Carry

 

My favorite way to carry.  Since being in Mississippi, I got my concealed carry permit. In Mississippi you  have to have an Enhanced  Carry Endorsement on your permit to carry in many public places such as a church. That is the reason I got mine. I am part of a security team at church.  This is something that feels so foreign to me. I remember many years ago a minister friend sold fire arms out of the trunk of his car. If you starting talking weapons, he could show you some that he was carrying. At the time, I felt it didn't mix, being a minister and a gun nut. This morning as I strapped on my gun I prayed, God may I never have to use this, but if I am ever in a situation where it is needed give me the courage to do what I need to do. Who would have thought we would face situations like we saw in Charleston, South Carolina where nine members of a church were shot to death. It seems to be a reality in this day when we have to protect ourselves in this manner. We went through training and shot many rounds of ammunition. I had 150 rounds with me on the day at the range. I didn't shoot them all, but many. I have been through a Citizens Academy twice which is through a police department to help us understand what a police officer faces. I know several police officers and I cannot imagine one of them having a racist attitude like Black Lives Matter says. I would guess most if not all would be somewhat like me, I hope I never have to use it. Officers are trained. I have minimal training and do not feel adequate to be a police officer. they have my utmost respect as they strap on a weapon as part of their job, hoping they never have to use it. they are in harms way every day. They never know how a traffic stop will go. Or they go on a domestic violence call and don't know how it will end. One thing I learned that I still have to practice is to keep both eyes open as I aim at a target. Your dominant eye will take over.  I forgot to look through the sights on my weapon on the last shoot don't shoot training. I totally missed the man I needed to stop with all three shots I fired. Every one in the shoot don't shoot training class I was in that didn't shoot, an officer ended up dead  or at least shot. I would recommend this training for every citizen, especially any one who thinks they would like to advise a police department of their interactions with the community. I know black officers and white officers and I see no difference.  I was really encouraged to learn how many of them are Christian men and women. Most had a servants heart, from what I saw.  Get to know your local police officers. They are really good people.   Once again I hope I never encounter a situation where I have to pull my weapon and use it.  I carry it on my ankle because I think if I am ever in a situation I will take cover and look for the threat and make sure before I ever pull it.   It would be easier to carry on my hip but I know I will want to make sure, very sure before I ever use it.  May I never have to. I want to make another statement here, civil authority is ordained by God (Romans 13), our police officers are ministers of God.  They are the first line of defense for us ordinary citizens. May we respect and honor them for the job they do. God give me the courage if ever I face the need to draw my weapon to do what I have to do save lives. I pray it never happens. God bless, LVZ.