Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
August 31, 2020
By Clay Bell
Despicable behavior by violent rioters in Washington, D.C., on the last night of the Republican National Convention is sure to have many people asking exactly what the heck has happened to our country.
In one attack, an elderly man and his female companion, both supporters of President Donald Trump, were walking near the White House on the way to watch the fireworks that were planned at the end of the festivities. But the two were quickly surrounded by a loud, vulgar crowd, screaming and taunting the couple.
That in itself goes beyond peaceful protesting, in my opinion. Soon, however, one violent criminal punched the man in the head, knocking him down in the street. The elderly man’s unforgivable crime—apparently—was trying to walk down a public street while supporting the president.
On the same night, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, and his wife were surrounded by an angry mob of "protesters" as they left the White House grounds. A hate-filled crowd quickly surrounded them, yelling vulgarities and trying to stop them from traveling further. Had they not been protected by several D.C. police officers, I’ve no doubt they would have been assaulted and possibly killed. Incredibly, NPR’s headline describing the altercation read, “Amid Peaceful Protest, Crowd Surrounds Rand Paul After Trump Speech.”
In a third such occurrence, Congressman Vernon Jones, a black Democrat who supports Trump, and his female companion were accosted by a pushy crowd that surrounded them and screamed vulgarities and obscenities at them. Thanks to a police escort, they were able to escape the situation unhurt.
These violent altercations bring up a legitimate question: When did it become permissible for violent rioters and looters to walk the streets unchallenged by law enforcement but peaceful citizens must stay at home or hide their political allegiances for fear that they’ll be cold-cocked in the street and receive permanent brain damage? Truth is, it’s not acceptable. And even though “mainstream” media have chosen to ignore or even passively condone such attacks, society should condemn them without question.
There are two solutions to this quandary—one apparently more workable than the other in today’s “defund the police” society.
First, city leaders, regardless of their political affiliation, must stop kowtowing to violent rioters and call destroying buildings, burning property and assaulting those who don’t agree with them what it really is—criminal behavior that should result in serious consequences. Of course, peaceful protesting is protected by the Constitution, but what we’re seeing goes far beyond that.
Second, if you plan to go any place where there will likely be nobody there to protect you, you must be prepared to protect yourself. Buy a concealed carry handgun, good holster and belt, do what you must to get a carry permit in your jurisdiction if required, train diligently with your gun and carry it on you to protect yourself and your family.
If you need to use your gun, there’s no need to apologize to anyone. In most states, self-defense laws allow the use of force if a person fears for his or her life. However, study what your state laws say concerning self-defense and commit that information to memory. Then train, train, train.
While gun-haters and the “mainstream” media like to portray gun owners as people out looking for trouble, the real truth is we’re just regular Americans who would like to be left alone to live our lives in peace. But many of us are prepared to take care of ourselves should an attack befall us, whether at home or on a busy street.
Won’t you join us?
