I pulled the trigger on the 9mm and watched as the bullet shot straight through the heart of the man in front of me. I was pleased with myself. Relieved. I removed the magazine, checked the chamber and set the gun down.
Laws were never made for law-abiding citizens. Government never became too big in a society of entirely intelligent, self-sufficient individuals. We have laws to control the less sensible among us; government programs and restrictions to try to mitigate their negative impact on the rest of us.
I am a firm believer in the right to own a firearm, as well as to carry it concealed where permitted. I believe, at the same time, that some of our laws aren't tough enough. I was surprised, for instance, to find that a concealed carry endorsement in most states only takes showing the ability to shoot a human silhouette target from several yards away. No time restraints, no pressure... nothing like the situations that would justify most concealed carry holders pulling their gun from its holster. Even as a gun owner (and holding a concealed carry endorsement), I concede that makes me nervous.
The second amendment explicitly states "a well regulated militia"--refuting the arguments of those who might assert that our constitution gives anyone the right to bear arms without taxes, training or oversight. I believe anyone who carries a firearm in public should have to go through training closer to what our police officers go through. Shooting a target thousands of times perfectly has been proven to still make most individuals ill-equipped to handle being confronted by a maniac waving a gun and souped up on twenty kinds of crazy.
All of that said, I will take the laws as they are--and make certain I have more extensive training than is required--rather than accept any law that removes my right to own or carry a gun.
The man in the first paragraph was made of paper. I tell my son constantly that we don't shoot people, only targets. I hope I can go to my grave (at an old age) without either of us or anyone close to us having to experience the exception to that rule. In the meantime, however, I feel fortunate our forefathers have left those discussions and decisions to me, my family and to us as American citizens.
A friend told me that--where he lives--it is not permissible to shoot anyone, ever... but that in attempts to save one's life, the courts are typically lenient. Typically. I am glad that my country and my state do not leave that gray area. Yes, if you are coming at me to attack me, harm me, rape me, kill me... odds of me shooting myself in the foot have just gone up, odds of you taking the gun and using it against me have just gone up... but so have my odds of walking away unharmed.
I confess. I still prefer those odds.
