What freedom means to me

I am confident if you ask ten people what "Freedom" means to them, you would get ten different replies. During these difficult times of quarantine, maintaining social distances, staying at home and unemployment, I would like to offer some of my thoughts of what "Freedom" means to me. Hopefully these will be encouraging to you too.

1. Going to the shooting range. A pickup is needed to haul all the guns, ammo, targets, binoculars, spotting scope, rifle rest, eye and hearing protection and who knows what else. Able to buy more if the bank account allows. Being able to store as much of said items as I want.

2. Being able to wear a concealed firearm on one's side (with proper permit) when going to town.

3. Being able to practice with above-mentioned equipment at almost unlimited places as much as one wishes.

4. Being able to explore and hunt large tracts of publicly owned national forest, BLM and state lands for a multitude of wild, big game animals that are fairly abundant.

5. Being able to travel the lower 48 states and AK too, if willing to go through Canada, especially on a Honda Gold Wing or Harley, if you prefer. No permits or passports needed, unless going through Canada. Watching the lines in the highway go by, letting the wind wash away all my worries and concerns and listening to that engine purr! Wearing that specified firearm as I go, not in Canada, with some restrictions in some states.

6. Being able to exercise one's religious beliefs as one pleases....once this virus is over. Can still have small group meetings if you want.

7. Being able to enjoy the rest of the Bill of Rights. If you don't know what these are, shame on you.

8. Being able to be involved as much as one wishes in choosing our political leaders. However, this should not allow lies to be told about a candidate when the truth doesn't serve one's purpose.

9. Living in the greatest country that has ever existed and being able to leave and go anywhere you want. (I wish some of you would leave, but no one is going to force you to do so.) No walls here keeping you in.

10. Being able to express my political beliefs without fear of repercussions. If you want to impose repercussions on me, let me know, I'll send you my address!

I hope these thoughts of mine will make you think of those priceless activities dear to you that allow you to live your life as you please. No government official, at any level, will come knock on your door or kick it in for your political expressions. (Unless you threaten to harm a political figure.) We will get through this virus and life will return to normal. Do what you can to make your neighbor's life during this time better. We will all win.

Philip is a retired Air Force officer where he was an intelligence analyst. He is also a retired law enforcement officer. He has an undergrad degree in criminal justice as well as a master's that is heavily weighted in criminal justice. He has had, in his words, "a love affair" with firearms all his adult life. He also teaches concealed carry classes.