You are home alone at night and an intruder has just broken into your home. You immediately grab your pistol and yell to the intruder downstairs:
I have a gun and I don’t know how to use it!
That’s an exaggeration of what happened a few weeks ago when we reported on the 911 operator who told the homeowner to put her gun down. Why on earth would a 911 operator tell someone to put their gun down when an intruder was in the home? Well, now we know more of the story.
According to BearingArms.com, they received a message from the Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer so that he could provide an explanation of why the dispatcher offered the advice that he did.
I am the chief for Holmes Beach Police. I have read your information on our Burglary call. The dispatcher asked the victim to put the pistol down after the victim told him that she was holding the gun but “Did not know how to use it.”
I’m sure you agree that as a citizen when you arm yourself in self-defense you should be sure of three main things.
1. your actions are legally justifiable.
2. you are trained in the use of the weapon.
3. you have it in your mind that if necessary you are willing to pull the trigger so you are not just handing a firearm to a burglar.I hope this clarifies the action of the dispatcher.
Ok, that makes a whole lot of sense. And to be completely honest, these are the scenarios that play out and then we wonder why people want to pass more gun laws.
I am officially adding a 5th rule to The 4 Rules of Gun Safety:
The 1st Law:
The Gun Is Always Loaded
The 2nd Law:
Never Point The Gun At Something You Are Not Prepared To Destroy
The 3rd Law:
Always Be Sure Of Your Target And What Is Behind It
The 4th Law:
Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Your Sights Are On The Target
The 5th Law:
Know How To Operate Your Firearm And Practice Proficiency Regularly
As a gun owner, it is your responsibility to know that firearm inside and out. It is also your responsibility to demonstrate your proficiency with it. If you’re ever in a situation like the one above and need to use your firearm, it’s best to make sure that you actually know how to use it.
Moreover, if you have a spouse or significant other who lives in the same home, make sure that they are taught how to operate that firearm (if they have access to it legally) and make certain they can hit the paper.
[H/T Bearing Arms]
