Carry all the time?

[.308 Norma]

And I'm sure those hardships have forged you both into the people you are today. Sometimes hindsight doesn't take that into account

Congrats on making it! I find your story inspirational.

Thank you!

 

[azrocks]

The point is that nobody ever really knows when one of these events is about to occur. You have to be ready all of the time in order to be prepared for that one uncommon event that might very easily end up by suddenly (and, perhaps, inexplicably) costing you your life. At least in my own experience: These dire life-threatening emergencies will, quite literally, come at you 'from out of the blue'; and, more likely than not, you won't be expecting anything bad to happen until AFTER your attacker is, all of a sudden like, right there — looking you in the face!

Your point is well-taken. Some of your personal encounters were chance, others the result of predatory planning and actions on the part of your would-be attackers. Regardless, trouble is likely to come at the moment you're least expecting it. And the smarter criminals - which most certainly do exist - can and do plan their actions to take advantage of this fact.

Glad you're still around to tell your tales

 

[Deanimator]

I respect your opinion! I really do; however, I very much doubt that some person who intends to end you life, prematurely, will show you the same deference.

Just to clarify, what IS my opinion? I want to make sure you're not confusing me with somebody else.

 

[Glock Doctor]

Understood!

 

[Deanimator]

Your point is well-taken. Some of your personal encounters were chance, others the result of predatory planning and actions on the part of your would-be attackers. Regardless, trouble is likely to come at the moment you're least expecting it. And the smarter criminals - which most certainly do exist - can and do plan their actions to take advantage of this fact.

Glad you're still around to tell your tales

The last time I had to defend myself with a gun was in the middle of the night on a deserted interstate. For no discernible reason, a guy decided to try to run a friend and me off the highway. Evidence immediately prior indicated that he had done likewise to another vehicle. He was deterred only by having a loaded HK93A3 pointed at him.

I don't know what would have happened had we not been armed. No doubt, some would have counseled us to pull over and meekly submit to whatever a lunatic in a 2000lb. battering ram had planned for us.

This happened at the same time that Alton Coleman was doing his multi-state child molestation, carjacking and murder tour of the MId-West.

 

[azrocks]

I have an honest question for you gents and will give some real life experience i had with an encounter. When i turned 21 I couldn't wait to get a handgun and carry it cause I thought it was soooo cool. I did for a little while but then found it to be a pain and as I grew a little older I said to myself do i really want to go through what was explained above with being sued, arrested, etc. Well about 5yrs ago I carried a firearm for work and upon leaving work my partner who was also my best friend said ride with me 1-1.5hrs away to take his nephew and his nephews girlfriend home (the girl was going to visit her dad for the weekend and my buddy got screwed into taking them to her dads) so not wanting to leave a firearm in my car i left it concealed on my hip. Upon pulling into the most run down shady mobile home park i have ever seen the 16yo girls dad is sitting in the yard half dressed drinking and tells the kids to get out of the car, calling his daughter a whore, and telling my buddies nephew to get out of the car. Both kids exit the car and the girl is told get in the house and the nephew isn't allowed to stay but the dad grabs the nephew trying to scare him and that's when it turned bad. Dad says you see that and points to an object sitting on a white plastic table for the grill and it was a handgun. He says to the kid i know you were f...ing my daughter and keep playing games and points at the gun. My buddy yells at the nephew to come back to the car in which the dad says no. I speak up thinking my size and deep voice would get joe dirt to lighten up but he picks up the dang handgun and says you got a problem! Split second decision to shoot or not shoot. 2 of us pinned in a car, 16yo kid standing next to this guy, he's drunk. I was able to talk my way out of it without 1 shot being fired. Had he fired shots we would have been screwed being on a one way street facing the dead end confined to a car. To this day had i pulled my gun i know for a fact he would have fired either at us or the kid. I had it drawn in the car where he couldn't see it and told him to drop the firearm and still being in uniformed helped.

