What made you carry?

[SiG78]

Hi all,

Being new to handguns, I see an awful lot of talk about CCW... carrying at the grocery store, at home, etc. What made you decide to carry a firearm at all times? Was it something that happened to you or someone you know in the past? Is your part of the world THAT bad, that you have to have a weapon on you in your own home during daylight hours? Please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to personally attack anyone; just pure curiosity I suppose.

[sm]

I am a 1955 model.

How raised - what you do.

[orionengnr]

Nope, nothing "really bad" has ever happened to me (Thank you, Lord).

But watching the news for the last 40 years or so was enough for me :rolleyes:

Finally moved to a Free State three years ago, and just the idea that I could actually do it was a new experience, so I got my CHL.

BTW, I still watch the news, and every day reinforces the opinion that I made the right choice....

[BullfrogKen]

Some people simply feel being armed is more natural a state than going through our daily activities disarmed.

I happen to be some of them people.


Its not about fear, or living in a bad area, or a past bad experience. For most of us its about empowerment, taking ownership of our lives, and assuming the responsibility to take care of ourselves and those we love.

[birdv]

My pants do not fit without my P229.

I lost weight so I might have to start carrying a 50 DE.

[jwr_747]

any part of the world these days is "that bad" at any given moment. I started to carry at most times ,even around the house when folks started having their front door kicked in by local crack heads needing quick cash.home intrusion is the newspaper term.bottom line is "elderly person" beat with pipe for $ 17.00. not scared,not paranoid,just getting cautious in my old age. jwr

[eric.cartman]

A combination of things:

1) My Dad raised me right:D in good old conservative values of liberty and personal responsibility.
2) My familly (and I) came to the USA from behind the iron curtain, where we were disarmed, and lived and loved practical socialism... from the lack of better choice that is:what:
3) I was a fence sitter on the issue. I mean, I did shoot a lot of air guns as a kid, but that was it. A year ago, me and friends went camping to PA. Friend sugested we go to the range. OK, off we went... it took 7 shots out of 1911 to fall in love... i will NEVER forget the combination of rush/adrenaline/excitement/fear in every cell of my body, incredible feeling.
4) 82-yo Grandmom got jumped by 2 thugs: hit on the head, thrown down stairs, kicked in the ribs. Not gonna happen to me.
5) My wonderful wife is such a fragile and delicate creature, I KNOW I'm the only thing standing between her and all the EVIL in the world (yes, I very much believe in evil). Of course, she shoots too, and is in a process of getting her CCW :D

Yep, I think that's it. Oh wait, one more thing...

6) After 17 years spent vegatating, not living, in communism, the idea of controling people, and the concept that "someone knows what's better for me", ABSOLUTELLY TURNS MY STOMACH :fire::fire::fire:

[ZeSpectre]

Like Eric I spent a while as a fence sitter but then...

30 day crime summary..CCW suddenly feels more important (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=239104)

And this one
Affluent friends question desire for CCW in DC (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=227693)

Well, I think that about sums it up.

[Ala Dan]

Born in 1947, and living in a very low crime area until 1968 (21 yrs old) I saw
no need to even own a handgun; even thou I lived in the south during the
turbulent times of the early 60's. But, in '68 things seemed to have changed
somewhat; with violence becoming more prevalent every where you looked.
In December of '68, I got married; wanting protection for my wife, I bought
my first handgun during the summer of 1969.

Fast forward to 1994~!:uhoh: Still with the bride I took back in '68, on Oct. 13th
of 1994 she experienced a traumatic car-jacking in the driveway of our
home; with a firearm put too her head, a threat issued by the perp that went
kind'a like this: "If you throw them F- - K- - G keys away I will blow you GD
head off"~! :eek: Luckily, my wife was not harmed further; but lost the car
and all contents inside of it, including a Iver Johnson TP-22 with serail #
AE-23221.

