“I don’t ever want to be in a situation where I’m in fear someone’s going to take my life or I might take their life with a firearm. I’m glad I wasn’t armed. Who knows? If I took that person’s life, how would I live with that the rest of my life? Even though it’s self-defense.” – Stephen Yorkman in President of a National African American Gun Association chapter shoots from the hip [via washingtonpost.com)
Glad that situation worked out for him whatever it was I think all of us here wish the same but no thanks ain’t gonna take that chance
Mindset, a precious thing
I suppose given that this fellow has an anger and loss of control problem it is a good thing he recognizes it. As for myself, at age 68 and never in my life having become aggressively violent, I’ll keep on keeping armed.
What “anger and loss of control problem” are you referring to?
He said:
Perhaps what I saw as a clear implication of such isn’t as clear as I thought.
The object of the exercise is to remain alive so you can feel those emotions, good, bad, or other.
It’s awful to survive a fight that sees others killed. But it’s worse to be amongst the dead.
Agreed.
That’s a choice each person has to make for themselves. Personally, I’m glad I didn’t kill the man I had to shoot to save my life, but if he had died it would be his own responsibility – his choice in truth. He chose to attack me… even with my shotgun pointed directly at him!
I don’t see why it should have ruined my life. I’m glad I was armed. I’m glad I was willing and able to defend myself. And I sincerely hope I never have to do it again. But I would in a heartbeat, with no regrets.
MamaLiberty,
We can understand such claims when we remember that the people making those claims operate on altruism, fantasy, and emotion.
Let us apply this to such people who say that legally/justifiably using deadly force to defend themselves ruined their lives. The attack shatters the victim’s worldview that:
altruism … people are basically good so there is no evil in the world
fantasy … you can stop an attacker with non-violent measures
emotion … you can feel good about every choice and outcome
The death of the attacker is permanent and does not allow the victim to dismiss the attack. Rather, it is a constant nagging reminder that their altruistic, fantasy infused, always feel good mentality is not compatible with the real world. So, in a sense, justifiably killing their attacker did ruin their lives.
This is why we need an overarching, transcendent, timeless standard of truth … so that we have a framework that allows us to handle the unsavory dimensions of life.
I understand all of that very well… that some people – maybe even most people – are not willing to examine things like this in any rational way. I don’t pretend to understand WHY they think that way, of course. But each to his/her own. If they would rather be helpless victims, no skin off my nose. 🙂
I carry a gun all day, every day, everywhere I go… not in the hope I will need it, but knowing very well what might happen if I needed it and didn’t have it. Since I am nearly deaf already, I know there would be serious consequences to my hearing – among so many others – if I ever had to defend myself again. But them’s the breaks. I’d rather be deaf than dead.
MamaLiberty,
If only such people would be satisfied with their own choice. Unfortunately, I see countless hordes of people who are actively (or at least by proxy through government) dragging us down with them. For that reason, I am doing my best to understand, develop, and implement strategies to stop those hordes of people from dragging us down with them.
I know that you are at the point where you don’t much care any more. I am deeply concerned about the legacy that we are handing down to our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As Edmund Burke so aptly stated, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” As long as I am able, I will not be under the column of “good men who do nothing”.
But I am NOT “doing nothing.” 🙂 I carry a gun, mostly openly, and engage people all the time in conversation about it. I am still very active teaching armed self defense to anyone who wants to learn. I blog and participate in both blogs and fora like this every day. I have taught my children to shoot, and would gladly teach my grandchildren if it were possible. They live 1500 miles away, so that’s that. Their choice.
Do I get discouraged? You bet. Am I tired of the fight? Yes indeed. That can’t be helped.
We don’t all have to “do” exactly the same things, of course. And unfortunately, as we age, what we are able to do doesn’t always measure up to what we might like to do. That’s a part of reality that has to be dealt with as well. 🙂
MamaLiberty,
I hear you and I am in the same boat at times myself.
I understand completely.
Keep up the good fight MamaLiberty!