After we did about 80mph getting out of there i called 911 and 4 cruisers showed up. I advised them what happened and was asked why i didn't shoot the guy. My response was i want to go home tonight and not sit in jail. Cops went to the house and joe dirt opened the door with the gun and was tazed and arrested from what i was told later on. My buddies family hated me for along time and blamed me for causing issues between the girl, nephew, and her family with his family. After hearing this for about a year i finally told them at a cookout that had i not reacted the way i did this guy could have possibly shot the nephew, myself or my buddy and as far as him getting arrested be glad i had enough training and self restraint to not shoot the guy who just pulled a handgun on me for no reason. just think it could be a lot worse. To this day I'm glad my mind told me unless his gun goes off i have no reason to defend myself or the other innocent people i was with. Sure glad i made the right choice.

Now-One thing a friend asked me years ago. why do you carry a gun? what are you afraid of? This is why i let my license expire. The only reason i got it back was when I'm bow hunting to carry a handgun for feral dogs and pigs you must have a ccw. I really didn't know why i was so afraid to carry a gun on me every time i left the house. I seldom carry anymore. I just don't put myself in dangerous situations anymore.

So honestly guys please think about what was posted above with the guy being sued, arrested, etc. Im all for CCW but think before you break leather. what's everyone so afraid of? especially carrying while in the house. If someone knocks on my door i grad the pistol and lay it on the stand by the door. No need to pack while watching tv.

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm very glad it turned out relatively well in the end.

To me, your story is a great example of how to avoid resorting to 'the gun' when it's not necessary. You sized up the situation, and for a variety of reasons decided drawing was not appropriate. Apparently you made the right decision. No-one else has the right to judge your actions. Sometimes such a decision hinges on things as intangible as the look in someone's eyes. Without being in your shoes - at that moment - anyone judging you is doing so with incomplete information. Even if they were present: They weren't the ones that would be potentially pulling the trigger, which IMO makes their opinion pretty much moot.

I don't, however, have the same take-away from your story that you do. To me, your story demonstrates that it's entirely possible to be prepared (armed) and avoid confrontation. Granted - not everyone has that mindset - and to those that don't, I hope they don't carry. But for people that fully understand the gravity and weight of the use of deadly force, a gun on one's hip isn't a devil on your shoulder telling you to 'Do it!'. If anything - at least from my perspective - it's a constant reminder that confrontation of any sort is best avoided. I've always been a nice person, but when I carry, I'm Mr. Sheep. No arguments, no fingers at passing motorists, on grand-standing or trying save face. Unless me or my loved ones are in immediate jeopardy I'm turning the other cheek everywhere I go. That's part of the responsibility of protecting your life with a firearm: You've got to stop protecting your ego.

At any given time, I'm likely armed. Is that because I'm scared? No - it's because I'm prepared. Around the house - maybe yes & maybe no - but if I'm not, I have other defenses in place. Aside from the hassle of an extra few ounces of weight on my belt, what's the downside? I'll give you this: many people do live their lives in fear, and for them I feel sorry. But many such people have also had experiences that give them good reason to be fearful. I really have no right to question their motivations, so long as they don't allow their fear to convince them to use deadly force where not warranted.

I'd be just as comfortable going about my daily life without a gun. I'm not fearful in the least. It's truly an exercise in self-discipline to do so - but I do so. Why? Because I realize that danger can't be avoided, can and will show up at the times you least expect it, and when / if it does: I'm not going out like that, and my family most certainly is not. I see it as my duty to protect them, and without a gun, I'd be unable to keep that promise if / when danger visited us.

 

[azrocks]

The last time I had to defend myself with a gun was in the middle of the night on a deserted interstate. For no discernible reason, a guy decided to try to run a friend and me off the highway. Evidence immediately prior indicated that he had done likewise to another vehicle. He was deterred only by having a loaded HK93A3 pointed at him.

I don't know what would have happened had we not been armed. No doubt, some would have counseled us to pull over and meekly submit to whatever a lunatic in a 2000lb. battering ram had planned for us.

