Access To Empty Guns, A Dead End

By John Farnam

Ft Collins, CO --(Ammoland.com)- Access to guns:

“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.” ~ CS Lewis

In the western feature film, “Silverado” (1985 tiny.cc/3xz0tx ), one of the main characters, “Emmett” (palyed by Scott Glenn) is shown out in the desert intensely practicing his shooting skills.

After demonstrating superlative acumen, knocking cans around, he smartly holsters his empty revolver and then walks toward his horse. Out of nowhere, the crooked deputy, “Garth,” (played by Sam Garney) appears and says,

“You’re empty, Mister!”

Emmett is subsequently captured and gets the snot beat out of him!

I am reminded that, no matter how skilled you are, nor how much you practice, an unloaded gun, even when in your hand, is still utterly ineffective for any practical purpose

I am also reminded of most “competition” participants. Nearly all leave the range with empty guns, locked away. This, after shooting all day in simulated “real life” scenarios! The minuscule few who do carry off the range, don’t carry a gun that even slightly resembles the one they “practice” with!

They piously exercise “real life,” but they don’t live it!

In their next lethal emergency, I wonder how much “prep time” they foolishly imagine they’re going to get. Are they really expecting a “miracle?”

The foregoing also unhappily describes nearly all military small-arms training, even “concealed-carry” classes conducted on military bases. We “practice” with guns, but we’re never allowed to even touch one outside the range. We’re supposed to be effective in battle, but our lives all the rest of the time are obviously not worth protecting!

We occasionally “do it,” but we never “live it!”

I am finally reminded of the attack of Pearl Harbor, 7 Dec 1941. All those soldiers, sailors, and Marines, and virtually none with loaded guns! Guns and ammunition were “safely locked away.” They still are!

We seem to have forgotten the Lesson, because we don’t want to remember how foolishly arrogant we were!

A few of us have adopted being continually “armed and dangerous,” as a lifestyle. All our practice is with the very gun(s) we actually carry the rest of the time. We really do “live it,” on a daily basis.

But, that lifestyle is officially discouraged at all levels of government, even among many police, and is absolutely prohibited among our military personnel.

As a civilization, we are in continual delusion! Accordingly, history will not deal kindly with us, nor should it!

“When we least expect it, life sends us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change. At such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened, nor in insisting that we are ‘not yet ready.’ The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back!” ~ Paulo Coelho

“You are remembered for the rules you break.” ~ Douglas MacArthur

/John

About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent and unlawful lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance, if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or inactions.

It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com

Source: http://www.ammoland.com/2015/02/access-to-empty-guns-a-dead-end/