Who am I? You can call me Ed.
Why do I think I can write this column, and why would I want to? There’s so much communication nowadays that I think we get buried in superficial stuff and think we know more than we do. I talk to people who think it’s ok to shoot a burglar, if he’s inside their house. Not! (Well, it might be in a couple of states like Florida. Their “no retreat” laws haven’t been tested in court yet — but take it from me: unless you’re a sociopath, you don’t want to go around for the rest of your life knowing you’ve killed another human.)
I talk to folks who want to buy guns for defense and have no idea what’s best for the purpose. (Usually no gun at all, since you asked.) I talk to folks who just want information about areas in which they have no experience. And, of course, I talk to a lot of wannabee tough guys who think they’re experts on all sorts of mayhem and similar stuff. They’re easy to spot — they’re the ones with a Desert Eagle instead of an M1911, wear BDU trousers with HK t-shirts, hang around gun shows — you know the type.
Many people, on the other hand, have a Pollyanna attitude that everything’s going to be ok because the DHS is on the job. Well folks, things haven’t been very “ok” since the dawn of recorded history. There have always been predators and prey. The difference is, now we are capable of wiping out practically every living thing on the planet, and any gangbanger with a little bling can buy an assault weapon that will take out most of the occupants of the local social club without reloading (along with any innocent bystanders). Lots of folks don’t trust the government to get it right, and we don’t trust ourselves to look out for ourselves, most of us. We just hide our heads near that line in the sand and pretend no one’s gonna notice those fancy plumes on our butt and come up and — ah — kick us in the ass.
I’ve been involved in security for most of my life in one way or another. I spent a number of years in law enforcement, and have been a security consultant as well. I’ve trained SWAT teams, and taught little old ladies how to secure their homes. I’ve taught executive protection courses and shown cops how to stay alive on the streets. I’m a reasonably competent gunsmith, and used to be an expert with pistol, revolver, shotgun, and rifle. Back in the day, I was an ass-kicker, an operator, and a burden to my old Mom. I sure have one hell of an opinion of myself, don’t I? But that was then.
Now I’m an old fart. No more operatin’ or ass-kickin’. Hell I don’t even hunt any more! The Hindus say that the final job of old farts before they prepare for the afterlife is to pass wisdom on to others. I’m not sure I’ve got much wisdom, but I’m sure a know-it-all if that counts for anything. I’ve got some free time nowadays, and I’ve written enough stuff about the subject that I can maybe find something to post here occasionally.
So, if I’m so special, why won’t I tell you who I am? That’s simple: because I don’t want to. I don’t need the hassle, and if you figure it out, please remember that it’s really rude to out a blogger. If I sound like I know what I’m talking about, and you want to pay attention, that’s fine. If you don’t, there are several million other blogs on the web.
Still, I hope you enjoy…
