Folks, I'm trying to get a friend of mine here on TFL; he took his CCW class this past Sunday to the dismay of his parents and his wife. It's not the fact that he's getting a permit that's a problem, it's the fact that he's got a gun and a temper. I've known MW and his parents since I moved to TN in 1991 - he is a very friendly, very kind person that would do just about anything to help a person in need....but.... he has a temper.
Maybe I'm wrong about him. I've never experienced his temper, but I do know what he's told me, and what others have said. His wife told me he was in a road rage incident the other day and threw a glass bottle at the other driver's car and nailed it. Maybe carrying a gun will actually diffuse his temper. It's worked for other people before.
He wasn't around when I discovered he was taking his CCW class, so I wrote "thefiringline.com" on a piece of paper for his wife to give him, along with some words of wisdom. We'll see.
So if he makes it here, I've got some more words of wisdom. Maybe the others here will share their own...
MW, I've known you for a long time. So you've decided to get a carry permit and carry a gun. With any gun comes great responsibility. It requires that you carry yourself with honor and restraint. It requires you to always remember the safety rules and never deviate from them for an instant. The gun is neither your badge of power or amulet of invincibility. The gun is a tool for recreation, hunting, and self-defense.
And when I mean self-defense, it means just that: defending yourself or your loved one in imminent danger of being harmed.
You have a temper. Your parents and your wife know this. They worry. Before you lash out with your tongue, throw bottles at cars, or think about flailing your fists, take a deep breath. It's a beautiful day, friend. Is it really worth it, to end up in jail... or the morgue?
We're not teenagers fighting over teenager things anymore. We're adults, and in the adult world, reality can smack you hard. Be prepared to face the consequences of the actions you take.
Suck in your pride once in awhile and learn some humility. You can be alpha male some other day. Sometimes you're more of a man if you walk away than if you stand and fight.
Pick your fights carefully. A CCW obligates you to retreat from a situation if at all possible. Smile and drive on when another driver takes your parking space. Ignore the person who flips you the finger, because you know you're better than that. Always be the better man, and Take the High Road.
Maybe I'm wrong about him. I've never experienced his temper, but I do know what he's told me, and what others have said. His wife told me he was in a road rage incident the other day and threw a glass bottle at the other driver's car and nailed it. Maybe carrying a gun will actually diffuse his temper. It's worked for other people before.
He wasn't around when I discovered he was taking his CCW class, so I wrote "thefiringline.com" on a piece of paper for his wife to give him, along with some words of wisdom. We'll see.
So if he makes it here, I've got some more words of wisdom. Maybe the others here will share their own...
MW, I've known you for a long time. So you've decided to get a carry permit and carry a gun. With any gun comes great responsibility. It requires that you carry yourself with honor and restraint. It requires you to always remember the safety rules and never deviate from them for an instant. The gun is neither your badge of power or amulet of invincibility. The gun is a tool for recreation, hunting, and self-defense.
And when I mean self-defense, it means just that: defending yourself or your loved one in imminent danger of being harmed.
You have a temper. Your parents and your wife know this. They worry. Before you lash out with your tongue, throw bottles at cars, or think about flailing your fists, take a deep breath. It's a beautiful day, friend. Is it really worth it, to end up in jail... or the morgue?
We're not teenagers fighting over teenager things anymore. We're adults, and in the adult world, reality can smack you hard. Be prepared to face the consequences of the actions you take.
Suck in your pride once in awhile and learn some humility. You can be alpha male some other day. Sometimes you're more of a man if you walk away than if you stand and fight.
Pick your fights carefully. A CCW obligates you to retreat from a situation if at all possible. Smile and drive on when another driver takes your parking space. Ignore the person who flips you the finger, because you know you're better than that. Always be the better man, and Take the High Road.
Good info for any newbie!