This happened at the same time that Alton Coleman was doing his multi-state child molestation, carjacking and murder tour of the MId-West.

I had a very similar experience. I was driving on a 4-lane undivided highway that was narrowing into two lanes. As I tried to merge over, the guy behind me in the other lane sped up. Then I tried to slow down to get behind him and he slowed preventing me. This back & forth went on a couple more times until I was forced into the oncoming lane, with an 18-wheeler coming my way. What he was thinking I have no clue, because if I had collided with that truck there's likely no chance he could have avoided being involved as well. But idiots have a way of not thinking things through. Apparently having a pistol pointed at his face did make an impression, however, as that gave him an instant attitude adjustment. As soon as I could I pulled over (he kept going at a high rate of speed). Probably took me about 10 minutes before I could stop shaking. I was - and still am - mystified by what could compel someone to do something so insane.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I If I can't take out the trash or walk my dog without feeling to need to be armed, I'm going to move to a different neighborhood. If you walk out to get the newspaper and find an unarmed man trying to break into your car, are you going to shoot him?

What does Illinois law say about that? Can you use deadly force to defend property?

How have the police and prosecutors in your area handled similar situations in the past?

If you don't know, you might want to research it or rethink when you carry because your "peace of mind" not to mention your life as you know it could be in grestest danger from your use of your gun.

I'm sure Shannon Watts approves this message.

This is nothing more than an extension of that Gun control cultist meme that gun owners are fear driven.

I don't live in the best neighborhood and I can't move. I don't necessarily feel unsafe in my home but I do not walk out my door unarmed. If I'm already carrying I don't have to stop and grab the gun.

 

[Deanimator]

I had a very similar experience. I was driving on a 4-lane undivided highway that was narrowing into two lanes. As I tried to merge over, the guy behind me in the other lane sped up. Then I tried to slow down to get behind him and he slowed preventing me. This back & forth went on a couple more times until I was forced into the oncoming lane, with an 18-wheeler coming my way. What he was thinking I have no clue, because if I had collided with that truck there's likely no chance he could have avoided being involved as well. But idiots have a way of not thinking things through. Apparently having a pistol pointed at his face did make an impression, however, as that gave him an instant attitude adjustment. As soon as I could I pulled over (he kept going at a high rate of speed). Probably took me about 10 minutes before I could stop shaking. I was - and still am - mystified by what could compel someone to do something so insane.

We saw this guy (in a little Datsun/Toyota thing) chasing a pickup (He passed us on the shoulder), then later passed the pickup stopped on the shoulder, 3-4 angry people standing around it.

After that I got the HK out of the back, put in a magazine and chambered a round. We didn't see anything for a while, so I unloaded the rifle and put it back in the case, but kept it in the front seat with me.

Sure enough we passed him while he was slowly rolling along on the shoulder. He immediately sped up, got abreast of the driver's side door and paced us for a few seconds. He then cut us off and started slowing down while backing up and weaving from side to side so that we couldn't pass him.

We were on our way back to Ft. Knox from Jefferson Barrack, St. Louis, MO where we'd been helping a friend with an FTX for his Military Explorer Post. We were wearing "foreign" military uniforms.

I told my friend to maintain speed and let the maniac slow down until he was right on our front bumper, then hit the dome light. As soon as the guy closed to the specified distance, my buddy hit the dome light so that the jackass could see a "foreign" soldier pointing a rifle at him. It was like the Millenium Falcon going into hyper-space. He took off like a bat out of Chicago. He must have wrecked his engine, because he had to have been going 100mph when he left, and kept that speed up until his taillights were out of sight.

This was long before cell phones and we were deep in the middle of nowhere. I'm not even certain whether we were in Illinois or Missouri by then. Nevertheless, I've still had imbeciles tell me we should have just pulled off the highway and gone to a police station, to which I have replied:

1. In what town?
2. Where's the police station in this unknown town?

But hey, there's always somebody eagerly looking out for the safety of robbers, rapists, carjackers, murderers and jihadists...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm old. I'm handicapped. I hardly ever carry.

