For years, my wife just "put up" with me and my thoughts regarding the right to carry and the responsibility for self-defense. All this time, she was partial to the anti-gun crowd. She even thought about joining the MMM.
Last week, two events served to change her opinion. I should preface this by stating that during the last 10 years, I have always approached my stand with logic and not emotion; there was no "from my cold, dead fingers" type of speech. Nor was there an irrational (in my respect, anyway) belief in the need for carrying a weapon everywhere; I don't carry at friend's houses, etc.
Event number 1: The Rosie and her bodyguard story. After hearing Rosie's arguments, my wife turned to me and said, "That's exactly what you've been saying. Why should SHE have the right to defend her family and we shouldn't?"
Event number 2: A 19 year old girl was apparently abducted while on a bike ride here the other morning. She has not yet been found, although her bike was. We live in a beautiful, small Midwest college town; crime never was a big problem here. It is, however, getting worse. My wife walks every morning for about 1-2 hours with a girl friend of hers on roughly the same route the missing girl took.
Result: Tomorrow morning, at my wife's request, I'm taking her down to the Police Station to fill out her CCW application. Next, we're heading off to the range for shooting lessons. I bought her a Taurus Light Weight 38spl at the Indy show yesterday and she's excited to learn the proper operation of a firearm.
Bottom line: it CAN be done...we CAN win this battle...just stay focused, logical and sensible. After all, the facts are on our side. The American people are fair and reasonable; they WILL get it if we don't make them afraid of us.
Last week, two events served to change her opinion. I should preface this by stating that during the last 10 years, I have always approached my stand with logic and not emotion; there was no "from my cold, dead fingers" type of speech. Nor was there an irrational (in my respect, anyway) belief in the need for carrying a weapon everywhere; I don't carry at friend's houses, etc.
Event number 1: The Rosie and her bodyguard story. After hearing Rosie's arguments, my wife turned to me and said, "That's exactly what you've been saying. Why should SHE have the right to defend her family and we shouldn't?"
Event number 2: A 19 year old girl was apparently abducted while on a bike ride here the other morning. She has not yet been found, although her bike was. We live in a beautiful, small Midwest college town; crime never was a big problem here. It is, however, getting worse. My wife walks every morning for about 1-2 hours with a girl friend of hers on roughly the same route the missing girl took.
Result: Tomorrow morning, at my wife's request, I'm taking her down to the Police Station to fill out her CCW application. Next, we're heading off to the range for shooting lessons. I bought her a Taurus Light Weight 38spl at the Indy show yesterday and she's excited to learn the proper operation of a firearm.
Bottom line: it CAN be done...we CAN win this battle...just stay focused, logical and sensible. After all, the facts are on our side. The American people are fair and reasonable; they WILL get it if we don't make them afraid of us.
