It’s a new year and you’ve decided to be responsible – responsible for your life and your safety. You’ve decided the fear of losing life is greater than the fear of learning how to shoot a firearm- safely and to learn about firearms in general. Let me congratulate you again on this big step! Please know you are not alone in this journey. There are several resources out there, no matter where you are on the journey. We are always learning new skills and perfecting old ones. Were you using the excuse that ‘my husband is my protector’ – “he’ll save me”. When I started leaving the house before him going to an office in a remote business complex, he said it’s time I learned how to shoot and carry (a gun)… for MY own SAFETY!
At this point in my life, my kids were out of the house, but I can assure you that if they were younger and at home, knowing what I know now, I’d learned how to shoot much earlier than I did. Thank goodness for my husband’s suggestion and encouragement! Is your significant other ‘pushing’ (i.e. encouraging) you to carry?
One other excuse we may tell ourselves is, that I don’t live or go to bad area(s) of town. Has this thought kept you from learning to shoot? Do you really think for one minute, that there isn’t a bad area of town, anywhere? Unfortunately, I have to say “Not in this day and age”. That may have been true once upon a time, but sadly, it ain’t the truth no more. Unfortunately, the news has a revolving headline of bad, evil people doing bad, evil acts everywhere… even in church (White Settlement, Tx).
The point being is that your odds aren’t zero (of something happening to you or someone you know). Isn’t it better to be prepared; have a plan and a means in which to protect yourself no matter where you go or live? This doesn’t mean you have to choose a firearm for protection. There are other non-lethal options, but you should learn how to use whatever device you pick. Some of these non-lethal tools might be a striking tool/pen, pepper spray, stun gun, or a taser (check with state laws as taser guns aren’t legal in every state).
It is a fact that you are responsible for every bullet that leaves your muzzle and I can understand that is a scary thought should you actually have to draw your weapon as a defense and the fear that you might not hit your target. No matter if you believe your husband is a better shot, when it comes to stress (unless training under stress) we really don’t know how we’ll respond. With some forethought, planning and even training, if both you are armed, you both are able to defend. You double your powers of observation, information processing and defense. Don’t fall into this thinking: “What are the chances that….and I don’t want to live/think being paranoid.”It is practical, intelligent and necessary to consider that bad things might happen. In fact, many use Coopers color system of awareness. Think about how you plan for emergencies in other areas of your life. These days no one leaves home without their cell phone, why? Ok, so you don’t want to miss any news but isn’t it also for safety? In case of flat tire, you get lost or a true emergency. Think of it this way, you don’t expect to have a kitchen fire but I bet you have a fire extinguisher nearby so why not apply this same reasoning to yourself and your safety?
Resources: Women’s Concealed Carry Alliance, A Girl and A Gun, The Well-Armed Woman, and your local range
Learn from my mistakes #112 – Your kids are more risk than you think!
Happy Fall Y’all! I know many of you are ready for cooler weather – me too! It’s been a hot summer and I’m beginning to see signs of Fall- Yeah! What does this mean for you and keeping your kids safe?
Daylight hours are fading and Halloween decorations are showing up everywhere! If you have young kids, this is an exciting time.
BUT- there’s a spooky side ….
Are you talking to them about staying safe? Specially, about a different kind of ‘stranger danger’. It’s likely, your family will be in some crowded area this fall enjoying fall festivals, going to corn mazes, bon fires, camping and of course a night of “Trick or Treating”.
How aware are you?… really aware of who may be among the crowds looking at your kids?
Let’s begin thinking in layers and being aware of our surroundings. Most of these events are in large crowds, lots of people, young and old. Should you need to defend yourself, considering that more people are beyond your target, And, since one of our RULES OF GUN SAFETY this many not be this best plan or first line of defense. Not to mention, this action could make for a legal nightmare.
Given that (drawing a firearm) isn’t a great first choice, have you empowered your children to also be a part of their own self-defense? There are some great options in the way of non-lethal tools available on our site, like TackiKey or pepper spray or even better Protected Pepper with Shield Technology, that alerts five close contacts that you have deployed the pepper spray. This is from Damsel in Defense, for which I am a consultant.
There’s another type of threat that we don’t commonly think about and it’s not a pleasant thought either. The thought there are predators seeking to steal our children and maybe in a position of authority (with our kids). Primarily, child pornography and sex trafficking.
How do you talk to kinds about these unpleasant topics? We’ve got an answer! There’s a book series, Safe Hearts from Damsel in Defense, to help explain on a kid’s level what’s not ‘normal’ behavior from an adult. We should be aware and also teach our children to listen and respect that small inner voice and what to do if they ever find themselves in such a predicament.
From Damsel in Defense Safe Hearts series
I know first-hand, that this type of thing can happen at any age, even at college- male or female. It’s important to teach ‘em while they’re young! I’m grateful my son sensed something wasn’t right and listened to that voice – trusted his instinct. I admit these sort of topics weren’t widely discussed nor did they have the news coverage when my children were young, nor was I living a lifestyle of safety then. Again the statement rings true; Knowledge is Power
Enlarge your circle of empowerment by teaching your kids, who will tell their friends and share correct knowledge and what to do if they ever experience such a situation. It’s unfortunate that this is reality. Better to be prepared, as best as possible.
