Back in business
After 27 years in the same place, I've spent the last few months moving. Unlike previous moves, this was a move "back home" to take care of my elderly mother, 88, who is now legally blind . I also did most of the move alone this time, discovering that I can't move the same furniture by myself like I did when I was 30. I also discovered I can live without a lot of things but not without guns, or a computer. So now that things are settling down, I'm getting back into the saddle to talk guns and thoughts about guns.
The Shape of Things to Come
A year ago, this section would have been more pessimistic. I might have talked about the increasing debt, taxes, inflation, etc. or doom & gloom forecasts for our country. Instead, recent developments in the Middle East give us hope that some form of Democracy might take hold. Fewer dictators, more dialogue and perhaps better relations might result.But maybe not. It is possible that "the people" of these countries may align with fundamental Islamic ideals and we could see the rise of an Islamic bloc in the region. I tend to doubt it, as evidenced by the unrest spreading from Tunisia to Egypt, Libya, Yemen and even into Iran. People are tired of being poor and supporting regimes living in luxury. People are tired of secret police, oppressive laws and high crime. Maybe there is hope yet.
Government Budget cuts - hidden dangers
We all know that all governments are facing budget woes. The cuts needed to close the budget shortfalls are huge and most are struggling to find ways to keep going. We've seen the ruckus being raised in Wisconsin where unions are screaming about cuts and changes to reduce the burdens to government.
Many cities are closing fire stations to save money or staffing them every other week. Some are cutting deeply into police staffing too - San Francisco may lose 500 officers this year. What do these kinds of cuts mean to you?
What do you do when 911 won't respond? This is already a reality. In Seattle, bus riders reported a youth being roughed up by thugs for his Northface jacket. But callers were told no police would be sent unless the victim called. Police claim the citizens were reporting a "theft" instead of clearly saying it was a robbery. Bovine cookies. Sure, budget cuts have forced police to resort to taking theft reports over the phone instead of sending an officer out to write it up. But when two or more people on a bus report a crime is in-progress and they won't even attempt to come to the victim's aid? Sad.
Imagine leaving a restaurant at night with your family when four thugs start harassing you, making suggestions about your attractive wife (and/or daughter!) and coming closer. Your wife dials 911 but in her breathless excitement reports there are "some guys harassing and threatening us", instead of saying "I think we're about to get robbed and beaten by a gang."
In the former situation, the police say to leave the area and they'll send a car by to check them out. In the latter case, they dispatch two units with lights and sirens. That could make the difference between shooting them in the parking lot and holding them at gunpoint for the police.
In some counties, a deputy's beat can be 30 or more miles across. If budget cuts reduce staffing to one car per district, that deputy could be more than 30 minutes away. Just two calls for assistance in adjacent areas could mean a wait of an hour or more for help. Are you prepared?
Imagine you've barricaded your family in the bedroom and the door begins to open. You warn the intruder and then fire through the opening door. Minutes later, you peer down the hall with a flashlight and see -- nothing. Did you hit him? Is he still in the house? How long do you wait for the police to show up before venturing out? Are you ready for that? Is your family ready for that?
Would a handgun be effective in a crisis?
We all know that in terms of power, a rifle or shotgun far outclasses a handgun. Yet, in the event of some disaster or lawlessness, a handgun becomes an excellent defensive tool. Remember that during these events your state's statutes are not suspended, so walking about with a shotgun or rifle can get the unwanted attention of overworked, over-stressed police. A handgun can be concealed on your person or simply worn, low-key, in a holster. Some can fit in a pants or jacket pocket easily. Discrete carry means getting less hassle from anti-gun pacifists, macho types and authorities. It can also be a real surprise to a thief.
Which one is the best one? There's no magic formula to arrive at one answer. The one you shoot the best. Or the one you and your spouse can both shoot well. For some, a Ruger Single Six might be sufficient or it might be a Beretta 92 with 15 rounds. For others, an inexpensive but reliable Hi-Point 9mm in their supply bag will do the trick. Remember that the laws still apply and you should use it only as a last resort.
Comments? Send 'em in here.