I have always practiced situational awareness (something that family/friends always poked fun at me for doing) and at the age of 24 I was gifted my first gun from my then boyfriend. I had practiced often with him and was always told never pull your gun unless you intend to use it. 3 years after we were married, I was taking our 10-month-old baby on some errands. His car seat was secured in the back seat of our small car and as I was approaching a stoplight I noticed a man crossing, he began watching the light and slowed his walk almost as though he was trying to be stopped by the light. That feeling of danger started knotting up in my gut and I unzipped my purse where my gun was and double-checked my doors to ensure they were still locked. As I slowed to the stop, the man started walking away and quickly turned and sprinted towards my back door – the side where our baby was located. I began yelling and drew my gun pointing it at the man who was now trying to open the door. He glanced in at me with glazed eyes and realized I had my gun pointed on him and immediately threw his arms in the air and jumped back. I floored the gas running the red light to getaway. I was very shaken by the whole ordeal and know that if I did not have a firearm, he would have broken the glass to get in. Family who did not own firearms asked afterward why I did not shoot. I used my gun to protect us just enough to get away without the use of deadly force. Gun owners understand the mentality and the responsibility that goes with owning that firearm. I pray I never have to pull that trigger but I know if needed – I will.
~Becky