If I can't take out the trash or walk my dog without feeling to need to be armed, I'm going to move to a different neighborhood.

Can you predict the future? Can you wake up on New Year's day and say, "My house isn't going to catch fire this year -- I'll cancel my homeowner's insurance."

Can you get in your car and say, "I'm not going to have a flat today," and leave the spare tire at home?

By the same token, you can't wake up and say, "I'm not going to be attacked today."

If you walk out to get the newspaper and find an unarmed man trying to break into your car, are you going to shoot him?

THAT is called "sophistry." Do you mean that EVERY defensive use of a firearm involves shooting an unarmed man?

 

[Armored farmer]

I won't risk my family by NOT being armed essencially all the time.

I agree with this. I have jumped through the hoops to legally carry. I have chosen a weapon that allows me to do so virtually all the time. I feel as if it is my responsibility to do so.

 

[Deanimator]

I'm sure Shannon Watts approves this message.

This is nothing more than an extension of that Gun control cultist meme that gun owners are fear driven.

I don't live in the best neighborhood and I can't move. I don't necessarily feel unsafe in my home but I do not walk out my door unarmed. If I'm already carrying I don't have to stop and grab the gun.

The OSHA for felons types will tell you you've got it coming. Just ask them.

 

[GBExpat]

I started carrying 42 years ago. While I have carried 24/7 during brief stretches, during most of that time it was "sometimes".

For about the past decade I have been carrying all of the time, both in and out of my house. I started shortly after I unexpectedly became the sole occupant of this house. [EDIT: House on the west side of our ancestral farm]

For me and my friends/family it is not a big deal. There are a few of us that regularly carry ... I am the one that is always guaranteed to be well-armed.

The kids & young adults always have their smartphones and I always have my (usually) .45.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I would say for most it would be far better to invest in stun gun and or pepper spray. I stopped carring a weapon as there are just too many downsides.

I lost all faith in pepper spray the day I got certified to carry it. The trainer sprayed me, I ran right at him, grabbed him, and put him on his ***.

I was not incapacitated in any meaningful way by Saber Red. I have absolutely no faith in OC spray's effectiveness as a defensive weapon.

I can't post the link because of the language but go to YouTube and search "OC Spray female marine Douglas" you will find a video of a female Marine, named Douglas (did not see that coming) going through OC certification.

She is sprayed and it takes a full minute for the spray to have ANY effect. She literally looks at the trainer and says "This is it?". When it finally DOES take affect she goes through a reaction course where she fights off one guy with bare hands, one guy with a baton, she knocks down a red man and puts him in a handcuff position and THEN they decon her.

 

[Axis II]

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm very glad it turned out relatively well in the end.

To me, your story is a great example of how to avoid resorting to 'the gun' when it's not necessary. You sized up the situation, and for a variety of reasons decided drawing was not appropriate. Apparently you made the right decision. No-one else has the right to judge your actions. Sometimes such a decision hinges on things as intangible as the look in someone's eyes. Without being in your shoes - at that moment - anyone judging you is doing so with incomplete information. Even if they were present: They weren't the ones that would be potentially pulling the trigger, which IMO makes their opinion pretty much moot.

I don't, however, have the same take-away from your story that you do. To me, your story demonstrates that it's entirely possible to be prepared (armed) and avoid confrontation. Granted - not everyone has that mindset - and to those that don't, I hope they don't carry. But for people that fully understand the gravity and weight of the use of deadly force, a gun on one's hip isn't a devil on your shoulder telling you to 'Do it!'. If anything - at least from my perspective - it's a constant reminder that confrontation of any sort is best avoided. I've always been a nice person, but when I carry, I'm Mr. Sheep. No arguments, no fingers at passing motorists, on grand-standing or trying save face. Unless me or my loved ones are in immediate jeopardy I'm turning the other cheek everywhere I go. That's part of the responsibility of protecting your life with a firearm: You've got to stop protecting your ego.

