“If Not Me, Then Who?”

It is a motto practiced and espoused by John Giduck, one of the top counter-terrorism experts in the world.Mid Ohio Firearms Training has adopted this credo as one of its foundations for teaching concealed handgun classes as well as our other defensive firearms courses.

What it means for us, as civilians committed to protecting our family and ourselves, is that we must be responsible for the well being of those we love.  Our dedication to this cause is not a criticism of the highly trained law enforcement officers that have dedicated themselves to protecting life and property.  It does mean we know that when our lives our in jeopardy, the possibility of an officer being seconds away is highly remote.  Violent confrontations last a matter of two to three minutes (hand to hand encounters last two to twenty seconds).  A four-minute response by law enforcement is an excellent response time but in a fight for life, it is all over when they arrive.  Law Enforcement officers are sworn to protect and defend the United States Constitution, the laws of the State of Ohio and local laws.  They are not here to provide individual protection; that is not their job nor can they provide this service.

It is MOFTA’s belief that in order for us to live by this motto everyday, we need to constantly train if we are to be the protectors of our loved ones.  The internationally known Lt. Colonel David Grossman refers to “sheep” and “sheep dogs.”  The sheep are those that cannot defend themselves against aggression and the sheep dogs are those committed to protecting them.  Those of us who have committed to training have committed to being sheep dogs.“If Not Me, Then Who?”  The answer to the question is… “All of Us.”