I’ve been shooting firearms for over 30 years. I am a U.S. Air Force veteran, a martial artist, a corporate IT executive who retired from a Fortune 100 company.

THE CONVERSATION

My journey began many years ago. At the time we lived in the Chicago area and I worked downtown at financial trading company. I was coming home from work late at night and had stopped at a BBQ where I had a discussion with Chicago police officer. We both were there waiting for our carry-out when I made the comment about his vehicle having the words ‘to serve and protect’. Making conversation I said “I feel safe since you are here protecting me”. He looked at me and laughed and said  – “That is a just general thing we say. It’s up to you to protect yourself. Sure, I will show up after the fact, take a report, talk to a few people, and all that. Of course, that would only matter to you assuming that you have survived the assault.” We talked a bit more, got our meals and parted ways.

THE DECISION

As I was driving home, that got me thinking about our conversation. That is when I decided to take personal responsibility for protecting my myself, my family and my loved ones and not assume, or trust, that that is someone else’s job, or even their concern. I would no longer be in denial about the world in which we live and I, like many others, will simply refuse to be a victim.

THE REALITY

I was NOT immune, nor exempt from violence. Good, innocent people, families, or children every day are either carjacked, abducted, assaulted, raped, maimed, and killed. The didn't provoke it, nor planned on that happening. In fact, like car accidents the thinking is that these are things that happen to other people. That is naive thinking based on false assumptions about the realities of life. I had to be more intentional and strategic in my approach and training. I have taken precautions to managing risks in most parts of my life (e.g., auto, home, life insurance, living in a nicer area, etc.). However, I was not preparing for the risk where violence is focused and directed to me in my home or on public.

iMy life, my family's is irreplaceable. I decided to protect what cannot replaced. To effectively guard what matter most. I needed to prepare to be my own first responder. When seconds matter I don't have minutes, Calling 911 is not a personal protection plan.