves” at bay, or, to keep them apart from society at large. We aren't necessarily open carrying a gun, we aren't always wearing the outward uniform of what we carry in our hearts, which is this; service, in protecting the “sheep” from the “wolves”, by any means necessary.
Are you a “sheep”?
Are you a “sheepdog”, like me?
You better HOPE AND PRAY you aren't a “wolf”...............because us “sheepdogs” won't let you make another victim of our beloved “sheep”, to our last breath.
Not on MY watch.
Lee--Proud Sheepdog
