Recently a Colorado Springs business owner shot and killed a man attempting to rob his store. The following day the posted reader comments, including my own, were overwhelmingly in support of his actions.

There are those that will argue in the days coming that his actions were unnecessary, overly aggressive, and perhaps even unwarranted if not unlawful. Much debate will have occurred before this matter is put to bed but such is good because the issue is not as clear cut as it appears.

It is unquestionable that we as free men have every right to protect our life and our property from those who wish to deprive us of either. I believe he did just that therefore I lay no blame at his feet for doing so but there's a price we as a community will pay for his decision that day.

There will be some who will read the story and fantasize of how they too would like to be "the hero of the day" and put down an evil menace while visions of "Dirty Harry" and "Rambo" dance through their minds. Some will likely take steps to position themselves to do just that.

The freckle-faced kid at 7-11 may decide to bring a gun on his next shift thinking that he too requires protection. The young woman working behind the counter at some out-of-the-way gas store may secret away in her purse some small handgun that hasn't been fired in decades. The elderly salesman working the night shift at a retail establishment may tuck away an old pistol behind his jacket in the break room. Such hysteria or better yet such foolishness often occurs following incidents like that of Monday night. Each of these people may have the right to do so but having the right does not equate to being right.

This shop owner was fortunate for he relied on training, experience, and proficiency to protect him in a safe and reasonable manner. As a former police officer his training likely saved his life for he was facing an armed assailant. Many do not possess such skills and while I applaud his actions I worry that others may take it as license to do the same in times where the obviously wiser action would be to simply comply.

Firearm ownership carries serious responsibilities and extensive training and practice is necessary to ensure proper and safe use. It isn't as simple as point and fire, there are countless variables that all must be considered in the split second afforded before the squeezing of the trigger.

In this case all went well and many would say justice was duly served. In some other situation the action could result in innocent bystanders being hurt or killed or the shop owner himself lying in his own blood. Even if successful the consequences of using deadly force are far reaching. Families are shattered, lives changed, and the victim, despite their lack of innocence, lies dead. It is the ultimate in finality and there is no reversal.

Protect yourself but do so in a manner that matches your skills and proficiency even if that means simply complying and dialing 911 when safe to do so. Your life is worth more than the contents of that cash register and the killing of another human being, regardless of the justification, is not Hollywood make-believe and it is neither glamorous nor exciting. It's something no man should ever have to or want to experience.