Black Friday Mass Shooting That Wasn't © 2017 Phillip Evans

Nov. 24th, at Schlenker Automotive in Rockledge, Florida, Robert Lorenzo Bailey Jr. walked into the parking lot and used a pistol to murder one man and paralyze another. 

He had multiple ammunition magazines with him, and after shooting the two men outside, he went inside the repair shop and continued shooting. Fortunately for the multiple customers and employees inside the shop, two employees were armed and returned fire wounding Bailey and stopping his attack.

Photo by Google

Several more could have been wounded and killed. Thank goodness for those armed citizens! Lives were saved that day, indeed. No amount of 911 dialing and waiting for the police to arrive could have done any better that the first responders who were already on the scene as the event occurred. 

I wonder when anti-self-defense politicians will use this to start calling again for a ban on something or other. Oh wait, they won't. That's because this was a mass shooting didn't occur. It was preempted by two non-badged citizens who cared enough to take responsibility for their own safety, and that of others, by being armed with their own guns.

This is yet another example where "it takes a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun". Of course, most of the mass media either won't run this story, or will just give it a quick blurb and then move on. It doesn't fit their gun-grabbing propaganda, that only the police should be armed and not us "mere subjects".

"Progressives" would foolishly argue that if guns were banned, there wouldn't have been a bad guy shooter there in the first place. Even if the sale of all guns were stopped in the United States today, there are already 300 million firearms in the hands of about 100 million citizens. Bad guys will always find a way to get a gun, so pipe dreams don't belong at the adult discussion table on this topic.

Whether it's a pistol, rifle, or shotgun, whether it's ammo mags that hold less than 10 or more than 10 rounds, backward thinking "progressives" always focus on the tools, and threaten to criminalize millions of people merely for owning and enjoying various types of firearms and their accessories, for the actions of a tiny fraction of the population. For all their chest-beating about "fairness", that certainly does not seem fair. It certainly isn't anything related to liberty.

The focus should be on preparedness, and those two armed citizens proved you don't need special police or military training to stop a criminally insane person or terrorist who seeks to commit mass murder.

"Feeling safe" isn't safety. Safety is the ability to save yourself in case no one is around that can do it for you. The choice to be armed is a grownup decision made by those who understand that evil exists and sometimes must be stopped with bullets.

President Trump's "No More Gun-Free Zones" Promise © 2017 Phillip Evans

During his presidential campaign, President Trump promised to get rid of gun-free zones at schools and military bases his first day in office. Actually, the way his speech sounded, it certainly seemed he understood that ANY "gun-free" zone is a killing field, with schools and military bases mentioned as examples. So let's see if he's serious about saving lives by restoring liberty.

Photo by Associated Press

He later clarified he meant that only resource officers and trained teachers would carry at schools. 

Well, that's better than nothing. Although, I'd like to ask President Trump if the lives of "regular" folks - you know, free American adult citizens, are important enough to be worthy of exercising their Second Amendment Rights even in schools, in case one of the few "only ones" aren't around to save them when a bad guy opens fire.

Lest anyone think I've given up on President Trump... Not a chance!

He's about a million times better than HiLiary would have been. He will hopefully have the opportunity to put two or three more pro-gun-rights Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, which should change the game considerably.

What I'd like to see is for him to press Speaker Paul (RINO) Ryan hard to get some pro-gun-rights bills out of their places of languish and onto the House floor for an honest vote.

How about State Reciprocity, for example, with H.R.38? Speaker Ryan stated this was not the time. What?! Rights delayed is rights DENIED. Someone needs to jerk a knot in the chain of this double-talker and remind him he once said:

"Our rights come from nature and god, not from government. That’s who we are. That’s how we built this country. That’s who we are. that’s what made us great."

Well, it's about time free Americans licensed to carry a firearm in one state should be able to cross any state line and do the same, without the threat of being locked behind bars like an animal, just for wanting to be able to protect themselves and their families from predators!

