I have rehearsed my reactions, but I guess we never know. It is sort of an apples to oranges comparison, but I knew a combat vet that found he initially could not bring himself to shoot back... until a buddy got hit, and then he said it was like a switch had been flipped.
A lot of people have no idea how much soul-searching some of us do when we decide to carry. It is an enormous responsibility.
Conceal carry is a HUGE responsibility. It means that, no matter what, you will have to be the Adult in the room no matter your role or stake in a situation.
I went to a Sarah Palin rally in a big blue city some years back, and was carrying. I had a leftist get right up in my face, nearly nose to nose with me. The guy was berating me about my sign (that referenced fiscal responsibility) while I was trying to listen to the speakers, and I simply said “Look. I am not interested in talking with you.” and moved to the side.
He stepped with me, and I am a bit of a hothead, and I could feel my temperature going up. I repeated myself, in a calm tone, and stepped back, and he followed suit.
It was at this point, I realized that there was a group of people filming this. They were with him. He was trying to provoke a fight.
After more of this, people around me began saying “Look the guy doesn’t want to talk with you, why don’t you leave him alone? and things like that, and eventually he left.
I swear, I wanted to slug the guy in the face. But I couldn’t. I was carrying. I had to be the Adult there. Can you imagine the headlines? With freedom goes responsibility.
I often discuss this with people who don’t own firearms, and sometimes I get the impression they think anyone who carries is some kind of cowboy in search of a shootout. I have to tell them:
“I hope, as God is my witness, I never, EVER have to draw this weapon in any circumstance. If I have to, I hope I have the strength to do what needs to be done if my life or someone else’s life depends on it.”
Yes. It is a big responsibility.