[Carl in Tampa]

You should not carry a weapon for self-defense unless you are prepared to use it. Otherwise, be compliant and resign yourself to loose whatever cash and goods you may have in your possession. And remember that some robbers choose to injure or kill their victims even if they do not resist. People who go unarmed and choose to be compliant are known as "Sheep."

The people preying upon the Sheep are known as "Wolves."

Standing between the Sheep and the Wolves are Sheepdogs, prepared to defend themselves and the Sheep from the depredations of the Wolves. Sheepdogs are armed and prepared to use their weapons against the Wolves. Some Sheep are somewhat apprehensive about Sheepdogs because they go out in the community armed. We may hear from them on this thread.

I have spent 40 years as a Sheepdog. If approached by a Wolf (robber) I would be compliant until I felt that I had the opportunity to pull my legally concealed weapon, and it was highly likely that I would prevail in the ensuing conflict, or I felt that I would be injured or killed if I did nothing. Again, no one should carry a deadly weapon unless willing to use it.

There is no disgrace in being a Sheep; but be aware of your proper role if that is the decision that you make.

So, are you a Sheep or a Sheepdog?

.

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

You should not carry a weapon for self-defense unless you are prepared to use it. Otherwise, be compliant and resign yourself to loose whatever cash and goods you may have in your possession. And remember that some robbers choose to injure or kill their victims even if they do not resist. People who go unarmed and choose to be compliant are known as "Sheep."

The people preying upon the Sheep are known as "Wolves."

Standing between the Sheep and the Wolves are Sheepdogs, prepared to defend themselves and the Sheep from the depredations of the Wolves. Sheepdogs are armed and prepared to use their weapons against the Wolves. Some Sheep are somewhat apprehensive about Sheepdogs because they go out in the community armed. We may hear from them on this thread.

I have spent 40 years as a Sheepdog. If approached by a Wolf (robber) I would be compliant until I felt that I had the opportunity to pull my legally concealed weapon, and it was highly likely that I would prevail in the ensuing conflict, or I felt that I would be injured or killed if I did nothing. Again, no one should carry a deadly weapon unless willing to use it.

There is no disgrace in being a Sheep; but be aware of your proper role if that is the decision that you make.

So, are you a Sheep or a Sheepdog?

.

...and, once again, when was the last strong arm robbery in The Villages? Oh yeah, it was about a year ago when an 80 year old lady was knocked down and had her purse grabbed. If she had a Glock, that would have turned out different, eh?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by MikeV

I agree but be prepared for the blowback from our anti gun friends.

It all depends if you are an arrogant S.O.B. or a diplomatic S.O.B. as to whether what you say will make friends or enemies. Will instruct or aggravate or bring war...or peace.

[Cajulian]

Carl in Tampa, I love your analogies. Always thought provoking and on the money.

I had never quite thought about myself as a Sheep or Sheepdog, but thru personal life experiences in the Army and being a victim in my younger days, I eventually came to the right role for myself in life.

As you said, there is no disgrace in the role you choose. All are respected.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

...and, once again, when was the last strong arm robbery in The Villages? Oh yeah, it was about a year ago when an 80 year old lady was knocked down and had her purse grabbed. If she had a Glock, that would have turned out different, eh?

The post was not about The Villages. It was about lifestyle, which is not confined to The Villages.

This community has thousands of temporary occupants (many are those who we call snowbirds) who don't spend most of their life here. And, I know of few permanent residents who never venture beyond the confines of The Villages daily, or at least weekly. They must decide daily what their lifestyle is to be.

And, regardless of the statistics, a Sheepdog does not intend to become the first victim in a traditionally low-crime area.

So, every day you step outside your home you must make a decision and either say, "Baa" or "Arf."

Arf.

.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

The post was not about The Villages. It was about lifestyle, which is not confined to The Villages.

This community has thousands of temporary occupants (many are those who we call snowbirds) who don't spend most of their life here. And, I know of few permanent residents who never venture beyond the confines of The Villages daily, or at least weekly. They must decide daily what their lifestyle is to be.

And, regardless of the statistics, a Sheepdog does not intend to become the first victim in a traditionally low-crime area.

So, every day you step outside your home you must make a decision and either say, "Baa" or "Arf."

Arf.

.

