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Why did you start carrying?

11K views 89 replies 84 participants last post by  2PAK 
#1 ·
Way back when, what initially prompted you to begin carrying a firearm? A sense of duty? A job requirement? Self-protection, for you or your family members? A particular situation that convinced you of the wisdom of doing so? To frustrate the anti's?

For me: personal protection. I did not like the changing odds of being victimized, with increasing person and property crimes where I lived. Having a damaged leg precludes me from many alternative options. In other words, aikido is out. Hence, I carry. In the past 10yrs, I've had a half-dozen situations brew into a storm right in front of me and I was very glad to have the ability to defend myself. In once instance, it required drawing to defuse the situation. Otherwise, I've been lucky.
 
#2 ·
I only got my CCW a couple of years ago. My previous places of employement were "safe" (guards on duty 24/7, suburban environment, and company policy was no weapons in or on company property and they owned the parking lot). Recently I started a new job at night in the city. So I got my CCW and aquired a couple smaller firearms.
 
#3 ·
I think just being bombarded with news stories about innocent people being subjected to car jacking, home invasions, mass shootings in malls, etc., and recognizing after 9/11, the world (as we know it in America) changed. I guess I no longer felt the police or the government were enough to protect me and my family, that I had to assume more of that responsibility myself. I'm convinced that I'm not paranoid, just prepared.
 
#4 ·
EX LEO here. Never know when some of the inmates might reconize ya on the street. Have had it happen before. Plus , I like to do things myself, rather than depend on others.
 
#5 ·
I have carried a firearm ever since I was legally able to carry one.
When I was lots younger I worked in a very wild/wicked~bad neighborhood and could have easily been just another toe~tag victim of a street robbery assault by multiple attackers.
I did get "Very Sharp Object" wounded in that attack.
I got hurt just bad enough to make me a lot smarter from that day forward.
It's not an event that I ever want to experience too many more times in my life.
 
#6 ·
Because I Could. It's a right that I have, and I choose to excersise that right just like any other right i'm guarenteed. I don't live in a high crime area but crime could happen to anyone at anytime so personal protection and the responsibility that goes along with that would be a good reason why I carry too.

Finally, since I've always been into firearms since a young age I feel this right just compliments my firearms hobby nicely. If that makes any sense.
 
#7 ·
First off, remember this - I was until 2000 in UK!!!! Carry was NOT legal - but .................. :wink:

Once I was able near five years ago I got my CCW as a means to reflect my own wish to take responsibility for my own and family protection. All my adult life I felt the wish to have the choice to carry, seeing as I value my life!!!

I still hope never to use it.
 
#8 ·
glockmav and 500Mag pretty much said it for me.
 
#9 ·
Reasons why I started packing...

1. I'm not going to become another crime statistic, and will take the appropriate actions to prevent that.

2. It's my constitutional right

3. I fully realize that anything can happen, anytime, and anywhere, no matter where you're at.

4. Personal experience with a drunk
 
#10 ·
Not carrying yet, but plan on it ASA I can take the course and apply for the CCW permit. My cousin had to take someone out in the line of duty, and it affected me somewhat. Granted, he is LEO and was chasing the guy, but...

I have a family now, and since Katrina, violent crime seems to have grown here in Baton Rouge. One of my greatest fears is that my wife, baby, and I will be leaving from a place of buisness at night, and face an armed attacker with no way to defend ourselves.

My work is non-firearm friendly. I asked a guard today if they were armed, and she said no. I said so what happens if some disgruntled guy comes in here with a gun and starts shooting people? (we work in a high rise) She said "We call 911". I asked the bldg manager why they even hire security, and he said it was to make the insurance go down. I asked what they did for security, and he said 'walk around.' He said if you want real protection, they would hire an off-duty LEO, but that would be too expensive. :mad:

I worry too, on the other hand, that all of this is too excessive. Granted, I have a level head and a cool demenour, but all you have to do to get a CCW is pass a background check and put 6 holes in a target up to 15ft away. I know way too many people that could do the above and carry, but they are the type that would pick fights and look for trouble just to get a rush to be able to pull that weapon and watch someone bow down to 'the powah'. That's the part about an armed citizenry that scares me. I would never give in to such a blatant attempt to push my buttons and escalate it any further. But lots will.

Anywho, I'm getting my CCW come hell or high water. Getting an adequate defense gun, well, that's another battle. I will have to settle for the time being with my H&R 733 in 32 S&W Long....
 
#11 ·
In the90's...

living in Michigan getting a CCW permit was almost impossible. We moved to Florida in 2000 and I immediately applied and got my first permit. I don't believe Michigan became 'shall issue' until 2001...but I have never looked back, nor have I shoveled snow since... YES!:yup: :yup:

Stay safe!

ret:urla9ub:
 
#12 ·
I have become disabled and wouldn't stand a chance in a physical altercation. Being ex-military, going to the range once a week, and reading up on defensive tactics...I feel that carrying a firearm is a wise decision. These days, you cannot depend on anyone but yourself.
 
