"Clean Up on Aisle 1"

I’ve been silent long enough regarding the self-defense incident involving Elijah Elliott, a Kroger store manager who shot and killed a thug attempting to rob the store.  Most of you who follow www.thePoliPit.com know our position on the validity and necessity of protecting our 2^nd Amendment right to “keep and bear arms.”  That being said, I understand why a company would establish certain workplace rules limiting their employee’s ability to carry a loaded firearm while working.  Businesses have every right to restrict their employees from possessing guns inside their privately owned property; however I don’t think it necessarily the wisest policy to enact.  I don’t want to debate Kroger’s policy restricting their employees’ ability to carry a specific self-defense tool, a gun, but I do want to discuss the more general unalienable right of life and liberty secured by the 2^nd Amendment.

Liberals love to play “what if” games, so I’ll offer a question for them.  What if Mr. Elliott had thwarted the violent robbery attempt by grabbing a pocket knife and cutting the thug into little pieces; would we be having a similar discussion about knives in the work-place?  I suppose some liberals might clamor for a sharp object ban or that Kroger update its policies.  If deadly force is warranted based on the crime being committed - a crime where death and/or serious bodily injury is possible to the victim or a third party – what is the difference if a bat, knife, rock or gun is used?  Mr. Elliott used a very effective tool available to him and, in my opinion, successfully and safely ended a violent life threatening crime.  The bad guy is dead and the good guys are alive – good job!  “Let’s go Kroger’ing’…for the best of everything…including your life.”  Please insert the appropriate catchy Kroger commercial jingle.

A few weeks before the Kroger Life and Liberty Defense Event, I had a discussion with a German immigrant that has lived in the U.S. for a number of years.  I always enjoy my conversations with this older lady, and I think it’s because she has yet to comprehend the American Culture of independence and liberty and I like explaining it to her.  She commented that she doesn’t understand “America’s infatuation with guns.”  She proceeded to tell me about observing a young teen and his father walk into a rural McDonalds dressed in hunters orange, and their shotguns slung over their shoulders.  I attempted to explain the hunting culture and the value of doing this type of activity within a family, especially a son.  She was befuddled when I told her that the father and sons’ armed presence inside the McDonalds would have made me feel safer and more secure, not less.  Predictably, this discussion quickly turned to the 2^nd Amendment and concealed carry laws.  She brought up the most recent state law that allows concealed handguns in state parks; and stated she didn’t understand the need for such a “ridiculous law.”  I asked her, “If law abiding citizens aren’t allowed to carry guns, then who will carry guns unopposed?”  She replied that she had heard this argument before about “good guys not having guns and criminals having them”, but she didn’t really “buy it”; mind you she cited no reason for her “not buying the argument.”  She then quipped, “Wouldn’t this world be a much better place if there were no guns!?”  I quickly interrupted, stating, “….and no sticks, bats, knives, rocks, hands, and people for that matter.”

I now digress to the December 27^th, 2011 Indy Star article, and the comments of Indianapolis Lawyer Michael Blickman.  He stated, “Gun owners aren’t necessarily trained in how to deal with dangerous situations…”  (Although it sure seems Kroger Manager Elijah Elliott did just fine)  Numerous other blogs have stated similar reservations of “armed citizens” taking action against violent criminals.  Sheila Kennedy said, ”…what if a trigger-happy employee misconstrues a ‘situation’ and starts shooting?”  What is the common thread among liberals, other than ignorance, who frightfully oppose armed citizens?  Trust!  Liberals always assume the worst intentions of individuals and always assume the best intentions of government; while conservatives like me assume the exact opposite.  Ignorant gun-haters seem to think an American citizen isn’t smart enough to formulate a proper plan of action to ensure their own safety and the safety of others, but the government always has our best interest in mind? 

A citizen that cares enough about his family and co-workers to arm himself with the proper tools to protect them, gathers much more confidence and trust in me than a government that is always trying to restrict liberty and freedom, and rarely in a position to properly help.  “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” frightens me far more than Bubba with a shotgun in McDonalds, or Elijah Elliott with a handgun in Kroger.