29 February 2012

Compensation

I am on the book of faces primarily because Youngest Daughter in Wyoming posts pics of the grandkids there.  I do have other contacts, however, and one of them opined thusly:

"I'm quite certain that many more innocent people are killed by the guns owned by people who have them for private protection than are saved ."

To which I replied, "The stats would prove you wrong."

To which she replied, "No they would not. Quite the opposite."

To which I replied, "Show me yours and I'll show you mine..."

She will not believe, of course, and nothing I can say will change her mind. Having traveled this path before I know this to be true; there are none so blind. Anymore I don't even waste my time trying.

I made the mistake of reading upthread and of course I found the usual drivel about how carrying big bad guns makes us gun nuts feel all large and threatening because we have tiny boy parts and, obviously, self-issue problems (sorry ladies, I don't know what all of you would be compensating for).

Rather than continue the "debate" there (since it seemed like it would be like trying to teach a pig to sing  - you just waste your time and annoy the pig) I would like to make my statement here.

I carry a gun because I'm compensating.

There. I said it.

I'm compensating for the fact that I am likely twice the age of my would-be assailants. I'm compensating for the fact that I am carrying 50+ pounds more than I should be. I'm compensating for the fact that as I have gotten older my eyesight has suffered and my reflexes have slowed.

I'm compensating for the fact that things hurt now that didn't before. I'm compensating for the fact that I am all too convinced of my own mortality. I'm compensating for the fact that no matter how much I have, I still won't have enough for some SOB to steal. I'm compensating for the fact that my life, and the lives of those I love, have value far beyond what little worth there is to a punk.

I'm compensating for the fact that I'm too old to fight, too fat to run, and too young to die.

I'm compensating for the fact that I will not be a victim, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

11 comments:

Da Curly Wolf said...

Larry, you mind if I cut and paste your post from "I carry a gun because I'm compensating" on down? I want to post it to the wall of the pro gun FB page my friend created and made me co admin of. It's called"Coalition for the Truth about Firearms and Firearms Owners."

Larry said...

Post it and send me a link!

Thanks for dropping by CW.

Da Curly Wolf said...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coalition-for-the-Truth-About-Firearms-and-Firearm-Owners/305260456183985


there you are.

Larry said...

Awesome CW! Thanks for the link-back!

RabidAlien said...

Heh. I compensate for the fact that it takes the cops an average of 4-5 minutes to arrive at the aftermath of a crime. And the fact that cops are way too darn heavy to carry around with me. Someone once emailed me a whole list of stuff like this, I can post it if you'd like, but its kinda long.

Great post!

Robert Fowler said...

I too may want to borrow your compensation explanation. That is something that should be spread far and wide.

Erin Palette said...

I'm compensating for the fact that I can't carry a policeman everywhere I go.

I'm compensating for the fact that most assailants are a foot taller and 50-100 pounds heavier than me.

I'm compensating for the fact that a 911 call can take 15 minutes to be answered, but I can draw a gun in seconds.

Quizikle said...

"too old to fight, too fat to run, and too young to die"

We must be related...
Q

Michael said...

I'm compensating for the fact that I cannot accurately throw a rock at 1400 fps

Larry said...

Kirk, I didn't figure I was the only one.
Robert, borrow away!
Erin, well said.
Q, brothers from other mothers.

Thanks for dropping by everyone!

Larry said...

Oops, sorry I missed you Michael! I can't accurately throw one either, and attaining that velocity is quite out of the question. Propelled lead travels so much quicker.
Thanks for dropping by!