An article by this title appeared in the most recent American Handgunner, penned by Mr. John Connor. Connor's writing is a little bit serious and a little bit tongue-in-cheek, and he describes his answers in three phases: Sincere and Articulate, Rude but accurate, and finally the funny but insincere "Voices" response.
I was faced with answering this question a long time ago.
When the missus and I dated during the pleistocene, "shall issue" had not yet reached my state, or most others for that matter. Getting a CFP required knowing the sheriff and having him like you. As a starving college student I didn't have the bankroll to get him to like me, so no CFP. I carried anyway. My rotation at that time included a Delta Elite (too heavy), a CZ-75 (eoooh, 9mm?) and a Glock 22 (just right-ish).
My wife was not from a gun family. She liked that I was, in her words, the first guy that she wouldn't have to protect from the muggers, but at the same time I think she was a little relieved when my small arsenal was sold to pay off some small debts and buy her a ring as she wasn't fully comfortable with guns.
About a decade later things had changed enough that there was enough budget to both buy a gun and spend money regularly on ammo for practice. And "shall issue" had come to my state. I picked up a Witness 10mm and a CFP. And my wife asked for one thing; A veto on when I could carry. She promised not to use it often, but wanted an over-ride if she wasn't comfortable with the idea in a given circumstance.
A few months went by. One day we were headed out and she wanted me not to carry, but didn't want to spend a veto. She asked "why do you need to carry right now?"
And in that moment I looked at my three children and had my answer.
I explained to my wife that it would break me if something were to happen to my children that I might have been able to prevent if only I had the right tools. A gun is a key tool in protecting my family. I hope it's never needed, but the price of not having it if I need it is everything.
She has never veto'd since.
So, what is your reason why you carry.
Fortunately, my wife came from a hunting family and had no aversion to guns.
When my state became "shall issue" I was going to pin shoots once a week and steel shoots at least once a month. The transportation aspect alone made it worth it.
When asked why I carry by the unfamiliar with guns folks, I usually tell them two things. I carry for the same reason I have a real fire extinguisher on the opposite side of my kitchen from the stove, even though I've never had a fire. I also tell them one of my goals in life it to never find myself in a situation where I have to shoot anyone. But if that situation finds me, being prepared for it is worth the trouble of lugging a gun around.
I don't CC to intervene in other's drama, I do so because I couldn't stand by and watch terrible things happen to my loved ones. So pretty much the same, Sqlbullet. I suspect this will be a pretty common answer.
I have carried a firearm with me mostly while in the vehicle when younger and always had one while working. As time went on and the area around my location started to change, I stepped up and took the necessary steps to obtain and maintain a conceal carry license. Now I don't leave home without my conceal carry on my person, however there are restricted places that we can't conceal carry and have to follow those rules as such. Places like US post Office, hospitals and or Dr. offices and it pains me to have to leave the firearm in the vehicle. Cabled Locked boxes are a good way to secure it in the vehicle during those instances...
While my wife doesn't like to shoot much she is very understanding to the daily needs of protection! I don't go looking for trouble and I pray that I am never put in the position of having to use deadly force...but try to stay ever watchful!
So many reasons...
I'm angry all the time.
It distracts me from my small genitals.
The cat told me that I'm the Third Horseman of the Apocalypse and the Time of Purification is upon us.
To fight the invading NATO new world order.
Because I have skinny arms and a sunken chest.
I never got over being teased on the playground.
2nd amendment...harrumph!
It's a mandatory fashion accessory for every middle-aged man with a gut, salt n' pepper beard and a vest.
I might be forced into close proximity with someone unlike me.
Defense against the secret paramilitary wing of the TSA who are hunting me because I balked at taking my shoes off at the airport.
That was sarcasm in case anyone missed it...
I guess at this point I cary a gun because I've been carrying a gun for so long I don't really think about it any more.
I started carrying because I was an avid recreational shooter, and because I had come to the conclusion that humans are the single most violent and unpredictable species the planet has ever seen.
When I was able to trade in my .40s loaded with hollow points for a 10mm loaded with hard cast, the relief was palpable. Grizzly bears have their quirks, but I find them infinitely more reasonable and accommodating that people, by in large.
