JLR ENTERPRISES INC takes great pride in helping those law abiding citizens obtain their Conceal Carry Permit, which allows our clients to protect themselves and their loved ones if they choose to. When I was in the Police Academy, I vividly remember one of my firearms instructors asking me if I planned on carrying my firearm off duty. I didn't really know what to think, or to say, and I remember him telling me "I would much rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it". That really stuck with me, and anytime I left the house, especially with my family, I would carry my firearm. After you wear a gun for a while, it doesn't remain a gun, or a firearm, it becomes a tool. This is a tool that I carried on me, just as a carpenter would carry a hammer. Thank goodness that I never needed to use my gun, but it was there if needed, and if it came down to it, I would have used it in a split second, if it was necessary. I think that carrying a gun does not always mean you have to pull it out and kill someone, but if needed I had made peace that I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6, and if I had to take a life to save someone elses, than so be it. But there is another part that is covered in our course, and that sometimes it is better to be a witness, and being a good creditable witness can sure help solve a crime, but you can also be a good witness and carry your firearm, but if while being a witness, the tables turn and you need your firearm, you can't be a witness if you are a statistic.

2016 in Chicago is turning out to be one of the most violent years ever. Now Chicago has recorded at least 43 killings in February, and the Chicago Tribune has declared the city's homicide count so far as "the deadliest start to a year in the city in nearly two decades," or since 1997.The newspaper tabulated 102 homicides in the first two months of this year, explaining that Chicago police count only those violent deaths that are considered criminal. On top of this, you add in the amount of uniformed Police Officers that seem to have targets on their backs, it almost appears that the value of ones life is far less than in recent years. Violent crimes against people that resulted in ones death seemed be on a decline, but I believe this to be a false statistic, or sense of security. In reality, the violent crimes appear to be just as bad, even worse, but with how technology is constantly changing, and evolving, these victims who are being gunned down, stabbed etc.... are living through their ordeal due to our Doctors, paramedics, and first responders being better equipped to save ones life. 20+ years ago, if someone was shot in the chest or vital organs this person did not have the greatest chances of surviving, just based on what was medically available at that time. Today if an individual is  shot in the chest or vital organs they have a greater chance of living to tell the tale, based solely on medical advancements along with our 1st responders and doctors having more modern tools and training at their disposal. I do not believe it when I see homicides are down, I just think how grateful I am to live in a time where there are other options out there that can be used to save someones life, and thank those who put their scrubs, and uniforms on each and every day, so that I can have the best chances of making today a great day, and enjoying life to its fullest.