#13 ·
Just got into it last year. Wife(then girlfriend) and her roommates had a peeper on there second story deck in a "safe" neighborhood. Just made me realize we weren't as safe as I thought we were. Since joining this site and reading a lot I realize what a :sheep: I was. My eyes have really been opened.
 
#15 ·
I went to work for a private security company that was armed when I got out of the military. While I didn't start carrying as a lifestyle then, I was later employed by a casino in Reno as a security officer. After effecting several arrests on sluggers and game cheats, I was recognized by one on the street a couple of days later. He wasn't very happy the day that I arrested him, and was rather suprised when we crossed paths. I thought then that it was prudent to do what ever necessary to protect myself and my then wife from the potential problems that could arise in the future.
 
#16 ·
Got mine in WV when I turned 21 (in 1992), been packing for 14 years now - feel naked without it!!

I've never had to draw or shoot with regards to another human, have dispatched multiple poisonous snakes, though!

I believe that the obvious confidence you possess when you know you are able to defend yourself is a very clear deterent to those who might otherwise seek to do you harm. Just the way you carry yourself (unconsciously at some point) when you know you don't have to cry for help when trouble comes your way sends a warning signal to the career criminal that it might be in his best interest to wait for a more vunerable target!
 
#18 ·
Because I can, it is a right as an American I was denied by the state of Illinois for too many years, for some of the same reasons I take martial arts, because I realize I can't fight back as well physically as I could when I was younger, to piss off the antis, take your pick.
 
#19 ·
I originally got my permit just so it would make it easier when I purchased a gun, then the more I listened to the scanner at work the more I carried. Now it's wherever legal.
 
#20 ·
A car jacking at the corner of my building I drive buy twice a day. The guy was pistol whipped and then a 2 hr high speed chase with the perp taking 6 in the body and dieing. I had driven by the corner 5 minutes before in a simular type of car.

I was thinking about it before but this spured me to act! I would like to go home to my wife at the end of the day!
 
#21 ·
I never really carried much until I moved to AZ because it wasn't practical to my lifestyle (drinkin, partying, bein a sheeple). I moved out here for school and start OC'ing some. I never really gave it much thought. My mind changed sometime between September 5th and October 5th of last year though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Behl

She was a good friend of mine. I just wish one of us could have been there when she cried out for help. Knowing the circumstances of her kidnapping and death, I never gave open carrying a second thought and I don't feel I need to justify it. I'll get my CCW in December @ Gunsite and even then I'm not sure I will conceal all that much. And you better be sure I'll defend a total stranger - because they're someone to somebody.

Every time I put the HK on my belt, I remember why.

I've mentioned this before. Sorry for the sad post.
 
#22 ·
My mindset changed after 9-11, similar as I see it did for some others here. A good friend of mine was working at the WTC when it was attacked, and I didn't find out he survived until later. Seeing the images on tv from that day and believing I was watching a close friend die really got to me that day. I saw CC as one small thing I could do to fight back. Chances are most slim that I'll be in place when an attack is occuring, but if it does, I'm not going to just sit and watch the bastards.

The crime aspect of CC didn't occur to me until much later, which is more of why I carry now than when I got the permit years ago. I think this country would be a much better and safer place if only say 5% of the law abiding population carried. Doesn't matter if it's a deterrent effect, or people carrying who stop crimes in progress, as far as I'm concerned more guns in the hands of lawful citizens = less crime and more safety. An armed society is a polite society. My lifestyle (where I live, where I spend most of my time) puts me and my family at low risk of crime, but I'm willing to take the responsibility to be prepared just in case something happens.
 
#23 ·
I was in the Army for 20 years and I have had a home protection shotgun for years.

9/11 happened which opened up my eyes to terrorist.

Katrina happened and we saw the scum of the earth take over the superdome and streets of New Orleans.

I read a novel by Terri Blackstock called “Last Light” where all electricity and modern conveniences just stopped working and society turned vicious, good people turned in to thieves to feed their family.

I watched a movie about the bird flu and saw what good people did when the bird flu hit.

Something somewhere is going to happen, where someone is going to have to protect their loved ones and if I am that person I will be prepared.
 
#25 ·
I too have a LEO background and have had some very good tactical training.
When I left the Police Department, CCW was not available in Nevada for its citizens and since I had not "retired" from the PD, I was not eligible for a carry permit. I sure wasn’t happy about that! I also felt it would be a tragedy if I could have saved a life (especially mine) with my training if armed but couldn’t because of the bureaucracy!

So, as soon as we were given the right to carry a concealed weapon in this state, I immediately applied and have been carrying ever since. :biggrin2:
 
#26 ·
1) The police are under no obligation to protect me. Public servant does NOT equal private body guard.

2) I choose to exercise a right.

3) I carry for the protection for those around me. Just because someone doesn't carry a gun doesn't mean they are any less worthy of protection if they need it. I will not stand idle and watch someone be victimized. If I see it or hear it, it becomes my business. I will not let criminals run my country and victimize my fellow citizens. I will not stand for that one bit.
 
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