Civic Engagement

I sent a version of this letter to each of my state and federal representatives, the governor, and the president.  There has been so much going on recently surrounding the issues of gun control and violence.  I am still trying to process all of my thoughts.  With this, at least I can know that I have done what I can to open dialogue with the people who will be making some very important decisions over the coming weeks and months.  I strongly encourage you to do the same.  Let me know if you would like to use any of my language in your own letters.

Dear Representative,

First of all, I would like to thank you for the work that you do.  I know that you are very busy, and I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my thoughts.

As your constituent, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you.  I am a 25 year old woman living in beautiful Colorado.  I am a ballet dancer, a social worker, and I am hoping to attend graduate school to become a therapist.  I am also a person who owns firearms.

There are two main reasons that I choose to own firearms.  First, I own firearms because one in five women in the United States will be raped in her lifetime, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control.  I am three inches shorter and sixty pounds lighter than the average American male.  I know that if I were to find myself facing an assailant, my life would be in my own hands.  When attacks happen, there is not time to wait for the police to arrive, and I am prepared to protect myself when it is necessary.  I am thankful to have the right to own and carry a firearm so that I can be protected wherever I go.

The second reason that I own firearms is that recreational target shooting is a wonderful pastime that I am able to share with my family and friends.  Practicing target shooting allows us to spend time in the beautiful Colorado wilderness while challenging ourselves to improve our skills through patience, practice, and self-discipline.  It teaches valuable lessons such as responsibility, awareness, and communication.  I enjoy being a part of a longstanding American tradition that has provided enjoyment and challenge for generations.

The fallacy of most “gun control” legislation is that it assumes that people who own firearms are potential criminals.  There are millions of responsible adults in the United States who, like me, own firearms.  The overwhelming majority of these people have not and will not commit crimes involving those firearms.  Yet, there are those who would suggest that taking away the rights and property of these thousands of law-abiding citizens will somehow make crime disappear.  I hope you can see the error in this logic.  Punishing those who already follow the law will do nothing to prevent criminals from breaking the law.  I am not a criminal, nor are vast majority of firearms owners that you encounter daily at the mall or grocery store.  Please remember this when considering future legislation on this topic.  Laws that would take away the rights and property of law-abiding citizens are wrong.  Please focus instead on solutions that address the true underlying causes of violence and crime.

Violence is an enormous problem in our society, and one that must be dealt with.  It is essential that we find effective solutions to prevent any more unnecessary loss of life.  Sadly, violence is deeply rooted in our culture.  There is no one cause, but many nuanced factors that lead to a person choosing to commit a violent crime.  These are the influences that need to be rooted out and addressed.  I can promise you that a person does not become violent because they hold a weapon in their hand.  Violent crimes are only a symptom of larger problems in our nation.  Problems such as the stigma surrounding mental health treatment, people feeling desperate about their lives, or not knowing how to process the overwhelming challenges they face.  While I am not knowledgeable enough to outline all of those problems, I am sure you can understand that progress can only be made through addressing the root issues that lead people to choose to commit crimes.

I urge you to consider, while working through this new legislative session, solutions that will address the root causes of crime and violence.  Please understand that many people will react out of fear, claiming that the mere presence of firearms in our society causes violence.  Recognize the error in this argument.  Firearms have long held a place in American homes and lives, and again, the overwhelming majority of firearms will never be used in a crime.  Firearms are the easy target when people are demanding answers, but legislation against them will not solve the problem of violence.  All it will do is erode the rights of thousands of your constituents.

As a citizen of the district that you have the privilege to represent, I urge you not to support any legislation that would ban specific types of firearms or magazines, or requires any registration or tracking of firearms or ammunition.  This type of legislation ignores the real causes of crime.  Worse, it does so at the grave cost of the rights of thousands of citizens across the state, and millions across the country.  Please support legislation that will actually lead to progress against crime, while protecting the rights that so many have fought for us to enjoy.

