by T. Blanchard
teblanchard@juno.com

I recently saw a cute article on how to avoid getting caught in the middle of a police shooting. It was called FIVE COUNT RULE TO AVOID A POLICE SHOOTING

And it started with:

1. DON'T COMMIT VIOLENT CRIMES.
2. If you ignore rule No. 1, and the police confront you, DON'T RUN AWAY FROM THEM…

You get the idea.

I have a corollary set of rules that I call

RULES TO AVOID BEING SHOT BY AN ARMED CIVILIAN:

1) Treat every individual as if they are armed.

Treat them courteously and do not ever resort to physical threats, even if you feel that they are in the wrong. Though many of the traitorous, elitist, gun-grabbing vermin in our Government would have it otherwise, I and many of my fellow Americans actively enjoy the benefits of the 2nd Amendment, which confirms our God-given right to protect ourselves from harm, even from those who are bigger, stronger or who happen to be in elected office. At many times, we are armed and you may not even know it. Is it worth the chance?

2) Don't attempt to harm any member of my family.

Odd as it may sound in today's self-centered culture, I love and value my family, and will take it VERY seriously if their life or physical safety is threatened. I will consider serious threats or physical aggression as an attempt on their lives - even if you were "only kidding." And since you don't necessarily know all of the individuals who may be "part of my family" it would be wise not to attempt harm to ANYONE in my presence. And since you don't know who I am or what I look like, assume I am always around. For the criminals among you: If you have trapped a young lady in a dark alley and believe I am not around, see #1. I may be that young lady, and I may be packing heat.

3) Do not attempt to steal from me.

In my home, an intruder is considered a serious immediate threat to the safety of myself and my family - to consider it anything else is pure foolishness. Taking chances with the life of one's spouse or children is completely out of the question. And since you don't know what action I may interpret as an indication that you intend to attack - the raising of a hand obscured in shadow, a step in my direction, etc. - it would be wisest not to be there in the first place. To guess wrong could very well be the last act of your life. Visualize a mother bear and her threatened cubs....

4) Do not attempt to take away my God-given and Constitutionally affirmed rights.

I love my country. I love the Constitution - its authors were wise beyond most people's comprehension. I love my freedom. Your attempts to whittle away at, or outright abolish any of my rights will be met with the same response as an attack on myself or a family member, that is, response in force, up to and including lethal force. If you attack my Constitution, you attack not only my country, but my freedom and I will never give that up. If you have sworn an oath to the Constitution, and make or attempt to pass laws that abrogate the rights so carefully detailed in that Constitution, then you are both a liar and a traitor and deserve what all traitors deserve - an immediate meeting with your Maker. I, and millions of others will do what we can to hasten that meeting.

5) Do not attempt to erode the sovereignty of the United States, or to subjugate it to any other body (e.g. the United nations).

I AM "The People" spoken of in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It is MY country and those in Government office or the private sector who would sell this country out to anyone else are my enemies. I, and millions like me will not stand idly by while you give away what so many prior patriots fought and died for. We will follow their lead, but when we fight, God willing, YOU will be the ones to die.

- An Armed Patriot