By Sam Hoober, Alien Gear Holsters
If you read the literature and articles and so forth pertaining to concealed carry, you could be forgiven for thinking that anyone who writes about it thinks that armed robbers, muggers and the like are the most likely threat a person will face. That even includes the guy writing these words you’re currently reading.
What we don’t talk about is that the likelihood you’ll face a lethal threat from a home invader, armed robber and so on are remote. In fact, the greatest threat on a statistical basis are people you already know.
According to the most recent complete Uniform Crime Report by the FBI (not a perfect source, but good enough to give you the general idea) there were 13,455 murders known to the FBI for the year 2015. Of the 7,023 for which there was information about the crime (6,432 were “unknown”) only 1,375 were committed by strangers. The remainder – 5,648 – were committed by acquaintances, family members, romantic partners and other people (bosses, co-workers, others) that were known to the victim.
General acquaintances were the most common, but of those with closer relationships, sons, wives, girlfriends and “other family” were more commonly victims.
Which brings us to the recent mass shooting in Plano, Texas, wherein the estranged husband of Meredith Lane showed up to her home on Sept. 10 and started shooting, killing 8 people including his estranged wife. The perpetrator was soon after killed by police, according to NBC News.
A similar incident, though thankfully, with a different outcome, occurred on Sunday, Sept. 24, according to the Decatur Daily, in Athens, Ala. In this instance, a man went to his ex-girlfriend’s house and started shooting at her and her new boyfriend. The new boyfriend retrieved a pistol and returned fire, killing the perpetrator.
The lesson here is that if you have a bad breakup, one of the first things you should consider getting is a concealed carry permit and a gun, followed by a concealed carry holster to carry it with. Next is to consider a restraining order if after the split, the party that you’ve divested yourself of starts behaving erratically.
Not that a restraining order will save you; a person determined to do evil will do it regardless. What it does is establishes a paper trail, and sets them up for prosecution should they violate it.
However, be extremely cautious about bringing a gun into the home if domestic violence is occurring. Domestic abusers that can get their hands on a firearm go from being a mere physical/mental threat to being a lethal one, so get them or yourself extricated first.
Should a custody arrangement or transfer of property be required in the aftermath, ensure the transfer takes place on neutral ground or in the presence of some sort of mediator or neutral party. Don’t go into their home or let them into yours.
A gun is a good tool for self-defense, but one of the best is a bit of proactive risk management. An unstable former significant other is definitely a risk that you should be aware of.
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Sam Hoober is Contributing Editor for AlienGearHolsters.com, a subsidiary of Hayden, ID, based Tedder Industries, where he writes about gun accessories, gun safety, open and concealed carry tips. Click here to visit aliengearholsters.com.