Some would argue, and I agree, that even having to apply and pay for a license (permission slip from the government) is itself an infringement. So if you do have a license to carry, why should it be deemed nothing more than a piece of paper when you want to see another part of your own country? Even a drivers license is treated better than that. 

I'd like to remind folks that there are many other "gun-free" zones such as unsecured Federal buildings like park visitor centers, libraries, museums, etc. Not to mention post offices. 

President Trump needs to get on the ball and start hammering Congress to get in gear to deal with these infringements of our God-given right to protect our lives from evil people. We're waiting on those promises...

Anti-Gunners Want A Dialogue...Yeah Right © 2017 Phillip Evans

I just ran across an interesting article that makes some excellent points. However, I'd like to add another perspective, though one which does not necessarily contradict the original article linked below:

6 Reasons Your Right-Wing Friend Isn’t Coming To Your Side On Gun Control

The anti-gun-rights "progressives" are NOT interested in winning us over. They are NOT interested in having a heart to heart conversation with us. Their entire M.O. has been to demonize us by claiming that we are part of the problem of "gun violence". 

They demonize us indirectly by calling the NRA, "the enemy", all the while knowing that the NRA is composed of regular Janes and Joes across the country who just want their voices to be heard and have their rights upheld and protected.

They demonize us directly, like HiLiary Clinton did when she called us "deplorables". 

Battle of Guiliford Courthouse March 15th 1781

When these "progressives" claim to want a dialogue with us, it is merely a ruse to try and trick us into agreeing to further incremental infringements on our rights, while at the same time using the fake attempt at dialogue as a club to beat us with when we don't want to hear their nonsense.

Whenever they use the word "conversation", what they really have in mind is confiscation.

Oh, sometimes their politicians will soften the blow by offering a "grandfather clause" when offering bills that ban "dangerous assault weapons", so that those who already own them can keep them. 

How hypocritical! If these weapons were truly the root cause of "gun violence", letting them remain in non-government hands is contrary to what they are supposedly trying to accomplish, which supposedly is reducing crimes committed with them, right?

It's that slippery slope that Nancy Pelosi recently admitted to. All the while they laughed at us for our concern over confiscation, that's exactly what they were scheming to do. They want to make us into Great Britain. It's a goal they will not deviate from.

For that reason alone, they are evil. They are the enemies of liberty. The freedom fighters of the American Revolutionary War lost much blood repelling British tyranny. Now their modern day cronies are attempting the same thing bit by bit.

When one particular type of weapon is "reasonably" banned, it will be another, then another. And then you can forget about being able to get a license to carry even a single-shot muzzle-loading pistol in public. Your rights will be gone. Oh, you can still do some recreational shooting like they do in Britain. You'll just have to leave your approved firearm at the shooting range until next time.

In the meantime, you'll have to be content with your fists, feet, and walking cane to repel gangs of thugs with knives, clubs, and yes, even guns, who would rape, rob, beat, stab, shoot, and murder you and your family, like how happens so often in Britain.

They will get whatever infringements into law and erode the meaning of the U.S. Constitution by means of legislation and corrupt judges little by little, until the frog is slowly boiled by the gradual increase of the water temperature.

That's why we should never want nor attempt to engage them in any "dialogue". General George Washington's dialogue with the British were some well placed lead shot.

Right now we have the ballot box, but if that fails, we may need another General George Washington. Perhaps we should be glad the Federal Government still officially calls his birthday by his name, instead of "President's Day".

Armed Robbery - Victim Feels Sorry For Attackers © Phillip Evans

In Atlanta, Georgia on September 4, 2017, at approximately 10:55pm on Ethel Street at Mecaslin Street in the Home Park neighborhood, Brighton Kamen and two others were robbed at gunpoint. 

Home Park Neighborhood

 Photo by Andrew Guyton

Ms. Kamen recounts:

"The taller man stood over me while I wrestled myself free of my purse strap, half of me struck with how helpless I was on the ground with a weapon pointed at me and the other half eerily calm, reasoning that he didn’t want to shoot me — he just wanted my stuff. The shorter man nabbed Sam’s wallet and they bolted for their car and sped off. I pulled myself to my feet. It was all over in seconds."