before CC was readily available to commoners in Fla., I always had firearms in my vehicle stored in accordance to the law. one night as I was leaving the local watering hole, I witnessed a drug deal gone wrong and someone getting their brains blown out 10 ft. away from me. :o from then on I carried a gun on my person when ever I thought I might be going somewhere dangerous. after CC became available to the masses, I still keep a weapon in the vehicle at all times and on my person depending on the situation. but now I'm not concerned with breaking the law. I don't carry while at work because I'm either on the boat (I keep a Dura Coated SKS stored below) or working around salt water or sweating like the proverbial pig. but my pistol is still nearby in my truck. I do always carry while in town or traveling as one never knows what will be encountered at the gas station or other unfamiliar places on the road. I also look at a firearm as an fire extinguisher, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
For me, the concept of being able to protect my wife, daughters, and or other loved ones if put in a bad situation turned worse, gives me a great peace of mind. There has only been one time that the mere presence of a weapon saved my skin; and in all actuality, I'm pretty sure it was my fervent Prayer. In this situation, I had just gotten off the Minneapolis light rail, and a really large gentleman approached me (mind you, I'm 6'3") and he still seemed huge. At that point he asked me for a smoke, and I thought, sure give the guy one. As I proceeded to leave, he said, hey, give me your wallet and phone, and I mean NOW. The only thing I could come up with was to unzip my winter coat, and act like I was reaching to get my wallet, at which time my OWB G30 was in plain view. At that point a very concerned look came over his face, as he hightailed it out of there lickety-split, my first thought as he left...Thank you Jesus!
I carry everywhere it's legal because I value my life very highly.
I go shooting because I enjoy it.
Simple as that.
You guys have totally nailed it. When you consider the world we live in, and the complete disregard for human life on the thugs behalf, how could a person not carry. Last year, before COVID reared its ugly head, my wife and I were walking into church, and one of the Deacons asked if I would assist with the offering plate collection. I told, absolutely, just let me know. On our short drive home from Church, I kind of chuckled; who would have thought, we were all carrying, three Deacons and myself 😂
We live in a small quiet county but I still carry because I refuse to be a victim.
To put it simply, I carry because I value my life and the ones I love more than anything in the world. I refuse to put myself in a situation for harm to come to someone I love because I had no way to protect them.
I carry because after thousands of hours of training and even more thousands of dollars in expenses (mostly paid for by my agency) I don't want to end up at the Pearly Gates muttering excuses why I chose to go out that day armed with only strong language and a decrepit body.
;D
Really it's no different than having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, wearing a seatbelt or buying insurance. Life is something you plan for or it just has it's way with you.
People who ask this question generally know the answer, they just feel uncomfortable because most of you would risk your life to defend the innocent and they would not. That's why they so often attack your character (imply you are looking for trouble just haven't ever committed a crime or shot anyone yet, imply you just can't fight with your fists or are afraid, etc.).
It's a good question for the OP on a gun forum but never lose sight of the fact that 99% of the people who ask you this question know very well that you all want to protect yourselves and your families.
Sometimes I think it's better to call them out on this.
Im carrying because our world has changed so greatly over the past decade. I have a FL permit which is not accepted in our "may not issue"(not the way its written but the way it is) state. Our area is primarily rurel but the 3 municipalities in the area have an aggregate violent episode rate per100K greater than Baltimore, MD.
Feeling the same need to have a fire extinguisher, or health insurance or etc I do carry now in the time of blue politics and covid.
I also decline being a victim.
I graduated the police academy in 1983 and my instructors at the time harped on us officers all going armed, all of the time. I bought into that premise and spent the next 31 years working for that agency. I am in a second career as an administrator at another agency and I can probably count the dozen of times that I have left the house without a gun over all of those years. It is just like the watch on my arm... I feel naked without it.
Given the times we currently live in, my answer (below) has changed .... and we ALL know what THAT is !
But before this year:
"Because the Constitution, and the Laws in my State, allow my to .... legally"
But who said I didn't carry before ?
Even while I lived in a State, that DIDN'T allow it .... legally ! ! !
Because MY life matters and some feel it's only worth the price of the paper in my wallet. Oh, also because I can :-)
Absolutely 😊
In addition to all the reasons stated by others I point to an incident in San Antonio or maybe New Braunfels years ago. A woman with a pistol in her car met her parents for lunch. Before entering the restaurant she decided that there really was no need to carry inside and you can guess the rest. A killer with a gun entered the restaurant and started shooting. The three of them hid under the table they were at. The man decided he had to charge the killer and was killed. The woman and her mother tried to get away. The mother was killed. The woman says she will never forgive herself for leaving her pistol in the car.
I was able to find this article online a few years ago but could not today. It's probably still somewhere. This incident emphasized for me the necessity of carrying all the time and forget the excuses for not doing so. It happened to her; it could happen to me; it could happen to anyone.
There is a simple but pithy statement regarding carry.Going beyond the need for personal and family safety/defense. It goes like"I'd rather have a bad legal trial than a nice funeral"..
Quote from: rognp on November 13 2020 01:00:48 PM MST
There is a simple but pithy statement regarding carry.Going beyond the need for personal and family safety/defense. It goes like"I'd rather have a bad legal trial than a nice funeral"..
If you were ever in a bad legal trial you might consider it a closer question.