At any given time, I'm likely armed. Is that because I'm scared? No - it's because I'm prepared. Around the house - maybe yes & maybe no - but if I'm not, I have other defenses in place. Aside from the hassle of an extra few ounces of weight on my belt, what's the downside? I'll give you this: many people do live their lives in fear, and for them I feel sorry. But many such people have also had experiences that give them good reason to be fearful. I really have no right to question their motivations, so long as they don't allow their fear to convince them to use deadly force where not warranted.

I'd be just as comfortable going about my daily life without a gun. I'm not fearful in the least. It's truly an exercise in self-discipline to do so - but I do so. Why? Because I realize that danger can't be avoided, can and will show up at the times you least expect it, and when / if it does: I'm not going out like that, and my family most certainly is not. I see it as my duty to protect them, and without a gun, I'd be unable to keep that promise if / when danger visited us.

A lot of people have no clue about any of that. In Ohio our ccw classes are the most watered down things I've ever seen.

carrying a firearm is a lot of responsibility and taking someone life. someone's child, grandchild, father, mother, etc is also a big responsibility some don't get. I have heard oh let me be in a gas station while its getting robbed ill drop the guy. learn to read people and go from there. 99% of the time the person is having a hard time and doesn't want to actually hurt anyone they just use a weapon for a scare factor to get the point across. When i worked armored money transport one guy said he didn't understand why we all had 3-4 mags on us because if they want the money he's giving it to them cause its a material thing and he's not losing his life for it. Want the money-take it, want the car-take it. the moment i feel 110% your going to kill me or someone else for something stupid like money, car, etc then the sheepdog comes out! I don't get how people can think they can just go on day to day knowing they killed someone and not care less. Ive been a hunter for over 15yrs and killed a lot of animals and i feel like crap each and every time. I cant imagine how i could handle it being a person.

I'm not saying people who carry in the house are wrong i just don't understand it. If you have to be afraid in your own home to carry a gun on the hip while eating dinner something's wrong IMO. that's living in fear.

 

[azrocks]

I lost all faith in pepper spray the day I got certified to carry it. The trainer sprayed me, I ran right at him, grabbed him, and put him on his ***.

I was not incapacitated in any meaningful way by Saber Red. I have absolutely no faith in OC spray's effectiveness as a defensive weapon.

I can't post the link because of the language but go to YouTube and search "OC Spray female marine Douglas" you will find a video of a female Marine, named Douglas (did not see that coming) going through OC certification.

She is sprayed and it takes a full minute for the spray to have ANY effect. She literally looks at the trainer and says "This is it?". When it finally DOES take affect she goes through a reaction course where she fights off one guy with bare hands, one guy with a baton, she knocks down a red man and puts him in a handcuff position and THEN they decon her.

I carry OC as it gives me a less-lethal option in situations where the use of force is justified, but the use of deadly force is not (or questionable). I do not expect it to work every time, but then again - I don't expect a handgun to work every time either. I did my own testing on it myself (sprayed myself with it). The pain / discomfort was not something that would stop me in the heat of a fight, but my eyes did involuntarily shut, and while I could open them briefly through the exercise of will, they immediately clamped back down again on their own accord time & time again. Between this and the copious tears, my ability to see was greatly diminished. Which means if I had a gun I wouldn't be able to effectively aim, and if I was trying to pursue someone I'd have difficulty following them.

If I ever have to use it, my general plan will be 'spray & flee'.

 

[JR24]

I'm not saying people who carry in the house are wrong i just don't understand it. If you have to be afraid in your own home to carry a gun on the hip while eating dinner something's wrong IMO. that's living in fear.

As I said earlier, armed daytime home invasions are up in my area. In that situation I wouldn't likely have time to run upstairs to grab my nightstand-safe gun, especially if my toddler is either nearby or napping in the next room. Sure my dogs would give me a few minutes, but I aint leaving my boy unattended.

You mentioned in an earlier post about grabbing the gun and leaving it near the door with someone at the door, but with a toddler the safest place for an easily accessible gun is on my hip.

