Why did you start carrying a gun?

[Zaydok Allen]

Here on THR we frequently discuss what types of guns we carry, and the reasons why we choose that particular gun or guns, and the reasons for our cartridge of choice. We also talk about defensive shooting techniques, examples and stories of defensive situations, and situational awareness.

However, a recent private conversation with another forum member made me think about the specific reason I started carrying a gun.

Many years ago I owned only one gun. It was a DPMS AR15 with a heavy stainless 24" barrel. It was a good gun, but definitely not meant as a HD gun, being far too heavy and slow to maneuver for that role. I wasn't real worried about that though, as I live in a quiet, low crime, sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere.

I'm a professional forester and was out flagging a timber sale boundary that butted up against a private property line. Well the older gentleman owner of that property and the home on it was apparently unhappy I was there. I was wearing an orange field vest and looking at air photos about 150 yards from the house, on public land. I heard a lawnmower start up and realized someone was coming towards me on that lawnmower, and that individual had a double barreled shotgun on his lap.

He was angry and was trying to say I was on his property. I was not. He was also red in the face mad. I don't know how I kept my thoughts clear enough to even speak. My stomach was knotted to the point of instant nausea. I started sweating. I was scarred. Based on the look on his face, I wasn't sure where things were going.

I managed to cool him down and show him the property boundary line. He realized his realtor was the one to be mad at, not me. He left me in peace after about 15 very tense minutes.

Long story.... sort of short, a coworker of mine told my supervisor what had happened and my boss directed me to talk to law enforcement and file a report, despite the fact that I wanted to drop the matter. I had to testify in court and after a bit of talking, the judge slapped this gentleman with a fine, as his actions were technically speaking illegal according to federal law.

Well afterwards I was a bit worried I'd run into this man since like I said, I live in a small town. The bottom line though was that I realized I had felt completely helpless in that situation. If he had decided to shoot me, I couldn't have gotten to him fast enough to stop him. I never want to feel helpless to defend myself again. About a month later I bought a Ruger SP101 in 357 magnum, got my permit, and have been carrying wherever legal ever since. However, I'm not allowed to carry at work. Which is absurd given my profession.

Buying my first handgun led to a collection of handguns and a passion for the sport of target shooting.

Well, that's my story. What's yours? Why did you start open or concealed carrying a gun? Was it a specific incident or event that made you feel the need to carry a gun for self defense? Was it the way you were raised? Did you just decide it was a good idea? Does your occupation (other than LEO's or military) make it a good idea?

Share your story if you like. Sorry for the longer winded story.

 

[herrwalther]

Because I turned 21 and was living in a constitutional carry state. The investment in holsters, ammo, and classes came later. But at the start it was a "because I can" moment.

 

[1911 guy]

I started carrying a gun when I realized, in my travels all over the world, that while 99% of people want to be left alone, 1% can be dangerous. I also have a family. I cannot bravely run away, leaving my wife and kids to fend for themselves.

 

[jamesinalaska]

I didn't have my own house then and was living in a "cheaper rent district". I was in school during days and worked nights. A onvienence store clerk was killed not far from where I worked and I felt I needed a gun for those walks home. I mean I'm a capable guy with my hands but if there were two or three thugs I knew I wouldn't be able to do well so I bought a Kahr K9.

 

[WestKentucky]

I started carrying because the town I live in has gotten pretty rough. I didn't realize how rough it was until college where when people asked where I was from and they cringed when they heard my simply reply of "Hoptown" and I suddenly had street cred and was assumed to have a connection to all sorts of drugs and crazy other things. Gangs are getting pretty bad, and violence has escalated. When I started working nights I had my fair share of brushes with undesirable drunk high unpredictable characters. The one time I got strong-armed I knocked 2 teeth out of the guys jaw with a right hook and called the cops while he tried to recover, I remember feeling very vulnerable to any of his buddies or to him had he chosen to pull a gun. Cop told me he was just trying to get arrested with a charge to hold him in jail through the winter.

 

[rcmodel]

I have carried off & on for at least 55 years.

Depending on what I was doing, and where I was doing it, and how late I would be doing it.


I was never paranoid enough to carry 24/7 all the time.
And I live a peaceful law abiding life.

But I sleep with a SIG under my pillow.

And travel with a pistol, or a rifle, or both.
Depending on where I'm going through, and where I will be when I get there.

