By John Farnam
Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- “At least once, everyone should have to run for his life, so he will know and understand that eggs don’t come from stores, that safety does not come from police, and that ‘news’ is not something that happens to other people. ” ~ Robert Heinlein
A “success story,” from a student on the East coast. She lives alone in a “gated” community:
“Sometimes, instructors like you may never know how critically you’ve changed a student, right from the beginning. The following narrative may help you to know how profoundly you’ve changed me!
As you know, I live in an ostensibly secure, ‘gated’ community. There is a guard at the entry all the time, along with walls, fences, gates, alarms, security patrols, etc. ‘This is the safest community in the whole state,’ we are constantly told, mostly to justify outrageous fees we pay to live here!
Our community’s accepted protocol is that you never just ‘drop in,’ on a resident, unannounced. You’re expected to call ahead in order to arrange any visit. Accordingly, the only people I ever expect to knock on my door are ones I’ve invited and am expecting. For one, I never invite anyone over before 10:00am, nor after 8:00pm.
Two Sunday mornings ago, at around 6:00am, I’m awakened by my dogs yelping frantically. I’m not sure of the time, but I know it is early!
Before emerging from my bedroom, I put on my tactical belt, which holds my holstered Glock G19 and two spare magazines. The ensemble is always next to my bed when I retire.
I concealed it all under a shirt, and then went to see what the fuss was about.
The ‘Ring’ doorbell I had installed as a security measure was alarming, and that is why the dogs were barking.
It was daylight, so I didn’t think there was much risk in opening the door. It must be a groundskeeper, I thought. Of course, it was Sunday, and no workers are allowed on property on weekends, but my mind hadn’t gotten that far yet!
Without really thinking, I opened the door.
I was greeted by two men I did not recognize, but they looked like landscapers.
They addressed me in Spanish. I understand a little Spanish, but not when people speak fast! The only thing I can make out is the word ‘cinco,’ meaning ‘five.’ I had no idea what they’re talking about!
By now, twenty seconds have gone by, and I’m thinking that this is getting dangerous, and I’m really foolish to just stand here!
Suddenly, one of them takes two steps toward me, holding a piece of paper.
I finally got in gear!
I assumed the interview stance from which I had started so many tactical exercises during my training. I yelled, ‘No!’
He immediately stepped backward while saying ‘No Mamma!’
I never showed them my pistol, but my right hand was already on it, in my master grip.
Both suspects immediately stumble backward, turn around, and hurriedly returned to their parked car. Without delay, they drive away.
Back inside, I was on the phone right away. I called the front gate and asked they why they’re letting workers in on weekends. The front gate ‘ safety officer’ abruptly cut me off, saying he needed to call police!
At this point, I really annoyed, and a little frightened!
Less than a minute later, three uniformed ‘safety officers’ show up at my door. I told them the story, including a description of the two suspects, plus a description of their car.
One of the officers asked me, ‘Were they wet?’ I told him I couldn’t be sure.
At this point, I am definitely more angry than frightened. Mostly angry at myself for ever opening the door!
Being now wide awake, I turn on TV news, only to hear that this very morning border patrol agents had intercepted a boat filled with illegal migrants, and that several had jumped overboard, swam ashore, and had not yet been found. Then, ‘… but authorities are searching for them near and around an exclusive beach-front community.’
I’m really awake now!
Shortly thereafter the ‘safety officers’ returned and reported that Sheriff’s deputies had arrested two suspects, doubtless the same two who showed-up at my door twenty minutes earlier! They finished their report to me by saying, ‘Don’t worry. You’re safe now.’
I said (to myself), ‘Skippy, you have no idea how safe I am!’
My skills are taking shape! I’m obviously far from perfect, but my training truly functioned that morning, fuzzy or not.
And, I no longer harbor any delusions about ‘living in a safe place,’ if I ever did!”
Comment:
“Safety” is a delusory term we’ve naively invented in order to describe a non-existent phenomenon.
You are never “safe,” no matter where you are, nor what you’re doing, nor whom you’re with.
Equipment, no matter how formidable and expensive, will never lift us from the status of “voluntarily victim”
Competent training will, as we see.