The Gulf Coast of Texas is staring down the proverbial barrel of hurricane Harvey which will likely include epic flooding. (Weather forecasters are predicting that some locations will receive as much as THREE FEET of rain.) Even worse, forecasters are telling us that Harvey will basically stall and remain for several days. This means thousands of people will be dealing with a LOT of standing water, no public utilities, and no emergency services for days on end … which also means opportunistic criminals will be roaming about. And what about residents who become desperate after several days?
If you live anywhere near Coastal Texas, wisdom with respect to firearms dictates, “Better to have and not need than to need and not have.”
If you live anywhere near coastal Texas, GTFO ahead of time.
While there is a lot of wisdom in that sentiment, I can easily imagine that locations 40 miles inland from the coast could be facing 12 to 18 inches of rain and standing water for days on end. I do not believe it is possible to evacuate everyone within 40 miles of the Gulf of Mexico. (Even if the highways could accommodate the traffic flow, there is not sufficient lodging for millions of people moving inland.)
And what about people who want to stay behind to defend their property from looters and water damage?
For all of those reasons, better to have and not need than to need and not have … a firearm!
This might be a good time for a Colorado vacation.
I’m with you fellers. I am not afraid that I am going to shoot somebody who doesn’t need it. I don’t have an impulse control problem, except when it comes to firearm and accessory purchases.
I suspect the NAAGA is bought and paid for by Soros, Bloomberg. Or others of the same ilk
Good that this guy recognizes his impulsiveness but that is not someone I want representing me.
Funny how you never hear from the victims who were shot and killed by a violent thug. I bet most of them would have wished they had a gun and been able to use it.
+1 … Very good point…
“how would I live with that the rest of my life?”
This is the KEY point. If he had NEEDED a firearm to save his life, but didn’t have one… it would have been a very short-term regret, indeed.
Careful, you’re starting to sound like a White Supremacist.
jk
Sounds right to me. Now finish racking that thing.
Each man has got to know his limitations.
And I don’t ever want to be in a situation where I have to make a claim on my insurance, but sometimes life is about dealing with what’s in front of you, not what you’d rather deal with.
Is it me, or is the Communist media having a hard time convincing other people to give up their liberties?
C.S.,
It isn’t you. The Communist media and the communists themselves have failed to convince the masses (through reasoning) to give up their liberties. That is why they are moving toward ever escalating coercion and violence.
As the saying goes, you know someone has lost an argument when they revert to character and/or physical attacks.
So this guy is saying, in effect, “I never want to save someone from drowning or give them the chance to save me. That’s why I carry no life jackets or flotation devices in my boat.”
Some people would rather die than kill to survive, and if that’s you, you probably shouldn’t go armed. Just don’t force that on other people.
I’ve been saying this a while, but it does bear repeating. When the King James Bible translators were at work, they were under pressure to misquote the original Hebrew text. The 6th Commandment actually says: “Thou shalt not Murder”, in Hebrew. King James wanted an orderly society, and he was a new Scottish king in a half hostile England, so he insisted on “Thou shalt not Kill”. (He may have meant “Thou shalt not Kill Me”). This, unfortunately, has led to a lot of confusion and angst among military and society in general. As Ecclesiastes 3:3 says, there is a “time to kill and a time to heal”. Why would God himself instruct the tribes of Israel to kill their enemies, if this would violate His own Commandment? A house divided against itself cannot stand. Many people have turned away from God due to the apparent contradictions caused by the bad KJB translation.
To keep a clear conscience, do not commit murder. If circumstances force your hand so that you absolutely MUST kill an aggressor to save your own or another life, you have not committed a sin. To allow a villain to kill you without defending yourself is self-murder, which IS a sin. Keep calm and carry on.
While I think it is foolish, I support the choice of an adult without dependent children who refuses to own a firearm for self-defense.
I do NOT support the choice of an adult with dependent children who refuses to own a firearm for self-defense. Those dependent children are depending on their parents to provide for them physically and emotionally. A parent who refuses to provide for the most basic physical and emotional needs of their child is an abject failure and should face prosecution for child neglect.
