I served in the US Army from 1998 to 2006, including a year in the Iraq War. I served out of love for the country, but Idon't view the US through rose-colored glasses. Right before the 2016 election, a car followed me as I drove home from work to my Las Vegas neighborhood. All of a sudden, he started honking and losing it.

He rolled down the window, and started screaming at me. He threatened me and made racial remarks about deporting me. This experience was a turning point for me. After that as a licensed gun holder, I started carrying a gun — a Glock 17 — in my bag every day. I had already been on edge, and I thought to myself, "I can't do this anymore. This is bananas."