I carry a gun everyday

[Nemo]

Interesting guest editorial.

Nemo


http://thegazette.com/subject/opinion/guest-columnists/i-carry-a-gun-every-day-20150104

The Gazette
I carry a gun every day

Ernie Traugh, guest columnist
January 4, 2015

Every day I get up and put on a gun. It’s part of my daily routine. No different from making coffee or feeding the dogs before I leave for work.

There is so much misinformation about who that makes me. I’m a “gun nut.” I’m one of “those right-wing Second Amendment people.” I’m the scourge of the earth to some.

Funny how that works.

They don’t even know me but they are worried that I’m what’s wrong with this country, this state and this city I call home. I walk among them and they don’t even know it. I’m the guy in the jeans and Under Armour shirt, the guy in the $200 sport coat and $125 shoes, the guy in Nike pants and a hoodie, and some days I’m the guy with dirty hands from working in the yard, but most of all I’m the guy they never see.

Oh, they acknowledge me sometimes. When I hold the door for them because my parents raised me that way. When I let them go ahead of me in line at the gas station because they seem to be in a hurry. When I pick up their baby’s pacifier in the aisle at the grocery store and hand it back to them because it fell out and they didn’t notice. But they don’t see me. I’m just another guy in the store with things in my hand. But only my left hand. I don’t carry things in my right hand. Not at the store. Not in public.

Why? Because I’m “that guy.” I know that bad things happen. Every day. Everywhere. So I try to be aware. I try to study my surroundings. I expect to not see it coming every time. I expect that evil may show up while I’m shopping or walking through the mall or eating at a restaurant. It doesn’t make me crazy. It doesn’t make me paranoid. It simply makes me aware. Unlike a lot of people that walk by me every day. Looking at their phones, their notes, their purses, or any of the other distractions that plague us. I get it.

I also get that there are wolves. Hungry. Lean. Skilled at their trade. Studying you. Studying me. They like you. They don’t like me. I see them at the mall. I see them at the gas station. I see them right here in this town. Do they know I’m armed? No, they don’t. They know that I’m aware. I look at them. Kill them with kindness. It’s a like a mutual agreement. I see you; you see me. Let’s not kid each other.

It’s weird in a way. The man and his friend in the store that looked all around and even glanced at the camera above us — those guys see me. I’m aware that the door is over there. I’m aware that the coffee pot is within reach and full. He urges me to go first to the counter. “Oh no, you go please. I have all day,” I reply. Now he has to make a purchase. Now he knows I’m polite …. I’m polite and I do not want them behind me in line.

The lady with her kid? She doesn’t notice me, but I’m there. I have a phone. I have a flashlight. I have two knives. I have a firearm. And I have a plan. If this doesn’t go well I want to get her and that little one out of here. Chances are nothing is going to happen until they’re gone anyway. I’d like to leave too.

One man asks the other a question. He hands the guy a few extra bucks to make the purchase of an item at the counter. They leave. I make my purchase. I call the employee by name and tell him to have a good night. I walk to the door and hold it open for the woman approaching. She says, “Thanks.” I say, “Yes ma’am.” Then, poof. I’m gone.

Just another uneventful trip to the store. The best kind ever. It’s funny those men truly saw me but other customers didn’t. Why? Maybe too busy. Maybe too much on their minds. Maybe because they didn’t worry for one second about those two men or me.

When I get home I don’t tell my wife about the two men who lingered. The two men who entered together but stood so far apart. The two men that seemed to have no sense of purpose or item they were in search of. No need to talk of them because nothing happened. This happens daily. Sometimes once. Sometimes multiple times. I like uneventful days.

Most people don’t know me. But man, they sure do judge me. If I use a gun to defend myself they will read about it. They will hear about it. They will weigh in on what should have happened.

I have seen bad people do bad things. I have seen good people dumbfounded and in shock because they couldn’t comprehend what was happening in front of them or, worse yet, to them. It’s not fun or pretty to think about, so most people don’t. They don’t stay awake late at night watching videos from self-defense experts. They don’t read the articles. They don’t look at unedited news on the Internet. They don’t search out the videos of people fighting for their lives and losing.

A man stabbed outside a bar. A couple hijacked and killed in front of the store. A store clerk shot even after complying with a robber’s demands. A video from inside the grocery store of a mad man with a gun shooting people while looking for his ex. Dashboard cameras of an officer involved in a shooting. It’s an ugly world so they choose not to see it.

I don’t train for the warm fuzzy days where everyone gets along. I train for the other days. I try to round out my skill sets. I look at what others have done to succeed. I watch videos of those who haven’t. Some refer to it as making something good out of something bad. Like watching videos of officers being killed as every person that’s gone through any type of law enforcement academy has had to do. Learn from others’ experiences.