As many a wise person has noted, we fear what we do not understand.  I would like to suggest that you experience recreational target shooting with a certified instructor, if you have not yet done so.  It may not become your favorite pastime, but I can promise that you will have an enjoyable and safe time, and hopefully you will gain a greater understanding of why the right to own and use firearms is so important to so many of your constituents.

Sincerely,

Me

"I am a child of the King, I will not be a victim!"

When you make the decision to carry a concealed handgun for self protection, someone will inevitably tell you that you need to do some self-talk.  Go find a mirror, they say, look yourself in the eye, and decide for yourself whether you would be able to pull the trigger and take a life if necessity called for it.  This is a valuable exercise.  It's not saying that you want to take a life, and certainly not saying that you would enjoy doing so, but confirming that if the time comes you would be able to.  Strapping on your holster and loading your firearm are acknowledgement that it may come down to your life or that of a mugger.  The lives of your family or that of a home invader.  It's the moment we all pray will never come, but the one we must be prepared for nonetheless.

As my NRA instructor stated, when you are carrying every conflict becomes an armed conflict because you brought a gun to the fight.  This means that the armed citizen, much more so than the unarmed one, must be cool, collected, and careful not to escalate a confrontation.  It also means that you must be resolved to effectively use that gun if need be.  You see, the situation becomes much more dangerous if you draw a weapon you are not really willing to use.  It is not going to scare the criminal away.  Instead, the assailant now feels threatened, and on top of that, has a gun within their reach.  That's why the conversation with yourself deciding what to do needs to happen before you are ever confronted with a life-threatening situation, so that you can act when you don't have time to think.

Now, if you look in the mirror and determine that you would not be able to pull the trigger, you've made a wise decision.  Knowing that, and choosing other methods of defending yourself could very well ensure your safety better than putting yourself in the dangerous situation described above.

But what gives us the resolve to act as necessary?  How do I know that it is worth it to protect my own life, possibly at the cost of another's?

When I was an undergraduate at a small Christian college, I took a self-defense class. The instructor was a slight, 70-something woman, who quickly had the football players in the class more than a little hesitant to "assist" her with demonstrating self-defense tactics.  At the end of class  each day, she had us repeat a mantra:

"I am a child of the King and I will not be a victim!"

As Christian students, the idea of being "children of God" gave us motivation to defend ourselves.  Knowing that our place and our worth came from belonging to the King meant that our lives were worth protecting, and no one could take that away from us.  Now I know not everyone shares the same philosophy, so replace that with whatever gives you your motivation and self-worth.  I am a mother of two children, I will not be a victim!  I am an American, I will not be a victim!  I am a husband, I will not be a victim!  Even something as simple as I am a worthy human being, I will not be a victim!

Reminding yourself of the source of your intrinsic worth, whatever that may be, gives you a tangible reason to believe that your life is worth protecting.  Hopefully, that will also give you the resolve and confidence needed to know that you are capable of defending yourself and your family if the time comes.

Guest Post: Ethical Concealment

This week we have a guest post from my friend Seth.  He’s a good friend and a good shot.  And he has more experience carrying than me!  I’ll be back next week with Part 1 of my review of carrying with a Belly Band.  Cheers!

-Christina

Ethical Concealment 

Many professions have a code of ethics to which its professionals must adhere, and that code of ethics is usually established without requiring adherence to a given moral code. For instance, it is unethical for a doctor to sleep with one of his patients, but it is not necessarily immoral to do so (say, if the patient is his wife). The distinction between what is morally acceptable and what is ethically acceptable is more than semantics, but to avoid unnecessary philosophizing I will simply say that my intent is to make public the ethical code I choose to follow every time I holster my sidearm and tuck it under my shirt.

One of the downsides I perceive when someone [in Colorado] participates in a CCW class is that a great deal of energy is spent going over gun safety, legal ramifications, and shoot/don't shoot situations, but very little time is spent talking about carrying while nothing bad is happening. I have been carrying my handgun consistently for over two years, and I am fortunate that I have never had to reveal it in self-defense. That means about 80% of my CCW class prepared me for 0% of my real-world experience. Over the last two years, I have developed the following ethical guidelines that I wish I had thought about when I first started carrying.

