In Properly Trained Hands, Guns Can Prevent Tragedy

‘I didn’t think it could happen to me!” tearfully wails another victim. After treating and delivering this patient to the hospital, I’ll return to the station, change, and wash out most of the blood before dropping my uniform off at the cleaners at shift’s end. What can’t be washed away are the memories of the pain and anguish of the victims and their families. As a firefighter and paramedic for the last 25 years, I’ve heard “I didn’t think it could happen to me!” too often.

Injury and death are part of life. I’ve learned to balance the losses against the successful rescues, such as the times I’ve helped deliver new babies. The reward is immeasurable when you can help another individual who is facing a critical emergency in their lives. So is teaching others how to deal with emergencies themselves. I also became a CPR and first-aid instructor to help people “hold the line” until paramedics arrive.

Now comes what to some will be a paradox and to others the logical extension of first-aid training. Many years ago I also became a firearms instructor. I specialize in defensive use of firearms. I teach people when - and when not - to use a gun against another human being. In this context, the gun is analogous to a fire extinguisher or first-aid kit. It is used as a life safety rescue tool, more commonly than not, without ever having to fire it.

Use of a gun for defense may seem distasteful to some, but I have seen the alternatives. There are criminals who will wreak the most heinous damage, as well as death, on innocent people who do not have the means to protect themselves. Having seen too often the results of criminal cruelty is what motivated me to help teach people to “hold the line” until the police arrive.

Calling 911 communicates that an emergency is in progress. While you wait for the professionals to respond, you must handle the situation yourself. Whether a fire, medical emergency, or criminal assault, what we do before help arrives may make the difference between life or death. Everyone needs to realize that unpleasant things can and do happen to all of us. We need to take more personal responsibility for our own safety. A properly trained, armed citizen does so as surely as a CPR provider.

MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion page. To submit a column for consideration, call Rebecca Nappi/459-5496, or Doug Floyd/459-5466.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Robert B. Smith Special to Opinion