Fear factor or Why do you carry a gun?

[Glamdring]

If your interested, a poll I started on how often people carry
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29225

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Why do I carry?

I don't ever want to be in a situation where I would later say "If only I had my CCW WITH ME I could have done something!"

At my current age (32) and physical condition (bench more than body wt in workouts, have been in various MA for 10+ years) I don't think I am very likely to use my CCW to defend myself. Unless I face multiple or armed attackers. Hard to meet "no lesser force" requirement.

But related to what another poster said about the more you carry, & use in practice, your CCW the safer and more competent you will be. I figure if I carry all the time now, by the time I NEED it for personal protection I should have 30+ years of carrying and shooting practice. Ought to give me an edge in skill.
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I live in MN. We have winter here unlike the places where some of you live

Couple of months ago at one of my jobs we had a meeting. The consultant, as ice breaking technique, asked everyone to list what was in their trunks.

My first thought, since I AM a wise acre, was to list everything that was in the trunk (he he).

Anyway for gun stuff I only mentioned my shooting box (tools, cleaning supplies, etc), my co workers know I shoot and the boss deer hunts, so I wasn't really giving anything away.

Almost everyone in the class had some winter survival stuff in the trunk, it is MN, but I had much more than everyone else (camp stove, sleeping bag, heavy duty military poncho, plus fluids and filters--I can probably get the car going again even if engine is drowned by water). Plus most of the non car stuff was in BOB pack so it was more portable.

I have never had to touch my BOB pack. But I know that I can live in fair comfort in or near my car for at least a couple of days. You never know if weather or whatever will prevent you from going home from work (I live in the country and couple of times last year floods washed out driveway and some of the roads around here).

I also have enough tools and knowledge to fix most things that can be fixed without parts (so far only fuel pump and timeing chain breaking have stopped me, well fuel pump I could have rigged something but not worth the fire risk when car insurance covers tow truck).

Life has taught me that the more comfortable (creature comforts & security blankets) I am in a crisis (winter storm, tornado, 9/11, etc) the calmer and more relaxed I will stay. Staying calm and relaxed allows much clearer thinking.
***
I guess carrying just fits in with the rest of my philosophy about life.
Which is Murphy hates me

 

[BerettaNut92]

Because I wanted to see if I could score one in Tacticalifornia

Not a Democrat and make less than $25,000 a year. you stinking socialists!!!!

 

[Majic]

I like others carry for insurance. The relatively safe neighborhoods are dwindling every day.
Think about why you have to carry as a LEO.

 

[telewinz]

It is very rare that I have ever heard a good tangible reason why someone felt the need for CCW. Several people carried large amounts of money, or were REQUIRED to frequent high crime areas. The over whelming majority who CCWed or would CCW if permitted, were motivated by a "show & tell" or a "cowboy" mentality. A great many have low self-esteem, they are neither mentally or physically "tough" and are using their firearm to support their unstable ego "Sam Colt make's me equal (or hopefully, better)". They often have unrealistic views about the World they live in and their own abilities. If you ask them to describe a potential situation in which they would use their CCW, the result often resembles a daydream. If the need ever did arise, in many cases these people would shoot without proper justification or would freeze-up no matter how severe the threat. A CCW can't instill good judgement, common sense, or a stable personality. The 2nd amendment is a right not an explanation or an excuse for poor judgement or motivation. Many will CCW for security from some remote/intangible bad guy threat but often not wear their seat belt when driving. IMHO CCW is a complex issue, it involves legal, political, AND mental health issues.

 

[HBK]

That sounds rather condescending, telewinz. I think everyone that is capable to carry should carry. You can't say that any particular place is safe. Some people are evil.

 

[12-34hom]

Excellent.

Thanks to all who replied and or still might.

12-34hom.

 

[DWS1117]

Reason #1: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Guns are a piece of safety equipment, protecting you constantly, pretty much like seatbelts, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, the circuit breakers in your house, etc. But you hope you'll never actually need to put one to use.

Reason #2: They're fun. Serious golfers have a lot of golf clubs, so serious shooters have a lot of guns.

Ditto.

I'll add the for me the are relaxation and stress relief. While others read, play golf, or a multitude of other activities I put lead down range or reload more lead to go down range.

 

[TarpleyG]

unless the are a convicted felon

Convicted felons aren't allowed to protect themselves like the rest of us?