1.    Keep it concealed. When you first start carrying, there is often a temptation to let your friends know that you have made the decision to carry a handgun and that you're doing a great job of concealing it. There are a dozen justifications that will pop into your head as to why you don't really need to keep it concealed. Whatever those justifications, do yourself and others a favor and carry your firearm well concealed.

2.    If someone asks, use discretion. If someone asks me if I'm carrying, I rarely feel a moral obligation to answer them honestly. The only reason I ever answer honestly is if the person asking has a legitimate reason to ask.

3.    Firepower does not work in degrees. Shooting a person in self defense constitutes the use of deadly force, even if you only shoot them in the knee or shoulder. A firearm cannot be set to stun... it is a tool of death and should be respected as such.

4.    Obey the law. You have an absolutely rigid ethical obligation to obey the law. My employer's HR guidelines state that no weapons are permitted on the premises, so I don't carry while in the office. I wouldn't get caught if I did carry, but it would flatly contradict my claim that I should be able to carry a handgun because I am a law-abiding citizen.

5.    A threat does not always justify the use of deadly force. Defusing a situation or simply walking away is always preferable to ending a life. Carrying a firearm should make you more tolerant of harassment and verbal assault, because you will know that you can immediately stop it if it turns into physical assault.

6.    Carrying a firearm is an act of self-trust. If you do not trust your self-discipline, do not carry a firearm. If you doubt your ability to decide that a threat must be terminated with a hole through his chest, do not carry a firearm. If you are not willing to risk your life as a free man on your ability to make the right choice, do not carry a firearm. Since I began carrying, I have become remarkably more confident in my own ability to make judgments in all areas of my life (work, personal, and financial).

One of the best articles I have ever read on this topic is Ethics from the Barrel of a Gun. I wish it were required reading for anyone to receive their concealed handgun permit. Rather than quoting it at length and making a poor attempt at elaboration, I will simply point you to the site and strongly encourage you to give it a read.

-Seth

As always, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author of this post.

Tools of the Trade

Tool:  noun \ˈtül\ 

1. a : a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task (…) 
2. a : something (as an instrument or apparatus) used in performing an operation or necessary in the practice of a vocation or profession <a scholar's books are his tools> (…)

First things first… Generally, I’m going to avoid politics in this blog.  Aside from the obvious concern for one’s right to carry a firearm and defend oneself, I really don’t care if you label yourself a Republican or a Democrat.

But here’s one point I think is important: A gun is a tool.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It is, as Webster tells us above, a device that aids in a task.  It is an instrument.  It is “used.”

I mention this because I think it helps us put guns in perspective.  They are dangerous, and need to be used responsibly, just like a saw or a hammer.  The are useful, just like a screwdriver or drill.  They are not scary, and cannot jump up and hurt you of their own volition, just as a wrench or pair of pliers cannot do anything without someone using them.

Now, to be fair, among friends we often refer to our guns as “toys.”  But properly, and for the sake of this blog, I will try to use the more appropriate term, “tools.”

So, that being said, allow me to introduce you to my tools of the trade!

First, my Ruger SP 101.  This gun is my baby, my first love (as you could probably tell from the picture at the top of the blog!).  It is a five shot, double-action revolver chambered in .357 magnum.

I love this gun.  It fits my hand perfectly, it goes where I want it to go, and boy, does it pack a punch!

Let me tell you, I love walking up to the range desk to purchase some ammunition for it, and being told, “You know you have to hold on to that, right?”

Or in my NRA Handgun Certification class, when the instructor said, “Well, you could definitely carry that, IF you can control it!”

I guess people are just surprised that I, representing the more petite end of the fairer sex, would enjoy shooting such a powerful round.  But I do!

