"arms...discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. ...Horrid mischief would ensue were (the law-abiding) deprived the use of them."
-- Thomas Paine
The average response time in one study of a large city in Texas in 2004 to a class 3 burglar alarm was 32 minutes. Response time, on average, for 911 calls today? 10 minutes.
The time it takes a bullet to reach the meth addict with a bad attitude and a knife kicking in my front door?
1200 feet per second.
If I can avoid danger without conflict while on the street I will do so, removing myself from that which might pose a threat, before it does. But the only time I am going to run from my own home is if the Crème Brûlée meets acetylene torch Christmas party dessert gets out of hand or if the house is flooding.
It's known as Castle Doctrine and it can vary state to state. If you are law abiding and intend to stay that way and keep a firearm in your house, get to know the law for your area. They can be complicated but it's still better protection than unicorns and a moat.
Short, sweet and to the point!
ReplyDeleteAnd how sad is it it varies!? It should be universal!
ReplyDeletegfa
Amen. You used to have a poem you wrote on this subject that was posted on the side bar of the blog. I hope one day you repost it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy - but I honestly don't recall the poem. Sorry.
DeleteI hope it comes to mind one day. It was really neat, about being prepared and ready to meet evil, should evil come.
ReplyDeleteAhhh - I think I remember. It was from 2009 and I think I made it a post, taking it off the sidebar. Here it is.
DeleteTWO THINGS
Two things move under night sky
the thing that came to kill, and I
He, released from prison to roam
and I, peaceably headed to home
He carries a knife and drug addled sense
seeing just prey, without defense
I detect movement, intuitive fear
and put my hand to pistol near
Worried, alone in that gloomy blight
above the fear, I prepare to fight
He hears the click of a chambered round
fleeing quickly to hunt safer ground
No predator dares go hunting for me
for I am armed, that makes me free
I holster my pistol and slowly stand down
heading towards home in a dark, sleeping town
For there are two things that will not die
my right to carry, and this night, I
Brigid at Home on the Range (c) 2009
I love that! Especially "...for I am armed and that makes me free..." I hate to say it, that is not the one. Thank you so much for looking. I'm trying hard to recall a phrase from the poem I am thinking of. I know it had to do with the real meaning of patriotism and being ready and quietly, confidently able. I think it compared two situations, one being a home. (I'm sorry to be a pest, but it summed up my feelings so well. I loved it.) I appreciate you very much!
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