The perp was arrested five days later (Oct. 18th) driving her vechile. He
was locked up in the county jail on Robbery 1st, and TOP 1st charges;
but it took over two years for this scumbag to go too court. Once the
case was handed to the jury, Roderick Lee Armstrong B/M AIS #175007
was given a sentence of 32 years in a State Of Alabama penal facilty.
Only yesterday (12-June-07), my family had too make a trip (at our own
expense) to the Alabama captiol town of Montgomery; in order to protest
the early release of this no good, carrer criminal scumbag. This was the
second visit that we have had to make; just to keep this perp locked up.
The good news is that they set him off for three more years (2010). Today,
( 13-June-07) the perp sits in the Bibb Correctional Facility.

The bad news is that far to many victims of violent crimes (for whatever
reason), refuse too appear before the State Of Alabama Pardons and
Parole Board to contest these violent criminals being released back into
society~! :(:scrutiny:

So to answer your original question, HELL YES, I'm licensed to carry; and
I excercise that right 24-7, as do all the members of my household who
are of age (21) and licensed also.;)

[mavracer]

did you read in the paper yesterday the criminals turned themselves in and gave up their guns,well neither did I

[spencerhut]

Just going to a from 3-Gun matches with all the guns and ammo in my car could get me arrested before I got my CCW. :fire:
I'm very glad I have my CCW and now never leave home without Mr 1911 .38 Super, Mr. BHP .40S&W or, my very favorite, Mr. 1911 .45ACP. That or I say "Bah" when I step out the door. No kidding.

[ronto]

Because I have a Constitutional Right to do so (PERIOD)

[Cowboybootnut]

Nothing personally has happened to me to make me carry. I have been shooting handguns for the last 25 years, various makes and calibers. I did start for the CHL when it started in Texas in 1996, but I never completed it.

In 2006, before Christmas time, there was a fatal shooting in an office building, near to where I work. It was 5:30 pm, quiting time, and a lady was leaving her office to get in her car an go home. She was about 2 months from being a grandmother for the very first time. As she got out of the elevator to go out the building doorway, a young man tried to take her purse. She gave a slight resistance, untill the young man pulled a gun and fatally shot her in the head.

No Christmas, no grandmother.

It was captured on security camera. (Why do they use that term security camera, it just records the crime). At least they caught the suspect, and he is now waiting trial on capitol murder. If he is found guilty, I hope he burns in HELL.

She did what I do everyday, she just didn't make it home that night.

I signed up for the next CHL class. Now I carry. Perhaps if I would have been in her shoes, the story would have the same ending. But at least I would go down an armed victim

[flip180]

I was on my way home after buying a Kimber Stainless Compact. I stopped by my parents on the way to show my step father the pistol. I realized I was missing the take down tool that I needed to keep the recoil spring compressed to dismantle the gun. I called the gun store and, they said to come back and that they would give me one. I got pulled over on the way by a motorcycle cop. He hassled me and threatened to take me to jail. He ended up letting me go but, he seemed like a dick. I said to myself that I'll never go through that again and ended up getting my CHL soon after that. I have been carrying ever since and will always carry. Thank you Mr. Police Officer.

Flip.

[M2 Carbine]

In 1960 I became a city policeman.
Seeing first hand how inhuman a percentage of the population is I decided I would try to never be caught without a gun.

So for years before legal concealed carry my Wife and I at least had a gun in the cars.

The state finally getting legal concealed carry was nice.:)

[mpmarty]

Packed in the USMC '57 - 61, packed as a LEO 61-63, packed in SE Asia 64-66, came back here for a couple of years of R&R and wound up in the Watts Riots. I've carried ever since, and no, nothing bad ever happened to me, please define bad; I've got two artificial knees from injuries caused by agressive behavior of others and numerous other scars, is that "bad"?

[Sniper X]

Nothing happened to make me want to carry, except for the degredation of society. I really have allways carried some kind of weapon or another, and now having a lot of great guns to be able to carry, and a CCW I carry all the time. If I can't or don;t I feel naked and vulnerable, but only if in certain areas. I actually have a great hiding place in two of my vehicles I can "leave" a gun in permantly when driving it.

[MrTwigg]

I like to be prepared. :D

I have a wife and son to protect.

