We have a Civil War statue that commerates the dead soldiers and sailors of the Confederacy, that evidently is what has so offended the rioters. Our courageous mayor had it taken down at 0 dark 30 to appease the rioters even though it has been declared a historical site and protected by the court as a historical site.
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I’m pretty sure that anyone standing around with a lit Molotov cocktail is an imminent threat. It’s not like they are going to burn indefinitely.
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I did get a chance to listen to the phone call, @Zavier_D. The person you spoke to on the phone said pretty much the same thing I eluded to above. Get out and away from the situation if you can. Lethal force is the last option, but it is an option if someone is trying to kill you.
Molotov cocktails can definitely be a deadly threat.
Hypothetical questions are incredibly hard to answer, even when they’re based on current events. Being situationally aware and knowing what’s going on in your neighborhood will help you make the best decision you can.
As responsibly armed Americans, we have the right to defend ourselves. What’s the point of defending ourselves and our loved ones? We’re alive to live another day.
There are times that getting away will be a better option to save the lives of our family and loved ones. Being trapped in a house that is being attacked by people why are trying to start it on fire may be a reason to shoot - but will shooting stop them from setting your house on fire? Will shooting in that situation save the lives of your loved ones? Maybe. Maybe not. Will getting out of your house and neighborhood to a safe location save the lives of your loved ones? Yes.
Is this situation incredibly frustrating? Most definitely. But our goal is to protect the lives of ourselves and our loved ones. If that means leaving the area, then I’m leaving the area. My daughter and my granddaughter’s lives are more important than the house we live in. Don’t get me wrong, I would be incredibly angry about the situation, but I going to do everything I can to protect them – including leaving my house.
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This is a tough one and everyone’s situation is different. I live rural, so I dont think they will make it all the way out to me, but there was looting in a town 15 minutes away.
As for situation, my house is my castle. I have to defend my family there. I have a one year old and four year old so trying to get out of the house and navigate a violent mob with my boys safely seems like getting out of the pan and into the fire. But then, we all have to make a decision based on the situation and circumstances at the time.
And my AMERICAN flag still flies.
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That’s assuming you can safely escape.
Also, I know self defense is about defending lives, but certain states do allow for the protection of property.
In regards to removing the American flag, I’m actually inclined to agree with you about thinking about removing it, not because it will potentially save my life or the lives of my loved ones (which it might help facilitate) but it might help me save the life of the rioter by helping them decide not to come onto my property in a violent manner where I would view them as a deadly threat and they may end up forfeiting it.
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I live in a rural area, but I did make sure my flag was well illuminated last night. I refuse to strike the colors. Period. If I had little kids at home though, I might feel differently. Just the wife and I, and she was an MP in the Army. So, in my circumstances, the Flag shall fly.
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Long ago I heard some family legends “from the Old Country”, wartime, how people would become collaborators. Watch out for signs proclaiming allegiance to the rioters’ cause -these folks are not just trying to save their windows, but are likely to volunteer addresses of police families, or where families fly US Flag, to the bad guys walking in the neighbourhood. Don’t tell me “it cannot happen here”.
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That seems like most of social media, right now. It’s the current en vogue virtue signal. I hope they find a new pop cause soon.
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You state “…What’s the point of defending ourselves and our loved ones? We’re alive to live another day…”
WOW!
I wonder where would we be if that was the mindset of our Forefathers and their strong supportive ladies…or EVERY MAN AND WOMAN (many who gave their life at ages younger than my youngest) THAT WE JUST HELD A National Memorial Day in honor of…for STANDING THEIR GROUND AND GIVING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE in fighting tyranny and evil enemies…FOR OUR CURRENT FREEDOMS!
To run and hide from these animals is NO different than cowling to the like of Nazi run Germany.
Dawn…IF THEY WIN by running us off and out of our own homes and neighborhoods and then enforce socialist agendas into this country…will you and your loved ones be okay to live in that type society?
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That’s a little harsh, isn’t it? From a concealed carry perspective, protection is the only reason we shoot. We don’t go looking for fights, or looking for people to shoot. Shooting is always a last resort. That’s how I read it when @Dawn said it’s “the point of defending ourselves and our loved ones.” From that perspective, fleeing a riot is about the same thing, protecting the people we love.
Can you stand your ground? Sure. To use my earlier metaphor, you can stand there with your garden hose while the wildfire approaches. You’ll most likely die, but you’ll have made your stand.
But if the point is to protect yourself and your loved ones, you should consider evacuating from the impending storm. If it’s possible. You might lose your home, but at least you’ll be alive to rebuild.
I feel your frustration. I wish my elected officials would use the power at their disposal to quell the riots and protect the innocent. These riots will have lasting economic consequences; people will suffer the effects for years. But you can’t take on a rioting mob by yourself.
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There was a battle that took place in Texas just shy of 200 years ago now. EVERY MAN WOMAN AND CHILD was slain by a far larger and well prepared Army…but those who died…DID NOT die in vain.
