Matti Friedman: Why I Got a Gun

[mike1003]

https://www.thefp.com/p/matti-friedman-why-i-got-a-gun

My Glock is an ugly little monument to the historic threat facing my family, my neighbors, and all of Israel.


But Israelis have no legal right to bear arms, no fear of government tyranny in the American tradition, and a fraction of the crime fears that Americans accept as normal. (In an ordinary year, Jerusalem, a city of nearly one million residents, tends to see about a dozen violent deaths; in Indianapolis, a slightly smaller city, the homicide number tends to be over 200.)



For the average Israeli, guns are simply a tool for protection against the Arab violence that has shaped this society over the last century. Like the army, they’re a necessary evil. Most of the armed people you’ll see in an Israeli city are soldiers or police. In the United States, according to a Pew study last year, 32 percent of citizens own guns. In Israel, it was under 2 percent.



That was before October 7.

October 7th is a reminder as to why we have the 2nd Amendment in the US. Not that hordes of savages will stream across the border to kill, rape and plunder. But, our right to carry is for protection in our everyday lives


It's sad that it took Oct 7th to open the door for Israelis to carry for their protection



BTW, Matti's buying a Glock is an excellent choice. MrsM and I own several

[Steve-C]

Originally Posted by mike1003

https://www.thefp.com/p/matti-friedman-why-i-got-a-gunOctober 7th is a reminder as to why we have the 2nd Amendment in the US. Not that hordes of savages will stream across the border to kill, rape and plunder. But, our right to carry is for protection in our everyday lives


It's sad that it took Oct 7th to open the door for Israelis to carry for their protection



BTW, Matti's buying a Glock is an excellent choice. MrsM and I own several

Laken's parents might disagree..

[AZ Desert Guy]

Originally Posted by mike1003

https://www.thefp.com/p/matti-friedman-why-i-got-a-gunOctober 7th is a reminder as to why we have the 2nd Amendment in the US. Not that hordes of savages will stream across the border to kill, rape and plunder. But, our right to carry is for protection in our everyday lives


It's sad that it took Oct 7th to open the door for Israelis to carry for their protection



BTW, Matti's buying a Glock is an excellent choice. MrsM and I own several

That was a great read, I went through it twice to make sure I caught it all. Thanks for sharing.

I found it especially interesting having lived in a Tel Aviv suburb for over 3 years myself, getting to know some Israelis somewhat well. Jerusalem is a different place with different attitudes, but Israelis have trends that seem to be sort of universal.
Personal firearms did not come up often in my conversations with friends/locals, but when they did their attitudes sort of reflected what was in the article. "I rely upon others for my personal defense and safety".

The author didnt mention why he chose a small Glock 9mm, if he planned to carry it concealed. If he only wanted it for home defense, a larger higher capacity model would likely be better.

I couldnt fathom being restricted to only buying 100 bullets a year, and having to account for them when you get more. That doesnt make sense to me at all.

[Cape Cod Todd]

Originally Posted by mike1003

October 7th is a reminder as to why we have the 2nd Amendment in the US. Not that hordes of savages will stream across the border to kill, rape and plunder. But, our right to carry is for protection in our everyday lives

I don't know, we have our own homegrown factions that are prone to extreme violence. BLM, antifa and other such fascist Fools are a constant danger when they get mobilized to protest some perceived slight. We also now have students that are Pro Terrorist.

Imagine seeing any mobs of these Bozos marching through your neighborhood knowing that they are capable of so much destruction and knowing that they have the Lefty Politicians on their side to encourage, embolden and cover for them. I'm sure that even a gun hater would feel safer with one in their hand if the mob came knocking at their door.





I don't know what a 10 shot Glock will do against a full auto military grade machine gun like that which was used on innocent people on 10/7 but it's better than nothing.

[AZ Desert Guy]

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Todd

I don't know, we have our own homegrown factions that are prone to extreme violence. BLM, antifa and other such fascist Fools are a constant danger when they get mobilized to protest some perceived slight. We also now have students that are Pro Terrorist.

Imagine seeing any mobs of these Bozos marching through your neighborhood knowing that they are capable of so much destruction and knowing that they have the Lefty Politicians on their side to encourage, embolden and cover for them. I'm sure that even a gun hater would feel safer with one in their hand if the mob came knocking at their door.





I don't know what a 10 shot Glock will do against a full auto military grade machine gun like that which was used on innocent people on 10/7 but it's better than nothing.

Per the bolded, if every citizen only has a 10 shot Glock (and knows how to use it properly), vice none, then the invading army (or oppressive domestic govt) has a much harder time invading (or oppressing). Those that are familiar with common firearms, and more importantly, tactics and use, already know this.

Would have Hamas have been so eager to invade Israel if they had known there would have been "a rifle (or Glock 43) behind every blade of grass"?

It's idiots like the Potatus in chief that make dumb comparisons to needing an F-15 and such.

[saltine]

We already live amongst the "hordes of savages". Its why our violent crime is so much higher.

[mattja]

Glocks are the Honda Civic of guns. Inexpensive and dependable. Good choice. Personally, you'll have to pry my USP 45 from my dead hands.