I have homeowners insurance.
I have health insurance.
I have car insurance.
I have smoke alarms.
I have a spare tire.
I have some guns.

so I carry.

[CountGlockula]

Freedom as an American and my duty to protect my family/others from leathal threat.

[Hunter0924]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[mljdeckard]

A few things to consider.

We, as Americans, as human beings, a parents, etc, often make statements such as: "I will do anything to protect my children." But these statements are often hyperbole, when most of us really mean; "I will do anything to protect my children as long as it isn't inconvenient or socially abnormal."

It's easy to say these things, but it's hard to stay in shape, stay informed, stay properly trained, stay aware of your surroundings, plan your life and your home with safety in mind. I regard carrying everywhere I am legally allowed to (which, at the moment means never, as I am in California temproarily,) because if you say you are always ready and able, you must back it up with action.

We as Americans have the right as human beings to self-defense. We have the right, protected my the constitution to bear arms to implement this right. When our leaders begin to perceive that there are some rights that are more important than others, that here are ways they can take some rights away and no one will care, if there are rights we don't have time to learn to understand, WE WILL LOSE THEM. I exercise ALL of my fundamental human rights. The police have no legal obligation to protect us as individuals, only society as a whole. We, as Americans, are legally expected to be our own first line of personal safety.

Since I have decided to carry, I have see situations which were a bit scary, but these aren't the reason I carry. You don't decide a fire extinguisher is a good idea AFTER you have a fire, or rather, you might, but it was ALWAYS a good idea, you just didn't realize it until AFTER it might have helped you.

I will not say "Society has become so bad" I decided to carry. When was that? When the Supreme Court decided that federal law supercedes states' sovereignity? When the slums of U.S. cities were so of opium addicts that commentators in the 19th century were certain our nation couldn't survive? When the Victorian era imposed artificial rules for sexuality which were dropped in the 20th century? This implies that there is a point at which it is expected I should cease to carry, since society has repaired itself, there is no more need to protect myself. As long as flesh and blood humans govern us and live among us, there is the eventuality that mistakes will be made, perceptions will be flawed, crimes will be committed, and rights will be violated. Indeed, the better society becomes, should we not trust each other more and more to protect ourselves and each other?

Legally speaking, you pretty much HAVE to carry at all times. Look at it from the prosecutor's point of view. If you tell him; "I could sense something bad was going to happen tonight, so I took my gun.", you are getting procesuted. The correct answer is not to get a gun, the correct answer is to avoid trouble when you sense it. But if your story is, "Something bad happened, and despite all my efforts to avoid trouble, I had no choice but to shoot him." this makes it "I was cornered and I had to shoot." rather than "I went and got my gun."

Does that make sense?

[Im283]

I carry as the law allows me too. It is my duty as a citizen to exercise my constitutional ammendments.

[Mat, not doormat]

