WHY do we carry?

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Loosedhorse

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I'm relatively new here, but I have noticed that, underlying some of the difference of opinion on certain topics here, there seem to be different philosophies about why we're carrying in the first place.

Several options:

A. "It's my right." Sometimes seems unexamined--not sure if the purpose is to protect myself or to uproot tyranny, but I'm sure not letting anyone say I can't!

B. "So I don't have to take no guff off'n nobody!" Seems to be active in those who profess eagerness--in earnest or in jest?--to shoot (or at least brandish) in response non-lethal threats: trespass, property crime, simple assault, road rage--maybe even insults?

C. "So I can save innocents from evil." To me, this seems the active ingredient in some who feel it's their duty, now that they're armed, to help people they've never met avoid being becoming victimized (or killed).

D. "So I can get home tonight." Self-defense (and defense of family); all others can fend for themselves!

I understand that LEOs and private citizen CCWs may have different feelings about this (especially about C), and that I may have missed some other positions (as well as innumerable shades in between the poles I've described).

So, what say you: why do you carry?

(Those of you that haven't, take a quick on-topic read here: http://www.americanhandgunner.com/CGC705.html )

Maybe I should have done a poll--but I'm not sure how to do that.
 
You make all the reasons sound somewhat negative.

From what I've read I'd say people carry for the reasons you cited in this order:

D. This seems to be the overwhelming reason.

C. This is part of the reason for some people, but even if this is part of the reason their primary reason is D.

A. I've heard people simply say "It's my right", but I always assumed the implied right they were talking about is the right to self defense.

B. I don't think I have heard anyone on this board cite this as the reason they carry.
 
This explains the mindset to me better than any other explanation I have come across. I carry everywhere it is not specifically prohibited. The older I get, the more of a target I (and my wife) become. Our society is becoming more violent with our liberal justice department turning thousands of creeps back on the street. Whatever happened to keeping bad guys in jail? The armed home invasion here locally last week was conducted by 2 jerks that between the two of them had racked up 17 felonies. One was 19 the other was 23. What were they doing out of jail? Why were they on the street to do it again? We have to protect ourselves, it is a given that the law can't protect us since they are wearing the handcuffs that the courts have put them in. :(

Sheep, Sheepdogs, and Wolves
 
Well, if I am carrying......

It is because I can in my state without having any kind of registration, license, permit, or anything.

So, if I'm carrying it is because I legally can without a big hassle.

Typically, this would be to and from hunting as it's hard to conceal a 500 Mag.
 
You make all the reasons sound somewhat negative.
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No kidding.

I've come to the realization that I have to take responsibility for my own safety. It's the same reason I have a fire extinguisher and a spare tire, only for an even more important purpose. I do think that having a right to self defense conveys a responsibility as well. You cannot have a free society without people who are willing to take responsibility for themselves.
 
Basic self/family protection. I have a pistol next to me right now.
We have dogs and live near town but you never know what/who you might meet.
I would not refuse to help someone in trouble but I would need to be 100% sure of the situation.

It is my right to carry but the main reason is protection.
 
Well, if I am carrying......
It is because I can in my state without having any kind of registration, license, permit, or anything.

So, if I'm carrying it is because I legally can without a big hassle.
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My state puts no hoops between me and the exercise of my right, it would be foolish of me to waste it.
 
because a right un-exercised may become a right 'un-granted'

because we can. because we should. because we care.

because the 'warrior' mentality is not something limited to men of renown in history past but is needed still today. because its my responsibility to care\provide\protect my family and myself.
 
So I don't have to take no guff off'n nobody!" Seems to be active in those who profess eagerness--in earnest or in jest?--to shoot (or at least brandish) in response non-lethal threats: trespass, property crime, simple assault, road rage--maybe even insults?
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Wow, I'd like to see some documentation that the above is a accurate representation of why even a small portion of members here carry.

I actually just had a guy try to give me some "guff" on the way to work. I went out of my way to back down specifically because I was carrying a gun. Guy decide to impress his family by taking me to task for passing him, I looked at him and said " sorry dude". He never knew I was armed ( he also never tried to get out of his car.)

I'm W/ Grizz the world is getting to be a real mean place, people are a lot quicker to kill than they were even 5 years ago.

I have no illusions that I can take on a twenty year old ( let alone a gang of them) and win so I carry.
 
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Since few of us are liberals, we don't spend a lot of time contemplating our own belly buttons so the experssed reasons for carry may not make a lot of sense to our liberal friends.

Fact is, whither it's a conscious thought or not, we understand that a defensive arm is much like a parachute. Most of us can go our whole life without a call to use either, even once. BUT, if we ever need either one, even once, and don't have it, be assured that we will never need it again.

