Aging and Self Defense

RATED R FOR VIOLENCE

Now that I have your attention (just teasing) let me explain the reason for the warning. 

Last summer I had an encounter with a man I hired to do some work that led to a confrontation (details on that another time).  Just a couple of weeks later an armed robber was on the loose in the neighborhood where I work.  He was finally caught after pistol whipping a guy at the Red Roof Inn next door.  By next door I mean I can throw a baseball and hit the place.  I often arrive at work before daylight and am the first person here.  The office is "conveniently located" next to the interstate.    No wonder The Red Roof gets so much action.  Hmmmmmm.  I don't want to be paranoid but I also don't want to be stupid.  It is a reality that I could be a target.

If you do not own a gun, are opposed to owning a gun, or are just simply terrified of guns you probably don't want to continue reading.  But you should.  Especially if you are an American.  Just sayin'.  These are my thoughts on aging and how I choose to protect myself.  We have the right to bear arms in this country.  It is as simple as that.

.32 Beretta Tomcat

I am a country girl and here in Kentucky guns are a fact of life.  Women and guns go together.  Women hunt and learn to shoot.  It is our heritage.  I first shot a gun at the age of 4 or 5.  Under irresponsible adult supervision, I might add  (do not try this at home).   Yeehaw!  Check it out.

I am getting older and with that comes the decline in strength and agility.  I don't like living in a city and I never will but I must.  Once you have been attacked you never really ever let your guard down and now I am no longer able to out run the bad guy or really even fend him off.  What to do?

For me there are really only two choices.   I can arm myself or not.  I chose a long time ago to arm myself and have always had a gun for self defense.  Thankfully, I have never had to shoot anyone and the one time I really needed it for self defense it was not on my person.  I have, however, had my gun cocked and loaded on multiple occasions within my home and once outside my house.  The question for me now is what level of protection do I choose.

9mm XD s

I still haven't totally answered that question but I'm getting closer with each day.  If you have never been the victim of a violent assault you might think this is way over the top.  If you have, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.  The predator in my case, and many others, is a man you trust. 

We live in a great  country where we have the right to protect ourself with a deadly weapon if we choose.  I refuse to ever be a victim again.

I am a potential target each and every day I arrive at work.  The area isn't dangerous but the location is perfect for travellers through the state.  As I mentioned before the office is located at the intersection of two major interstate highways.  I have seen suspicious behavior in the parking lot, a coworker found a crack pipe and the parking is located at the back of the building and is partially enclosed by a fence.  Our building is separated from the Red Roof Inn by a hedge.  There are plenty of opportunities for a predator to hide.  These are facts.  What would I do if someone approached me?

These are questions I must answer.  After all, a homeless man was murdered across the street a few years ago.  A woman was murdered by her boyfriend a half mile away this winter.  He stole her car and fled in the early morning hours.  What if he'd come down here to steal my vehicle?  The office was broken into once and just this weekend someone tried to get in again.  A few years back a disgruntled ex employee of the place threw a bomb into the computer room and tried to set the building on fire. He had a gun in his truck as he sat outside and watched.

I don't think I'm paranoid.  I think I'm being sensible.