I want to introduce you to an imaginary man - John Smith. John Smith is a private citizen. That means that he is not hampered by political directives at federal, state or local levels. But John thinks he is "just a civilian". John has sought mediocrity his entire life. It is what he was trained for since birth....don't make waves...be a nice guy...you can't do this...you can't do that. And sadly, he believed it all and grew up to be...a good boy.
Then John realized he'd better buy a pistol and carry it because his neighbor was robbed, beaten, raped and brutalized, and the police did not come in time for anything but the report.
So he went to the local gunstore and allowed the over-sized cigar smoking salesman to patronize him into buying a double action only Smith and Wesson because it had several safeties and a real heavy and long trigger pull. "It was great for a mediocrity-seeking civilian like John", announced the salesman as he wiped doughnut juice on his Police Revolver Club t-shirt.
John asked about the Glocks and M&Ps, and that SIG with the Red Dot on it that looked so modern and cool. "Oh no...those are for professionals son....you are a civilian...you don't need anything like that".
Then John realized he'd better buy a pistol and carry it because his neighbor was robbed, beaten, raped and brutalized, and the police did not come in time for anything but the report.
So he went to the local gunstore and allowed the over-sized cigar smoking salesman to patronize him into buying a double action only Smith and Wesson because it had several safeties and a real heavy and long trigger pull. "It was great for a mediocrity-seeking civilian like John", announced the salesman as he wiped doughnut juice on his Police Revolver Club t-shirt.
John asked about the Glocks and M&Ps, and that SIG with the Red Dot on it that looked so modern and cool. "Oh no...those are for professionals son....you are a civilian...you don't need anything like that".
Money was not the issue, but being a mediocrity seeker, and not wanting to be guilty of the sin of arguing, or being presumptuos about his status as a man, he bought the Smith and Wesson and went home. He did go to a free handgun clinic at the local range after he passed his CCW class. But he was a civilian and did not need to go to one of those "commando schools", or learn how to kill things like that ad said. And he certainly didn't need to lift those intimidating weights which he read were bad for you anyway. He was a civilian and didn't like carrying a gun in the first place. And he rarely did.
So John went on with his life doing his best to avoid bad things, bad places and bad people. But one day, as much as he tried, trouble came to him. He found himself at church when some crazy wild eyed bearded guy decided today was his jihad day and began shooting people as he yelled "Allah Akbar!". The congregation was also full of mediocrity seekers and those that did not get shot outright, ran away like properly conditioned civilians should.
But John was torn about running with the rest of the herd, or fighting. He knew that he needed to do something, but that "something" was nothing he had any skill for. Still, he drew his pistol and tried to aim it but it felt strange in his hands....after all civilians did not need to train like Delta Force so John spent his free time playing tennis, and catching butterflies with his wife instead. Speakimng of his wife, at that moment a round from the terrorist caught his frozen wife in the face and dropped her...as he turned to see her fall three rounds hit him in the chest, two piercing his heart.....and the last thought that he had before he lapsed into blissfully unconscious death was,
"......but I am just a civilian".
So John went on with his life doing his best to avoid bad things, bad places and bad people. But one day, as much as he tried, trouble came to him. He found himself at church when some crazy wild eyed bearded guy decided today was his jihad day and began shooting people as he yelled "Allah Akbar!". The congregation was also full of mediocrity seekers and those that did not get shot outright, ran away like properly conditioned civilians should.
But John was torn about running with the rest of the herd, or fighting. He knew that he needed to do something, but that "something" was nothing he had any skill for. Still, he drew his pistol and tried to aim it but it felt strange in his hands....after all civilians did not need to train like Delta Force so John spent his free time playing tennis, and catching butterflies with his wife instead. Speakimng of his wife, at that moment a round from the terrorist caught his frozen wife in the face and dropped her...as he turned to see her fall three rounds hit him in the chest, two piercing his heart.....and the last thought that he had before he lapsed into blissfully unconscious death was,
"......but I am just a civilian".
You want that for yourself? No? Look...you can be a warrior, or you can be a sissy. That is that. Remember when you were ten years old? What did you play? Did you play nice guy butterfly collector? Were you enthraled by Mister Rogers? Did you daydream about getting along with everyone?
NO!!