And for the minor discomfort, having the right tool for the situation is completely worth it. I don't routinely need my leatherman, flashlight, or knife all the time but it sure is nice to have them on hand when i need it.

Natutally, YMMV, everyone needs to do their thing.

 

[Meplat 308]

Yes I carry all the time even if its just a NAA mini in .22Mag but I greatly prefer my 1911 - Praise be John Browning !

Why ? I'm too old to run fast enough to get away. Besides, I cannot predict the future. If I thought I'd need it, I'd stay home ! If I still had to go, I'd bring a rifle. Yeah, that's lawful here too.

Knowing how to spot and avoid potential conflict is a skill most never learn and it should be practiced daily.
I live in a state with a good "Stand your ground" law. I cannot be sued for defending myself, there's a law preventing that. I know the laws regarding deadly force as well as the jury instructions the Judge will read to the jury.

 

[GBExpat]

I'm not saying people who carry in the house are wrong i just don't understand it. If you have to be afraid in your own home to carry a gun on the hip while eating dinner something's wrong IMO. that's living in fear.

Well, in my case, when I am eating dinner my XDs is usually on the table by my "kitchen" laptop and I am standing, eating at the counter (old habit developed during my CareGiver years).

I prefer carrying in & around my rural home because I am alone here and if something bad does happen (and, odds are, it would occur suddenly) I do not want to waste any time determining my safest/quickest/best path to a working, loaded firearm.

All I have to do is reach around to the right-rear pocket of my 501s.

 

[azrocks]

I'm not saying people who carry in the house are wrong i just don't understand it. If you have to be afraid in your own home to carry a gun on the hip while eating dinner something's wrong IMO. that's living in fear.

More a matter of knowing that if you don't have it on you, you're probably not going to bother when you decide to run to the corner store, get paged unexpectedly, go to take out the trash, hear an unexpected knock at the door. Kind of like the one time I decided to ride a motorcycle without my gear on because "I was just going around the block". Coolant on a manhole cover = a very painful day. When I am armed at home, it's usually because I was armed earlier. My rig is extremely comfortable - most of the time I don't even realize it's there - so again: what's the downside?

Would you say the same about a cell-phone? Does anyone really NEED to be ready to respond to at an instant's notice to a text like "OMG R U watching Dr Phil?" Either way it's likely useless weight at the dinner table (and at my dinner table, less welcome than a gun ).

Again, some people absolutely do live in fear, likely because they lived through an attack. The way I see it, their fear is justified, and their reaction to it entirely rational. They don't want to be a victim again. That's not a problem, that's a solution.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Nor did our 'great neighborhood' stop some enormous, filthy dirty, (I assume?) 'street vagrant ' from walking very quietly and very quickly into our home! He stopped a moment to look at my very attractive wife. Then he saw me, and realized that I was both helpless and on crutches. Next he began to move 'like a bullet' straight at me until — at the very last moment — our two (superlatively well-trained) Pit Bulldogs woke up and proceeded to completely change the guy's mind about whatever he had planned for me! Where were my guns that morning? They were all upstairs in the master bedroom. (Great place for them, right!)

I bet a locked door would have stopped him quicker

 

[Deanimator]

A lot of people have no clue about any of that. In Ohio our ccw classes are the most watered down things I've ever seen.

What do you want instead, the SF Q Course?

carrying a firearm is a lot of responsibility and taking someone life. someone's child, grandchild, father, mother, etc is also a big responsibility some don't get.

Alton Coleman was somebody's child. So were Osama bin Laden and Richard Speck. Al Sharpton couldn't make me regret the death of bin Laden. Your chances aren't looking any better. The same goes for Arthur Buford.

99% of the time the person is having a hard time and doesn't want to actually hurt anyone they just use a weapon for a scare factor to get the point across.

