Why do we, as "mature" adults, over the age of 21, law-abiding, up-standing citizens go absolutely gaga about getting our plastic? Really, just look back through any of the threads in the "Waiting Room" sub-forum, and you will see a lot of:
In additon to all the great emoticons, we use flowery language to express our glee. We "woo hoo!" a lot. We load up and get right on down to Wally World, Cabela's...or wherever.
Why do we do it? Here is the answer our public person gives out. I am excited to get it because I made a decision to protect my family, and myself. I decided to take off my rose-colored glasses and see the evil in this beautiful world. I decided that I would not let an innocent be harmed if I could feasibly prevent it. I took the time to learn. I studied for hours. I made an investment in a gun, gear, ammo, knives, etc. I went to the range and shot until I knew what I was doing, and then I did it with my other hand, one-handed, on my knee, from the waist. I took those head shots that I promised not to take when I signed my range agreement. I signed up for my class, paid money to the State of Texas, and to my instructor. I spent 10 hours and passed my test and shooting qualification. I took it all seriously, still take it seriously, and will put my life on the line for you and yours and pray you will do the same for me and mine.
Nothing wrong with that answer, and it is completely true. Not one ounce of fabrication in it. I do not prevaricate one iota. However, is it the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Well, one out of three ain't that good.
Here is the rest of the story. It may not apply to all of you, but dig deep and be honest here. Why did I do it? I love my gun. It gives me a quiet authority that I did not have before. This may strike you as strange since you probably will never know I have a gun on me. That is why the authority it imparts is quiet. It is not boastful and it does not brag. It does not seek to anger you, nor does it seek retribution for your slights against me. I do it because I used to be a little boy. I played cowboy, and I played cop. Cowboys and cops wear guns, and that was really cool. While no part of my mind thinks the deadly weapon I carry is part of any sort of game, it still feels pretty cool. I have loaded it with snap caps in order to practice drawing my weapon, aiming it, learning a smooth and steady trigger pull, and how to reholster it without looking. Once in awhile there may be a "bad guy" in the room, and I have to draw down on him. Yeah, he may be only in my mind, but he now knows not to mess with RJ...stupid jerk. I don't want to be a cowboy, they work to dang hard. I did want to be a cop at one time, but no longer...their lives are too complicated and dangerous. I also don't want to be some guy that looks for trouble just so I can be a hero, but I do envision scenarios in my mind, several times a day. My wife told me I was being paranoid in doing so. Ayoob, Bird, and Mann say that I am training my mind so that I do not have to go from A through Z in the event of an emergency. I will have worked through parts of it ahead of time. Would I mind being a hero that saves the day? Of course not. I pray to never have to pull my gun out of the holster "in anger", but I want to do the right thing if the time comes. I shoot zombie targets because I have never met a zombie that I liked, and probably never will. So I practice at the range. Once in awhile the target becomes something personal, or maybe it is just a target. I practice because I want to be better than you at shooting targets. I shoot because it is fun.
Sorry, I ramble. Did you see what I am trying to say? We do this thing for all the right reasons. What I may tell you, and what I may keep to myself, are equally valid, but may not be equally compelling to someone who does not carry. It seems most people who don't carry really do not understand the reasons that compel those of us who do. Because of this, we save intelligent, crisp, one-liners for them.
Do you have a "rest of the story"? If I opened up a can of worms, I apologize.
Well, maybe not!
RJ
