This article defends the position that the right of armed self-defense remains important today, in particular in light of the civil unrest of the Summer of 2020. The article proceeds in three parts. The first part will summarize arguments from various prominent commentators that the right to self-defense with firearms is anachronistic in the contemporary United States. These critics argue that Americans can and should rely solely on their local professional police force to protect them.
The second part of the article will focus on how this argument has been undermined by recent events. This part documents in great detail the failures of law enforcement in reaction to looting, rioting, and other forms of illegal behavior that threatened the well-being of the public. First, many police departments received implicit or explicit orders from their political supervisors to “stand down.” Second, in many instances, the police themselves were unwilling or unable to combat lawless behavior. If police consistently fail to enforce law and order, the argument against the individual right to bear arms for self-defense purposes significantly weakens.
Finally, the last part of the article will discuss examples of individuals and groups of citizens using firearms in self-defense during the recent unrest in the absence of effective law enforcement. Some of these episodes are open to criticism, whether on the grounds that one believes that it’s never worth using or even threatening to use deadly force to defend property, or because the line between justified self-defense and unjustified vigilantism is not always a clear one. Nevertheless, if law enforcement is unwilling or unable to preserve basic law and order, it’s both inevitable that citizens will try to fill the breach, and desirable that law-abiding individuals should be given the means to do so.
DAVID BERNSTEIN is the University Professor and the Executive Director of the Liberty & Law Center at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University.
In-Gauge of Polk County will accept a paid receipt for a ‘hotel conducted’ concealed carry class for FREE admission to our 3-hour, REAL concealed carry class.
We will honor all registration receipts from those who enrolled in a ‘hotel conducted’ concealed carry class.
Did you or someone you know register for one of those concealed carry classes conducted at a local hotel?
Are you questioning how a concealed carry class conducted in a rented hotel room can be legitimate?
Are you questioning how a concealed carry class that does not involve or include any hands-on gun training can qualify you for a Florida concealed carry license?
Are you questioning how a firing ONE paint cartridge at a paper target taped to a hotel room wall can qualify you for a license to carry a deadly weapon in public?
Are you now experiencing buyer remorse?
In-Gauge of Polk County will recognize and accept a paid receipt for a ‘hotel conducted’ concealed carry class for FREE, complimentary, admission to our 3-hour, REAL concealed carry class Saturday, October 10th.
Without a paid receipt, the cost of our Saturday, October 10th class is $35, total. There are no hidden costs. The regular cost of this class is $50. All materials and equipment will be provided.
You will leave this class with a portfolio of printed material containing information on:
the Florida State Statutes pertaining to firearms and carrying a concealed weapon,
Florida law pertaining to the use of a firearm for defense of your life and the lives of your loved ones
the transportation of a firearm with and without a license
completeinformation on how and where to apply for a Florida concealed carry license
This is a real concealed carry licensing class. It is NOT an insurance sales seminar.No content has be cut or abbreviated.
This offer is for our Concealed Carry Minimum Standards License Qualification Class – CCW 100. Saturday, October 10th only. Times: 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM
There are no strings attached. This offer is exactly what you see.
We are routinely asked why we offer FREE concealed carry classes and why should a person take our concealed carry class opposed to one conducted elsewhere. The answer is a simple:
Not all concealed carry classes are alike. Regrettably, there is no State standard for concealed carry weapons license training.
Most concealed carry classes are merely ‘certificate mills’.
In-Gauge of Polk County is an official NRA chartered and registered non-profit organization.
In-Gauge of Polk County is dedicated to firearms safety and firearms training.
In-Gauge of Polk County’s mission is to train and prepare you to save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
All of In-Gauge of Polk County’s firearms training classes meet and exceed the State of Florida’s training requirement for applying for a Florida concealed carry weapons’ license.
Terms & Conditions:
Date: Saturday, October 10th only. Two class times to choose from.
Provide a printed receipt issued by the organization conducting a ‘hotel’ concealed carry class being conducted October 10th, at time of registration.
Offer good for classes conducted in Winter Haven and Lakeland only.
The printed receipt must be for the October 10, 2020 class only.
Offer is good while available seating remains.
Online registration only.
A $35 fee will be charged until a printed receipt is provided.A full refund will be issued upon presentation of receipt.
When taking advantage of this offer, please have a digital (pdf or jpg) copy of your receipt available for submission. If you are unable to submit a digital copy, you will be charged a $35 registration fee until you submit a hard copy the day of the class.