Granddad told me to. I'm not kidding. He found out that I was working third shift at a gas station, just a stones throw from I-75, and that I was the only one there for eight hours a night. Gave me one of his pistols, bought me a shoulder rig for it, and told me to tote it. At first, I only carried at work, (circumstances that would justify a prudent man in going armed, according to the old Ohio Revised Code.) Then, when CCW came around, I got mine, and have been carrying ever since.

~~~Mat

[Eyesac]

Better to have one and not need it than.... you know.

Just a precaution like anything else. Same reason you probably have sun screen in your glove box down there in sunny San Diego, just in case...

[Eyesac]

Well said.

[elkhuntingfool]

I repo cars :what:

Yeah - pretty fun stuff. I always get with the local LEOs and ask them for a bit of assistance, but then in talking to them they said "carry a gun, we can't respond that quick from over here" They sat back about 50-75 yards to observe.

So, now I do.

I also bow hunt and being in the back woods with only a knife to ward off potential predators - two and four legged - had me a bit nervous.

[mavracer]

mljdeckard well put

[10-Ring]

Me? My state tells me I'm too irresponsible to even think about it :banghead:

[Tomcat47]

Charles Wesley Roache

Executed October 22, 2004 02:18 a.m. by Lethal Injection in North Carolina


Earl Phillips
W / M / 72
Cora Owens Philips
W / F / 71
Eddie Lewis Phillips
W / M / 40
Mitzi Phillips
W / F / 44
Katie Phillips
W / F / 14
Chad McKinley Watt
W / M / 22 09-29-99 Shotgun None 04-24-01

Summary:
Roache and Chris Lippard were on the run from a 48 hour crime spree that included the killing of Chad Watt. Attempting to leave the state, Lippard drove their vehicle into a ditch, disabling it. Roache and Lippard walked towards the nearest house on Rabbit Skin Road in order to steal a car. This house was 126 Earl Lane, the home of Earl (72) and Cora Phillips (71). Lippard and Roache entered and held them at gunpoint. Roache then took guns from the house, bound the Phillips' hands with duct tape, then fled with Lippard in their 1986 Ford pickup truck. Driving away, Lippard overturned the truck. Lippard returned to the house. Defendant stayed behind to gather their items from the truck. Lippard then yelled for help and Roache saw Lippard fighting with a man, later determined to be the Phillips' son, Eddie. Roache shot Eddie once in the chest with the shotgun. Roache then reloaded the gun and went to the house with Lippard. They were confronted by Mitzi Phillips, Eddies wife. Roache broke open the door and shot her once in the face. Roache then followed their 14 year old daughter, Katie, into the bathroom and shot her once in the side of the head. Lippard and Roache then went to the living room and shot both Earl and Cora Phillips in the head. Three generations of a family were eliminated without provocation and without mercy. Roache was arrested later near the Phillips home, and immediately confessed to the murders. He later waived all appeals. Accomplice Lippard received a life sentence.

Roache was previously convicted and sentenced for Possession of Controlled Substance (1996), Breaking and Entering (1995), Larceny (1992), Breaking and Entering (1991), Larceny (1991), Breaking and Entering (1990), and misdemeanor assault and communicating threats.

Theory had it that Eddie came home shortly after it all began!
I ALWAYS CARRY NOW!
It is not a guarantee, but if Eddie had had a gun in his vehicle when he came home....who knows? I went to school with Eddie! What a waste......and you know even the death of roach does not fill the void!:(

I would like to have chased him down and shot him in the side of the head! but use blanks the first dozen times! Lethal Injection!........
S.@.B got off easy, here anyway!

[Noxx]

Its not about fear, or living in a bad area, or a past bad experience. For most of us its about empowerment, taking ownership of our lives, and assuming the responsibility to take care of ourselves and those we love.

Well said.

Last time I checked the BG's weren't making appointments.

[wally]

A serial killer followed my neighbor (diagonal across the back yard) home from a night club, forced her off the road and murdered her right in front of her house!

The car crash woke me up and I looked out the windows but being the house diagonally across the back yard I couldn't see anything. Didn't hear anything else.

Strange to find out later what happened, and to know her body was in the trunk when we walked by the car the next day for our morning exercise. I saw the car and it explained the crashing noise that woke me up, I initially assumed the driver must have been drunk to crash while parking. Later found out she was dead in the trunk. Bought two handguns the Saturday after we learned what had happened. Could easily have been my wife as we'd been to that club, and sometimes would meet after work and be in two cars coming home, this killer only preyed on women it seems.