GT

 

[stevelyn]

I was raised and taught to be self-reliant. My safety and/or food gathering are my responsibility and my business, not the government's or anyone elses'.
I refuse to place my life into the hands of someone else who can't guarantee my safety and well being. I have nothing but contempt for those who have delegated that responsibility to someone else. I'm at the top of the food chain and intend to remain there.

 

[RustyHammer]

I can ... therefore I do.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

Seriously

No, I don't have a CCW yet, but I will.

Any good businessman analyses things from a cost/benefit point-of-view.

Benefit
I might die if I do not have my weapon Statistically unlikely, but within the realm of possibility

Cost
I have to carry it and I have to act responsibly. I have to bring it with me, which is about as inconvenient as a wallet. I have to act responsibly, which is a good idea anyway

Analysis
I am willing to carry my weapon and act responsibly if it might save my life.

 

[DigitalWarrior]

Telewinz

I fit neither of YOUR acceptable reasons for carrying. Yet, I am rational. I guess it is a good thing that I am free to use MY judgement.

 

[Mostly Harmless]

I don't carry all the time -- cost benefit analysis of permits and their non-availability to people like me round here makes it mostly wiser to take the chance on being unarmed. Were I able to do so legally, I would. Not because I'm intending or anticipating trouble (it finds me when it wants me whether I look for it or not) but because when trouble finds me I want to be able to deal.

I carry a spare, tools, jumper cables, flashlight, blankets, fluids, in my cara at all times. It's been about 10 years since I last had to change a flat at the roadside, and about 3 months since I last used the jumper cables for a stranded coworker.

I keep candles, matches, hurricane lanterns and MREs in the house. Haven't had a power outage in about 3 years.

I have an extensive 1st aid kit (with a 13 yo in the house that's a necessity)

I'm CPR certified.

Not because I'm afraid of what might happen, but because I know what can happen and would rather be one of the people who can help when the SHTF than one of those who run around in headless chicken mode getting in the way. Way back when I worked ER for about a decade, I don't panic anymore.

To put it bluntly -- I'd be a lousy person to try a Scare Tactics type stunt on

J.

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

Fear has nothing to do with my decision to carry. I am well built, physically fit and modestly intelligent. I carry for the same reason I have auto insurance, fire extinguishers, spare tire, two pairs of shoes etc. etc.

 

[P95Carry]

Hard to comment this late in the thread, without being repetitious ... most has now been said. I will tho just add my own 2c.

As many have said ..... none of us knows from where or when a threat may occur ....... and I shall always hope that I never am presented by one. That said ... and altho I live in a pretty good area re crime etc ..... I do carry all but 24/7 ..... ''better to have and not need'' etc.

My wife used to mention at times when we went out (in earlier times) ... ''do you need that thing?'' I always answered .. ''not now I don't but ... I/we just might.'' I'll often think of what could be a classic scenario, even in a so called ''quiet area'' ...... and that is the convenience store or gas station hold up ...... not expected but ever possible.

This is IMO the essence of good CCW .... full time carry, regardless ..... a part of one's apparel. May the BG's remember that there are enough of us around to maybe make them think twice about getting clever. For me it is not paranoia ... in fact now and again I cuss the lump because it is at times a marginal incumbrance ..... but then I quickly realize that my reason for carry is my right for that ''last ditch'' call for self defence - of myself and/or my loved ones. It is somewhat of a duty.

I still treat it as an awesome responsibility .... complacency is to be avoided at all costs. The odds are I shall never need it ..... that is how I want things to stay but ..... I at least tho have the means at my disposal to stand a better chance of not becoming a victim. Along with that too, as we have discussed on other threads .. is a calmer and less easily aggravated psyche .... avoidance of trouble, and not seeking it.

I consider that I (and probably pretty much all CCW's) ..... am about the safest and most reliable guy to have around ..... nothing macho - and I ain't pretending to be a cop ......... just a regular guy, with survival as my excercized right....... maybe even makin the cop's work that bit safer too.

 

[Bobarino]

my reasons are pretty simple

1. becasue i can, so says amendment #2

2. i take responsibilty for myself. i do not rely on others to provide for my safety, or anything else for that matter.

3. to do my tiny little part to let those who would like to see disarmed subjects instead of armed citizen know that i/we will not go quietly into that goodnight.

