Our View: Take personal safety seriously

Are you a warrior or a victim? That was the question Maj. Matt Shaw, undersheriff at Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, presented to those at last week’s personal-safety awareness class.
The need for such a class was necessitated by the recent spate of violent attacks in Lancaster County.
Just days after Christmas, Kershaw resident Hope Melton was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and brutally beaten to death with a baseball bat. Her body was thrown in a desolate area known for coyotes and other animals. Her alleged attacker is now in custody.
While acts of violence are reported across the nation and world daily, what makes this one so scary is it appears to be random.
Sheriffs across the state, including Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile, are advocating that women get a concealed-weapons permit and carry a gun. And for good reason. Officers do a good job of protecting our community, but they cannot be everywhere. Hence the reason for the personal-safety awareness classes.
Shaw, who is a certified self-defense and firearms instructor and National Rifle Association (NRA) firearms instructor, said violent-crime statistics reveal a need for such classes.
“Get rid of denial,” Shaw said. “No one is totally safe; we all are at risk.”
That was evident again Jan. 23 in downtown Lancaster. Someone was attacked while getting into their vehicle on Main Street about 9 p.m. The victim was attacked and robbed, but allowed to leave. The Lancaster Police Department arrested a man last week in connection with that attack.
Shaw was right when he said it is our responsibility to protect ourselves and be prepared.
“Only a fool confuses preparedness with paranoia,” Shaw said.
In South Carolina, a person can carry a gun legally after passing a concealed-weapon permit class. Concealed- weapon permit classes include an eight-hour course that requires participants to pass written and shooting tests and usually costs about $50.
It is also important to know self-defense laws in South Carolina. The Castle Doctrine is the doctrine adopted by the state that covers self-defense laws. It states the right to defend yourself and guarantees the right of an individual to bear arms. It also protects an individual when force is necessary for self-defense.
If you’re not comfortable with carrying a weapon, there are other ways to protect yourself. Follow the tips included in our top story this week and learn how to defend yourself.
Don’t get us wrong, we’re not advocating a return to the wild, wild West. But we need to be able to live normal lives without fear of violent attacks.
“I am sick and tired of seeing the bad guys win,” Shaw said. “But I can’t make you prepared – only give you information. The rest is up to you to put into practice.”
We agree. We shouldn’t and don’t have to live in constant fear. To do so means we’re a victim – not a warrior. Which are you?
The decision is yours.