--wally.

[Dustinthewind]

Why do I carry? Because I can!

[Phaetos]

Two simple words ... Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans Rejects

Ok .. 6 words.

[Dark_Harvest]

same reason i wear my seatbelt everyday...


in hopes it's never necessary...


but i ain't going out like that...

[valor1]

-I carry because I'm afraid of the dark and what it can represent.
-I carry because I am ready to be attacked by slow moving zombies who are good targets.
-I carry because I love my guns and I don't want them to be lonely at the vault.
-I carry because some people don't.

[denfoote]

Gee, I think it was something called living in a gang infested neighborhood!!

[maclean]

I'd been considering it for years but the local CCW class was too costly. One morning in July, 2005 I woke up about 12:30am to what I thought was the cat making noise. I came out to the livingroom for a cigarette and the noise started again ... it was some lowlife scum prying his way through our front door with crowbar. I grabbed the shotgun I keep in the livingroom closet and banged on the door scaring him/them off. Went to wake the wife and stood guard in the hallway in case they came back while she called 911. ONE Officer finally showed up about 30 minutes later, found the crowbar one floor down and said since they didn't actually cross the threshold there wasn't much they could (read "would") do. There were 4 other apartment break-ins in our complex within the following month ... no one was ever caught so the &^*% is still out there roaming free. I told a friend at work and he told me where I could take the class for 1/3 the price - I've carried everyday since.

I'm no hero but I'll be damned if I'm going to stand by helplessly while someone invades my home or harms my family. Why do I carry a pistol? Because they won't let me carry a shotgun!
Jack

[jkp1187]

In one sense, the same reason I took those martial arts classes, same reason I lock the deadbolt every night, same reason I look around when crossing the street -- just in case.

The fact that I was getting married really concentrated my mind and helped me make the decision.

But, in another sense, because I can.

[CajunBass]

I have never in my life felt I "needed" a gun. However later today, might be different.

[tinygnat219]

My reason was more for acquisition than anything else. I had become a collector, and VA has a one handgun per month policy, so I was annoyed when I couldn't buy the Radom vis 35 I saw at a show. I had purchased a handgun 29 days prior.

In VA, CHP holders can purchase as many handguns as they want. No 30 day limit. So I got the permit, and while taking the safety class, got intrigued to start doing it. I now carry everyday when I get home from work, and I avoid places I cannot carry.

[fletcher]

I carry it as a precaution, and because I can. Other reasons:

- Both my fiance and I have been chased / followed by roadragers (did not have a cell phone at the time), and do not desire that experience, if it ever happens again, to end badly for the good guys.

- Friend of mine was robbed at gunpoint outside my old apartment (in a "low crime" area).

- My high school and college showed me that nowhere is truly safe.

- Violent crime in my area, mostly due to the illegals, is increasing.

- If I travel, it's nice to be able to take a firearm with me as I pass through or stop at unfamiliar areas.

- Having a CCW permit also allows more flexibility in transportation of my handguns.

- CCW permit counts as a NICS check and pistol purchase purmit for firearm purchases (makes it easier, saves time).

[1911 guy]

Kimberly, my wife. I swore a vow to protect her and I will. A handgun just happens to be a convenient means to that end. I will not allow the robber to harm her because he wants something she has. I will not allow the thug to take from her what belongs only to her and I. Benjamin, my son. I will not be helpless should the stray dog attempt to bite him or the unknown pedophile attempt to take him and everything in between. When he grows up, he'll be ready to shoulder the same responsibility. It's my responsibility to ensure he gets the chance to grow up.

I carry because it is one of the several responsibilties you assume as a grown man, to care for and protect your loved ones and yourself. Not doing so is negligent and to be scorned.

[The Lone Haranguer]

Why do I carry? Because I can. :) (After leaving California, that is.:rolleyes:) Why should you not be able to?

[pax]

