Concealed Carry "Convert"...or Just Another Hypocrite?

A Little Less Talk...A Lot More ACTION
BY TIM SCHMIDT - USCCA FOUNDER Have you heard the Hank Williams, Jr. song "A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action?"

That's exactly the phrase that came to mind after I caught the opening segment of 60 Minutes a couple Sundays ago.

The segment focused on police response to active shooter cases, "situations where gunmen are intent on killing as many people as possible...and often, are still shooting when the police arrive on the scene."

It included commentary from NYC Police Commissioner Bill Bratten, who said that the threat of multiple shooters in multiple locations has become a real concern for his officers.

In response to incidents like Mumbai in 2008 and Paris (which occurred a little over a week before the segment aired), Bratten said the NYPD is retraining all 35,000 of its officers in the city to reduce response time and train for the emerging trend of multiple, violent events.

He noted that active shooters and terrorists are not interested in negotiating. And that means that both police response and individual response are more important than ever.

In fact, over the last week especially, more and more law enforcement officials all across the country are urging responsible citizens to start carrying guns to defend themselves.

As wonderful as that is, it's not what particularly interested me about the 60 Minutes episode.

If you've been paying attention to the news lately, you've likely heard that Washington, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier was also featured in the segment.

Lanier opened by saying that police operations in her city have taken on a "new urgency" and that she believes a person intent on committing an act of violence will find a way to carry out that act. The best we can do, then, according to Lanier, is to try to intervene and minimize the damage.

She went on to give what she called "counterintuitive" advice. Rather than calling the police and waiting for their response, Lanier said you can "run, hide, or fight."

"If you educate people on actions they can take to reduce their risk...then you can save some lives. I think it's irresponsible for us not to do that," she said.

She also warned against fear: "It works against you." So, too, does becoming "numb" to such events: "Ignoring it and not preparing yourself...that's not an option anymore."

Yes, I'm talking about the same Lanier who has in the past made it nearly impossible for the law-abiding citizens of Washington to obtain legal permits to carry concealed firearms.

And so I wonder...is Lanier a concealed carry "convert"...or just another hypocrite?

I think her history speaks for itself. Remember, this is the woman who issued just 48 permits in Washington D.C. You heard that right: just 48 permits.

Time will tell, I suppose, but I've learned to trust people's actions more than their words.

When she starts allowing more than just a handful of people to carry handguns, perhaps I'll reconsider calling her out for hypocrisy. But until then, Ms. Lanier—and any other anti-gunners who suddenly jump ship and (seemingly) come out in support of our cause—a little less talk, please, and a lot more action.

Of course, people like you and me will continue to take action. Because the truth is, in the current landscape, leaving our own safety up to chance is just too risky.

Take Care and Stay Safe,

Tim Schmidt
Publisher - Concealed Carry Report