JULY 29, 2021

Skill Set: Critical Firearms Principle

“Critical Race Theory” and “Intersectionality” are all the rage these days. If you’re not familiar with them you need to be. These “theories” – assumptions, conjectures or speculations – determine how disadvantaged one is according to gender, race, class, sex, physical abilities and other factors. There are websites to calculate your “victimhood” according to these factors. My “Critical Firearms Principle” – based on fundamental truths - applies these same factors to determine how many and what type firearms one should have.

On the CFP scale you immediately add one firearm – or point - for being human. We all have the right to defend ourselves and others against violence, from both man and beast. Self-defense is an individual responsibility. Yes, there are laws and enforcement officers to uphold order. They can’t be everywhere all the time protecting and serving. When danger is sudden it’s on you to solve the problem. The best weapons for defense from deadly threats are firearms.

CFP recognizes that additional points are needed in the “Defense” category. You need multiple weapons. What and how you carry dictates how you dress for concealment or, how you have to dress determines what and how you tote. Compact, mid-size, full size, revolver or semi-auto … There’s another bracket for defensive long-guns.

Families score higher on the CFP scale. Each member requires the appropriate firearm, defensive weapons for those of the age of responsibility. One has to determine the proper size and caliber of firearms for younger members of the family. Don’t forget to pick up something for the future – grandkids, nieces and nephews or family you “adopt” along the way.

If you’re putting meat on the table there are a lot of points to consider. Small game, medium and large game require different platforms and calibers. There’s no “one-does-all” shotgun. And some may hunt with handguns.

You get more points for recreational shooting, which includes introducing new shooters to firearms, firing 3-Gun matches or just plinking on a sunny afternoon. There are some guns that are just “fun” to own. There are sentimental firearms. I’ll always keep my father’s and grandfather’s pistols. Gun collectors have an almost unlimited array of points to consider.

Geography is a factor to consider. Those who live in urban areas that are prone to violence score high on the CFP chart. In rural areas it can take law enforcement a long while to arrive once the 911 call is placed. Terrain may mean longer distances between you and the threat. You guessed it, that means “more points.”

According to CFP, the more likely one is to be involved in danger the more points/firearms they require. If I can ever get the government involved the program will include tax credits for essential firearms, and stimulus vouchers for the economically disadvantaged to purchase firearms to fit their needs.

Checking your score on the CFP test will likely reveal that you too need additional firearms. Of course, don’t forget the ammunition, holsters, sights and other accessories needed to round out everything. Actually, CFP might just stand for Confirmed Firearms Persons.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.