Do not be a victim
Posted in Carolinus by R Lee Wrights on September 16th, 2009 by R. Lee Wrights
As I resumed my rather hectic schedule during the aftermath of the World Trade Center tragedy, two questions were asked of me more than any others during my travel. First, why would an airplane full of people allow a handful of men, armed only with box cutters, to take over the aircraft and fly in into one of the world’s tallest structures? And, what would have happened if only one or two of the passengers or crew members on those doomed flights had been armed for self-defense? Funny how one question kind of answers the other.
I had little trouble answering the first question; although, it did require some analysis. So why would a group of people, that obviously had the advantage of numbers, not put up a fight and over power their knife-wielding assailants? It is more than likely that the reason is they were taught all their lives to not defend themselves in such a situation. Now, before you sit down and start writing that dubious poisoned-filled missive about how I am claiming the victims are at fault for their own deaths, at least examine my reasoning before you pass final judgment on my character.
I have worked with local grassroots organizations all my life. I have attended numerous Neighborhood Watch meetings; and, countless city council, school board, and county commissioners meetings. I have listened to law enforcement officials of every rank tell citizens the same thing over and over again when they are asked, “What is the best course of action when faced with an armed assailant?” They all advise that you “give the attacker what he/she wants and call the police at the next opportunity.” That’s right, if a man with a gun wants your car, give him your car. If a man with a knife wants your wallet, give it to him and call 911 as quick as you can.
Instead of telling people to fight back, they caution us to just surrender. Instead of instructing people to arm themselves by mastering the use of a weapon, they are taught to cow down to the weapon when it is held upon them. Instead of urging individuals to be responsible for themselves, they are programmed to be dependent on a justice system that everyone admits cannot protect them.
It is sad but they just didn’t know any better than to sit back and hope the hijackers would land the aircraft and begin negotiations for their release. No one ever taught them the philosophy of self-defense, much less the necessary skills with which to exercise it. After all, no hijacked airplane had ever been flown into an occupied skyscraper before September 11th, so they had no reason to believe they would not land in some destination other than they had originally intended. Again, in today’s civilized society we are taught to give in to aggression in the hopes of government rescue, rather than, to defend our property and our lives with the force equal to, if not exceeding, the amount of force being perpetrated against us. What can be worse than finding yourself in a gunfight with nothing to fill your hand?
Which brings us to the second question, “What would have happened if one or two passengers or crew members had been armed on these tragic flights?” While we can do nothing more than speculate on the outcome of any event when applying hindsight, it is safe to say that the World Trade Center would still be standing today had only one person aboard those doomed airliners been properly armed for self-defense. Had two people been carrying weapons on those flying missiles, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the hijackers could have been subdued without firing a shot. Box cutters become a lot less menacing the moment a pistol is produced. Yes, the present of firearms on those ill-fated flights would have more than likely resulted in dead or injured hijackers being turned over to the authorities after a safe emergency landing. Passengers would have been inconvenienced but still alive; and, no property would have been destroyed. I wonder how many of those poor folks that flew over New York that day wished they had a gun as they faced death at the hands of madmen?
So, what is to be learned from the greatest terrorist tragedy in the history of the world? It is clear and simple, to me at least. Do not be a victim! Do not fall for the hype that police are actually able to protect us. Do not travel in a man-made mechanical container where you are not allowed to defend yourself should the need arise. Do not give into aggression because of fear and uncertainty. Educate yourself in the necessary skills it takes to defend your life, and insist you be allowed to exercise your Constitutional right to arm yourself accordingly in every situation. Forget the liberal mantra of, “If we outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.” Do you really want to live in an America where only outlaws and government agents have weapons? Buy a gun, the life you save may be your own or mine! Enough is enough, do not be a victim.
Originally published at Rational Review February 16, 2002.
R. Lee Wrights is a writer and political activist living in North Carolina. He is the co-founder and editor of the free speech online magazine Liberty For All. Contact Lee at rleewrights@gmail.com.
