About Me

I’m a retired US Army officer (Armor), US Air Force veteran (SAC, Nuclear Weapons), graduate of Houghton College (BA in History, Education, and Political Science), Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), long-time bible teacher and church board member.

I didn't think much about civilian deadly force until after my military service was complete.

My brother and I spent September 13-14, 2001 on “The Pile” at the WTC site in NYC assisting in search and rescue efforts.

When I returned home I realized the world had changed significantly, and I sought answers on how I could protect myself and others in a non-military context. When we moved to a remote part of Western Pennsylvania we were far from law enforcement and became responsible for our own security and safety (response time could range from twenty minutes to an hour).

We developed a home defense plan. On several occasions firearms helped change the outcomes of potentially threatening situations.

But response time was the same -- or even longer -- away from home. I became convinced of the need for concealed carry.

But the topic was not popular in church -- it seemed a taboo subject that pushed decent people to the fringes, afraid to express what they thought about defense in an atmosphere that seemed to embrace pacifism as threats multiplied.

I am not a pacifist, as I do not believe it is required for those who are called to be salt and light in a fallen world.

Yet "Kill 'em all let God sort 'em out" is not an appropriate position, either.

This blog is an exploration of the vast territory between those two extremes.