Another tragedy in Minnesota reminds us of a hard truth: when seconds matter, laws that disarm law-abiding citizens only leave them defenseless.
Minnesota already has the “common sense” gun laws the anti-gun lobby demands: permits to carry, background checks, red-flag laws, duty to retreat, bans on carry in schools/churches. None of it stopped this attack. Instead, it guaranteed that parents, teachers, and parishioners inside had no legal means to protect themselves or the children around them.
Self-defense is not radical, it is a natural right. We prepare for fire with extinguishers, for medical emergencies with defibrillators, yet too many still insist that when violence strikes, ordinary people must wait unarmed for rescue. That failed model costs lives.
The answer is not more restrictions but real preparedness. Programs like FASTER Saves Lives <https://fastersaveslives.org/>, which provide advanced training to educators, church and school staff, and first responders, give communities the tools to respond immediately and decisively when violence erupts. Empowered and trained defenders save lives.
The debate should not be about restricting responsible citizens but about empowering them. Prepared communities save lives. It is time to acknowledge that “common sense” gun control has proven anything but common or sensible when innocent people are left with no options.
If we truly care about protecting our children, we must focus on equipping trusted adults with the training and the means to act, because when danger strikes, FASTER Saves Lives.