It should to be understood, not all concealed carry classes are alike.
Most are ‘certificate mills’.
Very few provide any handgun training.
Those classes conducted in rented hotel rooms and at gun shows are the greatest examples.
Educate yourself, ask questions, know what you are spending your money and time on before you commit to a class.
In-Gauge of Polk County’s only business is conducting firearms and concealed carry training. Training that prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
We do NOT sell guns.
We do NOT sell ammunition.
We do NOT sell firearm accessories.
We so NOT sell insurance.
In-Gauge of Polk County is a local, non-profit organization that conducts training that prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
In-Gauge of Polk County is the only Polk County concealed carry class provider that provides official NRA firearms training and advanced concealed carry weapons classes.
Class registrations are done online. Look for us represented at:
Gander RV & Outdoors – Bartow
Rural King – Lake Wales
The Gun Room – Winter Haven
Brian’s Outdoor World – Lake Wales
West Coast Pawn & Gun – Davenport
No other firearms training (concealed carry class) provider is represented at more sporting goods dealer locations in Polk County.
In-Gauge of Polk County is proudly partnered with:
National Rifle Association
Central Florida Ridge Friends of NRA
Florida Sports Shooting Association
Civilian Marksmanship Program
Polk Senior Games
If you are looking for unequaled firearms training, for either personal development or to qualify for a Florida concealed carry weapons license, visit our website at: www.ingaugeofpolkcounty.com
Sheriff Judd recommends people learn the proper way to handle a firearm , , ,
Bill Kemp, The Ledger September 27, 2020
How to prevent becoming a victim
Sheriff Judd recommends people learn the proper way to handle a firearm and then obtain a concealed carry permit to protect themselves.
“If you are dedicated to learning how to handle a firearm and you recognize a mistake with a firearm can be a fatal mistake, you should get your carry permit and always carry a firearm to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home,”
Judd said. “But you have to know how to handle it and shoot it. If they are disciplined, it is certainly a safety tool that will keep them alive in a bad situation.”
In-Gauge of Polk County conducts training that prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
In-Gauge of Polk County is currently accepting registrations for October classes. Classes conducted both weekends and weekends. Private classes available.
In-Gauge of Polk County’s only business is conducting firearms safety training. In-Gauge of Polk County is a local, non-profit organization that conducts training that prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
In-Gauge of Polk County conducts training that prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
In-Gauge of Polk County is currently accepting registrations for October classes. Classes conducted both weekends and weekends. Private classes available.
In-Gauge of Polk County’s only business is conducting firearms safety training. In-Gauge of Polk County is a local, non-profit organization that conducts training that prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Sheriff Judd recommends people learn the proper way to handle a firearm and then obtain a concealed carry permit to protect themselves.
Bill Kemp, The Ledger September 27, 2020
How to prevent becoming a victim
Sheriff Judd recommends people learn the proper way to handle a firearm and then obtain a concealed carry permit to protect themselves.
“If you are dedicated to learning how to handle a firearm and you recognize a mistake with a firearm can be a fatal mistake, you should get your carry permit and always carry a firearm to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home,”
Judd said. “But you have to know how to handle it and shoot it. If they are disciplined, it is certainly a safety tool that will keep them alive in a bad situation.”
In-Gauge of Polk County prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
In-Gauge of Polk County is currently accepting registrations for October classes. Classes conducted both weekends and weekends. Private classes available.
In-Gauge of Polk County’s only business is conducting firearms safety training. In-Gauge of Polk County is a local, non-profit organization that conducts training that prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Sheriff Judd recommends people learn the proper way to handle a firearm and then obtain a concealed carry permit to protect themselves.
In-Gauge of Polk County is currently accepting registrations for October classes. Classes conducted both weekends and weekends. Private classes available.
In-Gauge of Polk County’s only business is conducting firearms safety training. In-Gauge of Polk County is a local, non-profit organization that conducts training that prepares you to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.
“Sheriff Judd recommends people learn the proper way to handle a firearm . . . “
Bill Kemp, The Ledger September 27, 2020
How to prevent becoming a victim
Sheriff Judd recommends people learn the proper way to handle a firearm and then obtain a concealed carry permit to protect themselves.
“If you are dedicated to learning how to handle a firearm and you recognize a mistake with a firearm can be a fatal mistake, you should get your carry permit and always carry a firearm to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home,”
Judd said. “But you have to know how to handle it and shoot it. If they are disciplined, it is certainly a safety tool that will keep them alive in a bad situation.”