Being new to handguns, I see an awful lot of talk about CCW... carrying at the grocery store, at home, etc. What made you decide to carry a firearm at all times? Was it something that happened to you or someone you know in the past? Is your part of the world THAT bad, that you have to have a weapon on you in your own home during daylight hours? Please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to personally attack anyone; just pure curiosity I suppose.

That's a common question, and it's a good one.

In my case, it wasn't anything major. No terrifyingly scary events, no bad man chasing me, no huge amounts of cash to escort to the bank ... I just experienced a steady and growing awareness that I was responsible for my own safety, and that nobody else could do that for me.

I also had a little bit of an ethical awakening where I began to suspect that if I were not willing to draw a gun in defense of my own life, I had no real moral authority to call someone else (a policeman) to do that same action for me. There's nothing wrong with calling the police -- that's what I intend to do, if there's time and I am able -- but there's something wrong with calling someone else to do that which you are not morally prepared to do yourself, in my thinking. So that started to bug me a little in the back of my mind.

That was the moral issue. On a practical level, I began to realize that the only person I could count on to always be there if something bad happened to me was ... ME.

So that was kind of going on in my mind, right around the time my husband and I moved out of our city house and into the countryside. Our nearest police station is roughly 30 minutes' drive from my front door. The cops in this county are spread a bit thin, with a distinct possibility that if something happens here, the only police on shift might be at the far end of the county (100+ miles away). So we faced the possibility of a really slow police response if something happened out here.

At the time, my husband was working really long hours, often coming home late at night, and we had a houseful of small children. Because he was gone so much, and because the police response was so likely to be very slow, I decided that I really wanted to have a gun to protect myself and the children in the really unlikely event that we were attacked.

But again, we had small children. I was unable to envision any way to store a shotgun for quick access which guaranteed my children couldn't get at the gun while I was in the other room. I could think of safe ways to store the gun, sure -- but not ways that I would be able to get in a hurry while the kids couldn't get it at all.

In addition, with multiple children, it seemed possible that in the unlikely event of a home invasion, that I might have to make the horrible decision to leave a child in the room with the intruder in order to go get my defense gun! Eeek. I did not consider that a good solution at all.

So eventually I purchased a handgun and made the committment to put it on when I got dressed in the morning, and only remove it when I went to bed at night.

And then I found something unexpected: carrying the gun did not make me more paranoid or more fearful or anything like that. Instead, I found that I was simply more aware of ... of everything. Of details around me. Of people. Of all the fascinating things that people do. Of all the beautiful little things that make life worth living.

And along that with this awareness, I experienced a real sense of freedom -- a freedom to (for instace) be friendly and open in talking to strangers even in uncertain circumstances. I could be open and friendly because I knew I could protect myself if it came to that. I no longer had to worry about other people's intentions, even at the same time as I became more alert to clues that would help me figure out what those intentions might be. It was just tremendously freeing. (See www.corneredcat.com/Social/whyicarry.aspx for a bit more detail about that aspect.)

This lifestyle isn't for everyone. The gun does get in the way sometimes.

But the sense of freedom, and the awareness that goes with it, is well worth the occasional inconvenience to me.

pax

[SiG78]

I enjoyed reading all of the feedback! From what I hear, it is darn near impossible to obtain a CCW here in California unless you have a VERY convincing reason. I do outside sales for a living, and I drive through some pretty crummy neighborhoods. I have to admit that sometimes I'd feel more comfortable if I had something to protect myself with. I doubt this would be a valid argument for the county sheriff, though. :rolleyes:

Thanks to everyone that responded.

[Nomad, 2nd]

To be perfectly honest, I do not understand the viewpoint of the original poster.

Why wouldn't I?

-I'm totally serious, it doesn't require thought/debate or anything... it's just what free men do.

[obxned]

Never had a bad thing happen to me, but other than that: All of the above.