You played games where you were the hero....YOU killed the freaking dragon! YOU saved the maiden! YOU saved the day. Your games, like all normal little boys weree filled with storming castles, sinking ships, and blowing up enemy planes.
So what happened to you? You became.....socialized and civilized. You became...domesticated because you thought that was what you were supposed to become.
NO I SAY!!!
Become the warrior your heritage calls you to be - whether your profession is an accountant or a dentist or a teacher...or a gunfighter. A man is a warrior because he says he is, and he lives it everyday.
Be the warrior in your heart. Live as a warrior. Watch how your life changes!
NO!!
You played games where you were the hero....YOU killed the freaking dragon! YOU saved the maiden! YOU saved the day. Your games, like all normal little boys weree filled with storming castles, sinking ships, and blowing up enemy planes.
So what happened to you? You became.....socialized and civilized. You became...domesticated because you thought that was what you were supposed to become.
NO I SAY!!!
Become the warrior your heritage calls you to be - whether your profession is an accountant or a dentist or a teacher...or a gunfighter. A man is a warrior because he says he is, and he lives it everyday.
Be the warrior in your heart. Live as a warrior. Watch how your life changes!
I'm in, so please offer some of the basic pistol course in the Midwest, like MO, AR, IL, KS, etc. Currently the "Introduction to Defensive Pistol" is not even being offered.
Posted by: PonyRyd | 10/15/2012 at 06:07
Do I detect some Dave Grossman in there? Great article! That message really needs to get out there.
Posted by: Doug Pickard | 10/15/2012 at 15:06
Agree completely. End of comment.
Posted by: David | 10/15/2012 at 15:19
I would suspect that the people reading this are not like the "John" whom you describe.
Posted by: Peter Caroline | 10/15/2012 at 15:48
Excellent article and a sad commentary on the majority of the population in the greatest country in the history of mankind. So many sheep, so much danger. The bill will unfortunately come due for many of our citizens' poor life decisions. Those willing and able (let it be understood that the warrior mindset is not for everyone, and that's OK) should train hard and prepare for the worst while, of course, hoping for the best. The tools and training are there like never before. So, OK Mr. yuppie, you've done well in business, college and family life, instead of devoting all your spare time to golf or whatever, learn something usefull for the good of America, your family and your neighbors. Your perfect world can change into something hellish quite rapidly. Just don't over do it and be "that guy"- you know him, the mall ninja who somehow made it to middle age.
The USA is full of great people who have, unfortunately,
misplaced their priorities. Our society is our responsibility.
Posted by: Mike B in San Francisco | 10/15/2012 at 16:53
Well said Gabe, I myself am preparing to go to my first rifle course in November. Many of my co-workers look at me like I am nuts. They say, why would you want to do that. My response, the responsiblity of my safety and my families safety falls to me, period. When my day of judgement comes, and I truly hope it never does, I do not want to let my family down, period. To this I get blank stares. Everyone's priorities are different and I think their truly is a it cannot happen to me mentality until it happens. Thank you Gabe for the information you put out, especially to us civilians. I'm sure it has saved many lives.
God Bless,
Jason
Posted by: Jason | 10/15/2012 at 16:54
You're talking sense as always, Gabe. Range time is great, but FonF with Airsoft, CQB, and close combat techniques are a must.
And above all . . . attitude. Not bad attitude, but the right attitude!
Posted by: Mike McMaken | 10/15/2012 at 18:23
Gabe,
Perfect timing! Both my sons grabbed hold of this essay and were thrilled to be told that they don't have to stop killing dragons.
No matter what their Mother says.
Eric
Posted by: Eric | 10/15/2012 at 18:41
This is going to be really, really, tough. Our children are being raised as prey.
Helmets for every endeavor. Guns are bad. Everybody wins in all sports.
Go to any high school. A couple of guys wrestle and play football. The rest are fat and stupid. The good news for the boys, the girls are constantly after them, having their cell phone number. Party time.
Posted by: DeBee Corley | 10/15/2012 at 19:35
GK Chesterton said, "The evil of militarism is not that it shows certain men to be fierce and haughty and excessively warlike. The evil of militarism is that is shows most men to be tame and timid and excessively peaceable. The professional soldier gains more and more power as the general courage of a community declines.
Posted by: Troy | 10/17/2012 at 13:42