In the past I have often simply unclipped my holster, put it and the pistol in the locked compartment in my truck, and entered the gun free zones I had to for various reasons. At other times, knowing I was going to be in a gun free zone, I have simply opted to leave my pistol at home.
The other day I went into the school to pick up my daughter. I simply removed my pistol, unloaded it, and locked it in the truck. As I was standing at the school I thought how stupid this was that I had an empty holster. Further as we are talking a bunch of "defenseless" kids with no clear sign of retreat it occurred to me that I, and whatever improvised weapon I could find, would have to attempt to do something. Maybe the various coaches, teachers, and administrators have had similar thoughts before they actually engaged and active shooter.
I have made it clear to my family that in the unlikely event such occurs that it is their duty to point to the empty holster on my belt often and repeatedly because such resistance is likely to be fatal.
So why am I discussing this? It seems that those most vocally favoring gun control have gotten very good at making sure "no tragedy goes wasted" and "our" response has been "a good guy with a gun..." My challenge: make certain when you do enter gun free zones, for whatever reason, it is clear in the event of an incident that you were unarmed only because of the law. An empty holster seems to me to make that statement better then leaving the holster and firearm in the truck. If these tragedies are going the threaten our individual rights maybe we should learn the lessons of the "use" of them.
Edit for clarification: I am not advocating for an empty and visible holster. Simply not removing your concealed holster which would, by its nature, remain concealed. The only time it would be evident you had an empty holster would be after the fact. I'm not advertising the fact that there may be a gun locked in my vehicle.
The other day I went into the school to pick up my daughter. I simply removed my pistol, unloaded it, and locked it in the truck. As I was standing at the school I thought how stupid this was that I had an empty holster. Further as we are talking a bunch of "defenseless" kids with no clear sign of retreat it occurred to me that I, and whatever improvised weapon I could find, would have to attempt to do something. Maybe the various coaches, teachers, and administrators have had similar thoughts before they actually engaged and active shooter.
I have made it clear to my family that in the unlikely event such occurs that it is their duty to point to the empty holster on my belt often and repeatedly because such resistance is likely to be fatal.
So why am I discussing this? It seems that those most vocally favoring gun control have gotten very good at making sure "no tragedy goes wasted" and "our" response has been "a good guy with a gun..." My challenge: make certain when you do enter gun free zones, for whatever reason, it is clear in the event of an incident that you were unarmed only because of the law. An empty holster seems to me to make that statement better then leaving the holster and firearm in the truck. If these tragedies are going the threaten our individual rights maybe we should learn the lessons of the "use" of them.
Edit for clarification: I am not advocating for an empty and visible holster. Simply not removing your concealed holster which would, by its nature, remain concealed. The only time it would be evident you had an empty holster would be after the fact. I'm not advertising the fact that there may be a gun locked in my vehicle.
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