[Tomcat47]

My first post reaffirmed by decision to carry! I also had an issue where I was at a rest area in east tennessee, one with no restrooms, just a pull off. When I pulled in and stopped. There was only 1 vehicle in lot with man standing at front of car. (aproximately 1 AM)

In a few minutes he walked around my truck, then went back to the car, A couple of minutes later he done the same, however he came up to passenger door and looked in...and returned to his car.

By this time I already had my Baretta 92 in my hand under my jacket on the seat. So I rolled down the drivers window and waited...just a minute or two and he started walking towards my window....I proceeded to show him the business end of the Baretta and calmly asked...Can WE help you with something? I seen him go into the woods and thats the last I saw of him...:)

He did not know I was on mounted cell phone the whole time talking to my father...man he was LHAO.

[fishingjld]

Car broken into, attempted carjacking, house broken into in less than 7 years. call it bad luck or whatever but i don't take chances anymore. :cuss:

[Oldskoolfan]

I would carry if the state I lived in would allow it. As of right now I would have to say I would carry simply because there are lots of criminals out there and I cannot predict their behavior.

As well as it is my right.

[camslam]

I agree with many reasons that have been given. For me it came down to being prepared. It sounds like a cliche', but the Scout motto is "Be Prepared" and like others have mentioned, having a concealed permit does a lot for me.

It makes me much more aware of what is going on around me and therefore much better prepared to deal with anything that may come my way.

I guess it is really the ultimate form of insurance. So often I hear people saying these things never happen and then out of the blue there is a robbery, mugging, shooting, assault, home invasion, or something else that hits our community and changes a few more peoples thoughts on the matter.

I don't know if any of you have followed the politician in Ohio, but he was staunch anti-gun until about a month ago when he was faced with a gun. Now he is finishing his gun training and is a firm believer in gun rights. It is too bad it takes situations like that to change people, I would rather be prepared because you never know what result will come from a situation.

[stevelyn]

Several reasons.


Free men carry whatever they wish.
Just about every place in Alaska is remote and help is whomever and whatever you have with you at the moment.
After a few years in LE, I've probably accumulated a few enemies in spite of treating everyone fairly and honestly.
Just because I want to and can.

[ar10]

Very high increases in violent crime, increase in gangs 40+ now, increase violent assults usually by 3+ BG's, and random drive by shootings. Long wait times for police after a felony crime, It's happening all over Franklin Co, OH.
Here's one example last night:

ON ABOVE DATE AND TIME VICTIMS REPORTED THAT 2 UNKNOWN SUSPECTS ENTERED THE ABOVE LISTED BUSINESS AND ASSAULTED AND ROBBED LISTED VICTIMS. V2 WAS ASSAULTED OUTSIDE OF THE BUSINESS. SUSPECTS WALKED AROUND THE SIDEWALK WITH BANDANNAS OVER THEIR FACES. AS THEY PASSED V2, THEY STATED WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT AND PUNCHED HIM IN THE FACE HITTING HIS GLASSES AND CUTTING BELOW HIS EYE REQUIRING STITCHES. V3 WAS ASSAULTED INSIDE OF THE BUSINESS AT THE FIRST POOL TABLE. S1 DEMANDED MONEY AND WHEN V3 DIDN'T PRODUCE ANY, HE WAS PUNCHED IN THE FACE. V4 WAS ORDERED ONTO THE GROUND AT THE FIRST POOL TABLE AND HAD LISTED PROPERTY STOLEN FROM HIM. V5 WAS WAS AT THE SECOND POOL TABLE AND WAS ASSAULTED AND ROBBED BY S2. V5 STATED THAT HE WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE 2 TIMES WITH AN AUTOMATIC HAND GUN OF SOME TYPE AND HAD LISTED PROPERTY TAKEN. AFTER THE ROBBERY, V5 CHASED THE SUSPECTS S/B BUT LOST THEM IN THE AREA SOMEWHERE BETWEEN E. 18TH AVE. AND E. 17TH AVE. V6 WAS A CREDIT CARD WHICH WAS IN POSESSION OF V5. V7 WAS IN THE BACK OF THE BUSINESS AND HAD LISTED PROPERTY TAKEN BY S2. V8 WAS IN THE BACK OF THE BUSINESS AND HAD LISTED PROPERTY TAKEN BY S2. W1 WAS THE BARTENDER AND WAS AT THE 2ND POOL TABLE. W2 STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN 2 M/B'S MATCHING THE SUSPECTS DISCRIPTIONS RUNNING S/B BETWEEN THE HOUSES ON E. 17TH AVE. DETECTIVES TOOK EVIDENCE FROM THE SCENE INCLUDING THE HARD DRIVE FROM THE VIDEO MONITORING SYSTEM, TAN BOOT FROM S2, AND BLACK AND WHITE HAT FROM S2.

[MikeJ]

I like to take walks in the evening and eventhough they are in a very nice area I find that some very bad people like to drive around in nice areas looking for "opportunities".

This is why I began carrying and now I just do it all the time.

[P97]