There are some striking things about her report. First of all, she was practically fighting with her purse strap in her eagerness to give up her "stuff" to the robbers. Second, was her keen awareness that she was indeed helpless. Third, is her concentrated self-assurance that she would be alright, which lulled her into an "eerie calm". What else could a helpless sheep do? 

Just give up your property and hope for the best, placing your trust in your attacker to not injure or kill you.

The general consensus of police across the country would be that she handled the situation well, and would receive an "A+" if this were a school assignment. But of course, we know that the situation handled her, for she had no other options available to her at the time of the robbery.

If she is 21 and otherwise qualifies, she can apply for and obtain a Georgia Weapons Carry License, so that in the future she will have the option to not be helpless while on the street or in class at Georgia Tech.

Or she could just bury her head further in the sand and count this incident as her one and only time she will ever face a criminal attack, and therefore be forever happy being an unarmed sheep.

After discovering that she did make it through, she now has the luxury of warm fuzzy feelings for her attackers. One might wonder if Ms. Kamen would "feel sorry" for her attackers if she had been raped or had received a cracked skull. Sometimes the "stuff" they want is your body. Remember that if you decide in advance that you will eagerly "just give it up", when they demand it.

Perhaps Ms. Kamen is destined to always be victim material. Some people are, and they like it that way. Getting to be a victim survivor and emoting compassion for your attackers can be a heady thing for some folks. She can now be a spokesperson for something or other now.

She reported that she had tried to run, but tripped and fell. Ah, so things like this is where the movies got that idea! The "empowerment" feminists could be right - women are just too clutsy to handle a firearm and defend themselves. 

Guns are just meant to be handled by men, some of which are bad guys that prey upon women. But women can comply and live to fight for "gun control". 

Hey, anyone got any advice for women being raped, robbed, and murdered in Great Britain by thugs with knives?

You can read the Clery Act Safety Alert report here: 

http://www.police.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/documents/crimealerts/robbery09042017.pdf

Disarmament Crowd Twists Bible © 2017 Phillip Evans

A mass shooting happens in a Texas Baptist church and out from the woodwork they come - all kinds.

The Hollywood clueless continue to line up to mock Christians for calling for prayer in the aftermath of these murders. I presume they would rather we call for "gun control". You know, be willing to lose our liberties as punishment for the acts of evil doers.

Sorry, not sorry. I will always be armed with my gun when in church, or anywhere else it's legal to carry. I am armed for the safety of myself, my family, and to whatever extent possible, for the safety of others around me.

A commentator (and I have no idea if this person is pro-gun-rights or not) mocks in an online comment: "If one believes in God -- what's the point of security measures in a church? I mean, think it through." - The Pale Orc

I replied to The Pale Orc: "One believes in God and has security measures because God, in His sovereignty, does not provide blanket protections for believers in this world, otherwise people would be clamoring to come to Him for the wrong reasons. 

He works through both divine intervention at times and also allows us to have a part in both our physical safety against crime and accidents, as well as our health. Believers are even subject to physical death, yet we still believe because the One who rose from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ, will one day resurrect our physical bodies to be made new like His, to never die again."

Not all anti-self-defense proponents are leftist "progressives". Some can be actual Christians who handle the Bible like a five year old child handles a sharp knife - very carelessly.

The following is two comments and my replies posted at: https://www.afa.net/the-stand/culture/2017/11/time-for-gods-men-to-pack-heat-to-church/:

"disqus_5Sn6AvzcOj 

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

As to protecting God's people, it's God's duty.."

That is a gross mishandling of the Word of God. God allows us to play a part in our own protection as well as that of our brothers and sisters, and neighbors. Who is our neighbor? Anyone we have the opportunity to show mercy to.

If you saw a lady being punched by a purse grabber, are you just going to watch her get pummeled and say it's God's duty to help her? Do you lock your doors? Why so, isn't it God's duty to protect you?

