Why do you carry?

[sqlbullet]

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.

[Graybeard]

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.

[The_Shadow]

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!

[Muskrat]

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.

[blaster]

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. 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.

[Kenk]

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!

[Keiichi]

I carry everywhere it's legal because I value my life very highly.

I go shooting because I enjoy it.

Simple as that.

[Kenk]

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  😂

[AlinMi]

We live in a small quiet county but I still carry because I refuse to be a victim.

[Alabusa]

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.

[Rick R]

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.


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.

[Bluebird5000]

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.

[rognp]

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.

[stykshooter]

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.

[DenStinett]

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 ! ! !