There is a pistol-packing revolution going on in America. Nearly 13 million Americans have permits to carry concealed handguns — triple the number just nine years ago — and that figure is low because not every state reports.
It’s puzzling that so many Americans are choosing to arm themselves at a time when the FBI tells us violent crime and property crime have been falling dramatically for two decades.
In search of handgun permit holders, I drove out to the Texas Firearms Festival, an outdoor gun extravaganza held near Austin where firearms fanciers get to shoot everything they see. Read the rest of his take at the link.
I wanted to focus on what several of the people he interviewed said because what they said needs to be reinforced and is not obvious to a non shooter.
People who carry feel safer but this a chicken or the egg situation. People who decide to obtain a concealed carry license (CCL) have taken a look around. They have concluded that the world is a dangerous place, they cannot depend on third parties to intercede on their behalf and they have responsibility for their own protection. Just this mindset changes the environment that the prospective CCL is likely to find themselves in. They are able to avoid situations and confrontations because of their increased awareness.
Over the years a variety of firearms instructors have come up with a color code to denote proper situational awareness. I did, I added black.
A typical threat matrix would start with:
Green this is being awake, but having no appreciation for the events occurring around you.
Yellow is being aware of your surroundings, your capabilities, and events occurring around you. This awareness is projected far enough that one would have time to change direction, assess further the event, or escalate the awareness level.
Orange is focusing on a specific threat, it is not generalized feeling of unease, a threat is identified fight or flight is imminent. Verbal commands and deployment of a weapon to a ready position is appropriate.
Red, you are in a fight, deadly force is appropriate. One’s training, skill, and mindset will determine whether you survive or not.
Black the shooter ignores a variety of warning signs, over estimates his/her ability to enter into an armed confrontation. Has no plan and no training or skills to rely upon. High probability that the response will be inappropriate for the threat or situation.
I used to teach that anybody who was armed could not afford to leave the house in less than condition yellow.
Most of the shooters interviewed felt that the training offered in conjunction with the CCL class was inadequate. I would agree but I would also point out that the purpose of the CCL process is for the candidate to demonstrate proficiency for licensure. The training, such as it is, is geared more towards establishing rules on the firing range. How do you get to Carnegie Hall (and to be a pistolero)? Practice, Practice, Practice.
The other area that Burnett touched upon was what happens after a shooting? The three people he interviewed were unprepared for the aftermath. I have news for him the majority of police officers are in the same boat.
The first question a CCL should ask is, “can I take a life?” If the answer is no take a cooking class rather than a CCL. Chances are excellent that that situation will never come to pass but a CCL holder cannot rely on it. Assuming that the CCL holder answers in the affirmative, then the next step is to determine the legal boundaries that defines lawful use of force. This is part of your tactical training. The more well versed you are in the law the more options you have available to to you.
Burnett cited a Gallup poll where 56% of the respondents would feel safer if more Americans obtained CCL’s. People want to feel safe but are still unwilling to accept personal responsibility. Instead they would rather rely on the “other guy” to contribute to their well being.