Last week, when a brazen speeder flew through a residential area in Norfolk, Virginia, two men flagged him down, telling him there were children around. In response, the indignant driver pulled a U-turn, and left his car to address the men who wanted him to reduce his speed. In a fit of road rage, he pulled out a concealed pistol and began gesturing angrily with it. At some point in his irate gun waving, the man accidentally pulled the trigger and fired… into his own groin.
Watching this story unfold in the news report (embedded above), I noted three important takeaways important for concealed carriers.
1. Guns and anger are a bad combination.
A concealed carry permit is not a “get out of jail free” card. Those who carry take upon themselves a massive responsibility. Therefore, the means to potentially end someone’s life, should a conflict escalate to mortal danger, should never be taken lightly. The Virginia man’s rash decision to act upon his “road rage” and draw his gun resulted in inflicting severe harm upon himself. However, his actions could have easily ended in greater tragedy; there were children playing only a few feet from where the man shot himself.
2. Carry as often as possible. You never know when you may need it.
The news report of this incident opens stating how these neighbors never thought they’d be “dealing with blood stains on their streets, and neighbors who wield guns near their kids.” Living in a “nice neighborhood” is not a guarantee that no danger will ever befall you. Carrying whenever possible improves the odds that, should the worst happen and you find yourself, or your loved ones, in mortal danger, that you may be able to defend against that threat.
3. Trigger discipline is crucial.
I think it’s safe to say that the angry motorist did not intend to perform an impromptu auto-vasectomy. However, his negligent handling of a potentially dangerous tool had obvious negative consequences. Complacency can be just as dangerous. If you’re not prepared to shoot, get that finger out of the trigger guard and away from the trigger, because accidents happen, and not just to irresponsible road-raging concealed carriers.
Thankfully, no one but the road rage shooter was harmed. But, his story carries some important lessons for anyone who carries. Concealed carry is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. If you’re the type of person likely to fly off the handle and resort to violence to resolve conflicts, carrying a firearm may not be for you. Those who disregard the weight of carrying a potentially lethal tool may have serious consequences for their actions, morally as well as legally (and, in the case of the Virginia man, physically). But, for those who are willing to accept the responsibility of carrying a concealed firearm, carry whenever possible, because danger may present itself when you least expect it. And, always remember the basics of safe firearms handling, because a round fired can’t be taken back. Our Norfolk Road Rager has learned the hard way that negligent discharges can have very painful consequences.
