My first thought when I heard of the terrorist plot to randomly shoot people at malls was “I am glad I chose to carry.” Attacks like the one Tarek planned (and not very well thank God) are a fact of life in many places in the world and could happen at any time here. Here we go along with our lives assuming if something happens that the police will protect us. However, when the plan includes shooting the emergency responders, chances are you will be without protection for a while. Let’s face it – officer safety is a big deal and I can’t blame them since they have families to go home to also. The problem is you are stuck in the mall with the bad guys while the police stay outside and get together a plan.
So what to do? I like many others have chosen to go through the process and training required to legally carry a concealed weapon. When someone like Tarek comes to my mall where I and others like me shop, I think he will be surprised by the wall of bullets flying back at him. I am not alone or a weirdo and in my neck of the woods, I am not rare.
I do not ever want to see a terrorist in my neighborhood but if I do I will be grateful I live in an area populated by sheepdogs and not sheep.
- FOP Vermillion