The Coronavirus pandemic may not be the zombie outbreak we gun owners have been jokingly talking about for the last decade or so, but it’s definitely proving something that we Second Amendment supporters have been arguing all along: In times of crisis, all Americans are our own first responders. As I write, local governments nationwide are releasing prisoners from jails in an effort to slow the transmission of COVID-19. And despite my 80-word-per-minute typing rate, I cannot keep up with the number of “blue states” that have either closed, or are trying to close, gun stores. (Each of those links in the last paragraph is a separate news article about gun store closures.)
What’s next? Well, sadly I’m not Nostradamus and can’t tell you whether this virus is likely to mutate into something less virulent, or simply do a slow-burn until we’re able to produce a vaccine. However, there are some things that are established facts, and they’ll point us to what is likely coming at us.
First, we know that viruses do not discriminate and that the people at greatest risk for catching COVID-19 are healthcare workers and first responders–and for this discussion, we’re focusing on law enforcement officers. LEOs, like their medical brethren, have no option to quarantine themselves. Although the overwhelming majority of COVID-19 victims will survive, we can expect that law enforcement agencies will have staffing problems as their officers sicken and recover…and the smaller the police force, the more serious that will be.
Second, we know that the Supreme Court has established very clearly that law enforcement has no duty to protect citizens. They have no duty to protect when there isn’t a pandemic, and that goes treble when there is one. Don’t get me wrong–they absolutely will if they can–but you can’t hold them liable legally if they don’t.
Third, we know that although we’re being told that the prisoners currently being released from jail are “low-level offenders,” many of them will indeed be dangerous. After all, they’re returning from having been incarcerated to an economy that’s already shedding jobs, and competing for those jobs with other recently unemployed people who have clean criminal records.
Now, let’s take those facts and extrapolate a little. People who defend their lives and families’ lives with lethal force are not always treated fairly by local district attorneys and the press. We can guess that the mainstream media will be working to discourage armed self-defense, and that it’s very possible that they’ll try to “make an example” of the next self-defense shooting that hits national news. Even if they don’t, remember this: You can’t sue the police for not being there to help you during a robbery or rape, but the robber or rapist’s family can sue you for shooting them. Many of us who carry concealed do so because, as we like to joke, we can’t fit a cop in our pocket. Many of us are also now choosing to purchase self-defense insurance, because we can’t fit a lawyer in our other one.
Recently, Tim Schmidt, president and founder of the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), and Tim Kennedy, an active-duty member of the U.S. Army Special Forces and nationally known self-defense expert, held a live panel discussion with Kevin Michalowski, executive editor of Concealed Carry Magazine about what you can do to protect yourself and your family in these uncertain times. The video is below–and if you’re interested in learning more about the training (which can be done from home!) and legal protection they offer, click here.
Woody Woodward says
Tom,It makes perfect sense to release the inmates. Think about it – – If one of them gets sick while incarcerated , guess who will end up being responsible for guaranteeing the inmate’s medical care and treatment, and furnishing security while he/she is in the hospital – – – – – . BINGO ! The Sheriff’s department. Guess who will be sued if he/she dies in custody. – – BINGO ! again – – – – Follow the money.
[W3]
Tom says
How does releasing totally sequestered people while telling other people to sequester themselves make any sense? I am totally tired of the idiocy of the folks running our cities and states.
Paul says
And don’t forget citizens you are not allowed to leave your home, except for where we tell you to go….If you don’t komply you vill be shot!
Neal says
AMMO Up citizens!
What gub’ment FAILED to do with our justice system, we’ll have to supply!
BigMikeU says
HAHA i have been saying it for almost two years now to buy all the ammo you can while you can! Look at it already there are ammo shortages every where! only the most expensive ammo is left or those calibers most dont use….I barely received my last order it was 250rds of 38Spcl and a box of 50 45ACP and im well over 2k rounds per firearm.Included are all sorts of calibers of ARs and multiple 9mms and so on so its a lot of rounds.Some long distance and hunting rounds and others self defense! all of my family has been armed and dont even know it yet! I have slowly taught them all how to short over the years so i think we are good sheltering in place for now anyway.Pray GOD helps us all!?
Know Your Enemy says
I do not understand how there are still those in the 2A community like the author who have so much apparent admiration for a profession that is one of your biggest threats, one that will readily and eagerly enforce all the gun laws that we fight so hard to prevent. I bet he has a Thin Blue Line sticker right next to a Gadsden flag/C.A.T.I./Molon Labe sticker on the back of his meme-mobile.
Smitty says
Your painting with a very broad brush. There are a ton of Sheriffs in this country who have publicly announced they will not comply with anti-2A legislation or acts even before all this China-Flu stuff got started. Saying they are ALL bad guys is like anti-gunners saying we are all GUN NUTS. With all the bad rap the municipal police are getting from the left. Who’s side do you think they will choose when SHTF? Only the lifer politician types will toss their oath to the side to keep perceived power. (and their usual minion knee pad wearers) Oh and by the way this will go for the military too. Yes, I remember Katrina and some units did confiscate weapons due to their ignorance of the term “LAWFUL ORDER” or just down right lifer I follow orders mentality. I’m an optimist I think if it really came down to zombieland. The GOOD GUYS would out number the bad guys. In the Free States would be my only caveat.