Something to consider, as most all of you know  already ....If you are legally permitted, accomplished, and are overall comfortable carrying a firearm in public, yet only do so once in a blue moon, your not only putting your self at risk, but your loved ones as well; carry every day all day when applicable!

The only reason I am mentioning this is that several of my friends have carry permits, yet only a few carry all the time, barring work or other...a huge mistake in this day and age in my opinion.

I agree! a ccw is like having a fire extinguisher. you never know when you will need it but when you do, you'd better have it!

Yrs ago, I have no doubt carrying save my wife and I once... since then it is always with me.

Not to mention several times  being in a place the day before something strange happened ( like a machete welding truck driver at costco )

Quote from: blaster on January 10 2020 05:28:50 AM MST
I agree! a ccw is like having a fire extinguisher. you never know when you will need it but when you do, you'd better have it!

I use that analogy all the time with the uninitiated to firearms. 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 mention that I've never carried a gun with the intention of shooting anyone. I would happily live out the rest of my life without the need to harm anyone, even in self defense. That said, I carry all the time and avoid places I can't.

Personally, I think being forced to witness something terrible happening to those I care about and being powerless to stop it is a bigger concern than my safety.

Absolutely!

Many years ago when I got my CFP, my wife agreed as long as she had over-ride if she truly objected to taking a gun to a given destination.  From time to time she would object to carrying at to a certain destination and in the interest of harmony I would compromise.  But I never assumed that she would object, even if returning to a place she had previously raised concerns.

A few years passed and we started having children.  One day were were headed somewhere (I don't remember the destination) and she asked why I felt I needed a gun at wherever we were going.  I thought about it for a minute and then shared this thought with her:

"I don't think I will.  But I also don't know when violence may turn our direction.  I know that if the unthinkable happens and you or one of the kids dies or is seriously injured, I will be ruined by the thought that I might have prevented if I had been prepared.  I will emotionally be destroyed by the guilt of not being prepared to defend those I love most.  I will never again be a decent husband to you or father to any surviving children."

She has never again suggested I leave the gun at home.

It's like at our local Church of aprx 175. On an given Sunday there are no less than 5 of us that are carrying, two deacons, one elder, our sound guy, and myself  : )