This is very real for anyone who lives in a rural area, and the availability or access to firearms a must, unless you have armed police escorts with you at all times? Not very off-grid if you do:O)

Thank you for your service BTW.

As a former member of the military, I will assure you that a gun is not necessary to protect your freedom. If any thing a single person with a gun is just dangerous for others nearby. It takes armies and navies to win wars. Our nation has become free enough that there is no fights for freedom with guns here on this continent. There is a fight in Mexico with the “Drug Wars” and Meth labs here, but these are more of a policing action than anything doing with freedom. Yes, an individual can take up arms against people who operate in these ways, but the dangers need to be weighed (like do they have friends and relatives which support them).

You are not truly free as long as you have to carry a gun to protect your freedom. (If others – armies and navies – carry it for you, then you have freedom. But, the members of military also seek freedom from having to carry.)

We’re stronger together when we put down our petty differences and come together united behind our shared core values.

So this isn’t an argument pro/against guns. We each need to make important decisions like that based on our own experiences.

I think that the issue of guns is a good example of an issue that tends to divide us, and I’m trying to say I don’t think we should let it.

I’m also not advocating any particular political or social position. Instead I’m suggesting we put those differences down and pick up the values we have in common and let those move us forward.

I know this is all a little more philosophical than I usually get on Tiny House Design and a bit of a wobbly fence to stand on… but I hope these ramblings help make a little more sense of this post.

I suggest watching the video, then research how meth labs operate. This young man was being smart by packing a firearm.

Would it have been more socially responsible to allow your self to be tortured and murdered by drug runners? A hard working young man who has no criminal history and is a good standing member of society should allow himself to be killed?

If yes then I would be saddened to hear your stance on Darfur:O(

Thanks for sharing.

All I’m trying to say is that I respect other people’s well thought out positions and when they take the risk and go out on a ledge to share them with others.