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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: 8,370
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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. ![]() Thoughts: Justifiable self defense. Explain: How does disarming victims reduce the number of victims? Deal with evil through strength. Affirm the good in Man through trust. NRA. GOA. OFF.
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: 2,801
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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: Making suppressors
Posts: 2,406
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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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#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: 25,468
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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: 4
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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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