Never Again a Sheep. Never.

On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs by By LTC (RET) Dave Grossman

But the sheepdog quietly asks himself, "Do you have any idea how hard it would be to live with yourself if your loved ones were attacked and killed, and you had to stand there helplessly because you were unprepared for that day?"

It is denial that turns people into sheep. Sheep are psychologically destroyed by combat because their only defense is denial, which is counterproductive and destructive, resulting in fear, helplessness and horror when the wolf shows up.

Denial kills you twice. It kills you once, at your moment of truth when you are not physically prepared: you didn't bring your gun, you didn't train. Your only defense was wishful thinking. Hope is not a strategy. Denial kills you a second time because even if you do physically survive, you are psychologically shattered by your fear, helplessness and horror at your moment of truth.

I've been the sheep most of my life but I've looked the wolf in the eyes enough times. And that changes a person.

Here's another on the same theme by Paul Markel: A "Warrior" is not a thug

Both the warrior and pacifist desire peace. The warrior desires peace and stability so that his family may grow and prosper and his community may thrive. The warrior realizes that peace is not simply the absence of conflict but the presence of victory over those who would harm his family and destroy his community. He understands that his strength and arms are gifts from God and with these gifts come a solemn responsibility. The warrior does not take this responsibility lightly.

The pacifist sees peace as a lack of conflict or war, but life is conflict and denying this truth does not make it so. When conflict arrives at the pacifist’s door he has no recourse for he is unprepared and weak in his mind and soul. Only after the wolf is eating his young the pacifist cries out for the warrior to come and save him. A warrior understands that only the strong can give mercy. The weak are helpless and in no position to be merciful.

A warrior prepares his mind and body for conflict and arms himself in a vain hope that he will not need those arms. A warrior fiercely protects his own life, for if his life is lost, who will protect his family? The warrior values his family, his community, and his nation. He swears a daily allegiance to their protection and preservation. He is a protector of life, not a death worshipper.

Thanks to Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler and The Truth About Guns for posting these essays.

There is one more that I want to link to that I really like. Fragility and Strength Combined- Why I Carry by Brigid

I'm out for an very early morning walk with a woman friend. She does not shoot, though she is starting to show interest. We're walking down a long trail in a small city park, a large sprawling area with miles of trails, a lot of trees and a small river. A jogger passes us every 10 minutes or so, Barkley's intent on sniffing out a cheeseburger someone just had to have left behind on the trail. She's quiet and then the question comes out.

She looked at me and said "you're carrying, aren't you?".

I looked down at a light rain jacket over a T shirt, and couldn't see the form of a holster or anything so I asked, "how can you tell".

She said, "you carry yourself differently, there's a different look in your eyes. I've seen that look when you work but not when you socialize". She chuckled . . . "It's a little scary".

I grinned and said, "yes I am".

She thought about and replied. "It's daylight, we're in a park with other people, why?" It wasn't spoken with incrimination, simply curiosity.

So, I told her.

I found Brigid through another site but I can't for the life of me remember which.