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| Concealed Carry Issues & Discussions Discussion regarding concealed carry licensing, issues, methods of concealment, etc. |
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#1 |
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VIP Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Oregon USA
Posts: 9,024
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To Carry or Not to Carry: What thinking did you go through?
In this thread, let's discuss the thinking that you went through prior to carrying. What questions did you ask yourself? What was the rationale behind each answer?
For me, I spent two years of training, both in the classroom and on the range, prior to considering actually applying for a CHL and carrying. My thinking was as follows:
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Your best weapon is your brain. Don't leave home without it. ![]() Goal: Justice, not vengeance. Life, not death. Thoughts: Justifiable self defense. Explain: How does disarming victims reduce the number of victims? NRA, GOA, OFF, ACLDN.
Last edited by ccw9mm; September 28th, 2006 at 02:41 AM.. Reason: Color me "grammatically challenged." |
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#2 |
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Distinguished Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 1,852
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The only difference that I have with your list is I made the decision about if I could take a life (if need be) years before when I was in college for Criminal Justice. To this day if I'm asked could I kill if I had to, I deflect the question because most sheep get freaked out if I tell them the truth, even after explaining the necessity of having to make the decision before hand.
With my Criminal Justice training I know how to be a good witness and can give a good decription while doing two other things at the same time (a small mircle being a guy). There are times I have friends talking to me when I'm scanning the room when I go to orange, for some reason it torques them off, even if I explain it's what I was trained for.
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]"[T]he people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them." Zacharia Johnson (speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention,25 June 1778)"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." ~Alexander Hamilton |
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#3 |
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Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dallas
Posts: 95
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CCW9, what classroom training did you take?
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#4 |
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VIP Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: VA
Posts: 2,944
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For me I just saw CCW as a natural progression. I've studied multiple styles of martial arts since grade school so it only made sense to add to my tool box so to speak. Learning self defense (whether H2H, gun, knife, whatever) is like adding tools to a tool box. The more you add, the more options you have when you need to reach into that toolbox when a situation comes up later. The only big thinking had to do with searching myself to make sure I was willing to take on the responsibility of the potential of taking a life to secure mine.
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#5 |
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VIP Member
![]() Join Date: May 2005
Location: Silencersmithing
Posts: 2,439
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I didn't think about it. I just did it. Guns were a lifestyle for me since I can first remember. Not having one around makes me feel weird. Right now I am in school and can't carry. I feel very vulnerable.
Carrying a gun is a no-brainer. IMO, you overthought. I don't need that much justification to myself or anyone. There wasn't much thought process involved. I am amazed that you put that much thought into it. Here was my thought process: Do I want to carry a gun? Yes. Can I drop the hammer on someone and take a human life? Yes. Then I set out and got my permit. That simple.
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Freakshow Manufacturing LLC Ammunition - Machine Guns - Silencers Need something? Best contact info is below. Email: adam AT freakshowmfg.com Phone: 906-369-0396 |
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#6 |
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Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 46
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At some point I realized if I had the skills and the tools to defend myself and CHOSE not to do so, then I was partially to blame for my condition if I were maimed or killed by a thug (i.e. I made a conscious decision to not protect myself.) I couldn't live with that so I carry on a daily basis.
Allan |
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#7 |
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Assistant Administrator
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: South West PA
Posts: 25,466
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Having spent 55 years of my life with no option to carry (UK) and yet, being ''into'' guns and shooting for many of those years - it was, once a feasability, not a decision that needed much further analysis. I would have been carrying already 40 years had I had the legal means.
All the aspects of mental mindset, liability and even training were pretty much set in stone long ago. I have always felt the need and wish to be able to take full responsibility for my own and family's safety but with the suitable tools. I did at least have for many years a gun available in my home. When I started carry five years ago nearly, I set about self imposed extra training routines and then later got my NRA certification in all disciplines so as to help other folks on the way. The necessary changes to lifestyle thru carry had minimal impact - I am lucky that ''dressing around carry'' is easy for me and any inconvenience is incidental in order to achieve the goal.
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Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug |
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#8 |
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Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: The valley of the sun scorched earth(Phx,Az)
Posts: 133
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I am with Freakshow10mm, guns have been part of my life as long as I can remember. From the age of about 5 yrs old I've been shooting guns(BB guns to start), bow & arrow around 6 or 7 yrs old, shotguns & rifles around 11 yrs old and hunting around 13 yrs old. So handguns were the next logical step. As for concealed carry the question was: To baaa
or not to baaaaaa ?
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NRA Life Member USCCA Member Freedoms Precious Metals:Gold, Silver and Lead "You may find me one day dead in a ditch somewhere. But by God, you'll find me in a pile of brass."~~ Tpr. M. Padgett Kimber Tactical Pro II w/EE over 2000 rnds NO MALFUNCTIONS |
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#9 |
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New Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Austin, Tx.
Posts: 5
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For me it was my daughter. When she was born the rules changed.