Unfortunately, I don’t think I will try to carry the SP 101 much, simply because of its weight.  It is a heavy gun, for sure.  We’ll see though, I’ll probably at least try it to see how it goes!

Next up is my Ruger LCP.  Lightweight Compact Pistol.  Those are exactly the words I’m looking for when it comes to a gun to carry!  This pistol can carry six rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber.  It shoots .380 ACP.  And mine has a Crimson Trace laser sight!

I love how tiny this gun is.  In all directions.  And very light, making for a great option to carry.

This one definitely took some getting used to!   Being so small and lightweight meant it took some practice to learn how to grip it effectively.  And laser sights are something else!  They’re great to use, but require a totally different strategy than what I was used to!

I really feel like I’m getting the hang of it though.  Which is important, if this is the one I’m going to carry most of the time!  You’ve got to be confident in what you’re carrying, knowing that in a high-pressure situation you’ll probably shoot half as well as you would in practice.  Not that we’re ever hoping to be in a high-pressure situation!  (More on that in future posts!)

So, most of the methods of concealed carry we’ll be trying out will be using the LCP.  However, for the sake of curiosity, I’ll try a few with the SP 101 too.  I might even throw in a few experiments with my hubby’s Springfield XDM, or whatever more compact 9mm he ends up purchasing for carrying!

What are your preferred tools?

What's This All About?

Style is important.  We’ve all got our own style, and that’s how it should be!  Along the same lines, we all care about how we look.  Some people care more than others, but I don’t think I’ve met anyone who literally didn’t care at all.

Your style is how you present yourself to the world.  It gives a first impression, gives people an idea of how you feel about yourself and how you feel about life!  I know, that’s a little heavy when making six a.m. decisions about what to wear…

I wouldn’t ever call myself a fashionista.  But I do enjoy being “stylish.”  I enjoy putting together new outfits from my closet, and I feel better about myself on days when I’m successful at it.  I like to dress somewhat professionally, and I enjoy being a little fancy!  (My hubby apparently thinks I often overdress…)

Hubby and I being fashionable

Anyways, it was several months ago when the discussion of getting our concealed carry permits came up in our household.  In some preliminary internet research about women’s carry options, I came across an article written by a woman.

Great!  A woman’s perspective!

Within the first paragraph, I read, “You’re going to have to start buying jeans in the men’s department.”

Seriously?!

If I hadn’t already decided that this was what I wanted to do, I’m pretty sure that line would have completely turned me off.  And I’ve been using firearms for a long time.  I can only imagine what that would do to a girl who’s trying to decide whether or not she should buy a gun, let alone try to carry one.

So, here’s what I’m trying to prove… and this list will probably continue to grow!

• We women should be able to carry concealed handguns just as easily as the boys can
• We shouldn’t have to make drastic changes to our style (small changes, yes)
• Carrying a handgun should be comfortable, and practical
• We can still be cute while protecting ourselves!

Now, I know I’ll never be able to carry a pocket pistol in a pair of skinny jeans.  But I think with a little creativity, some good equipment, and an awareness of how to conceal in different types of clothing, being fashionable, and discreet, while carrying a handgun should be completely possible!

What are you trying to prove?

At The Intersection of Feminine and Firepower

Welcome!

I find myself at an intersection.  Feminine and firepower.  Pretty and packing heat.  Simply put, I'm setting out to be an armed woman while continuing to be fashionable and practical.

Whether you're relatively new to the world of concealed firearms (like me) or you've been packing for years, you may have noticed that there are not a lot of options out there for women.  Of course, carrying a concealed weapon is absolutely doable, and many women do.  However, when it comes to equipment designed for women, or advice tailored to those of the feminine persuasion, what's available is disappointingly limited.

Which is where this blog comes in.  I've just started carrying on a regular basis, and I haven't settled on my setup yet.  I'm going to be trying out different equipment, taking a serious look at my personal fashion, and gathering all the advice and information I can get.  Hopefully others at this intersection will benefit as well!

Let's go!