I am not against owning guns, and I wholeheartedly support the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Gun ownership is a right, and if an adult person believes they need a gun for personal protection, then so be it. I am, however, concerned when there are reports of gun sales skyrocketing during the current pandemic.
Gun ownership is a huge responsibility that must involve serious consideration before a purchase is made. The decision to buy a gun must be a prudent one by the potential gun owner. Please consider other safety tips for your family and yourself when making your decision. Here are a few ideas:
Create a safety word or code indicating danger is coming or has arrived at your home. Simply screaming or yelling “help” alerts the intruders that they have been discovered. A safety word is less conspicuous and could be lifesaving.
Develop a family action plan, practice emergency procedures for escaping, and determine a safe rendezvous point for family members. Pets are important but secondary to your family.
Consider age appropriate non-lethal forms of defense:
Watch self-defense videos with your family. You may not have practiced these techniques, but it is better than not knowing anything at all.
Purchase pepper spray, other aerosols, or a stun gun that could slow down a predator in your home.
Give younger family members a whistle. It should be a whistle that cannot be swallowed or damage them. This could be a family alert or for someone in the neighborhood to notice that something out of the ordinary has happened.
Purchase a household alarm system or ensure your existing alarm in in working order. There is usually a panic button that could be used. The authorities are always there to help.
Get a family “whereabouts” app for your phone. There are many of these available at no charge. It is good to keep tabs on family members and the app should have an emergency feature on it.
Your contact list in your phone should have your emergency contacts preceded by I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency). This alerts any public safety individual to contact that person in case you cannot.
Other emergency measures can be taken that are non-lethal and should be considered before purchasing a weapon. The internet is rich with advice.
If you truly believe it is necessary to purchase a firearm during the pandemic, please do the following:
Research the type of weapon that best suits your needs before you go to the gun shop.
Follow all regulations to purchase the gun to the letter. Do not manipulate the system.
Keep the gun unloaded until you are educated on safe handling practices.
Make sure you have a lock for the gun, the safety is on, and possibly store it in a gun locker.
Keep the gun out of the reach of minors and others who are unfamiliar with gun safety.
Follow all safe practices for handling the firearm and get some training as soon as you can.
Get good advice from other gun owners that you know, the authorities, and the internet.
If you do own a gun and you are confronted with an assailant be prepared to use it.
GUN ACCIDENTS CANNOT BE UNDONE
When you own a gun and do not have experience with firearms, you run the risk of hurting an innocent person or yourself. The current pandemic is not to be minimized, but it is not expected to be a long-term problem either. At this point, we are not seeing a problem with looting of stores or home invasions to the extent that the population is in danger. Law enforcement is perfectly qualified to handle any potential outbreaks that may come along.
We are not experiencing shortages of food, water, utilities, or fuel, so the need for a gun is minimal. Actions are being taken to assist the public with potential financial concerns. Our biggest concern is slowing the virus down and providing proper medical care to those in need. The best role for the public is the listen to the authorities who are working hard to serve our needs
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It is easy to say, “Oh, that won’t happen to me!” However, accidents do happen to the best of people, especially if you do not understand how to safely handle a weapon. This is not the time to make rash decisions when prudence is paramount. It might just be better to wait until this crisis is behind us before you decide to purchase a gun.
Keeping a gun in your home requires much thought and consideration. In the cycle of this current crisis, we are a long way from the need to arm ourselves with weapons that many of us do not know how to use or properly store. If you know about guns and their usage, then purchasing a new gun might make sense for you. In a public insurrection crisis, you may be needed to protect yourself and innocent people who are around you. This is another topic of discussion for those who are skilled with guns.
Owning a gun is a serious matter, and if you already own a gun, it needs to be in a safe place. If you do not own a gun, then you need to be mindful of the ramifications of gun ownership. It is a right that needs to be respected for a host of reasons. However, guns are to be respected and should not be purchased on a panic basis. Furthermore, many vendors do not allow for returns if you change your mind.
The pandemic will end, and our lives will resume a normal pattern soon. It would be tragic to get past this virus without becoming a statistic only to become in innocent victim to an accident with a gun. You are the only one who can decide what is best for you, just be thoughtful in your decision.
John Cappello is a psychic medium who has been in practice for over 25 years. You can visit his website at www.johncappello.com for more information or to set up a private consultation.