This is a different kind of self defense story. I grew up in east Texas. In my high school years I would often burn up the roads all night long, and breaking down or getting my truck stuck in mud fairly often. When knocking on some strangers door at 3 am to call for help I learned to appreciate people homeowners that were armed. These are the people people that would actually help. I can't count the number of times there was a .30-06 slung over the back of a couch as I was invited in to make a phone call. Today it is hard for me to understand peoples fear of guns. The thing I feared the worst was when I really needed help somebody would be too afraid to unlock the door. Gun laws make me more afraid and the more open and visible those guns are the more comfortable I feel. So I want to say thanks to those people who actually carry guns, even if most of my experience is from the business end of that gun. People have a right to defend themselves, and on the whole appears more responsible to me than my experience with cops. Neither bad cops or bad gun owners should change anything about what good people can and can't do.
So if your going to carry a gun carry it openly so I can see who I can trust. Let the public know that a gun is not to be feared. Later, as a store clerk, I seen lots of concealed weapons. It was those few who carried them openly that made me feel comfortable. I may not carry a gun as a personal choice, and some of you may have an issue with that, but I will stand by you and defend your rights to carry that gun, and feel more secure knowing you have that right and the backbone to show it openly.
So if your going to carry a gun carry it openly so I can see who I can trust. Let the public know that a gun is not to be feared. Later, as a store clerk, I seen lots of concealed weapons. It was those few who carried them openly that made me feel comfortable. I may not carry a gun as a personal choice, and some of you may have an issue with that, but I will stand by you and defend your rights to carry that gun, and feel more secure knowing you have that right and the backbone to show it openly.