I carry for the same reason I do many things in life. I work out and eat healthy to take care of myself. Pay bills save money and prepare for the future. Carry insurance in case of emergency. Even though violent crime is only half of what it was 25 years ago. That doesn't mean I can slack off and not take care of myself along that path either.
Mr Sneed, I'm not too sure of your reply, but I assume you have had a bad experience. With my current experience level I think I would still cjoose the bad trial. Ther are always those situations where there is no good answer or outcome.
The Police do NOT have a duty to protect the citizen
Now I don't think that most LEO would wuss out like the one in Bower Co. FL.
But it's a fact and I need to protect myself
The Gov. in Va. is defunding the police through the back door and nobody paying attention to it , so instead of LEO being minutes away they will be 1/2 hour away
So now I carry two extra mags
Quote from: rognp on November 16 2020 10:57:18 AM MST
Mr Sneed, I'm not too sure of your reply, but I assume you have had a bad experience. With my current experience level I think I would still cjoose the bad trial. Ther are always those situations where there is no good answer or outcome.
My answer wasn't entirely serious as a bad result is certainly preferable to a funeral. However, I'm a lawyer and have seen the effects on the losing party from bad results and they're unpleasant, whether for my client or for the opposition. Once they have gone through a full trial on the merits, civil or criminal, most people, winners and losers, never want to repeat the experience. Still beats a funeral though.
Because I don't like being the only person without a gun.. :o
Seriously. I love my family. And not just them, I am wired to help others.
Quote from: Sneed on November 03 2020 10:47:53 AM MST
In addition to all the reasons stated by others I point to an incident in San Antonio or maybe New Braunfels years ago. A woman with a pistol in her car met her parents for lunch. Before entering the restaurant she decided that there really was no need to carry inside and you can guess the rest. A killer with a gun entered the restaurant and started shooting. The three of them hid under the table they were at. The man decided he had to charge the killer and was killed. The woman and her mother tried to get away. The mother was killed. The woman says she will never forgive herself for leaving her pistol in the car.
I was able to find this article online a few years ago but could not today. It's probably still somewhere. This incident emphasized for me the necessity of carrying all the time and forget the excuses for not doing so. It happened to her; it could happen to me; it could happen to anyone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanna_Hupp
Quote from: sqlbullet on December 15 2020 06:06:59 AM MST
I was able to find this article online a few years ago but could not today. It's probably still somewhere. This incident emphasized for me the necessity of carrying all the time and forget the excuses for not doing so. It happened to her; it could happen to me; it could happen to anyone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanna_Hupp
That's the one. Thanks.
One is none and two is half of what you need.
Always be prepared.
In the Army; "Earl, why you always carry three canteens and four mag pouches full of ammo?"
Earl: "I hope I never have to show you why".
Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
What if?...the that leads to "What if I hadn't"
I never carried until this explosion of mass shootings and terrorism starting about 10 years ago. Obviously I used to carry in the woods, never really for animals. The places I used to carry had some black bears, cougars, bobcats. I do not fear them really. My grandfather always told me the only animal to fear in the woods is the 2 legged kind. Humans up to no good.
Nowadays, we can't go a day without hearing about terrorism, mass shooters or road rage. The pressures of daily life, bad traffic, stress and over medication coupled with a lack of mental health care has got this country in a bad spot. I honestly don't know who to trust. I feel exposed everywhere, at the mall, restaurants or just driving on the freeway, afraid to even honk at someone that cuts me off for fear they start shooting.
I carry because I won't be a victim. I was raised to hunt, been around guns my entire life, been through the best firearms training the government has to offer in various capacities as a military firearms instructor, military police officer as well as several in private security. I feel prepared to handle most situations. I hope to never be in a situation, but being prepared just seems smart. My greatest fear is to reach for my gun and it not be there. This is why I refuse to send my kids to public school. They can't defend themselves. They're safer with me.
I always carried when I was in the backcountry or out on the ranch for four legged critters. Now I CC when ever I'm not at work ( had that discussion with the owner) however I do go into customers homes and printing is a very real possibility. Nowadays with all the unrest I just won't be without it for most of the reasons already stated.
That's for sure, everywhere but work
Kind of like sqlbullet's reply. I've carried all my adult life since I was in my early 20's. Every woman I dated was impressed that I didn't leave anything happening to me or us to chance. Married a couple of them but it never lasted. Then when I was in my early 50's I found the woman I wanted to be with. The first night we went out we were close dancing and all of a sudden she stiffened up and asked my why I was carrying a gun. And I told her we were going to spend the rest of our lives together and I would not want to take the chance on someone with bad intentions changing that. She married me later that year, has learned to shoot and life is good.
One of the best reasons ever; protecting our loved ones