4. a handgun is the most effective method of self defense i can think of. both in physical effect and psychological effect on the bad guys.

Bobby

 

[JDSlack]

1. As for owning firearms, it isn't "need" or "want". I enjoy the possession of well amde mechanical devices and tools. I my mind a well made revolver or semi auto pistol is one of the ultimate combinations of form, function and beauty.

2. As to carrying, again "need" and "want" are irrelevant. I am a free citizen of what is supposed to be a Republic (it has devolved into a Democracy, but that's a whole 'nother topic). As such I have the right to carry a means of self protection. I am responsible for my safety and preservation, and that of my family. I comply with Florida's laws not because I believe I need the State's approval to exercise my rights, but because, as a citizen I believe I have an obligation to conform to the laws of the society I choose to llive in. If the laws of my society atttempt to infringe on my natural rights, I will seek to change the law through the electoral process, or I will resist.

Liberty and freedom are not the same thing.

 

[James Castilla]

Logically: Lets say it is 2am and youre going to 7-11 for a pack of cigarettes. You figure, hey--I dont need my drivers license, its only 5 minutes away. On the way there, you get pulled over because your vehicle matches the description of one seen leaving the 7-11 after it got robbed earlier that night. When asked for your drivers license, what do you do?

One time I was out fishing with some friends, and I had left my pocket knife in the truck. A friend casts his line, but the hook gets caught in the back of my brothers neck. Nothing too nasty, but still...rowing back to the dock with him cursing an awful lot wasnt all that great, whereas we couldve removed the line and hook a heck of a lot easier if Id remembered to bring that dang knife...:banghead:

 

[MeekandMild]

What lead you to this type of mindset??? Are the chances of someone using deadly force on your person great?

I have always believed in the basic set of civil rights with which our Creator endowed us. Hunting, shooting sports, range friends, civic duty et cetera.

But I got a pistol permit when a woman in open court told us all she was going to kill me and the judge just like she had tried to kill her sister. That was some years ago when I worked as a zookeeper for a menagerie of two legged snakes; at one point I had nearly a dozen murderers and too many lesser criminal critters to count. This was in a city and a county where half the population firmly believed the other half owed them everything they owned because of what somebody's granddaddy did to sombody elses granddaddy.

Now that I've semi retired to a part of the country where I don't have to work in a human zoo, 55% of the population doesn't hate me because of the color of my suntan, the criminals are dealt with quickly and justly, there aren't hundreds of homeless mentally ill sleeping under all the bridges and there isn't an ice cream man driving through the neighborhood selling cocaine I find that I tend to not feel the need to carry 24-7.

But I still carry a good portion of the time because of the need to maintain the right, civic duty, public morale et cetera. Besides, it makes for good conversation at the barbershop when the conversation turns thataway.

 

[Brat7748]

Because we DON"T live in a police state. Only in a police state do the police have the resources and power to actually PREVENT some (not all) crimes. We live in a country where, thank goodness, the police can only solve crimes, and sort it all out after the fact. This is not knock against the police, just the way it is.

Because my home has been broken into.

Because we are at WAR with an enemy who considers every man, women and child a fair target.

Because shooting at the range is a fun past time.

 

[dhoomonyou]

Lots of people out there who have NO REGARD for human life.
I have been the victim of street crime and a pistol would have made a BIG difference in the outcome.
In my family I am the "chief cook and bottle washer", and head of security.
Average police response time is 8 minutes.

 

[LiquidTension]

I could go through a whole list of reasons why I carry, but most of them have already been spelled out in this thread (and many before it). I've been in a situation where I needed a gun and didn't have one. It isn't fun. It was so not fun, as a matter of fact, that I don't feel the need to go through another situation where I need a gun and don't have one. Next time I need a gun, it'll be snuggled against me, ready to bark and make the bad man go away. That said, it's not the main reason I carry, just one reason off of "the list." The number one reason?

Because I can.

 

[Drjones]

James:

Good to see you here! I thought you had left us.

Your story brings us to the next lesson:

You WILL need it (and sometimes need it MOST) when you do not have it, whatever "it" may be.

 

[Monkeyleg]

I've been assaulted while unarmed, and assaulted while armed (knife).

The outcome was much less damaging when I was armed.

 

[10-Ring]

First & foremost is because I can. Next comes for fun & then comes protection. I really enjoy shooting my guns & enjoy learning how to use them more effectively.