You would think by now that Americans have gotten the message that bad people don’t obey the laws and have little regard for other people’s property. In some places, people will use any excuse they can to loot and burn.

Law-abiding citizens who own guns rarely if ever use them. They are for protection. When the unexpected happens, they are prepared. It’s hard to find a gun store open if a rioting mob decides to take down your business at 11:00 PM.

The riots in Ferguson, Missouri, are an object lesson in preparedness. Arm yourself before it’s too late:

“According to CBS St. Louis, ‘Gun sales are up across St. Louis.’ In fact, they have ‘quadrupled’ at some area gun stores. Buyers are not simply the stereotypical white, male gun store customers. Instead, gun store owner Steve King described many of those pouring into his store — Metro Shooting — as ‘females, single mothers … black people, white people … [and] Asians.’

“King said those purchasing firearms are ‘just afraid of what’s going on and they’re coming in to purchase either additional firearms or their first firearm.’

“He stated that ‘nearly 100 percent say they are buying them for defensive purposes,’ and the types of guns purchased include ‘AR-15s, home defense shotguns, handguns, personal defense handguns … for conceal[ed] carry.’

“King said that ‘he’s personally seen the fear in their eyes and feels the sorrow in their hearts’ when they come into his store.”

Just showing a gun is enough to deter most criminals, most of whom are cowards. They’re used to preying on the weak.

Consider what would happen if gun ownership was outlawed or seriously curtailed or a two-week waiting period was mandated?

Gina Cassini writes the following in Top Right News. During the early days of the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, “dozens of businesses . . . were ransacked by rioters, including Target, Dollar General and WalMart, and looted and a QuikTrip was burned down. . . . Hundreds of business owners and employees had to cut and run or hide in terror as waves of rioters arrived.”

This didn’t happen everywhere. There were some businesses that stood their ground with a show of force with weapons in hand.

“But not everyone was cowering in fear. At two businesses the owners (and some employees and friends) were standing firm, right outside, ready to take on all comers. Why? Because they were armed to the teeth.

“At Riverfront Tattoo, owners Mike Gutierrez ( below left) and Adam Weinstein (third from left) brought AR-15s, body armor and lots of high-capacity magazines (the type Obama wants banned) to guard their store against mayhem.”

When the looters saw the show of force, the “rioters passed them right by.” Of course they did. It’s human nature just like bullies are attracted to weaklings.

“And the lesson for politicians, and all Americans (particularly liberal gun-grabbers) is that being armed — and armed to the teeth — is the ONLY defense against a rioting mob. There were police everywhere in Ferguson Sunday night, and not one of those stores were protected against looters. But the two businesses above WERE spared — because they were able to arm themselves.”

 So go out and buy yourself a gun, get some training, and pray you never have to use it. Make sure you store it in a safe place so your children do not come upon it. You are responsible.