“A superior man, when resting in ‘safety,’ forgets not that peril is ever present. When in a state of ‘security,’ he forgets not that ruin is only a breath away. When all is ‘orderly,’ he forgets not that chaos ever hovers over him.
Thus, his state and clans are preserved.” ~ Confucius
/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
To 2nd Amend
Actually we each have 2 votes. Either for or AGAINST. And I remind the politicians of that. Especially if issue must be defeated. The statesmen would do the Right thing anyway.
gee, they were safe in east germany with their big gated community too!..who the hell wants to live like that?
Those who like to say they want freedom not safety always assume they’ll be faster on the draw.
Hey gil, Which one do you choose? Seems that consistently you willingly give up precious freedom to be a useful willing idjiot to lead uninformed others into slavery and promote the “temporary safety” that Franklin warned all of us about. And you gil assume that you will always be faster on the draw. Too many episodes of The Rifleman, Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke in ur basement late at night with lights out. I am getting slow and decrepit. But beware that speed and vigor LOSES to old age and unexpected treachery. As Jordan said “Speed is fine but accurracy is… Read more »
hey gil..do you want to compare any city that hasnt banned firearms against the gun control city of Chicago?..name one tyrant throughout history that allowed their subjects to be armed
Gil, I would assume those that wish to do harm do not typically target those that pose the most threat to their safety – facts bear that out. I can’t recall any police stations attacked by thugs looking for a quick buck.
Oh, yes, Gil doing our thinking for us again, and showing his ignorance in doing so. The first technique in any gunfight is situational awareness that empowers one to avoid the situation altogether, if possible, and not under the obligation of duty. The second technique, if necessary and possible, is movement to cover. The third technique, under the given circumstance might be verbalization as you draw. For example: Is that Gil standing outside the Violence Policy Center office, forty yards away? I shall do an about face and leave. Is that Gil, running after me with a broken bottle of… Read more »
WB, that was funny! I literally laughed out loud. What you forgot was that due to Gil’s cognitive dissonance, he would be unable to follow and/or catch-up to you and remember why he was there, nor hold a field expedient weapon and walk at the same time. You had me envisioning someone like Marty Feldman in character from the movie Young Frankenstein coming after you holding Abbie Normal’s brain (his?).
@Heed, that is exactly how I envision Gil… at work…just prior to his… morning doobie break. Maybe his name is really Marty Feldman-Gil of the beautiful down town Burbbank Gils.
@Oldvet, Yes, reload! They probably share the same highly developed taste in beverages, and field expedient deadly weapons.
you forgot to quit shooting, gil was out of our misery 12 shots ago..lol
Why no, officer, I was pretty scarred, but I am sure that I only shot twice. Really? That many?! So…if he is dead can I have my cuffs back?
gil, I can tell from the time of your entry, 12:05 am, that you “don’t have life” and probably no one who loves you!
you continuously attempt to appear intelligent by posting your mental masturbations for anyone to read, but mainly to infuriate those who consider themselves to be American Patriots, Defenders of American Liberties, able defenders of themselves, family, friends, and even strangers, if need be!
gil, call Dr. Phil……
To 2nd Amender and subguy et al, With the posting of the treacherous treasonous asinine gil comments and knee jerk testilying by the shannun wutts action demand more idjiots crew in Austin recently, there is obvious necessity to counteract the incessant promotion of unarmed victims. Thank You gil, as it DOES stir me up to call my rep on a CONSISTENT schedule on speed dial with a spread sheet. A quickie 1 or 2 minute call with my name identified asTHEIR constituent in the an inquiry to the name I last spoke to at that federal or state office actually… Read more »
you assume I do not contact my representatives in government, I do and often! But, I only have one vote.
so far as gil, he is a child. in more ways than one.
