Originally written by Aron Bright. Respectfully shared/submitted by Joe Sellmer.

A common theme in the gun world which has been witnessed a multitude of times on the range, in the showroom at the local gun store, and wherever guns are discussed, is that owning a firearm and having enough knowledge to make it go bang is enough to be considered armed. Many Americans believe that they are truly ready to defend hearth and home from the evil lurking around the corner or down the street. Many people leave the gun store with their new purchase and a false sense of security. Many people buy a gun, load it up, and put it on the nightstand or in the sock drawer and feel they are ready. Seldom, if ever, do they fire this gun or practice. The average number of rounds fired through a new weapon in this country is seven. Seven rounds in that gun’s lifetime. The gun is not a talisman. It will not keep away evil by its mere presence.

The false narrative that owning a gun makes one armed is nothing new. Col. Jeff Cooper has a famous quotation from decades ago on this subject. According to Col. Cooper, “owning a gun does not make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.” Defending yourself from an attack involves more than a point-and-click skill set. There are several essential skills involved in handling a gun safely.

We need to recognize when danger is close at hand. We need to get rounds to go where they need to go. And, we must know what we are allowed to do inside the confines of the law. It is incumbent on the gun owner to have the knowledge and skills that should accompany gun ownership. If the knowledge and skills are lacking, the citizen is not truly armed.

I encourage all of us to check our ego at the door and get some quality training. A knowledgeable instructor who can teach you what to do, show you how to do it, and then get you to do it right dramatically shortens your learning curve. This approach will save you time and money in the development of your skills. Good training is money and time well spent. The most efficient way to develop skills needed for good gun handling and marksmanship is through training.

The 23rd Psalm refers to the comfort that the rod and staff provide. Here in the twenty-first century, a good sidearm should give comfort and confidence to the armed citizen. A properly armed citizen owns the ten to fifteen yards around them should evil come calling. An armed citizen has the ability to defend themselves against bigger, faster, stronger adversaries and superior numbers in ways that an unarmed person does not have.

All citizens concerned with their safety and security need to purchase a suitable firearm and then get some training to be genuinely armed and ready to defend themselves and their families. It is also important to note that shooting skills are perishable. Once the skill and knowledge have been obtained, practice is required. Buying a gun is the beginning of the process of becoming armed, not the end.

IRGO Website/Blog Team