According to the TSA, a 76-year-old man walked into the Detroit DTW Airport this past Saturday with something special strapped to his person. As he was being screened using the imaging technology at the TSA checkpoint (you know, the one that looks through your clothes) TSA agents discovered that the man was wearing a loaded Ruger LCP pistol in an ankle holster . . .
When asked about the firearm, the man reportedly replied that he forgot it was there. Forgetting a live round or a stray firearm in your carry-on is somewhat understandable (yet still illegal and dumb), but forgetting you have a loaded firearm — a deadly weapon — strapped to your person is downright irresponsible.
That said, the old fogey’s forgotten armed anklet highlights the fact that it’s entirely possible to carry so comfortably that you forget you’re strapped (literally). And as easy as it is to condemn inadvertent gun ban transgressions (see: above), it’s important to note that a responsible gun owner carries a gun.
There are a lot of excuses for not carrying, including the one illustrated here (i.e. when it is illegal to do so). Comfort isn’t one of them. It’s difficult to find the right balance or convenience, caliber and comfort, but not impossible. Remember: Jeff Cooper said a gun should be comforting not comfortable back when Howdy Doody was a major TV star, before the invention of Kydex, polymer pistols and reliable pocket nines.
Carrying a gun helps fulfill your obligation to yourself (if no one else) to protect your life, your family’s lives and (perhaps) other innocent lives. Just remember that situation awareness is key to survival—and avoiding felonies.