Thank you Carl, for the years you served our country and our president being a secret service person. You are smart, courteous, and very well informed on just about everything. The more I read your posts, the more I respect you. Glad to have met you and also see what a nice man you are in real life too.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

It all depends if you are an arrogant S.O.B. or a diplomatic S.O.B. as to whether what you say will make friends or enemies. Will instruct or aggravate or bring war...or peace.

GG: I always respect you opinions but on this I believe it is not in most cases true. People today are so defensive that the topic alone sets them off. They don't want dialogue they want compliance whether its an environmental agenda, anti-gun agenda etc. As an example if they hear the word gun in a sentence they shut down etc etc etc It is all a byproduct of political correctness. They may react angrily or just stay silent but they shut down.

I opine others can decide

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by rubicon

GG: I always respect you opinions but on this I believe it is not in most cases true. People today are so defensive that the topic alone sets them off. They don't want dialogue they want compliance whether its an environmental agenda, anti-gun agenda etc. As an example if they hear the word gun in a sentence they shut down etc etc etc It is all a byproduct of political correctness. They may react angrily or just stay silent but they shut down.

I opine others can decide

I do disagree with the above opinion. As I have stated many times, if a person wants to legally carry a firearm that I have no problem with them doing it. It is my opinion that it is totally not necessary to do so in The Villages under any circumstance.

In other places, I feel the same as the places most of us travel are not the crime ridden areas of Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, or Detroit.

[jblum315]

I would just give them the money and run away

[mtdjed]

I see a lot of posts about using Glocks etc, but....sometimes there are surprises and you may not get the opportunity. My son was in Buenos Aires several years ago, hailed a cab, Cab stopped at light , two men entered by surprise, guns pulled, cab drove to ATM, commanded max withdrawal, took money and left. As insult they gave him 20 pesos to catch a cab home.

So the original message still sends a message. Perhaps not here in TV, but anywhere. You may not be carrying a weapon or have a chance to respond. Better to give up the $300 without having holes put in you or losing teeth. Even the macho weapon response may not be worth it for that amount of money.

And for those martial arts experts, who are phasing into senior citizens, recognize that your broken teeth and knuckles may also cost you more than the lost money.

My message, pick your fights for real issues and not macho response.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

I see a lot of posts about using Glocks etc, but....sometimes there are surprises and you may not get the opportunity. My son was in Buenos Aires several years ago, hailed a cab, Cab stopped at light , two men entered by surprise, guns pulled, cab drove to ATM, commanded max withdrawal, took money and left. As insult they gave him 20 pesos to catch a cab home.

So the original message still sends a message. Perhaps not here in TV, but anywhere. You may not be carrying a weapon or have a chance to respond. Better to give up the $300 without having holes put in you or losing teeth. Even the macho weapon response may not be worth it for that amount of money.

And for those martial arts experts, who are phasing into senior citizens, recognize that your broken teeth and knuckles may also cost you more than the lost money.

My message, pick your fights for real issues and not macho response.

Nothing macho about; the real issue is saving mine or my wife's life if the unthinkable happens. "Martial Arts experts phasing into senior citizens"? Wow, that's a good one. My martial arts training saved my life a couple of years ago when two armed young thugs tried to carjack me. I still have the agility and techniques I had in my 30's. "Perhaps not here in TV"? Does anyone ever look at the "other" website (that the name is no allowed to be posted on here) and see some of the people that are arrested here in TV? Do you really think that nothing could happen to you here? This may be "Disneyland for Adults" but in the short time I've been here, I've come to realize that there are some real trash and low life that both live here and/or come into TV to shop/eat/work. My wife and I feel fortunate that we both worked in a profession where we had to watch our "6" at all times (and continue to do so) so we could be totally aware of all of our surroundings and not be caught off-guard. Are we paranoid? Nope, we just don't like surprises. We would rather take our chances with 12 rather than be carried by 6.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

Nothing macho about; the real issue is saving mine or my wife's life if the unthinkable happens. "Martial Arts experts phasing into senior citizens"? Wow, that's a good one. My martial arts training saved my life a couple of years ago when two armed young thugs tried to carjack me. I still have the agility and techniques I had in my 30's. "Perhaps not here in TV"? Does anyone ever look at the "other" website (that the name is no allowed to be posted on here) and see some of the people that are arrested here in TV? Do you really think that nothing could happen to you here? This may be "Disneyland for Adults" but in the short time I've been here, I've come to realize that there are some real trash and low life that both live here and/or come into TV to shop/eat/work. My wife and I feel fortunate that we both worked in a profession where we had to watch our "6" at all times (and continue to do so) so we could be totally aware of all of our surroundings and not be caught off-guard. Are we paranoid? Nope, we just don't like surprises. We would rather take our chances with 12 rather than be carried by 6.