If that makes sense??

rc

 

[BigBL87]

There wasn't any specific incident that made me decide to carry (eventually that is, still need to do my training and all for my Illinois CCL) or to get into gun ownership in general. Rather, three years ago I began working as a juvenile detention officer. While the population I work with is not THAT bad compared to other areas, it still has made me realize that the world is not as safe as I think.

Also, it just takes one idiot kid with a grudge to decide they want revenge for some perceived slight to put me and/or my wife in a great deal of danger. With that in mind, it gives me great peace of mind to be able to be armed. I've heard enough stories from the juveniles that I work with to realize there are some real idiots out there willing to to some very stupid, dangerous, criminal things.

 

[Twiki357]

Because I moved to Arizona and could. After living in Los Angeles the first 63 years of my existence, I moved to AZ 13 years ago with four handguns. Now, while my former coworkers are deciding which neck tie to wear every morning, I’m picking out which of my 50+ handguns to carry today.

 

[gamestalker]

Not another one of these threads. Oh well, I'll participate.

Please bare in mind I am by no means or definition a racially discriminating individual. I love all man kind, as God loves all.

Anyway, at this time I was probably 8 or 9 years old and had a paper route delivering the Orange County Register. My route bordered on a small housing development that was often referred to as shanty town, but officially named El Modina. This little community was comprised primarily of Hispanics, many were undocumented but were decent enough folks, many working in the citrus packing houses and construction industry. How ever, there was a substantial number that were thug types, gangs that would jump anyone not from their ethnic background.

My best friend who lived next door to me actually had a lot of family that lived there, though he and his parents has legally obtained citizenship and worked more traditional jobs, she was a receptionist in a doctor office, and Frank a foremen with a construction company and went on to aquire his contractors license. My good friend, actually best friend Loyde also had a paper route that was in El Modina. One day he asked me if I would substitute his route for a couple weeks while he went of vacation with this family. He really didn't have any other options, as no one else with the paper would take this route. As nervous as I was, mostly about the mean dogs that ran loose, I agreed to deliver for him, but also knowing that his mom and dad had put the word out to the bad seeds to leave me alone, and they did have a lot of influence and respect with the countless cousins, nephews, and other family living in that community.

Even so, I decided to carry my Crossman 22 cal. C02 pistol just in case I had problems with some of the vicious dogs that ran rampant in that area. Sure enough, my first day out, a large pit bull I was already warned about took after me. Fortunately, I was barely able to out run him on my fancy 5 speed Schwinn Pea Picker, which had a front chrome springer shock, and rear shocks. But the next day he was waiting for me, and I was better prepared and and also ready. He once again took off after me, but this time just as he grabbed my leg while I was riding hard. So I nailed him real good in the shoulder, he turned around and ran home yelping, he never bothered me or Loyd again. Although, Loyd told me the owners were pretty ticked off about it, as he had a limp from that day forward.

So that was my first experience carrying a weapon of sorts.

I was a few years later, I was about 12 years old when a man tried to kidnap me while riding my bike on my way to my favorite rabbit hunting spot. This time I was carrying my sisters 22 cal.revolver. Long story short, I ended up having to fire 2 or 3 rounds to escape from him. God only knows what that sick individual had in store for me. From that day forward, I carried some form of weapon when ever possible, be it my C02 pistol, or my sisters revolver. When I reached legal age and had moved to Arizona, I carried a firearm all the time.

GS

 

[Hookeye]

Not bravado. Just simple logic.

Nasty people exist.

I grew up in a shooting sports home. Had 2 handguns and 3 rifles by the time I was in 6th grade.

So when I got old enough to carry, I did.

Do remember when many moons ago a disgruntled former employee herded his boss and coworkers into the back of a store and executed them. They expected it to just be a robbery evidently, as none put up any fight.

I thought that (was a kid when it happened) to be the dumbest friggin' thing ever.

 

[alexander45]

No reason in particular just that it doesn't matter who you are, where you live, how nice of area it is, (I always laugh when the people come on the news every other day "this kinda thing never happens around here we are o so shocked") how big and bad you are some one may just try to make you their meal ticket.

 

[CajunBass]

Mostly because I just like guns and want to carry one.

No special reason really.

 

[Lord Teapot]

friend i had a falling out with was hassling my parents in the middle of the night. bought a .38 to deal with him, but he quit on his own before that become necessary.

 

[CDW4ME]

I didn't want to ever be at the "mercy" of a violent attacker.

