Many years ago, I looked forward to the broadcast of Paul Harvey and his “The Rest of the Story.” I think I can safely say that he had a way of delivering the news and his own little 5 minute stories he presented every week day. I miss him a lot and I know many others do too.

I have no idea how many of the “Rest of the Stories,” there were, but if I had to guess, probably around 500. Thinking back over it, I wish I had recorded them all. I never heard one I didn’t like.

There was one in particular that makes me think to this day. He told of an old junk yard with a sign prominently displayed, “These premises guarded by an old man with an old twelve gauge shot gun two days a week. You can guess which two.”

I have retold the story many times, and every time I received a thoughtful laugh. Of course, the implication is that if you are going sneak in and rob the place, you are in danger of being shot by a shotgun, if you chose the wrong day.

I now have a gun, a 9 mm. I’ve been practicing and I can now put 8 holes in a bullseye very consistently. I really don’t like the idea of shooting anyone with it but, if I or my wife are threatened, I will use it. As I thought about the above story, I considered posting my address to discourage people from breaking in.

Then I thought better of it. As in the story, why take all doubt out of it. There are a bunch of us now that have a means of self defense. Some count on a 9 mm as me. On the other hand, some have 12 gauges. Let’s all make sure we tell the world what we have. On the other hand, let’s not tell them where we live. Let’s keep ’em guessing. Let’s make them have to ask the question of themselves, “Is this a house with a man willing and able to defend himself or not?” That way, that weapon we have not only protects us, but also our neighbors, thousands of them.

Sounds like a good idea to me. I suspect it will really decrease the break ins around here. I can’t remember, but it seems to me that Paul Harvey said there were no records of anyone breaking into the junk yard. Maybe we too could decrease the number of break ins around here. Better for us. Better for the thieves. We don’t have anyone breaking in and the thieves get to live.