By Annie Wan
It seems today that some, especially on the left and in the
MSM, want to cast gun owners, CHLs, and “preppers” as “Extremists”. Somehow, because these individuals are
planning for their own safety and survival, they must be crazy.
This seems much like
the grasshopper & the ant scenario, where the ants prepare for the long
winter, and the grasshopper has not a care in the world, and simply depends on
others for his welfare; Until winter
comes.
We all know how that story goes. The ants are warm and happy, and the
grasshopper is literally out in the cold.
Unlike the fairy tale, the ants won’t be able to take care of the
grasshopper in a real world disaster.
Consider what FEMA did during Katrina. Too many victims and too few supplies or
volunteers, mixed with a response time
that makes turtles look fast. Almost
2000 people died – many not from the hurricane, but rather in the aftermath.
Some of those who not only survived by thrived where “preppers”. Individuals who were prepared for such an
event, and took rehearsed action with previously procured supplies.
Preparation for disaster is not a foreign concept, borne
from Extremist mentality. It is a rather
common one. Take for example a business. There are hundreds of thousands of
businesses, even millions. And even more
business owners, as one owner often will own more than one business. We are not
talking about a small demographic.
Businesses often take measures to protect themselves from
disasters. We all know that earthquakes,
tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and other natural disasters occur. They relatively infrequent – and yet
businesses spend no small amount of time effort and money to plan and prepare for
them. From network backups, to fire suppression
systems, to employee notification systems and burglar alarms.
But “If the fire department will come to your rescue, then
why purchase and deploy a fire suppression system?” How much damage will that fire do before the
firemen get there? What critical
infrastructure could be damaged or destroyed by even a small fire?
The average response time for a fireman is 3-5 minutes. In that time, a small fire can easily become
a large fire. Ravaging your business –
or worse if your employees didn’t make it out in time. By being able to combat the fire yourself,
you lessen the risk of total loss. The
disaster has already occurred, but by being prepared, you can help prevent the
worst case scenario.
My fire extinguisher is my safety net. I don’t expect a violent threat to occur, but
I am prepared if it does.
The idea of preparing
yourself against a risk that is devastating, even though it happens
infrequently, is not uncommon, nor alien to our culture or any other culture
around the globe. To cast such preparation
and risk mitigation as an extremist idea is so incalculably incorrect, it’s not
even imaginable.
Now imagine that you have a product not worth the hundreds of
thousands or even millions or billions of dollars of inventory, but rather a
product that is literally priceless - Something
precious and unique beyond all human comprehension. Something like human life.
Wouldn’t a prudent person take the some level of preparation and risk
mitigation to protect that life?
In many countries the concept of storing some modicum of
food and supplies for emergency is commonplace.
Every family has their small stockpile.
It is prudent preparation for the continued survival of your
family. (Or even the mitigation of discomfort
due to temporary shortages of supplies on the market).
So why would we, here in America, think that such personal
preparation is extremist? There is
nothing abnormal about preparing for disaster.
Whether it be a disaster of a personal nature like the loss of a job or
home invasion, or a geographical nature like Katrina. Being prepared is the smart thing to do.
That is why I am a “prepper”.
Preparation for personal disaster is also not a foreign
concept, borne from Extremist mentality.
It is a rather common one. Families
often take measures to protect themselves from personal disasters as well. We all know that burglaries, home invasions, and
muggings occur. They relatively infrequent
– and yet people spend no small amount of time effort and money to plan and
prepare for them. From gated communities,
to bolt locks on doors, to teaching kids to dial 911 and owning burglar alarms.
But “If the police will come to your rescue, then why own or
carry a gun?” How much damage or loss of
life can an intruder inflict before the police get there? Which family members could you lose to a mugger
or home invasion?
The average response time for a policeman is 3-5 minutes. In that time, a killer can easily go from
taking just one life, to taking dozens. Murdering
you – or worse your entire family. By
being able to combat the threat yourself, you lessen the risk of total
loss. The disaster has already occurred,
but by being prepared, you can help prevent the worst case scenario.
My sidearm is my fire extinguisher. I don’t expect a violent threat to occur, but
I am prepared if it does.
That is why I carry.
If you choose not to prep, or not to carry, that is your
right. But know that you are the grasshopper - and the ants may not be able to take
care of you come winter.
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