My thoughts on the Candlelight Vigil.

Well, when I started this blog I had no intention of ever touching the pro/anti gun controversy except in facts, statistics, etc related to why I personally was choosing to be armed.  But recently I found myself reading about the candlelight vigil and couldn't help but form an opinion that decided it needed an outlet.  Thus, you get this post.

Some background:

• Jan 8th, the Brady campaign sponsored candlelight vigils to recognize and remember the victims of shootings.
• In response, the gun blogger community hosted a 'Counter' vigil of guns and candles started by Weer'd
• Response by pro-gun control community was less than understanding.

While each gun blogger has their own reasons for joining or not the counter vigil.  I don't believe it was anyone's intent to mock or downplay the seriousness of shootings and deaths.  Had the event not been sponsored by the Brady campaign, I doubt that it would have gotten such a response for the gun community.  But considering that the Brady campaign believes that the only answer to violence is taking away the weapons, those who believe in self defense decided (understandably) to voice their opinion as well.

----------------------------------

Here are my thoughts:

It is about the victims.  No, really!  Even for most gunnies that I know and respect.  We're not mocking the vigil, we understand the need to remember and grieve for friends and family who have been injured and killed.  However, for us it's also about the desire to solve the  problem.

Not by weakening ourselves, not by blaming the system*, and not by removing the tools**.  But by refusing to be the next victim.  For us (or at least me) it's about being aware that bad people exist and that each of us is responsible for our own safety.

I have never expected anyone else to do my homework, pay my bills, or generally smooth the path (though both of those positions are available if you want that job).  I am an adult, and part of that is personal responsibility and accountability.  Part of that responsibility is my own safety.

If we lived in a perfect world, I probably wouldn't be a gun girl.  Or at least not one interested in carrying regularly.  But we don't and I don't think we will in my lifetime.  It's been shown time and again that most of the time the police aren't there when you need them.  I have no intention of looking over my shoulder every moment, or being afraid to go somewhere alone.  Thus, I'm going to do the responsible thing and be ready and able to protect myself. 

Do I want to shoot someone?  No way!  I hope I am never faced with the need to make that decision, or even to have to draw my weapon in defense.  But I have no intention of relying on a system that has been proven to fail when people need it.

Yes, the vigils are important, the victims and loved ones have suffered.  The best way I know to reduce the number of people who show up at these vigils is by not becoming a victim or letting those around me become one.  I choose not to be another loss.  I choose to carry a gun.



*Though I do think there are undoubtedly some problem with the methods by which some people slip through the cracks (mental patients who don't make it to the list are not getting guns bay fault of the dealers).  But that's a thought for another day.


**That hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried.