chip Posted July 8, 2015 at 08:55 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 08:55 PM I hope I represented our cause in a positive and responsible manner. - chip --------http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/7/71/754675/counterpoint-carry-gun I am 49 years old, Black, a native of Chicago and a law-abiding citizen. I also have a state permit to carry a concealed weapon. I grew up in Chatham on Chicago’s South Side. I’ve seen the neighborhood, as well as the entire city, change as drug problems and gang violence have escalated. A lot of people ask me why I carry a gun. Many accuse me of wanting to shoot or kill someone, and that’s the furthest from the truth. The fact that I was able to pass the background check is evidence that I don’t have a violent or criminal mind. I was vetted by the FBI, the Illinois State Police and my local police department. I don’t want to use my handgun anymore than I want to use the airbag in my car. But I’ve been mugged and I’ve been the victim of burglary. I know what crime looks like up close and personal. I have many close friends who are police officers, and I know they can’t be everywhere all the time. The average police response time to a 911 call is seven minutes, and I’ve heard of people who live right across the street from a police station who still had to wait 4 minutes. Even if you cut that response time to a minute or two, a person can be a victim of crippling, disfiguring, permanent and possible deadly violence before an officer is even assigned to the call. I don’t carry a gun because I want to take a life; I carry because I value my life, and the lives of those in my family. I need it everywhere I go because violent crime can happen anywhere. When I was a teenager, I was mugged on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology. Back then, I was able to run away. Now, at my age, I can’t run as fast or as far. I carry because the thugs don’t obey gun-free-zone signs. Heck, I was recently at place with a gum-free-zone sign, and I still saw people chewing and blowing bubbles. The idea of a sign stopping violent criminals is as crazy as a soup sandwich. Ultimately, I carry because protecting my life is my responsibility. We keep fire extinguishers in our homes because waiting for the fire department while we inhale smoke is plain stupid. Sure, I’ll call the police, but I know that when seconds count, they’re seven minutes away. Chip Eberhart, who lives in the northwest suburbs, is Senior Firearms Instructor at Top Shot Academy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtr100 Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:09 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:09 PM http://www.walkerdaniels.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bravo-zulu.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCroskey Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:14 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:14 PM Nice piece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:18 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:18 PM Well done. A soup sandwich?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gLockedandLoaded Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:19 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:19 PM Good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ming Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:20 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:20 PM Very nice Chip. Good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspider Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:25 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:25 PM Outstanding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmyers Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:25 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:25 PM Nicely written. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2A4Cook Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:27 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:27 PM Nice job! I'll try a broccoli-cheddar sammich ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybird78 Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:37 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:37 PM BRAVO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirflyguy Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:40 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:40 PM Very nice, chip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1911 .45 Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:45 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:45 PM So well written that even an anti could understand it. Um...well...nevermind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videopaul Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:48 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:48 PM Outstanding piece. I'll be interested in who responds and what they have to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azone5 Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:58 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 09:58 PM Well done article. Clear points that everyone can understand and points that are difficult for antis to refute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJim Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:04 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:04 PM Well spoken! Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GM1(SW) Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:08 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:08 PM http://www.walkerdaniels.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bravo-zulu.jpgAnd a hardy Bravo Zulu to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teddy Bear Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:09 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:09 PM Well written Chip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingWalleye Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:19 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:19 PM Nicely done. I usually enjoy a soup sandwich after a long day of herding cats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googe1227 Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:21 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:21 PM Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldMarineVet Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:22 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:22 PM Perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bacon! Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:26 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:26 PM Great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTX63 Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:33 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:33 PM Thank you sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DG53 Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:39 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:39 PM Well done. Kudos to you, sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rduhb Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:42 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:42 PM Good job, my friend! I grew up on the south side as well; South Shore area to be exact. And my ohhh my have things changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly B. Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:46 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:46 PM Good job!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
framos242 Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:56 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:56 PM Job well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKplumber Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:57 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:57 PM Excellent work Chip! And yes, you did a great job representing our cause! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:59 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 10:59 PM Hard to say anything other than well done sir. You did just fine representing us and I thank you for doing so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxriver6 Posted July 8, 2015 at 11:01 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 11:01 PM Well done Chip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benzo Posted July 8, 2015 at 11:27 PM Share Posted July 8, 2015 at 11:27 PM Thank you Chip, from a down state member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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