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The unwritten laws of CCW

20K views 146 replies 109 participants last post by  Seraph  
#1 ·
This isnt a legal thread, but I want to hear about other peoples unwritten laws of CCW. I have my own I'll share soon enough... but what are yours?

An example is; You must visit WalMart before your permit is valid or your holster must match your belt.
Or on the more serious side, how about you must carry with at least one reload, or if you're going to carry a gun, a good knife is a must.

I'm just curious about others habits or thoughts pertaining to CCW.
 
#144 ·
#9 ·
1 is none, 2 is one.

Remember no matter where you are...there's at least one gun

yes...your holster and belt must match...sharkskin if possible

Putting a 1911 in a plastic holster is like running a Corvette through a mud pit

If you're doing it right, the only person who automatically knows you are carrying a gun is you.
 
#46 ·
That Sounds A Bit Unusual To Me



To my mind, that sounds a bit extreme and counterproductive.

If that is one of your "unwritten law of CCW", I sure hope you also subscribe to the FIRST and FOREMOST and MOST IMPORTANT "unwritten law" of CCW:

Intimately know ANY and ALL of the WRITTEN laws of your residency state which govern CCW and the lawful exercise of self-defensive Lethal Force.

The truth of the matter is that in the vast majority of cases where civilians utilize a firearm for lawful self-defense, violent felony crime is deterred, controlled, prevented, merely by display and presentation of the firearm, without need of any actual shots fired at all.

Immediate problem immediately solved, and without need of anyone being hurt. That's the best outcome anyone could possibly hope for.

Of course, if the firearm has even cleared leather, presumably 100% legal justification for spilling blood already exists in your own mind and conscience. Thus,
if shots need be fired, they presumably, certainly will be. Your action had better be reasonable to the mind of your local Prosecutor, or else you will be facing a jury of 12 of your peers who will be conducting a preponderance of all pertinent evidence to determine if your action, in their opinion, was reasonable or not, and in compliance with the Law or not.

I do not disagree with your statement in the general sense, to the extent that you have already made the decision that you are capable and willing to exercise lethal force in self-defense if and when justifiable and warranted. And I do wholeheartedly agree that the first valid so-called "Victim's Right" is the right to not become a Victim of a violent criminal Predator in the first place - not for any reason whatsoever.

But your statement above clearly infers or implies your apparent (?) mindset or belief that if your gun clears leather in your hands, blood WILL be drawn.

Best be careful what you say in public forums.

If you are ever involved in a SD shooting, prosecutors can have their field day in court with your own statements, since they are admissable, prima facie evidence of the mindset you held and carried along with your gun when you strapped on that gun and walked out into the public domain.

Put another way, carry your "big stick" if you will, but sometimes it's Wise to both walk as well as talk softly . . . JMHO
 
#11 ·
My main one is - carry all the time and everywhere legal but ... ''stay outa trouble" - similar in a sense to an earlier post. Plus - be polite to everyone but - ''have a plan ...... " :wink:

I always have a knife but most of the time when at home do not carry a reload ... that will sometimes be onboard when out and about.

And ... carry the best gun you can afford and handle well - in the best equipment you can find, with plenty of thought to dressing around your carry..
 
#12 ·
Always carry.

You will never be trained enough.

Never let your guard down.

Watch their hands. You should look at someone's hands before you even thinking of looking at their face.

Never sit with your back to a window or door.

Have a plan with your wife, kids, etc if SHTF and you clear leather. You should know what they are going to do and they should know what you are going to do. Have a plan if you go down. Carrying a gun doesn't make you immortal. You might get killed in front of your family. Be prepared for them to deal with that.

Never give up, never surrender. Die on your feet, never live on your knees.
 
#15 ·
We practice and train and try to solve all the "WHAT IFS" we can imagine. But when the SHTF the reality is ( ck the signature )
 
#21 ·
If you notice someone printing, there is no need to say anything, especially in public. A simple glance and a nod is enough.

Just like you never say anything bad about another man's horse, never bad talk his gun either... Unless he starts it or asks your opinion. I call mine the "cow patty" personally.
 
#24 ·
One of my favorite aviation sayings is "a superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid having to use (his) superior skills".

Translating that into the world of CCW, I think it comes out the same as what one of the above guys said: "Stay outta trouble". :smile:

BTW: Just signed up... Great forums with lots of good info!
 
#25 ·
Carrying a weapon doesn't make you a Police Officer any more than going to Mc Donald's makes you a Big Mac! :stups:
 
#26 ·
In a similar vein, a concealed carry permit doesn't empower you to go forth and save the world.
 
#27 ·
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I wear a seatbelt even though I'm not planning on getting in a traffic accident today. I have smoke detectors in my house even though I'm not planning on having a fire today. I carry life insurance even though I'm not planning on dying today. And so do you, probably. So, what makes you think that because I carry a weapon, I'm planning on shooting someone today?
 
#28 ·
Stay in good humor.

Don't rush.

Just cause the other guys an idiot doesn't mean I have to meet him on his grounds.

I avoid places that I can't carry, other than church and work.

Carry a spare mag, because the first one may fail.

When traveling or at night I carry a BUG or two.

Always carry a cellphone, never know if I have to dial-a-prayer.

Besides with the new phones having a camera it helps being good witness.

At night I carry a flashlight. It's like a good knife you never know when you'll need one even if it's not an emergency.

Sit with my back against the wall.

When driving I keep the doors locked.

I dress to carry.

I've read up on body language. When a second or two may save your bacon, it worth knowing if someone is upto no good

If I have to hug, I make sure that my carryarm is lower than their arm lest they aren't prepared to meet Sandy.

A good KISS self-defense class is a must... hopefully if life goes sideways all I would need to do is slug them in the nose or throat. I'd be happy if Sandy never leaves my side.
 
#30 ·
I generally keep in mind and have memorized four quotes that are relevant to life and living period;

"Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone. But if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery." - Malcolm X

"With great power comes great responsibility." - Spiderman's uncle Ben

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne, 'The Shootist'

"You got to know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em. Know when to walk away, and know when to run. You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table. There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealins done." - Kenny Rogers, 'The Gambler'

- Janq