[rmak]

Pretty much all of the activities I've taken part in which carried some risk also always carried a little fear. The two examples I could use are woodworking and motorcycle riding. Every time I turn on the table saw and see the blade spinning and humming I get a little fear reaction in the back of my brain, "This could cut my hand off!" I rode motorcycles for almost 40 years and every time I pulled out of the driveway I'd have a thought that I'd better be careful and be on my game so I could make it back. I often thought that this slight fear factor kept me from getting complacent, and reckless.

So today in the afternoon, after carrying a sidearm almost daily for a few months, I took off the pistol and realized that I didn't have one thought about it all day. I am in a groove with a comfortable holster set up and for the most part I don't even notice the weight anymore. When I first started to carry I did get that tinge of concern every time I put the gun on. The ironic thing is that this decision of mine to carry is probably more potentially risky than a lot of things I've done.

Do any of you folks think about this like I do? I'm thinking now that before clipping it on in the morning I should take a moment and reflect and respect what I'm about to do. I'd be interested in hearing what others think.

 

[G-man*]

I don't really think too much about it.

Sometimes I go about my business the entire day unarmed.
But when I'm riding my bike, I am more aware of the potential hazards.

Everybody is different....I try to not dwell on things too much.

 

[buckeye .45]

Complacency kills

 

[msgt/ret]

As former aircrew we had a saying “Complacency results in body bags”.

 

[Nmuskier]

I've never known a day without firearms around. I don't know when I was first taught safety rules. That part doesn't concern me. I'm not complacent with safety, it is just so ingrained, it is something that happens out of habit. I've never known any other way.

What we should think about is, "I have the potential to respond with deadly force." There are moral, psychological, and legal ramifications. There is no room for ego. You must be the most polite and level headed person in the room. Your brains will win each encounter. The gun is just one tool for the worst case scenario.

 

[ghost tracker]

I'm too complacent to even have...an opinion. :dunno:

 

[9MMare]

It's one thing to be comfortable wearing your firearm, it's another to become complacent about safety.

I forget about my firearm all the time, similar to my cell phone which I am not in love with but totally appreciate its usefulness...but I always make an effort to be aware.

 

[Texas Red]

I've been carrying concealed for nine years now. If I'm out of the house its about 95% likely that I'm armed. It's almost a reflex that I pick up my snub on the way out the door.

But complacent?

I don't think so. I'm always aware that it's there in my pocket and ready to go to work if it's ever needed. I also think that having that little pocket rocket has increased my situational awareness.

 

[luckydog]

A gun is not like a motorcycle. You can follow all the safety guidelines with a motorcycle and still end up dead. That won't happen with your gun. You have to remember all the time to abide by a few safety rules and you and everyone around you will be fine. If you ever have to use your gun for protection, that's when you have to make sure you are truly on your game. I thought about it everyday I carried for a year or so. I don't worry about it anymore. I feel I have reached a point in my life, if something happened, I wouldn't do anything stupid. That's why reading all of the different situations and scenarios on a web site like this can teach you certain things if you really take them to heart.

 

[Poppy42]

I don't think so. I'm always aware that it's there in my pocket and ready to go to work if it's ever needed. I also think that having that little pocket rocket has increased my situational awareness.

Iiiiiiii don't think I've ever called my side on my pocket rocket before !

 

[WuLiPuOva]

Operating the table saw or motorcycle are way more dangerous than having a holstered firearm on your hip. When the pistol comes out of the holster you will need to be thinking.

 

[graydude]

A chainsaw isn't dangerous sitting on a shelf with the engine off. Hunting knives aren't dangerous when they're in a belt sheath. Motorcycles aren't dangerous if they're parked. Pistols are not dangerous if secured properly in a holster. I'll admit I'm rather complacent about my pistols once they're on my body secured in a holster. While driving, running the lawnmower, using a sawzall, etc, I often forget I'm armed. The key is not becoming complacent when actively touching or handling the guns.

 

[Hoganbeg]

Operating the table saw or motorcycle are way more dangerous than having a holstered firearm on your hip. When the pistol comes out of the holster you will need to be thinking.

This^^^^^!

However, a moment of reflection on what you are doing when you arm yourself each day is a good idea.

 

[Fizban]

There is a term that is used for the specific type of heightened focus that is commonly associated with important or potentially hazardous tasks. Its called being "on".

If situational awareness is the active form of heightened focus... being "on" is the passive form. Its simply the act of filtering every incoming impulse through the prism of being armed .. its the consideration of how that fact impacts what you are doing or what you need to do.

When I am armed, I do not forget about it.. I am always "ON"

 

[G26Raven]

I think about the possible consequences of it daily, but I don't worry about it.

 

[Mike1956]

I'm much more likely to kill or be killed via the fifty-five hundred pounds of metal I drive down the road than by the guns I carry. That bit of risk is lost on many, judging by watching my fellow motorists.

 

[Texas Red]

I'm much more likely to kill or be killed via the fifty-five hundred pounds of metal I drive down the road than by the guns I carry. That bit of risk is lost on many, judging by watching my fellow motorists.

Good point, Mike. I think most Americans are unaware of just how many traffic deaths there are in this country annually. Over the past 30+ years, it's varied from the 30,000s to the mid 40,000s. And those are the fatalities. The number injured would be multiples of that.

Folks should contrast those numbers with the 58,000 we lost in 10 years of combat in Vietnam for some perspective.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year

 

[midon1967]

Must haves when I walk out the door.
Wallet,car keys, cell,gun.

 

[9MMare]

There is a term that is used for the specific type of heightened focus that is commonly associated with important or potentially hazardous tasks. Its called being "on".

If situational awareness is the active form of heightened focus... being "on" is the passive form. Its simply the act of filtering every incoming impulse through the prism of being armed .. its the consideration of how that fact impacts what you are doing or what you need to do.

When I am armed, I do not forget about it.. I am always "ON"

I like to think that I'm "ON" whether I'm armed or not.

I cannot say that I uphold that desire all the time but it is the goal.

 

[9MMare]

I'm much more likely to kill or be killed via the fifty-five hundred pounds of metal I drive down the road than by the guns I carry. That bit of risk is lost on many, judging by watching my fellow motorists.

Oh yeah! And talk about complacency!

For myself, I make conscious efforts not to do so specifically when driving.