responsible
adjective re·spon·si·ble \ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl\
Simple Definition of responsible
- : having the job or duty of dealing with or taking care of something or someone
- : able to be trusted to do what is right or to do the things that are expected or required
- : involving important duties, decisions, etc., that you are trusted to
That's how Merriam-Webster defines responsible. So how does that translate into gun ownership? Sometimes I read an article about something that happened with a gun and the title will sarcastically refer to the owner as "responsible". My first thought is always "actually, there are probably even other gun owners that wouldn't consider that being a responsible gun owner".
I always say I'm not against gun ownership if the owner is responsible. So recently I asked myself. "What do I actually consider responsible gun ownership?" I started by thinking about the people I'm comfortable with owning a gun..............law enforcement and members of the military, current and former. Both are trained in how to properly use and store a gun. But, law enforcement is a great place to start because they are most likely to be in the same places the civilian gun owners go.
Most people say they carry a gun for protection. Cops carry guns for protection too. Cops are highly unlikely to ever fire their weapon outside of the shooting range. Yet they sometimes face dangerous situations. What makes a cop responsible is that they only shoot when it is literally the only option left. Irresponsible gun owners are more likely to shoot first. Meaning, some people die unnecessarily.
Want an example? I have read stories where a parent killed their own kid because they thought he or she was an intruder. If they had looked first, their child would still be alive. Looking first is the difference between being a responsible gun owner and an irresponsible one.
I have seen in multiple places a police training program for civilians that advises us to "run, hide and fight." That sounds like good advice to me! Few people are actually targeted for outright murder. What most people mean when they say "for protection" refers to situations when someone starts shooting without targeting a specific person. That's where this advice is worth following. Run and hide. If the shooter isn't aiming, you are less likely to get hit. However, shoot back if they start aiming where you are hiding. That makes sense to me.
Department of Homeland Security Run, Hide, Fight:
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/active_shooter_pocket_card_508.pdf
Department of Homeland Security Run, Hide, Fight:
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/active_shooter_pocket_card_508.pdf
having the job or duty of dealing with or taking care of something or someone - Responsible gun owners who work in law enforcement or are in the military.
able to be trusted to do what is right or to do the things that are expected or required - Responsible gun owners try to resolve the situation without anyone getting hurt.
involving important duties, decisions, etc., that you are trusted to - Responsible gun owners don't "shoot first and ask questions later". Part of making a good decision is to think before you act. Review the situation first. Can it be handled without firing your weapon?
So it turns out my definition of a responsible gun owner is actually pretty simple.
1. Storing the gun properly
2. Reviews the situation and tries to handle it without using their gun whenever possible.
3. Only shoots when that is literally the only option.
What kind of gun control do I want:
1. Mandatory background checks. They really don't go that deep with background checks.
2. No guns for anyone with a history of violent crime including those left out in some states like domestic abusers and sex offenders.
3. Mandatory permits including firearms use and safety training
4. Conflict/Resolution training on the same level law enforcement receives
5. Regular recertification
5. Regular recertification
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