This is a guest post from Ross Puskar, author of “Founding Fathers Know Best.”

As a young man I was taught by my dad and my uncles to stand up for myself. Their advice was plain-spoken. I was not to start any fights, but if someone hit me I should hit back. I was admonished to act like a man.

In school I learned that when Germany and Japan attacked the United States, we fought back. We defended America. And I learned our Founding Fathers would not submit to the tyranny of King George. They risk their lives, fortunes and sacred honor when they declared their Independence. They would fight to the death to protect their property and families and Liberty.

Has our culture completely changed today? Disturbing zero tolerance policies on in-school fights require expulsion of any student who fights back. Some cities advocate surrendering to criminals without attempting any self-defense. Would the Founding Fathers ever understand these obsequious policies? How would they react to any Government that promotes immediate and complete submission?

The situation in Washington, DC is particularly disconcerting. Their official safety policy has been articulated by Deputy Mayor Paul Quander: “It’s much better in my opinion to be scared or to be frightened, and even if you have to be injured, but to walk away and survive. You’ll heal and you can replace whatever was taken from you.” And Mr. Quander added, “If you are armed it escalates the situation.”

The violent crime rate in DC for a recent two month period was up 40%, and robberies at gun point increased by 50%. In addition, Washington, DC is arguably the most difficult place in America to get a license to carry a concealed weapon. All the odds seem to be in favor of the criminals and against law-abiding citizens.

Of course submitting and surrendering to the criminals, as the Deputy Mayor suggests, is no guarantee one will escape unharmed, or even alive. One would be at the mercy of an illicit element who have no respect for laws or civilization.

I confess. Washington, DC’s safety concept is anathema to me. I don’t understand it and I could never accept it. I’m also very pleased to learn I share a position with the vast majority of my fellow Americans. According to a recent Reuter’s poll, 67% of our citizens believe in using deadly force to protect themselves in a public place.

The submit and surrender policy of Washington, DC is wrong. It reflects spurious thinking by persons without values. There is no place in our great nation for that kind of appeasement and cowardice. Especially not in the capital bearing the name of the Father of our Country!

I would not teach a daughter to be scared, to surrender her money, to suffer injury, and to submit without a fight.  I would not ask a husband to allow his wife to endure indignity and harm before he would attempt to defend her. I would not suggest a mother allow her child to be assaulted and not try to protect her.

What advice would you give to your family and friends?

If a person would not try to protect his property or his family or himself – who or what would he fight for? Is there anything or anyone for whom he’d risk his life? Or would he always submit? To me, surrendering to any criminal element seems un-American. It seems a violation of the sacred trust willed to us by the Founding Fathers.

I have another confession. My son-in-law and daughter live right outside Washington, DC. My advice to them is as simple as my dad’s advice to me. Stand up for yourself. Get a license for a concealed weapon. Buy and carry a good gun. And let the criminals decide if they want to risk their lives messing with you.

Whether you agree or disagree, I’m very interested in learning your thoughts on this issue.  What would you do if confronted by a criminal? by an armed criminal? Would you simply surrender your hard-earned money? Would you suffer injury without fighting back. Please write your comments and let us know. Thanks.
Ross Puskar is the author of the new political satire Founding Fathers Know Best about the spirits of Adams, Jefferson and Madison returning to the White House to counsel the President on the issues of the election of 2012. It’s now available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  You can follow Ross on Twitter (@FFKnowBest) and Facebook (Ross Puskar) and you can like FFKB on Facebook.