I question the accuracy of this statement, as it's stated here anyway: D. "So I can get home tonight." Self-defense (and defense of family); all others can fend for themselves!

Most, if not all of us, would actually defend those around us if the need arises. What you may perceive as callous selfishness is OUR frustrated response to liberals immedately shouting that any such helpful mindset in a time of danger is "vigilantism" and, ipso facto, wrong. Of course, that's only the warped idea of fools but they mean it. Idiots comfort themselves in the baseless idea that it's a duty of cops to defend us, not we outselves. Many courageous people have already been persecuted (more than just prosecuted) by the "law" for efforts to stop agression on the helpless. GAG!

I find the thought of curling into a fetal ball and begging some troll to "Please, take all I own if you wish, but don't hurt me and my family too bad" is unacceptable behaviour for a grown man with a sense of personal honor. And I seriously doubt it's effectiveness too!

Since I am a man, not a liberal weinie, I will deal with any personal danger to myself and family, and most of those around me if I can, even if they are liberals, until the cops do arrive.

If anyone feels that this is insufficent justification for carrying for defense, consider this last thought, "When seconds count, the cops are only minutes away!" (Grits Grisham I believe). If anyone in danger choses to wait for the cops, fine, but don't expect the rest of us to do so too. Some of us are simply not that patient, or hopeful of the immediate effectiveness of any cop.

But, understand that few, if any of us, would reccommend those people who lack the skill, personal courage or mindset to properly use defensive weapons to carry. Sheep will always have to rely on a sheepherder, won't they?
 
No one ever told me that I had to have a reason. I just walked around Wal-Mart for the last hour open carrying just because I could. I don't care if it is A, B, C, or D. And what do you care?
 
A. "It's my right." Sometimes seems unexamined--not sure if the purpose is to protect myself or to uproot tyranny, but I'm sure not letting anyone say I can't!

B. "So I don't have to take no guff off'n nobody!" Seems to be active in those who profess eagerness--in earnest or in jest?--to shoot (or at least brandish) in response non-lethal threats: trespass, property crime, simple assault, road rage--maybe even insults?

C. "So I can save innocents from evil." To me, this seems the active ingredient in some who feel it's their duty, now that they're armed, to help people they've never met avoid being becoming victimized (or killed).

D. "So I can get home tonight." Self-defense (and defense of family); all others can fend for themselves!
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It seems the options you gave and the explanations following each one all have a negative connotation. Option A you say "seems unexamined" as if these people are carrying just to carry without knowing why. Option B seems to be a choice you give for a blood-thirsty killer to have a voice in your poll. Option C has a vigilante's explaination, and Option D has a "screw the rest of them" definition to it.

Now I ask you, why would you come into this board, announce yourself as a new member, then give every option a negative explanation so that any member here who carries for any of the reasons you named finds themselves being belittled by you as to their reason for carrying, regardless of what that reason is?

In rereading your original post, I say that I owe you absolutely no explaination whatsoever as to my reasons for carrying a concealed weapon.
 
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I have a 20+ page "essay" devoted to that and related questions written just for myself. It will never be finished because I never stop reexamining my thoughts. It will never be published because it is not intended for others. Here, though, is one paragraph:

If it would really make your day for me to confess that I carry to compensate for something, The something is this: I am too old and too gimpy to either fight or run as I once could, but I still have my pride and independence, and I am too proud and independent too give up my freedom to go where I will, to hide behind walls, and to go out only in flocks of timorous sheeple — and then only to non-existent “safe places” as gun-grabbers constantly advise.
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Given the framing of the original post, I'm somewhat tempted to call "Troll!"
Rights don't need to be explained, examined, justified, or anything else—except respected.
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And exercised.:)
 
It is a responsiblity of ALL Citizens of the United States of America to protect the LIVES, RIGHTS and Freedoms of self, family and others of their Village, Town, State, Country.
 
is this a serious question? come on, if you must ask, or care why others do, you have beaten yourself up on the issue.
 
I was up on the roof today. On a 12/12 pitch, hauling ladders up to the roof to clean my chimney. The top is 40' from the ground. I wore a fall harness attached to a cable attached to a roof anchor. Could I have gotten by without it? Have I done the without it? Sure, lots of times. But not anymore.

The system was a bit of an encumbrance, as is carrying. But I did it anyway. I flaunt neither my politics nor my rights because these aren't the real reasons I do anything. I just do what I think I need to do because it the right thing to do or the necessary thing to do.
 
I don't know remember who uses this quote, or who it's by. :eek::confused:Sorry, I do know I've read it here on THR. But this explains it best for me.

"When seconds count, the police are only minutes away."
 
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