Why do you carry?

[Stubob]

This is a very important choice. If you are not willing to use your firearm, you should not carry. On the other hand we all should strive to not get into a gun fight.

I have been in several circumstances where it was a comfort that I had a gun on or near by. In all of those, I was able to change the circumstance or get out of the danger. This is only one of the reasons that I have chosen to carry most of the time when possible.

Our town has had a major problem with crime, and one time during a home invasion in our neighborhood the officers arrived after 5 minutes. We respect and owe a great deal of gratitude to our Law Enforcement Officers, but even one minute is a long time in a bad situation.

It would be interesting to see other opinions on why you have made the choice to carry? Thanks.

[DAN]

I feel there is only one answer. I carry so that I will be able to protect myself and loved ones from a lethal threat.
If you carry for any other reason what would it be???
DAN

[icarry]

When our house was broken into last year it took the police a little over an hour and a half to respond. It is pretty clear that we are on our own to protect our selfs.

[nodaywithout]

this is a good question.

There is a good reason why i want to carry (just waiting on the permit to come in) and it was due to a situation where i felt my life was threatend, and i never want to be unarmed in that type of situation again.

and the second reason is the second amendment says i can.

[ErnieH]

To Protect the ones I love. To put others lives before my own, to protect those who are to weak or those who are unable to protect themselves.

[VegasGeorge]

As someone once remarked, "God made man, but Sam Colt made men equal." And, as Mr. Colt himself once said: "The good people of this world are very far from being satisfied with each other and my arms are the best peacemakers."

So, on a practical level, that's why I carry my gun. I don't kid myself when it comes to my lack of experience and lack of physical prowess. There are a lot of bad guys out there that could wipe the floor with me. I have some street smarts, but I'm no brawler. I rely on my knowledge and ability to use my gun in a deadly effective manner to protect myself and my family.

On a higher level, I carry because I believe in exercising my right to bear arms. Furthermore, I believe that it is my patriotic duty to carry, fulfilling the expectations of the founders of our great country who drafted and adopted the 2nd Amendment to our constitution. The 2nd Amendment exists for a reason, a purpose, and ignoring it would be just as un-American as ignoring the 1st Amendment.

[CA CCWInstructor]

I carry because I can.

If I knew when I would need it, I would only carry it then.

A gun is much like a spare tire, You carry it all the time and hope you never need it.

[Poogsdad]

I carry because I have made the health, welfare, and safety of my family and those others that I care about my personal responsibility.

My brain is the most powerful weapon I carry and, hopefully, it will be the only one I ever need to use.

A firearm is a tool that expands my options and, for those times when circumstance gives me no other option, I feel it is prudent to carry a firearm.

Thanks,

[Lady Di]

Since I'm a VegasGeorge dittohead, can I just ditto everything he said? He makes so much sense and he has a way with words. :P

[EBDPA]

I also ditto VegasGeorge...

I have been told and tell my students all the time that national criime statistics show that a violent crime is committed in America every 24 seconds or so.

In my area, it seems from the newspapers and news TV reports that we may be above average.

I have had 6 different people in my relativley close circle of friends and business associates who have been confronted at gun point at their business or in front of their homes in the last 18 months.

I have been an avid gun owner and hunter my whole life. When I made the decision to go from collector of firearms for sporting use to carrying a firearm for personal protection, I took that decision seriously. I raised the bar on my training regimen, sought outside help from the training resources available to all of us and hardened my resolve to be prepared mentally, physically and emotionally for making the decision to use lethal force.

My motivation was primarily the protection of my life and that of my loved ones. I am not opposed to going to the aid of someone that I don't know, but my primary response is for me and my family.

My secondary motivation was putting feet to my desire to protect our Second Amendment rights. I tell people all the time when they find out that I carry that I choose to protect my 2nd Amendment rights by exercising them.

my 2 cents...

[larryarnold]

I carry a handgun for the same reason I wear a seatbelt. When the wheels start to skid it's too late for a do-over.

[Raccoon]

This is a very important choice. If you are not willing to use your firearm, you should not carry.

I think we all should carry, if for no other reason than to provide a clean and workable weapon to those who are carrying a 1911 and get a gun jam. . . .

