Would You Really?

This is 'The' question for the concealed carrier. We get it in many forms, almost whenever someone finds out, which, fortunately, is not too often.

"Would you really be able to shoot someone?"

I'm going to be honest.

I don't know.

Ah. Don't jump on me just yet. I have thought about it. I expect I would. I have decided that surviving and protecting are worth the consequences. I could. I have trained rather extensively to be able to use my weapon if necessary. (I hope it never is.) But would I?

I really can't say. Maybe in the moment I would panic and be unable to do anything but stand helplessly. Maybe I would faint dead away. Maybe I would draw and fire, just like I have practiced so many times. Maybe I would find I am capable of some amazing feat of strength or speed and not even need to draw. But any of these things might happen.

So the hard truth is: I simply don't know. I know what I would want myself to do. I know what I have trained to do. I know what I could live with. I know what I expect I would do. I might even go so far as to say I know what I hope I would do. But would I?

I don't know that. I pray to god I never have to find that out.