Michael Swickard
Brady Center for Preventing Gun Violence mission statement: “We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.”
I fundamentally agree with the Brady Center Mission Statement; the problem is the details. George Orwell noted correctly, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men (and women) stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”
At times a kind word or action can defuse a potentially deadly confrontation. At other times someone dies and their death is just a fact of our world. Regardless of what some people would like to believe, the truth is there are evil ones in every community to whom killing is a way of life. You can live in your town for decades without a problem and then, in the space of a few seconds, you either deal with the threat correctly or not.
When dealing with the violent evil people, we must realize that nothing but force can stop them. While the police are protectors, it is well established that the police will arrive in minutes but you only have seconds. How you use those seconds is up to you. I want to protect myself and my loved ones. Some people want to prohibit my defensive methods due to a political agenda.
Judged by a jury of peers
There were many comments about last week’s column on citizens using guns to defend themselves. Some people said by defending myself from attack, I am making it much more dangerous for society. They contend that by me having a means of defense, it automatically makes innocent people much more endangered. I do not see the news stories that would be expected if this was true.
One person wrote, “…what you are talking about is vigilantism of the worst kind…” We must separate people who have a gun laying around from those who take conceal carry training and intend to use the gun for defense. The opposition lumps everyone into one category.
And then there was this comment: “I think that I would rather take my chances on being shot by a gunner (murderer) than on being shot by a well-meaning, incompetent, self-appointed gunslinger.” It is a Darwin moment for that person.
The child victims in Norway resorted to throwing rocks at the murderer, who was the only person with a gun. No, it did not keep him from killing them. They brought a rock to a gunfight.
In fact, what most objectors were most concerned about was not the murdering of innocent victims; rather, it was the chance someone with a gun would harm someone inadvertently. Murder victims are forgotten.
The legal question of what would happen if a well-meaning person made a mistake came up many times. I wrote, “You ask, what is the liability of someone using a firearm for defense? A jury of peers will judge those actions. I am glad to submit to that judgment. Every policeman and member of the military must do likewise. If I am shown to be negligent, charge me as such.”
Better to have a gun and not need it
It was interesting to me that I got lots of e-mail from police officers who commended me on the column. Typical was, “I really enjoyed reading this piece and I applaud your efforts to keep this discussion on the surface. As a law enforcement officer and a firearms trainer I often ask people if they believe the police are here to protect them. Overwhelmingly most have this belief that the government will protect them. Once they get into the substance of the class they quickly understand the speed of violent attacks, the response time of police and the need to have a method of controlling your environment right now.”
Those who want to put their heads in the sand and ignore the danger are welcome to do so. They do not have to defend themselves. And I may never need to defend myself, but as was said in the Old West: It’s better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it.
Whatever you do, do not take a rock to a gunfight.
Swickard is co-host of the radio talk show News New Mexico, which airs from 6 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday on KSNM-AM 570 in Las Cruces and throughout the state through streaming. His e-mail address is michael@swickard.com.