Self defense and the ability to protect my loved ones is a human right. I choose (and deserve) to have the best tools available to ensure I can do that.
I haven't noticed any such recurring theme.A recurring theme of this thread seems to be laying guilt on people for not carrying a gun. That's a personal choice and there are pros and cons either way. As a longtime "gun person" I made the choice years ago not to carry. In a way this is very liberating.
Easy.granddaughter... her boyfriend seemed a little freaked out.
How would you answer if someone you had to be nice to asked? Why do you carry a gun?
Do you know Clint Smith, by any chance? Lol.Because when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
Because I like being prepared.
Because it's easier than carrying a cop.
Because you can't shoot back with a cell phone.
etc. ...
I believe many of us face that question. In addition to my earlier response to why do I carry a gun there is much more to it. I carry a gun simply because I can't carry a police officer around with me. I own guns dimply because I love the shooting sports. My dad loved the game of golf. Following his retirement he played golf when the weather permitted and during Ohio winters would head south to Florida just to continue playing golf. He and his golfing buddies would be up at 6:00 AM loading their cars with their golf gear for a day on the course. Me? Now retired and on a nice morning at 6:00 AM I am loading my truck with my range gear including the guns I wish to shoot that day. I simply enjoy the shooting sports and did so long before concealed or even open carry was popular. I roll my own ammunition and stride for small groups and for many of us we know the feeling we get with those sub MOA groups at the 200 yard line. Additionally shooting does parallel golf in that it takes a high level of concentration and self discipline to be proficient at it. Why some people can't seem to grasp or understand my love of a good range day which is not my problem. The focus here is not about CCW but a love of the shooting sports and I really do not owe anyone an explanation. I also like dogs so I have two of them. It was 1958 and I was 8 years old when given my first rifle, a Remington 510P which I still have today. That little single shot .22 started it all.I have been confronted multiple times as to why I own firearms and why I enjoy them.
I worked 26 years with state government before retirement with hundreds of millennial and Gen Z coworkers who also grew up indoors playing video games watching anime and reading manga (Like Gen X me in my teenage years and in my 20s).I work with quite a few millennials and Gen Z types who have grown up indoors on video games and anime. They are completely cut off from reality and the outside world. I have been confronted multiple times as to why I own firearms and why I enjoy them.
You left out Meth Heads they're the best reason in the rural area I live in. Them and snakes.Zombies, Commies, Hamas, MS-13, Boko Haram, Chinese Paratroopers, Hezbollah, Bloods, Crips, Antifa, ISIS, The Summer of Love, Islamic Jihad, Crack Heads.....
Take your pick.
I guess I'm lucky- the only people I have to be nice to will never know I'm packing. The people I want to be nice to mostly carry themselves.