My Wife and I always had an understanding that if we were faced with trouble we would try to get away as best we could and hoped that was a good enough plan (weak, I know). But with my daughter we might not have the option to "run away" or jump out the window if someone breaks in the house, for the first time I was faced with the concept of having to defend and hold my ground. Well naturally given my Ninja training has slipped (that's a joke by the way :p ) I might not be able to fight off or disarm an intruder/attacker. This means if I am going to be able to do this job right I will need to either take up ninja training (simply don't have the time or detirmination) or I will have to look into getting a gun and at least a basic level of training. Now don't get me wrong I am not new to guns (been around themall my life and well trained in their safe handling) but I still took the classes and went to the range with others and got proficient enough to make me feel safe enough to carry. So I have a gun I like and feel proficient and comfortable with. I don't carry all the time (I am working on it) but I have no reservations about my decision and feel very much safer in my home and now see the true futality in hoping the police would be able to come solve all my problems. P.s. The guns are all locked up and my carry gun (when not on my person) is by my bed in a "finger reader" safe. My $.02 RGUARD |
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#10 |
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Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 627
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I decided to carry because of personal safety to myself and family. You never know when you are going to be in a situation that you are going to have to make a split second decision to safe your life or someone elses.
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#11 | |
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Distinguished Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 1,696
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After what happened to my friend (read the other thread "Why did you start?"), it was instant-on. I had always enjoyed guns and Boy Scouts had exposed me to the fun side and dangers of them many years ago... One of our scout masters hit a watermelon from about 50 yards with a 30.06 a few times. We were all pretty stunned...
I always knew I wanted to carry because I believed in personal responsibility and watching over the people that cannot do it for themselves. Now, I have a lot of younger buddies at school who want to get their CCW's and are really excited about shooting and getting into it. Every time they tell me they want to get their CCW permit I shake their hand and congratulate them on their choice. Then I ask them if they would be willing to kill someone in self defense.... Then I throw out a few difficult situations they might be faced with (Bank robbery, stranger yelling for help, etc). One changed his mind. The rest have given the ideas a lot more thought and made the hard choice. You should see their eyes when I let them know about the Supreme Court cases and police officers.... I wish I could post more about the train of thought I went through, but it was just like a switch flipped in my head.
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The Gunsite Blog ITFT / Quick Kill Review Quote:
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#12 |
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VIP Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: South Florida
Posts: 2,326
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For me it was a matter of trust.
Do I trust LE to be at the right place at the right time? Or do I put that trust in my self? Me being LEO, do your self a favor always trust your self at all times. "We can not be there when it happens" 911 system gives people a false sense of security. Also it was a lifestyle, shooting, hunting, camping with my dad and brothers at an early age. My dad made sure that we were adverse in all aspects of life. From taking the fish off our own hooks to cleaning our own kills. And I thank him every day that he did. I guess it boils down to , how prepared are you - to do the things it takes to get it done.
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"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill |
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#13 |
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Distinguished Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Anchorage Alaska
Posts: 1,707
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I turned 21, back in March, and bought my first handgun for plinking. About a month later, I had a personal encounter with a drunk, and only then did I start carrying, for the safety of myself, and my loved ones. I went out and purchased a good firearm, belt, and holster, and I started practicing at the range to get proficient. I confirmed that the firearm I planned to use for CCW, was in fact reliable, and I could trust my life with it, and I now carry it on me, all day everyday. I still plan to acquire my CCW permit so I can avoid the background check upon purchasing a firearm, and if I want to travel to other states that honor the Alaska CCW permit. I use the forums as a learning tool, about the different scenarios, and carry options. I've definitely learned alot, reading this forum, as well as other firearm forums.
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#14 |
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Distinguished Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 1,847
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ccw9mm, I figure it like this. The real question that we all have to ask ourselves is this >>>>>> Your in a darkened area. You hear someone say,"hey MF,gimme all your money or I'll kill ya".
You start your draw. Suddenly the lights come on and at 15 feet in front of you,you see a 12 year old,blonde,blue eyed girl with freckles,and she has what looks to be a pistol pointed at you. You got mindset?? Shoot her then. To me, this will be our WCS. Good luck to us all. --------- |
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#15 | |
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Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 513
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Quote:
How did a 12-year old girl get such a deep voice? Seriously, if that were to happen I would likely die. I could not bring myself to shoot a kid, gun or no gun.
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"A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." - Proverbs 22:3 |
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#16 |
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VIP Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 24,674
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I Have Always Had Guns...
and I used to enjoy hunting (in the past). I have wanted to carry for a long time, but in MI it was not possible. Upon moving to FL 6 years ago...bought a house, changed my driver's license, immediately applied and received a CCW permit. It didn't take much thinking; I have never looked back!
Stay safe! ret ![]()
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"That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member |
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#17 | |
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New Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: The Great N.W.
Posts: 12
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Quote:
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#18 |
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VIP Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southwest TN
Posts: 8,086
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I do not remember going through an actual thought process in any kind of preperation to CCW. It was just was just the natural next step when I turned 21.
I grew up around guns. My father had his Indiana CCW permit before I was born and has had it my whole life. So, it was something that seemed completely natural to me and was just sort of expected that I would get my CCW permit when I was old enough. I do remember my Dad telling me from and early age that the police can't be everywhere all the time and that it was my job to protect my own life. I was also taught that Life itself is a gift from God and to not fight to protect that life was the biggest sin there is. So, I have been carrying since I was 21, I'm 38 now and I have 5 kids that I have taught to shoot. I pass along my Fathers advice to them and they all understand that their lives are theirs to protect and fight for if need be.
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A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. -Barry Goldwater 1968 "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" -Thomas Jefferson |
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#19 | |
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VIP Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,218
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Quote:
Ahmen brother, Ahmen! ![]()
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When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts & minds will follow. Semper Fi. |
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#20 |
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Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: CT
Posts: 438
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when is the next pistol course was about all I needed.
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