What Is Your Why: Mindset Monday

SO we have gone through some awareness, some confidence, and now it’s time for some purpose. When I say purpose I don’t mean “I am going to go to the store to get some Cheetos”.  I mean what is your “Why”, why do you want to carry a firearm?

When I ask students in my CPL classes, “what is your why”, I normally get one or a combination of a few basic answers. I want to address each one of these 4 basic answers and what I like and dislike about each of them (you will probably see common thread on why I dislike them).

“I want to protect myself/family”. This is a great answer on the surface, and probably the most common. This is what firearms where designed to do. Hammers, hammer nails, screwdrivers, screw in screws, and good guys with guns protect people. The problem with this answer is that most people that give this answer in a CPL class are never going to get anymore training than that class. As instructors we try to prepare our CPL students as best we can to deal with a defensive situation, the fact is that most CPL classes have a limited amount of time and A LOT of material to cover. These classes are meant to give you the absolute basics and fundamentals of shooting, along with the legal basics of carrying a firearm.

“I don’t want to be a victim”. This can have so many different meanings and reasons it would be impossible to go through them all. A firearm is an incredible way to help ensure that you wont fall victim to that asocial violence that we talked about a few weeks ago. That being said there are two main types of people that give this answer. Those that are afraid of becoming a victim, and those that have already been. The first type has the same problems as above, Most people will not complete any more training beyond a basic class because they think that a firearm acts like a magic force field, keeping bad guys away.
The second is a little more complicated. If you are someone that has been victimized in the past, I of course encourage you to learn, train, have confidence, and arm yourself. I would also encourage you make sure that you have sought some counseling as well, before going out there armed (at least with a firearm). Carrying a firearm is a MASSIVE responsibility and should be done devoid of emotion, fear, or ego. Those are things that can lead us to make the wrong decisions at critical moments and get ourselves in serious legal trouble.

“It’s my right”. This is a complicated one for me. On one hand, I obviously believe in the second amendment and agree that everyone has the right to bear arms to protect themselves. On the other, I have a family and I don’t want a bunch of people out on the street carrying that have little or no training on how to properly use their firearm, discriminate targets, or have the mindset to make the critical decision to take a life if necessary. I wrestle with these two opposing views a lot, but what I have come to realize is that a right is a right. I just try to keep in mind that people can become a threat even if they don’t mean to.

“I don’t know”. I love and hate this answer. I love this answer because it is probably the most honest of all of them. When I get this answer I try to help them figure out their “why” throughout the class. the problem comes in where, if you don’t know your “why” then you don’t have a driving force pushing you to learn and train. This can cause you to not have confidence, and hesitate at a critical moment when you shouldn’t have.

I’m sure you can see the pattern in my dislikes, and you will probably see this as a theme throughout all my posts. I am an instructor after all, and fully believe in the value of training. That being said, as much as I would love to meet you, even if you don’t come train with me, find a qualified instructor and get training.remaining

Knowing what your “why” is, is one of the things that can help you to make the hard decisions in a defensive situation. It will also push you to make sure that you have developed the proper skills to achieve your why.

Remember…
Be Aware, Have Confidence, Know Your Purpose.