The Serenity Prayer in Action

On March 28, 2016March 28, 2016 By Tom LindsayIn Family, Prayer8 Comments

I will likely be posting a little less than normal, even for me. To cut to the chase, I am currently in the middle of battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which is essentially bone marrow cancer.

So far the plan of treatment I am in seems to be working well, and I should know soon what the next steps are. I’ve been in the leukemia center at Northside Hospital in Atlanta for the last 2 weeks. I’ve completed the first round of chemotherapy, and I am tolerating it well.

What I really want to convey today, is the reality of God’s power and His love, as evidenced by events over the last 4 months or so. I discovered I had this disease thanks to two bad sinus infections, and a family doctor who refused to take those on face value. There is obviously more to it than that, but that sums it up. I will try to explain it all at a future date.

I could have gotten angry, or done nothing, or panicked. Rather than do any of that, I chose to live this wonderful prayer.

God has granted me:

Serenity to accept the things I cannot change. I have leukemia; I don’t know how I got it, but I have it.

Courage to change the things I can. The medical team has a plan to beat it. I am in, doing what they tell me when they tell me, plus some.

Wisdom to know the difference. I can’t really explain this part. But it’s there. God is there. And His love and the love of my family and friends sustain me.

To avoid duplicate effort I am posting a lot on my Facebook page. Please join me there. For now, I welcome your prayers.

Campus Carry is Coming to Georgia

On March 11, 2016March 11, 2016 By Tom LindsayIn Campus Carry, Gun Free Zones1 Comment

The Georgia Senate today passed HB859, by a vote of 37 to 17. Already passed by the Georgia House, the bill goes to the desk of Governor Nathan Deal, who has already said he will sign it. And when he does, God willing, I will be there.

This bill allows concealed carry of handguns by licensed permit holders on college campuses, except in dorms, sorority or fraternity houses, and at sporting events.

Any reader of this blog knows my views on Gun Free Victim Zones. And this does away with one such zone.

Thanks go to GeorgiaCarry.org for leading the fight.

Range Officer’s Nightmares

On March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 By Tom LindsayIn Range Officer3 Comments

Proof that as an RO, you need to have your head up and in the act always.

A collection of runs that would make the RO crap their pants . . .

I plan to keep my eye out for these and add as I find them. Send yours to me, please.

Georgia Campus Carry Update

On February 23, 2016February 23, 2016 By Tom LindsayIn Campus Carry, Gun Free Zones, Self Defense

Currently, schools and college campuses in Georgia are Gun Free Victim Zones – areas where criminals know they are free to bring guns unopposed, and rob or kill their victims with no fear of armed opposition.

Yesterday, the Georgia House of Representatives moved one step closer to eliminating schools and colleges from the realm of Gun Free Victim Zones, by passing HB859, by a vote of 113 to 59. This bill would allow carry of concealed handguns on school campuses in the state, by those with a Georgia Weapons Carry License (GWCL).

Some notable points of this law, that seem to make the law more acceptable to a wider range of legislators, while still maintaining the central purpose of the bill:

Guns are allowed to be carried everywhere on campus except at sporting events, and in dormitories, fraternity houses, and sorority houses. To me, as a father with a son living in a dorm at Georgia State, I’m okay with that. This reduces the possibility of accidents resulting from guns being handled by unlicensed students. After a recent string of armed robberies on campus, this hits home.

Guns must be concealed. Concealment is further defined in the law, and it is worth noting that it includes requirements that the handgun is “substantially, but not necessarily completely, covered by an article of clothing.” To me this avoids the possibility of unintentionally allowing one’s gun to be seen, thus inviting charges of “brandishing.”

To me, these points in no way reduce the real effect of this bill. Criminals will have no way to know whether the person they intend to rob or attack is armed. So, they move on.

I did note, though, that handguns are the only weapons allowed under the bill. This eliminates knives with blades over 5 inches, which are also considered weapons under Georgia law, and the carry of which required a GWCL. I’m not sure why this is in there, but I am looking into it.

I applaud the Georgia Legislature on this move, and I look forward to the Senate’s passage, and the Governor’s signature.