Pacifism and responsibility

A short essay on how pacifism (as defined by the author) is equal to the abdication of personal responsibility.

Pacifism and Personal Responsibility

One of the main reasons I carry a concealed pistol when I can is because it is the ultimate act of personal responsibility. I am taking my safety into my own hands and not depending on others to protect me. This is not to say that I deliberately go looking for a situation in which I will need to use my gun, quite the opposite actually. The knowledge that I have the capability to take a life by performing a series of uncomplicated actions ending with a simple movement of my right forefinger leads me to be more cautious and work even harder to avoid that type of situation.

But if it comes down to it, if I or someone else is being threatened with physical harm or death, I fully intend to draw my weapon, aim it, and, if necessary, pull the trigger. I used the word "intend" deliberately. I recognize that I've never done it before, so I can't say with 100% surety that I will be able to do it if and when the time comes. I hope I never have to find out.

Ultimately, the only person responsible for my safety is me. The police increase the safety of the population as a whole by serving as a deterrent to crime, and by capturing criminals. However, they can only capture criminals after the crime has been comitted. Only rarely are the police on hand to prevent the crime in the first place. As I've said before, the police have no legal obligation to prevent you from being the victim of a crime. This has been upheld time after time in court cases throughout the years. Only if you have a "special relationship" with the police (i.e. you're in protective custody) do they have such a responsibility.

If you don't want to carry or own a gun, that is your right. I don't have a problem with that as long as you don't try to take away my right to do so.