IV – Know

Why We Shouldn’t Just ‘Do Something’

It’s a common belief that US President Teddy Roosevelt said, “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” However, according to the Theodore Roosevelt Center, “this statement is often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, but no known source can be found to verify the attribution.”

Even so, TR was devoted to action. He didn’t shy away from making a decision and acting upon it. The important detail is that the decision must be based on what is right.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Every Small Decision Leads to Winning or Losing in Spiritual Warfare ]

The fifth element of the five SemperVerus components is DO, which emphasizes the importance of combining the previous four elements in order to engage in accomplishing what is needed in the moment. Neither procrastination nor neglect is an option. The SemperVerus principle reads:

V. Do: resolving to intentionally and skillfully act to accomplish positive and fruitful outcomes.

A recent commentary by John Stonestreet on the Colson Center’s Breakpoint podcast stresses that ambiguity is not the answer when action is called for. Merely choosing to do “something”—especially if it’s misguided—can be inappropriate, nonsensical, and even an obstruction to beneficial outcomes.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Be Like Ernest Shackleton ]

Here are a few excerpts:

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Church Security Armament Recommendations By Tom Givens, John Correia, and 6 Other Professionals

SemperVerus asked 8 firearms training professionals for their recommendations as to what they consider to be optimal for church security team volunteers to carry while on duty, having as their objective to protect others rather than concerning their own everyday self-defense.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Training: Decision Decks Help You Think Through a Crisis Before It Happens ]

Every one of the questioned professionals stresses the absolute #1 prioritization of obtaining ongoing defensive mindset and quality skill training as the primary requirement before considering what guns and gear should be used. It’s not the weapon that makes the defender succeed; it’s the defender’s superior training and mental acuity. Once that is understood, they offer their equipment recommendations.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

The categories to which the professionals responded are:

  • Brand of firearm
  • Style (full size/duty size, compact, subcompact, micro compact, pocket, etc.)
  • Optics/Sights (red dot, reflex, night sights, 3-dot sights, black out rear site, fiber optic, tritium, etc.)
  • Carry method (IWB, OWB, appendix, shoulder, pocket, ankle, off-body, etc.)
  • Action Type (revolver, semi-auto)
  • Action (single, double, DA/SA, hammer, striker, etc.)
  • External Safety: (yes, no)
  • Magazine (single stack, double stack)
  • Magazine Capacity
  • Number of Extra Magazines
  • Caliber
  • Ammo Brand
  • Weapon Mounted Light (yes, no)

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of AMMO ]

Click each of the following names to view their recommendations:

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Don’t Be a Victim of Crime: Learn How to Refuse To Be A Victim®

The national award-winning personal safety program, Refuse To Be A Victim®, developed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), presents practical, easy-to-understand preventative strategies you can use to avoid situations where self-defense may be required.

Experts agree the single most important step you can take to ensure your personal safety is to make the decision to refuse to be a victim.

This 4-hour (or less) classroom instruction seminar focuses on teaching you proactive courses of action, rather than reactive. By making yourself a more difficult target to prey upon, you lessen your risk of a criminal attack. That means having a personal safety strategy in place before you need it.

Basic Principles of Crime Prevention:

  • Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings
  • Trust Your Instincts
  • Always Have a Personal Safety Strategy in Place
  • Take a Refuse To Be A Victim Seminar

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Situational Awareness: 14 Ways to Walk Like You Drive ]

Firearm training is not part of the Refuse To Be A Victim curriculum. The NRA has other courses that focus on firearm training and can be taken separately. Instruction in physical combat is also not part of the curriculum.

The seminar teaches lessons about common weaknesses that criminals may take advantage of, and presents a variety of corrective measures that are practical, inexpensive, and easy to follow.

The Refuse To Be A Victim seminar covers topics that pertain to everyone; it’s appropriate for young adults to senior citizens. The program materials also include a special module for parents, which discusses safety tips for children ages pre-school to high school.

TOPICS COVERED IN THE SEMINAR:

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The Importance of the Second Amendment Foundation

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) safeguards and promotes the fundamental civil rights of individuals enshrined in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. SAF engages in aggressive legal action to ensure that the principles of armed self-defense, personal liberty, and the ownership of arms are defended, secured, and restored. Through public education initiatives, SAF teaches the importance of the Second Amendment to promote a society that values and exercises the right to keep and bear arms.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, USA State Constitutions Providing for Armed Self-Defense ]

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Amendment II, The US Constitution

The following 22-minute video, Reflections: Five Decades of SAF’s 2A Advocacy, celebrates SAF’s 50 years of defending the Second Amendment and fighting legal battles in the courts for gun owners’ civil rights.

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