People from all walks of life legally carry guns. Some are men and some are women. Some are old and some are young. The ones I know train. The ones I know are aware: Aware of their surroundings. And aware of all of the armchair quarterbacking that will be done if they ever have to use that tool of last resort on their belt. So why do it anyway? Because they value their life and the lives of others. Simple.

My so-called “gun nut” friends and customers are some of the most congenial, trustworthy people I know. I only wish everyone had such friends. I wish everyone understood like I do.

• Ernie Traugh is owner operator of Cedar Valley Outfitters, which opened in 2001, and has been a reserve police officer since 2004.

[thatGuy]

Why? Because I’m “that guy.” I know that bad things happen. Every day. Everywhere. So I try to be aware. I try to study my surroundings. I expect to not see it coming every time. I expect that evil may show up while I’m shopping or walking through the mall or eating at a restaurant. It doesn’t make me crazy. It doesn’t make me paranoid. It simply makes me aware. Unlike a lot of people that walk by me every day. Looking at their phones, their notes, their purses, or any of the other distractions that plague us. I get it.

I also get that there are wolves. Hungry. Lean. Skilled at their trade. Studying you. Studying me. They like you. They don’t like me. I see them at the mall. I see them at the gas station. I see them right here in this town. Do they know I’m armed? No, they don’t. They know that I’m aware. I look at them. Kill them with kindness. It’s a like a mutual agreement. I see you; you see me. Let’s not kid each other.

Fucking brilliant!

[Burt Gummer]

Thanks for that Nemo. I can relate to that.

If can address those of us that carry and are not homebodies. How ofter do you make "an exception" my norm is carrying. I'm at 100% and I like keeping it there. But there's lots of times when there's more disincentives to do so such as different social settings. Or the risk (wink wink) is higher/to great.

For example. I live in comfortable driving range of Chicago a lot of benefits there available to me. but I avoid all of Illinois. This is called "a tradeoff" because I can't take part in my families traditions that take place there.

Do you that carry experience these "costs" or "tradeoff's" and are you willing to share your wisdom pertaining to dealing with them with the rest of the forum?

[JohnyMac]

Great find Nemo! 

I hear ya' Burt concerning Chicago. To go...not to go to that concert...There is the question.

Same thoughts I have about going to Boston to see something MrsMac just can't live without going to.

It's good to know that sheepdogs are amongst us even those few times when we are not carrying. 

[DMCakhunter]

Great article Nemo,
Good discussion Burt,

I try to carry as often as I can, but there are situations when it is not possible or wise. I always have a gun in my vehicle-not loaded but is always there, except when I go to my kids' school. I always have a rifle in my office. If we go to friends homes for dinner and drinks, I leave my gun in the car. Same goes for a few other social functions. Where I feel the most exposed is traveling by air when not on a hunting trip. I typically do not bring a gun with me, knives yes.
Everything we do in life has some risk. The trick is to minimize the risk enough to be able to enjoy the moment, armed or not. However, there are places that I would never go unarmed.

[Nemo]

I always have a gun in my vehicle-not loaded but is always there

Just and FYI DM-- Bricks work better than unloaded guns.

I did not mention it here but if I have pants on I have a gun on my belt or pocket. Always condition one.  Exception applies when I go to Doc's office-- wife required it left in car.  And I went to hospital for admission for hip replacement and left it at home.  I wore sweats there though.  Otherwise . . ..

Nemo

[DMCakhunter]

Nemo,
I guess I should have said that is in addition to the 1911 on my hip. I like to have a spare if needed.

[Burt Gummer]

I carry a concealed brick on my ankle, for those Chuck Norris roundhouse kicks.

[thatGuy]

I'm with Nemo, if I've got my pants on I've got a gun on me. If I don't have my pants on I've got one within arms reach at all times that it's lawful to do so.

I break my ass to avoid anything that vaguely smells like trouble because a gun doesn't insure the out come. But I do believe that we live in a wonderfully beautiful world and I'd like it to stay that way. There is plenty of things that are worth fighting for, there is plenty of things I'd rather not live though.

[Kbop]

I'm glad ThatGuy brought that up.
I used to carry for my job - I don't any more, I work in Maryland.  I've seen in me (in my younger and dumber days) and in a few others - that whole invincibility problem carrying can create in your mind.
 
it is a hard learned lesson

I break my ass to avoid anything that vaguely smells like trouble because a gun doesn't insure the out come. But I do believe that we live in a wonderfully beautiful world and I'd like it to stay that way. There is plenty of things that are worth fighting for, there is plenty of things I'd rather not live though.

[Erick]

Great find!