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Will You Pull The Trigger? Jack Fowler This is the toughest, most complicated topic there is in the world of firearms. It is unpleasant and can cause uncomfortable soul searching even in seasoned lawmen. Many people rightly feel the need to take a personal interest in the protection of themselves and their loved ones by obtaining a defensive firearm. They realize that doing this is no more radical than buying insurance, or locking doors. Research is done, and the firearm is obtained. Most prudent people then realize that some practice, and familiarization are necessary and many take classes or go so far as to obtain a carry permit. It is only human nature to want to gloss over the lethal ramifications of what we have done. We are decent people and decent people reflexively abhor the idea of killing another human being. But the idea must be addressed, for killing another person is the likely outcome of the use of your weapon. If you think that brandishing the weapon will scare a criminal away and there will be no need to fire, sell your weapon now. If you think that you will shoot to wound and the disabled criminal will cease to be a threat with no loss of life, sell your weapon now. These things happen all the time in armed confrontations but you must realize that they are very lucky accidents, nothing more. You simply cannot afford to bet your life on them in order to avoid confronting the possibility that we will most likely take a life in such a confrontation. You *must* approach this unpleasant idea head on and resolve it in yourself *before* you are confronted with it for real. Why is this important? Because any hesitation, any "buck fever", any "frozen with fear" on your part will get you killed at best. Once you have pulled a gun on another person you have committed yourself, like it or not. The likely chain of events will lead to you killing or being killed. The only way to survive is to be mentally prepared, in advance, to follow through on your commitment to save your life or the lives of others. Follow through with force, with determination, and with moral clarity. If you have done your mental homework there will be no hesitation, and hesitation is the path to tragedy. A lethal encounter can take place in seconds. Even with your gun on him an adversary can close the distance and be on you in the blink of an eye. Even a fraction of a second can be fatal. Not only have you failed to act, you have given the adversary a weapon to use on you or anyone else when he may have only been armed with a knife or less. This is why I recommend having no gun at all if you are unsure of your commitment. If you have made the decision to own a defensive firearm then you must confront the act of killing with it. If you have moral questions, legal questions, or doubts about your resolve, take the time now to confront them. Talk with your spouse, your close friends, your pastor, priest, etc. Have it crystal clear in your mind and heart that this person has no right of any kind to place you or your loved ones in fear of your lives. By doing so he has forfeited his right to live and you have not only the right, but the duty to use whatever force necessary to defend yourself and those dependant on you for their lives. If you can hold this attitude in total honesty and with no self-delusion, then you will fire without hesitation when the time comes. Killing is an ugly, ugly thing. There is nothing "tidy" about it like in the movies. It is a noisy, messy, terrifying experience. It will take everything you have to go through it. There is no room for mental uncertainty. As a gun owner you have no choice, because the failure to be prepared will result in the loss of innocent lives now and/or later. I cannot provide a formula for working through this mental preparation. It is a different process for each and every one of us. Whatever it takes, you must be aware that you can and will pull the trigger without a moment's hesitation with another human being in your sights. Resolve that in yourself or get rid of your gun. There is no middle ground.
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