Regular readers of this blog will probably be disappointed to see that this is recycled content. My apologies. I intend for this video to reach the audience that does not regularly visit the blog and/or would not have an interest in reading the article I wrote on this subject last year.
I am not disappointed, I felt it was a good update to the subject.
The video helped me put into words feelings I have started to have recently as I apply for my carry permit, and hopefully help me explain how I feel to others.
On the topic of saving others, I would add that it’s not only a bad choice to go looking for the bad guy and possibly shooting the wrong person, or not knowing the situation (victim disarmed badguy and has badguy’s gun when you show up), but because other “hero’s” may show up as you are stalking the gunman on aisle 8 as you present your firearm. Or maybe you’ve saved the day and killed the gunman or one of them…some other hero may see you standing there after you’ve done the good deed and now you are accidentally suspected as the gunman. I would also include that common adage that every bullet has a lawyer attached to it which adds exponentially to the risk you run when being a hero. In short, save you and yours…then, if the situation is clear as a bell, you have no doubt you could intervene appropriately without running risks to yourself or others…and maybe play out your jury trial in your head, then yes, be a hero. It’s not selfish at all to let it go.
Excellent points all. I don’t have a badge and my job is to protect myself and my family first, second and third. I have zero interest in being a hero, I just want to live a peaceful life in happiness and health. Maybe this makes me a coward, I really don’t care about that very much.
On a related note I find the term “sheepdog” a bit funny. My auntie had sheep when I was a kid and while the urban/romantic storyline of them keeping “wolves” away is partly true a “sheepdogs” (“fÃ¥rhund”) first job is to help the shephard herd all the sheep to the slaughterhouse. Dogs bred and raised to keep bears/wolves etc away from the livestock are called “wolfhounds” (“varghund”) where we come from and are very different from the sheepdog.
I carry a gun (ccw) to protect me and mine (family, etc). Callus yes, but that’s reality. In fact, to paraphrase Al Gore, which doesn’t happen often, I don’t have any legal authority to do anything else. People confuse moral and legal obligations. Is it wrong to try and save yourself while others are in danger? Maybe, but it’s legal. Would I try and help others if I could, maybe. But you can bet I’m not going to run into a gun fight.
That is all true and is the angle that needs to be pushed. The anti’s are much more vocal in demonizing CCW because they push the “Armed and under trained citizen” that will intervene and send bullets into innocent people. Not that cops are much different but they are cops… and will organize before they attempt anything.
All sound advice. My own instructor as well as some whose blogs I follow, emphasize this mindset.
Outstanding. You touched on some things I hadn’t considered. Had to laugh a little because your argument was almost zen (i.e. different schools of Buddhism disagree on the extent of involvement with “things”). I’m babbling – great info and great site.
Evan Marshall wrote a piece on a different angle of this subject some time back called “The Dangers of Intervention” that one can read on his website stoppingpower.net
The reader’s digest version is that sheepdogging is all risk and no reward. And also that the risks extend far beyond the immediate, physical dangers. Also basically every point you made in your video was made by him as well.
I guess the sheepdog term can be overused or mis-applied… but I never thought of the term as a sheepdog protecting everyone or the general public… as an old farm boy… the sheepdogs and farm dogs such as Great Pyrenees… protect themselves and their own flock… as in family… their territorial… they don’t protect other flocks… other farmers and shepherds need to arrange for their own protection… and a good sheepdog doesn’t leave his flock to protect another… won’t happen…
I like the Ohio application for a license to carry a concealed handgun because it specifically asks the applicant to attest that the reason for carrying a gun is for the protection of them self and their family members…
Good stuff…
Dann in Ohio