My friend Derek is an ex-Marine and very passionate about gun safety and knowledge. He teaches a
Utah State Concealed Carry permit class, and in the interest of trying something new and wanting to be more informed, I decided to go.* There has been so much talk of increased legislation and tragedies surrounding guns. I thought it might ease my mind to be better informed.
I wasn't at all sure what to expect going in. Would we be firing actual weapons or simply listening to a lecture? Would there be a lot of people there? Do I even want to get my Concealed Firearm permit?
I certainly did not expect it to be as interesting as it was.**
It was a four-hour class, and most of it was a lecture. Derek is a theatre guy***, so he knows how to keep it from getting boring. He had plenty of videos to illustrate his points, and plenty of stories and personal experiences to share. As I said, he's an ex-Marine and a trained instructor. He's also a husband and father of two daughters -- a three year old and (at the time) a two month old -- so safety is VERY important to him. He's of the opinion that the more people know how to properly handle life-threatening situations, and the more they know about guns in general, the safer people will be.
The class covered the following types of things:
- Concealed carry laws in Utah. Apparently, there are different laws for different states. If you take your weapon to another state you better know the laws there, too.
- Gun safety. As I said, as the father of two little girls he was passionate about this and had some good advice about teaching kids about how dangerous guns are, since many accidents in the home are due to curiosity and ignorance.
- Situations where it is appropriate to use a weapon. A room crowded with people? Not appropriate. Someone yelling at you on your doorstep but not being physical with you? Also not appropriate. An obviously aggressive person charging at you in a parking lot while swinging a baseball bat? Probably appropriate.
- Different types of guns and how to handle them. Derek explained the different parts of a gun and how they work. He brought in several weapons; he was the only one allowed to touch them (something of a relief).
- Pros and cons of different types of concealed holsters.
- Pros and cons as to why we might want to own or carry a weapon. He talked about things like being a target to others if they know we are carrying a weapon, how some parents might not let their kids play with kids whose parents keep guns in the house, and how a person can be ostracized for shooting a gun in public, even in defense.
Derek ended with an analogy about sheep and wolves. He said that the
sheep are regular people -- those who are not willing or able to carry weapons but are grateful for those who do. They are glad for the protection, even if they aren't entirely comfortable with the concept. The
wolves are the selfish, evil, mentally ill people who needlessly harm others. The
sheepdogs are the good people who carry weapons and will use them to protect the sheep, because they know the evil people exist and the sheep need protecting.
The one thing Derek said that has really stayed with me is this question: Would you actually be able to shoot another human being, whatever the circumstance? Even if it was a choice between that person or me where I could be killed if I didn't shoot? Could I live with myself afterwards? Honestly, I don't know if I could. Maybe it's one of those things I'll never know unless in that situation, which I hope never happens (but if I wait to decide until that hypothetical day, it will be too late).
Will I actually get my permit or buy a gun? I haven't decided. When honest with myself, I cannot imagine myself ever shooting someone. As a single woman, it isn't a bad idea to protect myself against intruders (I've been having a lot of dreams lately of people intending to do me mortal harm). I could possibly see myself getting a gun to keep at home. But, again, could I really shoot someone?
I have shot rifles at targets and had a marvelous and safe time, but shooting at a human being in an uncontrolled environment terrifies me. So many things could go wrong, including the intruder getting a hold of the gun and using it against me. Of course, practice would help me be better prepared and less afraid. I don't know.
What I DO know is that I am glad that I took the class. Even if I don't get my permit, I feel safer knowing that there ARE so many rules. If everyone is as conscientious as Derek and my dad, then I worry less about other permitted shooters. To actually be issued a concealed weapons permit, the person has to pass all kinds of background checks and be completely clean -- I got a speeding ticket a few months ago and I'm a little worried it would keep me from being cleared. I am so, so grateful for the men and woman who know how to properly handle weapons and use them lawfully to protect the innocent. I wish there were more of them (there are probably more than I suspect)!
If you're interested in taking the class, let me know and I can send you his information, or you can contact
Double Tap Personal Defense on Facebook. Regardless of whether you get a permit, the class is not very expensive and well worth your time.
*For some reason, my taking the concealed weapons class has surprised a lot of people. There is so much you don't know about me!
**I also didn't expect it to be taught in the party room at a frozen yogurt shop (I can only imagine what the average patron thought if they glanced in the room during the class) but that ended up not mattering, except that I had to get some fro-yo before I left.
***My mom thought it was hilarious when we went to a play together and I pointed Derek out as the guy who taught the concealed weapons class. Theatre takes all kinds, people, and we definitely need those buff, masculine guys!