If I was in church with my pistol, wouldn't you want me to use it to stop an armed criminal who comes in shooting? Or would you tell me to put it away, because it's God's duty to do something? 

---------------------------------

"Carlos Santiago 

All things are worked according to our God's plan. Consider Matthew 25 :Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Jesus the Savior did not use violence as a tool of Evangelistic followers. Many Old Testament warriors accomplished the Lord's purpose with the Law and with Battle. I think things have changed with the New Covenant. We should instead spend our focus on being prayer warriors."

Jesus told Peter that, because Peter was operating outside the will of God. Peter had already been told Jesus would be betrayed and would give His life as a ransom. Prior to this, Jesus told His disciples to make provision for their physical safety with a sword, because He would no longer be with them in the flesh.

Of course neither Jesus nor His disciples needed any weapons at all during Jesus' earthly ministry. His divine power kept them all safe from all harm in His direct presence. God allows us to be subject to calamities in this life, and gives us the responsibility to do our own due diligence to make provisions for health, safety, food, etc. 

If you see an elderly person being assaulted by a criminal, are you just going to offer up prayers instead of coming to their aid? Really? Folks, please have some common sense here.

---------------------------------

Fervent prayer by God's people is real and is powerful, but it is never a substitute for taking action when we are able to. You don't pray for money to buy food when you have no plans to get a job, for example.

Likewise, you don't pray for divine protection when you don't take at least some personal responsibility for your safety and that of your family knowing that evil people exist in this world, and knowing that when they strike you will need to have an effective means to stop them.

That doesn't mean you have to always go about heavily armed. A small pocket pistol is far better than nothing. Mass murderers have always stopped their attacks and either fled or committed suicide at the first instance of armed resistance. They are cowards.

When you get a chance google "Saint James Church massacre". Briefly:

In 1993, in a church in Cape Town, South Africa, one member of the congregation, Charl van Wyk armed only with a 5 or 6 shot revolver repelled multiple heavily armed terrorists after they had killed eleven people, saving many other lives. 

Will you be prepared? It doesn't always happen to other people.

Texas Church Massacre © 2017 Phillip Evans

Sunday morning November 5th, 2017, Devin Patrick Kelley entered First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas and opened fire with a rifle killing 26 people and injuring 24.

Neither the shepherd nor the flock had any means of effective defense available to them. I'm fairly positive several had cell phones, and probably at least one person was able to dial 911 to summon the police. After that, their only defense was to try and hide and wait for the police to arrive.

Suggested Church Carry Anti-threat Tool

Was it their fault they were murdered and wounded that day? Certainly not. All of the moral fault goes to the murderer. Were they willfully unarmed? Yes, but that is the prerogative of every human being to not be armed. Why should they have been armed? Massacres are thankfully rare, and besides, the readers of this article are not likely to be involved in one. They usually happen to other folks.

Unfortunately that day, it happened to them. So what sort of "blame" should they have for not being prepared to save their own lives? Honestly none. It's their lives and the lives of their children. It was their right to place whatever value they had on them and to act or not act accordingly. Could one imagine that if they had valued their lives a little more that they would have been prepared to defend those lives? Well, that contemplation would just be begging the question, wouldn't it?

A neighbor got involved and shot the murderer as he was fleeing, then pursued him along with another neighbor driving his personal vehicle. And the armed neighbor and driver wore no uniform nor badge but were there on the scene as first responders before the badged and uniformed second responders arrived.

Oh that there would have been such neighbors INSIDE the church that morning! Don't you agree? But I'm just wishing that because of the value I place on human life. Don't let anyone think I am judging the victims. As I said before, victims have the right to place whatever value they have on their own lives.

A couple of neighbors inside the church with holstered pistols under their coats would have meant far less victims yesterday. I don't care if you disagree. This is not an opinion. This is a fact.

Just who is our neighbor? Our Lord Jesus, in Luke 10:37, shows us that our neighbor is anyone we have the opportunity to show mercy to.

This is why I will always be armed with my pistol in church. Not just to save my own life and family, but to also show mercy to my neighbors if and when necessary.