 

[Ironicaintit]

For the same reason I wear a seatbelt in my car; if something happens where you need it, youd better have it on.
I saw a couple nasty incidents when i was a kid that proved to me that a gun in responsible hands can take all the steam out of a gnarly situation.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Insurance purposes.

 

[longknife12]

Army issued me one in 64....after that, I worked in some questionable areas
and when local pd tells you" we can't protect you", you do what you need to do.
When CCW became legal in Colorado, it was a natural. Camping in mountains
also needed camp and personal protection.
Dan

 

[375supermag]

Good common sense...bad people everywhere.
and a cop is too heavy...

 

[Plan2Live]

Short answer - I woke up.

Long Answer - I had to submit to fingerprinting and a background check to remain employed. I had managed to make it many years without a federal agency getting my fingerprints. Once that seal was broken I figured I may as well go all the way. It was about that same time I realized how much violence surrounded me.

 

[357smallbore]

Matt Dillon and Gunsmoke
Actually being from Arizona, its just natural to grow up, be around, use and carry firearms. I've always been into weaponry. When I turned 19 I started carrying a handgun. Been doing that now for 31 years. I love my gun loving state.

 

[Covelo-NdN]

460 Kodiak

Thank you posting this question, as others have submitted rather short answers I will attempt to elaborate a bit because it is important to remember why we carry, the privilege we have and the knowledge we can give to others.

So I decided to carry to protect myself and my family. It dawned on me one day when my family and I were walking the streets of my home town (Ukiah CA) when we approached by a group a transients and asked for change.

In that moment I felt outnumbers, as if I was a father that could not protect my family. Don't get me wrong I fight to th death and die for my family, I thought why put myself in that situation.

I decided if that ever happened again, and I was prepared, I would take there life, and not think twice. Judged by twelve than carried by six makes sense when a father realized he may not be able to protect his young ones.

My wife is thinking of carrying a gun know, her medication I'm thinking a 380 or a j frame.

I carry a glock 23, practice and hope to never use it, interestingly I have a dream that some day I'm gonna draw my firearm and assist a LEO or the public. We here of CCW holders saving the day, Utah mall story of a a CCW is worth looking into.

Thanks Kodiak......

 

[Rodentman]

I was a college student in NJ and met a fellow who was an avid hunter. We went to a range in Englishtown and I fired my first firearm, a .270 rifle. It was great fun!

Shortly thereafter I moved to AZ. In 1972 no permit to carry was required. I bought an S&W 28, 4", a Safariland holster and belt, and off I went. I learned how to reload at the little gunshop in Phx where I bought the gun.

In 1979 I moved to MN and the laws were different. Finally in 2004 the current permit law was passed and I got said permit. In 1991 I lost a leg in an accident and don't walk so well. I consider myself a potential target and prefer to level the playing field by carrying.

 

[JB357MAG]

I grew up with guns in the house.

Dad had a Python in the mid 70's, i was early teens then.

Joined the Air Force, had a gun off base but when moved to
on base housing, got rid of it.

Never had a gun for years, just kinda forgot about them.

On a dark night in Feb 2012 I came home from work to
find a punk thug type taking a wizz right on the front door
of my Apt entrance.

I let into him verbally with every thing I could come up with!!!!!

He finally wandered off, I then realized that I could have gotten my
ass beat or worse.

The next day my reunion with guns began.

Jimmy

 

[jeepnik]

While in the service I ended up being stationed in Spain. At the time the ETA (Basque separatist) were kicking up their heels. I didn't take any firearms with me, and having one sent would have been a nightmare.

A quick trip to the Rod & Gun club got me a Llama Comanche in .357. Carried it when ever I was out and about. Never needed it but it was nice to know it was there.

I did find out that my wife couldn't handle .357 mag rounds so I loaded it with .38 spl. It was still big for her, but she did a credible job with it.

 

[manithree]

My better half

I didn't have a near-defense experience. My decision to carry was more of a political and cerebral exercise.

My wife actually got me started. She wanted us both to get Utah CFP's, and have the option for when we're travelling. My .22lr Winchester 190 was the only gun I owned at the time.

We took the class, and I read "The Constitutional Right And Social Obligation To Carry A Gun" and then started reading every bit of Massad Ayoob, Jeff Cooper, Clint Smith, et al I could get my hands on. My son doesn't need any convincing to take his responsibility for self-defense seriously (he's become a gun nut), but I also have 3 beautiful daughters, and I'm convinced that it's extremely important they learn that lesson, also. So I'm trying to teach by example.