You will find, unless it changes dramatically that there is very little awful crime here. I have learned that the people who do have guns are very careful and respectful of them and careful of others. They don't brag and talk about them and try to show off. In eight years there has been very little to worry about here. The online news shows who is arrested and that is a huge help to understand just what is going on... But this is about as safe an area as you can find anywhere. The three law enforcement agencies are on their toes and work hard at keeping us safe.

I think that what makes people annoyed, when new people come here and tell us we don't know what is going on.That we are a bunch of naïve innocents and we should arm up. We have had burglaries here, a rash of them, but they arrested 17 perps within months after that and we haven't heard anymore about it.

The people to be concerned about and to check out carefully are the scams and some of the lowlife contractors that enter with your approval through your front door. I am glad that the people who want to have guns have them and those that don't don't have them. It is a matter of personal choice. Unless and until we see the need or real trouble brewing, we who don't have guns, won't change. I guess I don't like evangelical anything. We are still here because we are aware and watching. We have lived a lifetime protecting what we have and teaching our children to be safe. We have run businesses and taught in schools and worked very hard and lived carefully and made wise choices. I am sure that when we think we need to get a firearm we will know it.

[tomwed]

Why use an ATM if it seems dangerous? Withdraw a months worth of cash and hide it in your house. There is very little I buy that can't be charged.
It's not like most of us have day jobs and can't get to a bank. It takes a little planning and a lot less worrying.

[Tennisnut]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

I see a lot of posts about using Glocks etc, but....sometimes there are surprises and you may not get the opportunity. My son was in Buenos Aires several years ago, hailed a cab, Cab stopped at light , two men entered by surprise, guns pulled, cab drove to ATM, commanded max withdrawal, took money and left. As insult they gave him 20 pesos to catch a cab home.

So the original message still sends a message. Perhaps not here in TV, but anywhere. You may not be carrying a weapon or have a chance to respond. Better to give up the $300 without having holes put in you or losing teeth. Even the macho weapon response may not be worth it for that amount of money.

And for those martial arts experts, who are phasing into senior citizens, recognize that your broken teeth and knuckles may also cost you more than the lost money.

My message, pick your fights for real issues and not macho response.

Thank you for a very intelligent post!

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You will find, unless it changes dramatically that there is very little awful crime here. I have learned that the people who do have guns are very careful and respectful of them and careful of others. They don't brag and talk about them and try to show off. In eight years there has been very little to worry about here. The online news shows who is arrested and that is a huge help to understand just what is going on... But this is about as safe an area as you can find anywhere. The three law enforcement agencies are on their toes and work hard at keeping us safe.

I think that what makes people annoyed, when new people come here and tell us we don't know what is going on.That we are a bunch of naïve innocents and we should arm up. We have had burglaries here, a rash of them, but they arrested 17 perps within months after that and we haven't heard anymore about it.

The people to be concerned about and to check out carefully are the scams and some of the lowlife contractors that enter with your approval through your front door. I am glad that the people who want to have guns have them and those that don't don't have them. It is a matter of personal choice. Unless and until we see the need or real trouble brewing, we who don't have guns, won't change. I guess I don't like evangelical anything. We are still here because we are aware and watching. We have lived a lifetime protecting what we have and teaching our children to be safe. We have run businesses and taught in schools and worked very hard and lived carefully and made wise choices. I am sure that when we think we need to get a firearm we will know it.

Never have I mentioned for everyone to "arm up". What I'm trying to say is that everyone needs to be a little more cognizant of their surroundings and not put themselves in harms way, if it can be avoided.

I've never flaunted that I'm carrying a weapon when I go out to anyone; all our friends in Missouri know what we did in our careers and know that we still carry and they love to go out with us because they know the likelihood of something happening to them is very slim.