Man thread from 2004! Does anyone post on this web-site?
In case anyone happens to be looking for a new post here, I'll have a go.
There are many instances where the mere existance of a firearm is all that is needed to cease hostilities. On many occasions the fact that I was armed, and let the perps know it, avoided a potentual serious conflict.
I'm 72 yrs old, and have lived, and worked in some very rough towns, or sections of towns, along the border between Mexico, and the USA. In almost all those cities there are street gangs, that care nothing for the sanctity of human life, and the only thing they understand is a willingness to give tit, for tat.
On many occasions I've had to show my willingness to combat agression with a firearm. Not always a handgun. Sometimes in the city, and a couple times on the open highways between towns in the southwest, where there are sometimes 100 miles between policemen, and you are on your own there!
Agression, met with the posibility of a poor outcome for the agressor, will usually defuse the sittuation, but not always, so you must be willing to follow through, once the play is made!
The best outcome is when the perp's intentions are aborted without haveing to shoot anyone! As president TR said a long time ago
"one must walk softly, and carry a big stick" IOW, don't go looking for a fight, but don't back up a damn step to stay out of a fight if it is brought to you, and the big stick is in case the fight becomes inevitable!
