The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: MikeBjerum on September 21, 2011, 10:12:02 PM
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Got asked this the other day again. Actually I got asked "Are you scared?" I said "No - I just believe in being prepared if needed."
This got me to thinking some more about my reply to this question. We have all used the old spare tire or jumper cable analogy, and I wanted something new with numbers. So, I went to work and did a little research:
State of Minnesota cause of death on death certificate for years 1999 - 2008
Assault - Homicide 1304
Average 130.4
High 2000 - 142 Low 2007 - 118
Population - Average for entire state over same period 5.1 million
Odds of dieing as a victim of violent assault in the State of Minnesota
1 in 39,110.4
Odds of winning at Power Ball
Jackpot 1 in 195.3 million
200k 1 in 5.1 million
10k 1 in 723k
Odds of being struck by lightning according to NOAA
1 in 8.99 million
Odds of a child dieing in an automobile accident in the USA
1 in 23k
PowerBall is well accepted through out the states it is played in, and most states have some type of lotter;
We run for cover, quit playing golf and we get off the lake in a thunderstorm once lighting is spotted or thunder heard;
And we spend hundreds per family on car seats, we buckle our children up and we adjust where we put our children in the car.
Given these facts, why don't more people carry self protection weapons and train in their use?
By the way, these assault numbers are homicide only - resulted in death of the victim. These numbers do not include assault that resulted in injuries, home invasions, armed robbery, car jacking, etc.
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Just a side note....
One of the reasons death by lightening strike is low is that folks have learned what it takes to be safer.
Lightening Rods and other safety gear and just being aware and prepared to deal with it...in this case getting out of the risk area.
Similar to Self Defense. Carry the right gear, be aware and prepared, and avoid the situation if possible.
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I carry a gun because it is a heck of a lot easier (and probably safer) than carrying a cop........... ;D ;D ;D
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Ultimately we are responsible for our own safety, and those around us to a certain extent .
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Short Answer... I have a wife and 2 children I am responsible for.
Explanation... I am no good to them dead, so I must protect myself. I can't not keep them locked at home so we must go out into the world and interact with people I know nothing about. Some of those people may want to do them harm and since I do not wish to force them to stay right next to me, those bad men might want to do them harm at a distance; therefore, a short stick will just not do. Some of those people may also have friends and since I am only one man I may be quickly overcome and I need a tool to help even the odds. Lastly while my family is my #1 priority, there may also be a time when my friends or fellow law abiding citizens may encounter a threat of grave bodily injury or death and this tool would allow me to assist them equally well.
Restated... I carry a firearm to protect my family, friends or those unable to defend themselves from bad men that mean to do them grave harm, when I alone am not enough.
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Brigid happened to post a poignant piece on this topic today. You can find it Here http://mausersandmuffins.blogspot.com/
And here is an excerpt
For in that one shot, with the confidence it brought, I knew. With this weapon, and practice, I can walk freely, a woman unbound by convention or unseated fear. I can hold my head up high, aware of my surroundings, walking with that purpose that shows I am not afraid of you any longer. Too many victims, too many women afraid, nothing left but soft murmuring bones and deep sighs like wind. Brave women, yet in the end, unarmed, their fight so insubstantial against mass and anger that we can not distinguish it from the bone colored earth that is all that remains or their final moments.
If you have women in your life who are hesitant to take up shooting or carrying, they need to have a read.
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Why do I carry? Why do you insure your home against fire, and your car against theft?
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Why do I carry? Why do you insure your home against fire, and your car against theft?
so you buy insurance?
where can I get that kind of insurance?
All joking aside, there is a huge diffrence between buying insurance and doing things yourself.
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so you buy insurance?
where can I get that kind of insurance?
All joking aside, there is a huge diffrence between buying insurance and doing things yourself.
I knew sooner or later it would happen >:(
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What the truth?
Carrying a gun is more like having a car alarm, then it is insurance.
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I carry because.....screw it. I dont need no stinkin reason.
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Being a newspaper crime reporter you tend to really piss people off when you tell the truth about them in print. Some of these people have knives and guns and friends with knives and guns and baseball bats.
I'm 47 years old with arthritis and a hyperextended knee, so I dont intend to let any goblins injure me for any reason.
when you go to a cop and play a tape for him of a threat against you and all he says is, "LK, you DO still carry a pistol don't you?"
When I answered in the affirmative, he got up, patted me on the back and said, "good man, keep it that way." and then he walked off.
I knew I was on my own then.
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What the truth?
Carrying a gun is more like having a car alarm, then it is insurance.
You're wrong as well TAB .
If we're going with the car analogies, carrying a gun is like have a spare tire.
You hope you won't need it.
99.999% of the time you don't need it.
But that .001 % of the time you need it desperately and immediately.
Being a newspaper crime reporter you tend to really piss people off when you tell the truth about them in print. Some of these people have knives and guns and friends with knives and guns and baseball bats.
I'm 47 years old with arthritis and a hyperextended knee, so I dont intend to let any goblins injure me for any reason.
when you go to a cop and play a tape for him of a threat against you and all he says is, "LK, you DO still carry a pistol don't you?"
When I answered in the affirmative, he got up, patted me on the back and said, "good man, keep it that way." and then he walked off.
I knew I was on my own then.
Cops are really nothing more than armed historians. They have no responsibility to protect any individual.
Their job, as defined by the SCOTUS is to document events and round up witnesses and participants.
The only difference between them and a college researcher is that some of their witnesses and participants are wiiling to fight to avoid participating.
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no, its a car alarm... its a tool to hopfull prevent crime. does not always work, but its better then nothing.
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no, its a car alarm... its a tool to hopfull prevent crime. does not always work, but its better then nothing.
You are correct young man, but a gun will stop the situation. If you do it properly it will also put an end to the career of the trouble maker. Only car alarm I've seen that will do that was owned by Bond, James Bond.
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Being a newspaper crime reporter you tend to really piss people off when you tell the truth about them in print. Some of these people have knives and guns and friends with knives and guns and baseball bats.
I'm 47 years old with arthritis and a hyperextended knee, so I dont intend to let any goblins injure me for any reason.
when you go to a cop and play a tape for him of a threat against you and all he says is, "LK, you DO still carry a pistol don't you?"
When I answered in the affirmative, he got up, patted me on the back and said, "good man, keep it that way." and then he walked off.
I knew I was on my own then.
Still not a bad idea to keep the cops informed of threats against you, for two, maybe three reasons.
1. Should you be attacked and killed, they will have some list of possible suspects...not much help to you, but might bring some justice.
2. When you have to defend yourself against someone who threatened you, you have evidence supporting your self defense actions.
3. Maybe the cops will be aware of the threats and pay a bit more attention when cruising your neighborhood....maybe not too.
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no, its a car alarm... its a tool to hopfull prevent crime. does not always work, but its better then nothing.
No, it is a seatbelt.
99.99% of the time it is a hassle, it restricts you movement, it is not comfortable, you hope you never need it, but if you do you need it right then and don't have time to put it on.
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No, it is a seatbelt.
99.99% of the time it is a hassle, it restricts you movement, it is not comfortable, you hope you never need it, but if you do you need it right then and don't have time to put it on.
I would say its more like an airbag. Theres an oh shit and then a bang.
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I would say its more like an airbag. Theres an oh shit and then a bang.
OK, We have a winner ! ;D