--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My instinct was always have your gun in…" description: "\"My instinct was always have your gun in your hand. Especially when you are telling somebody to do something. But, in fact, the police academy discourag..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efe/augusten-burroughs-603_academy_my-instinct-was-always-have-your-gun-in_382555.png" --- # My instinct was always have your gun in your hand… ![“My instinct was always have your gun in your hand. Especially when you are telling somebody to do something. But, in fact, the police academy discourages this. They feel your gun should rarely, if ever, be brought out of its holster. Most certainly not when children are involved, which is exactly…” quote by Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efe/augusten-burroughs-603_academy_my-instinct-was-always-have-your-gun-in_382555.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efe/augusten-burroughs-603_academy_my-instinct-was-always-have-your-gun-in_382555.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efe/augusten-burroughs-603_academy_my-instinct-was-always-have-your-gun-in_382555.png) > “My instinct was always have your gun in your hand. Especially when you are telling somebody to do something. But, in fact, the police academy discourages this. They feel your gun should rarely, if ever, be brought out of its holster. Most certainly not when children are involved, which is exactly when I saw myself using my gun most often. A truant teenager loitering outside a movie theater is going to be far more motivated to return to school when he has the barrel of a .45 pressed against his cheek.” [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator believes holding a gun gives authority, but police training discourages weapon display, especially around children, highlighting a conflict between perceived power and safety protocols. **In simple terms:** Holding a gun feels powerful but is discouraged, especially with kids. Key Takeaway Prioritize safety over intimidation. Themes power weapon safety authority child protection Mood anxious critical Type cautionary ethical When to use this quote - police training - self‑defense classes - parenting scenarios Key Concepts use of force law enforcement training Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to display a weapon? - How does showing a gun affect children’s perception of safety? A Different Perspective Gun intimidation can escalate violence instead of preventing it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Academy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/academy/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Gun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Movie theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie-theater/) [Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police/) [Police academy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police-academy/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Teenager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teenager/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) ## Related quotes > [“Look, I just wanna make one thing absolutely clear. I don't believe in guns. I just want peace. Okay?" 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Especially when you are telling somebody to do something. But, in fact, the police academy discourages this. They feel your gun should rarely, if ever, be brought out of its holster. Most certainly not when children are involved, which is exactly when I saw myself using my gun most often. 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