An anti-gunner sees the light

[dewayneward]

Before I talk about this event, I have pretty much given up on trying to convince people of anything. I thougth that the art of rational explanation of facts have finally been lost on the world, but this event has shown me a glimmer of hope.

At my job, we had some new folks come aboard. I had in the past been semi open about my love of guns and how people need to be able to protect themselves, but after being met with continued anti-gun nonsense (guns kill people, only weirdos have guns, there will be blood in the streets, etc.), I just hushed up and went about my business.

When the 2 new hirs came onboard, we had a get to know each other meeting and all that. One of the new workers, was a hog owner and she is really into motorcycle riding. A number of people I know that have motorcycles ALSO have CHL's and I decided to test the waters a bit and made a comment about how there are some people out there that have it out for bikers, blah blah blah. The girl responded that she owns an old 9mm luger, etc. The other girl had this look of shock (almost disgust) on her face at the mention of a gun. She said that she couldnt imagine having a gun, etc. etc.

Fast forward 3 weeks later. I am talking to her and she tells me that she had to leave early the previous thrusday to go home. at 2pm (she lives in Lancaster or Langford, I cant remember the DFW area) she gets a call from her oldest daughter that there are 2 men at the front door banging on it and asking to be let in. My co-worker said that she could hear the men beating on the door through the cell phone. She told her daughter that she was not expecting anyone and to call 911. While on the cell phone, her daughter called 911 and told the police about the 2 men beating on the door.

As the girl was describing the info, she noticed that one of the men was no longer at the front door.

then the phone went dead.

The girl told my co-worker that the phone went dead while she was on the phone...then she screams and says that the other man is at the back glass sliding door beating on it and trying to get in. He had hopped the 6/8 ft fence to get into the backyard as the back gate was locked.

After about 15 more minutes of these guys beating on the two doors, the hightailed it out of there and left.

About 5-10 minutes after that the police showed up. Later they were told that the dispatcher tried to call back twice but couldnt get through, so they decided to send the cops out.

When my co-worker got home and was inspecting the damage, she found out that the 2 guys CUT the phone line while her daughter was on the phone with the police.

She said that she called her cousin and is going to the next gun show to buy some guns, is going to the range this weekend to learn how to shoot and (at my advice) is going to buy a shotgun and door braces.

As we were talking, she was bewildered at what happened. I explained to her that the cops ARENT required to protect and there are a number of court cases that have been handed down to that effect. I am glad we have police and they do deter crime, but they dont stop crime. She is responsible for her own protection of her and her family.

I share this story just to offer a glimmer of hope to those that feel frustrated that people just live in a fog. I am glad nothing bad happened to her or her daughters, but it is the wake up call that she needs to protect herself.

Sadly, she also told me a story about a friend of hers that a month ago was talking to someone on the phone with just her screen door closed. She turned around and there was a man staring at her through the window. She freaked out and called the police, etc. who eventually came out after the guy left. My co-worker told me that as of a few nights ago, she has made no changes (screen door is unlocked, etc.).

[Excaliber]

Before I talk about this event, I have pretty much given up on trying to convince people of anything. I thougth that the art of rational explanation of facts have finally been lost on the world, but this event has shown me a glimmer of hope.

At my job, we had some new folks come aboard. I had in the past been semi open about my love of guns and how people need to be able to protect themselves, but after being met with continued anti-gun nonsense (guns kill people, only weirdos have guns, there will be blood in the streets, etc.), I just hushed up and went about my business.

When the 2 new hirs came onboard, we had a get to know each other meeting and all that. One of the new workers, was a hog owner and she is really into motorcycle riding. A number of people I know that have motorcycles ALSO have CHL's and I decided to test the waters a bit and made a comment about how there are some people out there that have it out for bikers, blah blah blah. The girl responded that she owns an old 9mm luger, etc. The other girl had this look of shock (almost disgust) on her face at the mention of a gun. She said that she couldnt imagine having a gun, etc. etc.

Fast forward 3 weeks later. I am talking to her and she tells me that she had to leave early the previous thrusday to go home. at 2pm (she lives in Lancaster or Langford, I cant remember the DFW area) she gets a call from her oldest daughter that there are 2 men at the front door banging on it and asking to be let in. My co-worker said that she could hear the men beating on the door through the cell phone. She told her daughter that she was not expecting anyone and to call 911. While on the cell phone, her daughter called 911 and told the police about the 2 men beating on the door.

As the girl was describing the info, she noticed that one of the men was no longer at the front door.

then the phone went dead.

The girl told my co-worker that the phone went dead while she was on the phone...then she screams and says that the other man is at the back glass sliding door beating on it and trying to get in. He had hopped the 6/8 ft fence to get into the backyard as the back gate was locked.

After about 15 more minutes of these guys beating on the two doors, the hightailed it out of there and left.

About 5-10 minutes after that the police showed up. Later they were told that the dispatcher tried to call back twice but couldnt get through, so they decided to send the cops out.

When my co-worker got home and was inspecting the damage, she found out that the 2 guys CUT the phone line while her daughter was on the phone with the police.

She said that she called her cousin and is going to the next gun show to buy some guns, is going to the range this weekend to learn how to shoot and (at my advice) is going to buy a shotgun and door braces.

As we were talking, she was bewildered at what happened. I explained to her that the cops ARENT required to protect and there are a number of court cases that have been handed down to that effect. I am glad we have police and they do deter crime, but they dont stop crime. She is responsible for her own protection of her and her family.

I share this story just to offer a glimmer of hope to those that feel frustrated that people just live in a fog. I am glad nothing bad happened to her or her daughters, but it is the wake up call that she needs to protect herself.

Sadly, she also told me a story about a friend of hers that a month ago was talking to someone on the phone with just her screen door closed. She turned around and there was a man staring at her through the window. She freaked out and called the police, etc. who eventually came out after the guy left. My co-worker told me that as of a few nights ago, she has made no changes (screen door is unlocked, etc.).

In my experience, there are 3 groups of folks out there:

Despite watching and reading the news with accounts of home invasions and personal attacks nearly every day, most people don't believe it can happen to them - until it does happen to them or someone close to them (either family or in the neighborhood.)

When it does happen close enough to turn on the light bulb, some folks smell the coffee and change their security arrangements, lifestyle, and defensive posture. These are the fast learners.

Others think about changing their security arrangements, lifestyle, and defensive posture, but procrastinate for several weeks at which time they go back to doing nothing because the urgency has passed and they still don't believe it can happen to them. If another event happens quickly enough, they may do an internal reality check and make lasting adjustments. These are the slow learners.

The last group sees violence happen to either themselves, their loved ones, or neighbors, and still believe it either can't or won't happen to them. These are the no learners, much like the folks who don't see a need to wear seat belts because they haven't been in an accident this week.

There's not much you can do to change which group folks fall into - that's internal. The only time you can do anything to help is immediately after their perception of safety has been shattered and they realize they need to make changes, but don't have a clue where to start.

[Cosmo 9]

Good post!! You may want to suggest a good tactical shot gun course. I think they run about 200+- money well spent.

[FlynJay]

I would also heavily push the need for her daughters to learn gun use and safety.