For their friends, families and like minded neighbors JOINED together and defeated that larger army which ended a several year rebellion that had brought death and destruction thruout the region…that was the Battle of the Alamo…and if not for those handful of heroes…ALL of Texas and the majority of our countries Southwest would STILL be under tyrany rule.
Now I am NOT looking to be a hero nor a martyr…but I WILL NOT RUN from my home, my hard worked for and earned and paid for land and personal property, my and my family’s memories and my happy lifestyle due to a bunch of ignorant POS!
I WILL send them packing or send a majority of them to their demise. Win or Lose…these scum WILL NOT take what is mine without many many many of them paying the ultimate price to take it from me.
I STILL have strong faith in my fellow like-minded law abiding friends, neighbors and Police Officers…to each and all have each other’s backs, to fight side by side if necessary and to do what it takes to end this BS within our own borders…especially if and when it comes to my door!
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I can relate, we have JEB Stuart, Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Maury, and Jeff Davis. And now the shell of the Daughters of the Confederacy building and the Confederate Widow’s Home, the Chapel of the Confederacy, the White House of the Confederacy… etc. . I always get a kick out of a “real” Southerner telling me that Richmond/VA isn’t the South.
The Mayor is supposed to march from the State Capitol with the protestors tonight at 6 PM. About time. Might actually de-escalate tensions!
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Best of luck to you. I sincerely hope that you (or any of us) never need to run nor defend your home from a riot. That is really one of the worst nightmares you can imagine. If you change your mind and decide on General Washington’s successful strategy (sneak away while no one is looking and survive to fight another day when the odds are more in your favor), no one will think less of you.
For what it’s worth, 200+ years ago in my state, we had a similar incident. Hundreds of residents banded together in mutual defense against an invading army. It worked, at first, but they eventually lost, and the United States forced most of the survivors onto reservations.
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I do not SEEK the confrontation and do pray it never comes to that and our Leaders and law enforcement end it BEFORE it does…
But I WILL NOT BEND on my rights to be secure and safe within my earned and owned home.
To me…this is not just a house…it is my family and my home…and it is not up for debate on how I leave here the final time! 
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I am a huge proponent of going grey and heading out the back door!
"Well, he turned and screamed at Linda Lou
And that’s the break I was looking for
Well, you could hear me screaming a mile away
I was headed out toward the door
"Oh, won’t you
Gimme three steps, gimme three steps, mister
Gimme three steps toward the door?
Gimme three steps, gimme three steps, mister
And you’ll never see me no more
Show me the back door …"
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Speaking of strategies and wisdom. Sun Tzu is a MUST READ for anyone concerned with being in harm’s way some day. Tiny book, really worth your time.
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I’m glad you were able to listen to the phone call. I wasn’t ranting and raving like a madman, I was reviewing my options. I was calm and even thanked the person at the end. As I said I was not best pleased at the response. But that was not the fault of the person I talked to.
If some group were to come into my neighborhood, it has 2 entrances and exits. I would expect they would know that, as there would probably be someone in that group who would know the neighborhood. As far as being able to stop a mob? Yeah I think I could if I really put All of my training to it. Am I willing to. No. I have no desire to get thrown into prison.
When someone or a group of someone’s makes a specific enough threat it raises itself to my level of review of a threat and I review it… After the riot Sunday, and the specificity of the demands which were made (that Birmingham’s mayor caved into). I called my various insurance and membership organizations to find out what was covered what wasn’t covered.
From the video you posted about Tim’s reaction to “The Video” I feel much the same. I am sickened by what happened. I was sickened by the coverage of “The Atlantic” which said when "white people protested with guns in Michigan, they were “protestors” but when the African American community protested and then began rioting and looting cities they were unfairly called thugs and terrorists.
I wasn’t in Michigan when they protested, but I don’t remember any rioting and looting going on. But that’s just me. YMMV.
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@Mel2, my point was that we’re all trying to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Keeping our loved ones out of harm’s way is nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to attack someone over.
Shaming anyone about trying to protect their family in the best way they can is not what this Community is about. We all have different abilities and strengths. If you want to stand and fight, that is your right. I cannot advise everyone in this Community to stand and fight no matter what. That would be irresponsible of me. I am not here to instigate or incite. I am here to help people protect their loved ones the best way they can.
I’m not asking you to agree with me, that’s not the point of the Community. People of all backgrounds are welcome with all different opinions and viewpoints. The thing we ask is that you express your view respectfully.
I suggest you do not tell someone else in the Community that the way they choose to protect their family is no different than cowling to the like of Nazi run Germany.
You have your views, others have their views. Personal attacks are not allowed in the Community.
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You were polite to the person on the phone, no questions there. But there’s really no other answer we could give. Given a hypothetical question there isn’t a concrete answer we could have given.
Was there a question she didn’t answer that I missed in listening to the recording?
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The question being, if forced into a confrontation by rioters and looters, who have come to my home and are throwing bricks and Molotov cocktails at my home while my wife and I are inside, and I am forced to defend myself. Because each blindly thrown brick and every thrown Molotov has the chance to kill. What does the USCCA do?
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