Opinion
Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- “When you are not prepared to use force to defend this civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.” ~ Thomas Sowell
A recent Saturday, 11 May 19, two innocent, unsuspecting hikers on the VA section of the famous Appalachian Trail were approached and precipitously attacked by a machete-wielding hoodlum.
One male hiker died on the spot from multiple hack/stab wounds. His companion, a woman, ran but the attacker caught up with her, and she was also severely wounded via stab wounds. She was subsequently rescued by other hikers, after her attacker left her for dead, and is expected to survive.
The single suspect has been subsequently arrested, apparently without incident.
This suspect was well-known to authorities, as he has a long criminal history, as most do.
He had repeatedly approached, assaulted, and threatened other hikers for weeks previously, probably much longer. In fact, hikers were alerted via Facebook postings and signs about this unstable and dangerous person who frequented the Trail.
Even so, I wonder how many Appalachian Trail hikers, who had thus been repeatedly warned of the likelihood of encountering this extremely dangerous person, carried concealed pistols that they could access quickly.
Two unfortunate victims mentioned above obviously didn’t!
In subsequent “Advice to Hikers,” entitled:
“After Appalachian Trail attack, here’s what can hikers do to be prepared:”
Not a single one of the “advice” and “tips” enumerated would have made the slightest difference during Saturday’s murderous attack. In fact, the subject of encountering violent criminals while in isolated places is carefully (and dishonestly) avoided.
Why am I not surprised?
There is a veritable legion of unstable/toxic people, out on their own, that any of us could encounter, at any time:
- Some are mentally ill and were formally confined to mental hospitals, but mental hospitals are all closed, and their erstwhile residents are now “mainstreamed.”
- Some are drug-addicts
- Some are “homeless,” unable/unwilling to integrate into “normal society”
- Some are illegal aliens, with various agendas and motivation
- Some are “violent ideologues,” fully prepared to “punish” all who are not enthusiastic converts to their political/racial agenda, and/or religion
- Some are sleazy “no-goods,” seedy opportunists with extensive criminal records
- Some are violent felons with current arrest warrants, seeking likely victims
All are extremely dangerous, under the right circumstances, as we see.
Accordingly, “going armed,” particularly when in isolated places, far from any kind of assistance, is just common sense.
But, maybe not so obvious to those who have been convinced that being an unprepared and willing “victim,” by choice, is their civic duty.
Many of the intentionally unprepared thus perish every day, in amazement, all with surprised looks on their faces, and crying, “This is so unfair.”
“This ‘nonviolent’ stuff will get you killed!” ~ Charles E Cobb Jr
/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 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 in-actions.
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
I once had a friend, emphasis on “had”, who was engaged to a woman from Portland, Oregon (California North even in the 1980s) who said, “I could never shoot or kill another human being, no matter what”. I asked her if that were true even if her husband and children were being threatened. She replied that it was and that she would rather die first than kill. I told her she was a damn fool and deserved to die sooner than later before she had children and that her fiance, my friend at the time, was a damn fool if… Read more »
Oh that’s nothing. I have em in family and they’re beyond repair. Ignorant trash to be more precise. Least you could get rid of your assholes but I’m stuck with mine. I disowned em after they voted to 100% turn my energy off entirely for Agenda 21, 2030. & 2050. When your own family declares war on humanities very existence what else can you do but disown them. Their heads even spin in complete circles like Hillary. It’s amazing.
“Many of the intentionally unprepared thus perish every day, in amazement, all with surprised looks on their faces, and crying, “This is so unfair.””
Would this be considered as “thinning the herd?” 🙂
Mr. Darwin is likely to ascribe this sort of occurrence to the list of “natural forces operating to selectively alter a species’ history”
The sissys and apologists must be taking lessons from British. Over there, you no longer have the “right” to protect yourself. If someone mugs you and you fight them, you get arrested for assault! The “apologists” are standing up for the criminal! I remember reading 20 years ago an article that told hikers and campers to go armed in. National Forests, as law enforcement said there are 10’s of thousands of wanted felons, drug dealers and criminals, biker gangs, hiding out from the police in the National Forests! The sissys say carry a whistle or pepper spray (good only for… Read more »
and it is interesting to note that twenty years ago it was against federal law to be armed in national parks, and in some areas of national forests. That law got changed not long ago. And oh the sissy-greenies hollered, caterwauled, and wailed: our “pristine wilderness” will be infested with ARMED CRAZED HIKERS. Well, this incident and its sort were not mentioned in that light, were they? Keep calm, and carry on. A handgun of signficant authority to deal with bear and cougar would be appropriate. And not all those critters are furry all over, are they? And some walk… Read more »
Maybe when Oregon offers it .
This is when you no longer have any need to call the police. I mean like; Why would you ?
When hiking something like the Pacific Crest Trail the primary need for a weapon isn’t wildlife it’s humans as you hike within 5 miles of trail heads. Open carry should be standard practice among hikers.
Interesting observation. About 2 months ago, the dogs and I went for a walk at a place called “Couch Landing” in Washington State. As luck would have it, it runs right next to the “Columbia Plateau Trail.” We only walked in about 3 miles and back out. Alongside the road, there were 12 dead deer. We didn’t actually inspect said deer…once the dogs get interested, it’s hard to get them uninterested. Now, sometimes when there are late snows (which there was) there will be an unusually high buck count. All were bucks, but one. However, here in the Snake River… Read more »
Armed assault with anything other than a gun is squelched by the media as it doesn’t fit the anti-gun narrative. You’ll only get these types of stories on sites such as this. Ask the folks in England how they are enjoying being sliced into ribbons by knife wielding murderers.
Libtards, Communist, and assorted other Big Government proponents (really all the same) want a populace willing to accept that only Government has the ability, means and right to protect citizens from assault. Self defense and self armed are 2 sides of the same self reliant coin to them and must be discouraged if not outlawed (the goal). Unarmed sheeple are so much easier to control.
I prefer to hold to the belief that a 9mm (1092 fps), .45 ACP (850 fps) or 5.56mm (2200 fps) is much more reliable than 911 (nat avg response time 21 mins).
Just another really good reason to be armed 24/7. I don’t know where the cops were or if they were even aware of this nut case and what he was doing but, no matter what else happens, the murdered guy will not be having any more birthdays, opportunity’s to vote, to kiss his grand kids or any of life’s greatest blessings. As wrong as the guy is for murdering the man and then assaulting the lady, if either were not allowed to exercise their 2nd amendment right, then those in government who wrote, enacted and/or enforced the denial of the… Read more »
Omgosh, you are a breath of fresh patriotic air. Amen brother, you rock!
Civil disobedience to tyranny is our duty as Americans and as free men.
Thank you Bill.
Well written response. Yamamota is aledged to have said that, but it has been disproved. I understand it can be attributed to a movie. Otherwise, all good points.
The media would have spun the story as two hikers armed decided to shoot a unarmed mental patient for yelling at them , sound FAMILIAR
All with the assistance of gun groups supporting gun control to promote thier corporate tyranny while padding thier accounts at your expense while leaving you choking on your own blood. Gun groups can eat shit.
My Bible says that iron scepter registration and permit are the Holy Bible and it’s authority of sovereignty is derived from GOD.
To those who demand I throw my religion in the trash I REFUSE TO COMPLY.