by peckerhead on Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:06 pm
Thanks, Rob, for starting this thread. I must admit that when I read the title, I half expected some nonsense about how the bad guy would have been blasted had one of us been there, etc.
When I first began carrying, I experienced the same swelling of the gonads that we all probably did. Shooting a few IDPA matches had a very humbling effect on me, though, because I was able to see just how badly one's skills deteriorate under stress. Those of us who carry are at less of a disadvantage than those who choose not to, when something like the tragedy in Arizona happens, but we're still at a great disadvantage due to having to act in a purely reactive manner.
I would have done the same thing that most of us would have, and that's get my family to safety. I don't think any of us could have done a thing to stop what happened, and I think anyone of the notion that they could have successfully intervened in the Arizona situation on the congresswoman's behalf is pretty much delusional. It sounded like the shooter was tackled after he ran off, which means he was probably out of ammo or was at least done shooting.
Personally, I just pray to god that I'm quick enough, smart enough, and resolute enough to do what needs to be done to protect my family, should we find ourselves involved in something like this. It's the best any of us can hope for.