“I’m glad I live in a place where I don’t have to have a gun to feel safe,” said some “Euro-rando.”

Our people, like me, reply that “Ignorance is bliss.” 

What is this “feel safe” thing? Hazards abound on this, the only place where life thrives.

First, what’s this whole “feeling safe” thing about? 

Then it’s “what’s a gun have to do with being purposefully, willingly delusional?” 

Then it’s “You’re most likely to die from (1) heart disorders, followed by (2) cancers.” 

Then, “I have cardio fitness” which is often followed by “I need joint replacements from running.”

So what is the answer to the issue of longevity? 

All of the above and none of it. In all things, moderation. 

First we’ll examine the whole “gun = security” thing. Guns don’t provide that, it’s the attitude, the mindset, the whole outlook on life. Guns are tools that (like surveillance gear for example) can make security more attainable – but being armed doesn’t do it alone. 

“Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." – Jeff Cooper. But, being armed is not nothing; also from Jeff Cooper, "Remember the first rule of gunfighting ... have a gun."

Walking up on a car stop in the old days. Is this the time it’ll lead to deadly violence? Many officers wander up like it’s just another citizen failing to give due time and attention.

Now we don’t wander about in public armed because we want a fight. We’re armed in the event the fight comes to us and we can’t decamp in an efficient, orderly military manner. The gun doesn’t make us safe. 

If you’re in a physical, hands-on struggle, you will certainly be hit, quite possibly you will sustain injuries. If you’re in a fight involving cutlery, the chances approach 100% that you’ll be cut. 

Why do you think that “your gunfight” would leave you unscathed like the hero in a mid-20th Century television Western drama? While it’s not 100% you’ll be shot, the chance you will take one or more hits is substantial. Guns don’t prevent that – or other associated injuries.

When we talk about “feeling safe,” it’s that wonderful delusion that, in the observable universe, the normal state is one of living. 

The truth is far from it. Aside from the wondrous diversity of life and living things on Earth, this planet appears to be quite the outlier. From our ability to observe, it seems the universe is quite devoid of living things. If the normal state is one of non-living and everything we know of that lives also dies – 100% of the time – that whole “feeling safe” thing seems to be a bucket of dung.

Yet we delude ourselves into believing there’s a “tomorrow.” There is, but there’s a fair chance it’ll belong to someone else. At some point you must check out. 

If you think guns are part of the answer, have you considered trauma care – for others as well as self-administered?

And you will. As I will. It’s odd – and comforting – that humans are the only creatures in our experience to know that life ends while firmly believing that we will “survive it.”

So it’s not a “feeling safe” thing as much as it is a “not today – if I can avoid it” thing. The origins of this civilization include a basis of preserving life, of saving life, and we reasonably recoil from anyone who is a fan of death and killing. 

If you’re going to move heavily in the direction of self-preservation, I’d recommend a healthy diet, exercise, and maintaining contact with medical professionals to stay ahead of potential health issues. 

If you like shooting and studying the art of firearms, guns are fine. I have no objections. 

But lock your doors, maintain your security at home, on the street, at work and online. Being aware of danger – and avoiding the near occasion of danger – is vastly more important than “revolver or auto,” “optics or not,” etc. 

And if you’re confronted by those of another culture that lacks the recent history of being on or near a frontier – you can tell by the whole “you’re paranoid” gun screed – Just scroll on by. 

You know that you’re just “paranoid” because “they are out to get you.” 

And that’s still better than engaging in the delusion. 

— Rich Grassi