By now, we have all heard about the killing spree of madman Anders Behring Breivik last Friday. While media pundits will use this, vulture-like, to push forward anti-gun political agendas, pistol-training.com has never been about politics. Instead, I see this as a horrible example of why training matters.
I am not a police officer, not a soldier. I’m not likely to find myself in pitched battle along side a squad of Marines or an impromptu pick-up team of cops. As I tell people all the time, my worst case scenario is much different: sitting in the local shopping mall eatery with my wife when some bad people with guns decide to start shooting. It doesn’t matter whether they are wearing keffiyeh or trenchcoats. It doesn’t matter whether their motivation came from a radical Imam or playing too much Doom. Evil is evil. And evil people do evil things. Horrific things.
If that worst case scenario comes to pass, I would rather have the means and will to do something than watch the slaughter as a bystander… or victim.
Train hard & stay safe! ToddG
Absolutely right and all credit and honor to America for the several decades long Shall Issue CCW revolution that really took off after FL.
In most states we have the tools, and we just need the software.
I winced when you mentioned Doom. The insinuation that too much Doom is going to make someone go on a murder spree makes about as much sense as saying too much chocolate is going to make someone go on a murder spree.
Jesse — Just as tons of people listen to religious leaders and don’t do evil things, tons of people play video games and don’t do evil things. Evil people can point to anything as their motivation. My whole point is that I don’t care what their motivation is. “Being evil” is enough of an identifier for me.
That lunatic is pure evil in every sense of the word. He said he did it to rebel against the “Liberal government” and was anti-Islamic, yet he slaughters innocent, white, Nordic kids. What?
Carry every day.
In this country (Norway) there is no such option.. Not even the police carry on duty. You see the results.
Of course, the same could happen anywhere. But in America you at least have the choice to be prepared, both physically and mentally (equipment and training) for this kind of thing.
I second that… Amen!
Dann in Ohio
My issue with this whole thing… he was wearing a police uniform.
So it raises the issue, if you are at the mall and you hear shooting and then see an officer walking around with a gun… are you sure he is the shooter?
Second you are at home and the door gets kicked in and is followed by several guys in police,swat, etc gear, do you respond defensively, comply? What if they are not officers, what if they are?
Just thoughts.
I honestly don’t know why all law-breakers don’t buy some costume police uniforms or fake swat vests and balaclavas. If I were going into a house hot to do bad things, I’d sure as hell shout “police” when I did it.
Even if it just causes a moment’s hesitation, that’s enough to kill the unlucky good guy.
Excellent post, Todd.
@Mike
I have a folder on my computer full of articles about criminals doing exactly that. Hell, Radley Balko has articles about that on his blog all the time. Though it’s sad that your dog is more likely to live through the incident if it’s criminals forcing their way in than if it’s the police.
Honestly, as far as I’m concerned, if someone busts in my door yelling police, it’s far more likely in my case that they are criminals lying than that they’re really cops. So, unless I see blue lights flashing from outside when the door comes down, I’d probably opening fire.
Rob, Mike, etc:
Make your determinations on behavior not costume. And even then be skeptical.
Bad/evil behavior is bad/evil, no exceptions.
Todd, as always a great post.
I can only hope that should I ever find myself in similar circumstances that someone like you is present and willing to assist me.
Thanks!!!
This is a great post about an unbelievably tragic event. Evil exists in the world and always will. Pretending that it doesn’t exist, or that we can create a safe society that evil cannot penetrate, only enables it. We need to be prepared to resist it and at the same time recognize that in resisting evil there are limits beyond which we cannot go lest we find ourselves on the wrong side of the divide.
Owning–and being well tranined in the use of–defensive weapons is one way we can protect ourselves. I only hope that others get this right as well.
Todd,
I agree completely with your statement. The majority, of U.S. citizens, are not aware the Police protect society and not the INDIVIDUAL. This means each citizen is responsible for their protection.
Dear Todd,
Some one much smarter and braver than I said it best a long time ago. ” ..If you believe the evil is everpresent and everywhere, than guns deserve a place of honor with all things good…” George Washington!
Our forefathers were on to something! God Bless America!
Rhino Chris
“Jesse — Just as tons of people listen to religious leaders and don’t do evil things, tons of people play video games and don’t do evil things. Evil people can point to anything as their motivation. My whole point is that I don’t care what their motivation is. “Being evil” is enough of an identifier for me.”
I doubt you intended to equate playing video games with belonging to a radicalized religious organization, Todd,and I get where you’re coming from, but it’s a little frustrating when I read things like that.
I imagine you would find it just as frustrating to read “whether their motivation came from radical Islam or reading gun blogs on the internet.”
Becoming a member of a radicalized belief is *likely* to prompt violence. I don’t think playing video games belongs in the same category. Sorry for nit-picking, but as someone who tries to help lay people understand my profession and my hobby, I’m sure you can relate.