[just kidding Stubob]

(I know I'll get a phone call on this one.)

[nodaywithout]

well how did that phone call go? hehehe

[Quick_Draw_McGraw]

I feel there is only one answer. I carry so that I will be able to protect myself and loved ones from a lethal threat.
If you carry for any other reason what would it be???
DAN
could have not said it better myself. my grandfather was in the USMC, then a police officer for many many years. and i have always been taught that its a tool for a job just like my wrenches at work for working on cars. it is there if needed but you may never touch it which is and can be a good thing.

[QNman]

I carry because my job brings me into bad neighborhoods with a trunk full of expensive tools sometimes... and other times, it brings me to isolated areas where I may only see a car every 10-15 minutes (with the same expensive tools in my trunk). And because even in nice neighborhoods, bad things happen to good people and their families.

I carry a handgun for the same reason I wear a seatbelt. When the wheels start to skid it's too late for a do-over.
Exceptionally well put, sir!

[hpj3]

Because I can't carry a cop? :lol:

[pioneer461]

I carry because;

1. I can.
2. It is my right.
3. It is my duty to protect my family and myself.
4. My background allows me to protect my community.

[cupsz71]

Simple.

I'm tired of the "criminal element" in our population getting stupider by the minute when it comes to common sense, and what is becoming more evident every single day - no moral compass on which to base the decisons they make that effect the people around them.

No, I'm not living is fear, but being realistic & practical. It seems lately that violence towards innocent people is taking center stage with nutjobs that have convinced themselves that killing is the only way to be heard. I take the safety of my family, and myself very seriously, and with the police being on average over 5 min away at any given time, I choose be armed to defend the ones I care about the most, and if threatened at least be able to - DO SOMETHING - other than be next in line for the crosshairs of a scope.

And lets be clear for those of you wondering....
1. I hope I never have to make that choice in self-defence.
2."hunting" for the BG is not a viable option.
3. Calling 911, protecting my family, and being the best damn wittness I can is my 1st course of action.
4. I also have no illusions of the odds of bringing/using a handgun to a rifle fight if it comes to that.

Just my $.02 cents

[HairyEyeball]

Short answer: "So that you and the rest of the sheeple can continue to be oblivious."

Alternatively: "Why do you carry a credit card?"

Long answer: "There are evil people in this world. I will not let them succeed by my inaction. I will not allow myself or those I care about to become victims through turning a blind eye and pretending it cannot happen to me. 'The law' has no obligation to 'protect' me but I have every right and obligation to protect myself, and if necessary those who are unable to protect themselves...and sometimes, those who are unwilling or too foolish to."

[Bill of Rights]

...4. I also have no illusions of the odds of bringing/using a handgun to a rifle fight if it comes to that.

I don't know... Ms. Jeanne Assam managed to do a right fair job with hers.

(and yes, I know this is the exception, not the rule.) Like you, I hope to never have to face the situation myself, but I don't imagine I'll lose much sleep over a dead criminal attacker.

Blessings,
B

[muzzletalk]

Everyone is sane in their OWN minds. Unfortunately everyone is not on the same plain or in a lot of cases, not even in this dimension. Greed, envy, desire are a few propellants for corruption. I carry to protect. Protect first and foremost, the ones that I love.

It's not just a choice. My love ones are my responsibility.

[Onree]

My wife and I first decided to start carrying because of one person - my ex-wife. She made some threats and we decided that we needed the ability to protect ourselves and our family if the situation ever arose. I'm thankful to say that I haven't heard a word from her in over a year (knocks on wood), but I still carry everyday.

I feel safer on a daily basis and it has made me even more aware of my surrounds at all times. I'm not on edge, but I take note of things I may have over looked in the past. Just that alone makes me safer.

I am proud and very thankful that I live in a Country that allows for such freedoms and provides us with the ability to be the first line of defense when it comes to our own safety in a life-or-death situation. Its my duty, as an American, to not forget what's been sacrificed to protect that right and honor those sacrifices by continuing to uphold the Constitution everyway possible.

[Bill of Rights]

I like the way you think, Onree.

Welcome to CarryConcealed. http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/wave.gif

Have a great day.

Cogito, ergo porto.

Blessings,
B

[Quick_Draw_McGraw]

To Protect the ones I love. To put others lives before my own, to protect those who are to weak or those who are unable to protect themselves.

exactally. im 21 and i work in a horrible part of a city, there are prostitutes and drug dealers everywhere, people getting robbed, as well as many many police chaces. im not going to go into a situation that i do not feel safe. now mind you i hate the location of my job and thats why im looking for a new one but when i carry i still dont feel safe but rather comfertable that i will be able to do something about it if something was to arise.

also since all these mall shootings and school shootings i want to be able to get out if possible but if cornered i would do everything i could to protect my loved ones and the people around me.

[99sparks]

It would be interesting to see other opinions on why you have made the choice to carry? Thanks.

Not every one can carry. I can’t carry! It is not a choice. It has been pre-decided by CA allowing the local sheriff’s to not issue to senior law abiding citizens.

[duc_fan]

+1 to a bunch of the reasons given.

Along the lines of nodaywithout's sig line: I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

I also believe in protecting the right enumerated in the 2nd Amendment by practicing it.

I am also pursuing a CCW because I feel that as a law-abiding citizen, it is my responsibility to those who cannot defend themselves (i.e. children, seniors, unarmed family & friends, etc).

Along those lines: If I am taking a young lady out on a date, I should be capable of defending her if necessary. This is an old-fashioned principle, one which many would meet with derision today, but having been raised to a higher standard by my parents, I feel it is an honorable sentiment. Hopefully this doesn't ruffle the feathers of any feminists too badly. http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/Smileys/classic/wink.gif

Safe shooting,
--Dan

[Mudcat]

I carry for four main reasons:

1) To protect myself and my family

2) For the same reasons I'm a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain - To protect those around me that I love and to hopefully be able to keep order in the event of a disaster in my area.

3) As the General Manager of a business I also look to be able to protect those lives in my charge if the need should ever arise.

4) To actively practice my 2nd amendment rights

I hope to never need my weapon for any of the above reasons but I'm very greatful that it is there if it should be needed.

[EBDPA]

Well said mudcat and welcome to the forum.

:D

[Tanzer]

I am 100% behind the men and women of law enforcement. But their job is to invgestigate, gather evidence and prosecute AFTER a crime has been committed, hopefully as a deterrent to crime.
I cannot reasonably expect them to anticipate a threat to my life or that of my family. Any other reasoning has already been stated.

[Sky Pilot]

Why?
Because I carried openly for 18 years as a uniformed officer.
Because in that 18 years I never had to resort to the defensive sidearm, not even once.
Because in that 18 years of law doggin' I also carried off duty in civilian attire.
Because in carrying off duty, concealed, in civilian attire, I had desperate need of a concealed handgun.
Three times, had I not been carrying a concealed handgun, I would not draw breath today.
The world is less safe now than when I was tall and slender and out to save the world. I am now old, and gray, and stout around the middle, and I probably look to a bad guy like a much softer target than I used to be.
There is one other, overwhelming, compelling reason why I carry.
I married her.
She is a youngest, and when you marry a man's youngest daughter you must realize she has always been, and will always be, Daddy's little girl: when I married her I as much as looked her father in the eye and promised him solemnly as one man to another that I would keep his little girl safe.
I have kept that promise.
And I will continue.

[S&W 40]

Because I can't carry a cop? :lol:
They wiggle, are heavy and don't really like it.

Saw this on GeorgiaPacking and I think they took it from THR or ???

I don’t carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.

I don’t carry a gun to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m paranoid. I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m evil. I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.

I don’t carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m angry. I carry a gun so that I don’t have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I don’t carry a gun because my sex organs are too small. I carry a gun because I want to continue to use those sex organs for the purpose for which they were intended for a good long time to come.

I don’t carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m a cowboy. I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.

I don’t carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.

I don’t carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun because unarmed and facing armed thugs, I am inadequate.

I don’t carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.

The short of it is I am not as young as I used to be and after 21+ years protecting these rights I know I need to use them now.