Wednesday, 08 July 2009
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S.C. Serial Killer: Would I Really Shoot in Self-Defense?
by Clayton King
You may not have heard, but there was a bonafide serial killer right here in our neck of the woods, and he even killed someone less than 8 miles from our house just a few days ago. I have never seen so many police officers in my life, and was never more happy to see them out in force.Of course, the killer was killed in Gaston County, just next door to us here in Cleveland County. And a part of me is glad the madman can’t hurt anyone else while another part of me feels a bit morbid in being glad the guy has been served justice (for killing innocent people and for firing a police officer. They were both really bad ideas).
I have to admit, I have been carrying a firearm with me the last few days, to protect myself and my family. All my guns are legal and I use them ethically, mostly for hunting. But I became aware this weekend of a strange feeling. I had never actually loaded my Sig Sauer .45 for the intention and purpose of using it against another human, no matter how evil that human may be. When I took the gun with me to my vehicle, the question came to me, and the answer was crystal clear…would I really use this thing? Could I pull the trigger if I had to? Is it wrong of me to even have this gun with me in my truck for the sole purpose of defending my family if I have to?
Let me say without apology…I would not hesitate to defend my wife, my boys, or even perfect stranger if someone were trying to harm them or kill them. But at risk of sounding macho and thuggish, it is something I hope and pray I NEVER have to do. EVER. I have a new respect for law enforcement, especially the State Trooper I spoke to last night, who lays his life on the line every day so that the rest of us can live safe and sound. Carrying that gun, even knowing a killer had struck just 10 minutes from my house, gave me no sense of warmth, strength, or joy. Actually, it made me feel a bit sick at my stomach at how depraved and siful the human heart is without Jesus, that a daddy would feel the need to prepare for a worst-possible scenario by carrying a weapon that can take a human life.
It also made me realize the deep instinct that God has put in our hearts as parents and spouses to protect those we love. But in the end, we cannot plan for every scenario. Our hope and our defense is God and God alone. No weapon can take His place.
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Comments (17)
A great ending.
Jesus told his disciples to get two swords. Use it if you have to.
I would have blazed that man given the chance. I honestly wouldn't have batted an eye. Would have cut out the newsclip and framed my 15 minutes. The justice of the legal system isn't always the justice for the job.
@felgild@xanga - I posted not long ago (or maybe it was long ago) on that passage. I think the imagery is compelling but when I look at it, I just can't get to a place where I think Jesus is condoning killing in self-defense.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this post.
@felgild@xanga @SirNickDon@xanga - what passage are you two referring to?
@nyclegodesi24@xanga - Luke 22 (it's also in Matthew), where Jesus tells the disciples to buy a sword if they do not have one, and they reply, "Look, we already have two," and Jesus replies, "That's enough."
@SirNickDon@xanga - Thank you.
a gun would be nice, but an axe would be more fun. Don't let another serial killer become famous.
You wrote, "I have a new respect for law enforcement, especially the State Trooper I spoke to last night, who lays his life on the line every day so that the rest of us can live safe and sound."
Agreed. I don't know how they do it, but I'm glad that there are so many brave people who dedicate their careers and risk their lives to such an important job. I've never been in a situation like that, and I don't know what I'd do if I was. I hope I would do the right thing, of course, but one can never predict the future.
@LoBornlite@xanga - I'm very sorry to hear about what happened to you. It's very brave of you to train, and may you continue to have strength.
@Jedi_Master_713@xanga - I'm very sorry to hear about what happened to you. It's very brave of you to train, and may you continue to have strength.
Not to worry. Reality is where we focus our mind. Traumatic experiences challenge us because they tend to trap our focus on something terrible. As long as the mind remains focused on the terror the person will very likely experience exceptionally damaging emotional difficulties.
Regularly doing something physical and aggressive is a good way to get the mind refocused. I'm also very grateful to be alive and I bathe in that gratitude daily. So really, life continues getting better as time goes on.
Hope is woven into the fabric of creation. And since we are creative beings our own lives are actually full of hope too.
I would shoot if it came to my life or my assailants. I wouldn't shoot if the assailant didn't have a weapon, or randomly. I never want to understand what it is like to kill any creature-- I won't even smash a spider.
I would have an extremely difficult time pulling the trigger, not because I think it's wrong to protect yourself or your family (or the perfect stranger), but merely because after you pull that trigger, the recipients chance to turn from sin is over.
Yes, Law Enforcement Officers deserve a lot of respect!
I don't own a gun and have never used one, but if I was being attacked? If someone was trying to kill me or my family? I think I could take a brotha down...
But I would never want something like that to happen. Ever.
@TropicalOceanSunset@xanga - I second that. It's either us or them; that is, we can either helplessly stand by and be hit or step up and defend ourselves.
I carry a locked and loaded .45acp daily. All the time. Mine is a Ruger P345. If someone was threatening to do physical violence to my loved ones or myself absolutly. I know most people haven't got any idea that I have one. Here is PA, I live close to Harrisburg there have been over 20 gang related shootings in the past month 11 of those were deaths.
The Supreme Court on 4 different occasions has ruled that we are 'not' to expect police protection 24/7 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,162325,00.html
We are the ones responsible for the protection of our loved ones and ourself, I am actually going to use your post in my Blog on Carrying a gun in PA http://paguncarry.wordpress.com/
Glad they caught the creep, now will they put him to death or coodle him
edit: I do encourage you to do this daily and legally, one never knows when someone will decide that your their next victim
Hmm, can't say as I'd be too choked up over killing a serial murder- I wouldn't bat an eye. I can be surprisingly unemotional when I need to be.
@LoBornlite@xanga - Can't say as I've ever been a huge fan of yours, but rape is always a bad thing to learn of and I'm very sorry to hear about that. So one tries it again, crack his head open.
In self defense! Wow, what a question. I have had a shotgun in my face in Chicago after I got out of a cab late at night. I have been shot at as I walked home from a youth choir rehearsal, I've had bullets flying over my head when people were supposed to be Deer hunting. In that last example I pointed my semi-auto in the air and fired off three rounds (in the air) to let the "target shooters" know someone was in the area.
I actually wonder, in light of being a Christian believer, how the indwelling Christ would impact my life in reference to the question, Would I shoot someone in self defense? In light of the life of Christ, who "gave" his life for my sins, what should my response be to such a scenario, even if my family were being threatened?
If I am living with HIS lifeblood in me, then my response would seem to be, I and my family are in GODS hands, in every situation. So, some of you are thinking, well, not me man, I'm taking the bad guy out to save my family! Well, that's a human and natural reaction, but are we not called to live a higher life than that? That would be very difficult for most of us if we found ourselves in such a bad situation, and I myself would probably feel like I wanted to do something, but then... knowing myself how short of a temper I have, the question would be there. What do I do?
I know this sounds like, "well, I want to see you try and react or not react, if something like that would confront you, your family being threatened, and you would not do anything."
Well, for me, that would be a real test. I don;t know right now, what I would do.