1. "99%"? Have you taken a survey?
2. Want a HARD time? Put me in immediate and credible fear of life and limb. Don't want to get shot? Don't do things which make it a good idea to shoot you in order to stop you from doing them.
3. I'm neither a mind reader nor a psychiatrist. If you threaten me with, or inflict upon me unlawful deadly force, I'm going to take you at your word and act accordingly. In most instances that's going involve you getting shot center of mass (and possibly the head) until you're no longer an immediate threat. Again, don't like that? Don't create problems for other people which are best resolved by the lawful use of deadly force in self-defense.
4. Armed robbery is a CHOICE. So is jumping head first into a wood chipper. Some choices don't allow for a change of heart.

I don't get how people can think they can just go on day to day knowing they killed someone and not care less.

Both of my great uncles fought in segregated units attached to the French Army during WWI. What did one of them take away from that? A mistrust of semi-automatic pistols picked up on the battlefields of France and Belgium. Shooting Germans who were trying to kill him? That was a big shrug.

Ive been a hunter for over 15yrs and killed a lot of animals and i feel like crap each and every time.

Then why do you do it? I try to avoid doing things which make me "feel like crap".
Do you "feel like crap" when you eat a cheeseburger? Or do you not mind killing when somebody else does it FOR you?

. I cant imagine how i could handle it being a person.

Could you handle being slaughtered the way the people in the Pulse nightclub were? Whose death(s) do you regret more, those of the victims or that of the perpetrator?

 

[FAS1]

I always pocket carry at home. My HD gun is at my bed side and I put my CCW in there with it when at home.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I tell people that the main reason for CCW is for self defense. It is not your job to go out and save the world. There are people that get paid to do that.
I don't carry because I'm scared or afraid, l carry because I'm not.
Oh, the thing about if one feels that they need a gun to feel safe where they live, should move to a better area.
Remember that the poor side of town is poor. The bad guys on the poor side of town go to the good side of town to take nice things from the people that think they are safe. Also, most of the people on the bad side of town have guns and are willing to fight for what they have.
If you believe that the world you live in is safe and everyone is nice, you need to wake up. I have seen the evil things that people can do. I watched a man die because, he and his friend got into an argument about a pack of cigarettes. His friend stabbed him seven or eight times. The EMT could not stop the bleeding.
If you carry or not that is a personal decision. But don't live your life as a sheep, and don't think that your gun will make you a lion. Avoid trouble when you can, but fight like hell if you have to.

 

[Axis II]

What do you want instead, the SF Q Course?


Alton Coleman was somebody's child. So were Osama bin Laden and Richard Speck. Al Sharpton couldn't make me regret the death of bin Laden. Your chances aren't looking any better. The same goes for Arthur Buford.

1. "99%"? Have you taken a survey?
2. Want a HARD time? Put me in immediate and credible fear of life and limb. Don't want to get shot? Don't do things which make it a good idea to shoot you in order to stop you from doing them.
3. I'm neither a mind reader nor a psychiatrist. If you threaten me with, or inflict upon me unlawful deadly force, I'm going to take you at your word and act accordingly. In most instances that's going involve you getting shot center of mass (and possibly the head) until you're no longer an immediate threat. Again, don't like that? Don't create problems for other people which are best resolved by the lawful use of deadly force in self-defense.
4. Armed robbery is a CHOICE. So is jumping head first into a wood chipper. Some choices don't allow for a change of heart.

Both of my great uncles fought in segregated units attached to the French Army during WWI. What did one of them take away from that? A mistrust of semi-automatic pistols picked up on the battlefields of France and Belgium. Shooting Germans who were trying to kill him? That was a big shrug.


Then why do you do it? I try to avoid doing things which make me "feel like crap".
Do you "feel like crap" when you eat a cheeseburger? Or do you not mind killing when somebody else does it FOR you?


Could you handle being slaughtered the way the people in the Pulse nightclub were? Whose death(s) do you regret more, those of the victims or that of the perpetrator?

we obviously have different views but I'm going to take THR on this one and leave it at that! Just one thing for all of us. Care to share full name along with home town so we can watch the news or court records when you tell the judge everything you told us above.