Note that your child’s physical needs include safety and security — especially from animal or human attackers. A firearm is the simplest, most dependable, and most effective way to stop and/or drive-off animal and human attackers. Thankfully adults can purchase simple and reliable used handguns and shotguns — quite suitable for defending against animal and human attackers — for about $200 each which should be attainable for every adult.
I don’t ever want to kill someone. I can’t imagine the damage to my psyche if I did. But I’d rather have a damaged psyche than leave my wife and kids without a father. Not every choice is black and white. We each have to draw the line for ourselves. If that guy would rather leave his family coping with their loss than he himself coping with making a hard choice… well you do you boo.
Went to the NAAGA website. It appears to be (as in it is stated) an organization focused on personal self-defense with a firearm (“The goal of the National African American Gun Association is to have every African American introduced to firearm use for home protection,….”).
Not knocking the guy who doesn’t want to use a gun for defense, but why be a member of NAAGA?
“Not knocking the guy who doesn’t want to use a gun for defense, but why be a member of NAAGA?”
Because he’s still wrestling with the decision, perhaps?
The decision to own and-or carry a firearm is not something that should be done lightly.
A bit like you’re still wrestling with your decision, based on recent comments you have made in TTAG…
“A bit like you’re still wrestling with your decision, based on recent comments you have made in TTAG…”
Yeah, there’s that. I joined Gun Owners of America as part of “learning the ropes”, but never had the idea that it made sense to join so as to reinforce a notion that I did so because I was afraid of ever having to face “the moment”. Back when, my unit armorer said it was critical to decide before picking up a gun that you will (not may) use it when required. This was because “the Arizona” is full of bad people who have already made the decision to kill you.
Some reported unpleasantness tipped the scales for me. Ordered the Beretta Neos .22 (yes, just because it looks like a space gun). Considered the .22tcm/9mm, but it was a bit heavy. Guys at the range recommended the standard .22LR for “learning”. We shall see.
I’m glad he survived being robbed. I’m glad the robber decided not to shoot him. I carry a gun everywhere I go.
Part of the Racist History of Gun Control has been making black people afraid of having a firearm. I had water pistols that I bought with my own money, when I was 7 and 8 years old. My black mother didn’t like it. But she said it was my choice to get them.
My white stepmothers family had a ranch in ElDorado county CA. I fired my first gun a 22 bolt action rifle on their property. I was 6 years old back then and it was great fun.
My next gun to shoot was the M16 , when I was twenty-two in the US Army. For most black people, because of history, it is a long journey to the second amendment.
Fortunately the internet is here that lets everyone bypass the false history being promoted by the “mid stream media.”
I like the bayonet lug at the end of a long gun. I have the Mossberg 590 as well.
you sir, are a flailing vagina.
I agree with Mr. Yorkman in hoping for the best. Where we part company is when I plan for the worst.
Sure hope I’m never in a situation where “…I’m in fear someone’s going to take my life or I might take their life with a firearm.” But my planning and practice addresses that very situation. Sure hope it never happens but I intend to be as ready as possible for it.
Right on, fteter.
If people don’t plan to succeed, to survive… they are pretty much planning to fail – whether they understand or accept that, of course.
I made a decision a long time ago that it is better to go down fighting and cursing than whimpering. And it’s good to have options.
“…how would I live with that the rest of my life?”
Well, if you just let them shoot you dead, you don’t have to live with anything after that. Problem solved.
“…how would I live with that the rest of my life? Even though it’s self-defense.”
If living with that is a problem , you must not value your own life much. Those of us who do must be very confusing for you. Sorry / not sorry.
I wonder if he would feel same way if its not just his life on the line. Can he live with it if he didnt try to stop an intruder from killing his child?
You are the wrong person to be armed, just be yourself/future victim
If this guy wants to live his life relying on the mercy and decency of others that’s his choice more power to him.
It’s a deeply personal choice we all have to make at some point. I don’t have that much faith in some people.
It’s a very small percentage but it’s the percentage that’s the threat and all of you know what I’m talking about.