This girl got one thing right, “I never should have opened the door” – NEVER! But, as we read her account of the ‘two Spanish men coming to her door at 6:00am on a Sunday’ there are a number of inconsistency like, one of them ‘handing her a piece of paper’ which caused her to go into a tactical stance with hand on the grip of her Glock 19. Why not just slam the door closed and dial 911 or immediately call the guards. But, then comes the part about ‘returning to their PARKED CAR'(?) and the responding guards, after… Read more »
Garryowen, yes, the parked car part I was wondering about myself, but like you stated, they could have stolen it. As far as how they got there, it states that the gated community is “an exclusive beach-front community.” That would mean the guard house is at the entrance where vehicles enter, not by the water. I would suspect that even if it were fenced, people could get over, under, or through it. Look at what has happened at the White House as an example of that. Also, it doesn’t state that the two suspects that were arrested were ones from… Read more »
Yes, and she must restrain her dogs inside, too. Who would want to enter with multiple dogs yelping at them? No one wants to get bitten, even by a little dog or multiple little dogs.
Gil,…I’ll give you one thing…..You inform the intelligent people that they need to be alert. With people like you, willing to spread propaganda and lies to further your liberal agenda at the cost of people’s lives, you are certainly giving us the incentive to fight for our 2nd amendment rights. After all, who in their right mind would wand a Gil clone running anything?
I hope this proves an important point to people – do Not open the door for anyone you do not know. I am a man and have firearms but I do not open the door for people – why put myself in some crazy situation. So sick and tired of these filthy illegal invaders coming into this country, please, wake up folks.
@Jimmy, That is an important point. Here is another important point: Go the the shelter and get a dog…Two is better! A man and dog combination is nearly unbeatable. At trained man and trained dog are even better!
That is fantastic for you and the puppy. You now have long early warning system, and a combat team mate. You have a good son.
Mr. Farnam appears to delve into paranoia in his old age. Perhaps the exposure to Agent Orange? Or perhaps to gin up business? Either way, Valium is in order.
Clark Kent:
Really? Ad hominem? You attack Farnham and insult him?
Very mature. Very academic. Indeed a powerful and moving argument against the necessity of being alert. What command and rhetorical skill you exhibit.
In the canon , I thought Clark Kent was supposed to be “mild mannered”. Again, that’s “mild mannered”, not “rhetorically incompetent”.
Taggart
Your attack of Mr. Farnham make me pause and ask, are you naturally stupid or do you actively practice at being so?
What garbage nonsense is this? It reeks of “I want to live in a society where I can shoot someone dead and not face any repercussions save for the victim family or friends” all over it.
You’re in the wrong message board, snowflake. Go ponder somewhere else. (You missed the point.)
You might want to take your meds Gil, your hoplophobia is kicking in. The only thing that reeks about any of this is you.
One of the takeaways of the article is that safety is an individual responsibility. When seconds count the police are just minutes away.
Stay safe.
Typical Gil the VPC shill, to get the whole thing backwards.
“An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his actions with his life.”
Robert Anson Heinlein from “Beyond This Horizion 1942
Gil, where in this story did the gun owner shoot anyone? Also, where did it explain that the guards prevented an unauthorized person from getting to that person’s abode? And where did it explain that the police intercepted those people before they got to that person’s door? It would appear that if those two weren’t scared-off by the gun owner, it might have gone real bad, real quick.
Gil. how did you come by this strange affliction you have?
Troll, troll, troll your boat
Gently down the stream.
Gil, please go and die quietly somewhere you useless POS.
Robert, Gil and TS are personas that this site uses to create activity on their site. Either that or they are completely useless bags of flesh. It’s difficult to imagine anyone like those two. One has the mentality of a 5 year old, but lacking the common-sense of one; the other is less sentient and useful than a houseplant and contributes less than a houseplant. If they are real people who actually represent the anti-gun stance, we have little to worry about. Amoebas are more threatening to firearm owners than those two.
To Heed,
You are SPOT on. Thank You MUCH for putting my thoughts down for the record on these hangers on wannabe quislings. Someday they EARN what they DESERVE. Stay the Course!
I have had more meaningful conversations with a houseplant in my previous days of coming home after the bars close. I think the houseplant definitely has a higher IQ than either troll. I also wondered how Gil managed to comment 1st so often. It always amazes me that people so against guns spend so much time in forums dedicated to them. You would figure sooner or later some of the common sense would rub off on them.
Why don’t you go find some other board to troll nut job. Your BS is getting reaaaaally old! I’m sure you can find a long Pier to take a short walk off of.