I don't want to be someplace and a lunatic walk in and start shooting everyone, including me, and not have some means of trying do stop him. Who is responsible for protecting my family, me or someone else? The amendment wasn't put into the Constitution without a reason, and it applies today same as when it was added.

[budney]

If a right is taken away from us in a forest, and nobody was there to exercise it, does it make a sound?

[strat81]

The world is an uncertain place.

[blo0dyhatchet]

1. My wife and I are trying to have a child. With all of the things you see in the news happening to pregnant women, it just seemed like a good call.
2. I have been a target for car jackings 2 times. One time I stomped the gas and got away, the 2nd time I had my pistol in the car. I saw the guy crouching/heading up to my window in the side mirror at a gas station. I grabbed me 9mm and put it in my lap. The guy got to the window and popped up, saw the gun in my hand, did a little dip and walked off really fast, jumped into a car with 3 other guys and flew out of there.
3. The town I live in has gone to crap. Home invasions and everything getting robbed.

[czbegenner]

Well the reason i carry all my life,i was somewhat involved in weapons.My dad
had a tommy gun,as we grew up in chicago,all my life i heard that there is one thing as boys in this house we will do is obey the law,and join the military. its our patrot duty,so as i got older after a (jar-head) was in the house,I became a us army airborne soldier.Of course the military introduced me to all types of weapons,aside from the m-16,m16a1(there was the 1911,
there was armor school,there was 50.cal ,Shotgun,ak-47,granade,making granadesEtc.so when i got out i just wanted to keep carring a weapon,so i got my chp Since 2000 ive always carried a weapon on me or in my car.Times
have gotten bad,and people are not what they were in the early 80's so I pray everyday have faith and carry my weapon for the ones who don't fear
The ALLMIGHTY GOD/and have no value on life.I tell people this is who the weapons are for the ones who realy don't fear what god will do to them,and the ones who just don't care

[captainamerica]

Ever since MO passed the CCW law I have carried b/c I do not want my family or myself to become a victim of violent crime or at the very least be at their mercy. And I will carry whether I live in the metro or finally move 45+ miles out to the sticks.

[trueblue1776]

When I was 16 I saw a big drunk guy beat the hell out of his girlfriend in the middle of the street. It made an impact on me, I couldn't do anything, I was depressed after that happened because I didn't help that lady.

I rarely carry but I will never pass up somebody that can use my help again.

[Scorpiusdeus]

Since it's a right guaranteed in the bill of rights, why not?

[Bezoar]

why shouldnt you carry a concealed handgun on your person? A sane man can easily reply with "why would you NOT carry a few condoms along on a trip to your GF's house when no one else will be there for the weekend?"

But seriously, to many sickos running around in society. Like here in west michigan this month, a 13 year old sexual predator made the news when he sexually assaoulted a grown woman. Sure the kid has a long rap sheet, but because of the legal system, he can be out by age 21 to rape and commmit other sex crimes because when hes 21 he will way more then his current 90 pounds.

or look at it this way, what do you want with you when your going in your garden and you suddenly have 2 pitbulls from down the road growling at you on your own land? a stick or a nice 38 revolver?

[Kacerdias]

It was a twofold process for me. Seeing reports of violent crime spilling over into places once concidered "safe" neighborhoods got me thinking. What spurred my thought was an ethical quandry similar to what Pax described. If I was not willing to fight to protect my own life, how could I ask an officer to risk his life for mine?

That ethical question opened the door to what true liberty really means. It's eloquently stated in Jeffrey Snyder's dissertation - "A Nation of Cowards". Beautifully written, very relevant, HIGHLY recommended reading. The part that solidified my decision was this snippet on the nature of crime:

"Crime is not only a complete disavowal of the social contract, but also a commandeering of the victim's person and liberty. If the individual's dignity lies in the fact that he is a moral agent engaging in actions of his own will, in free exchange with others, then crime always violates the victim's dignity. It is, in fact, an act of enslavement. Your wallet, your purse, or your car may not be worth your life, but your dignity is; and if it is not worth fighting for, it can hardly be said to exist."



You can find the full text here: http://www.rkba.org/comment/cowards.html

[CombatArmsUSAF]

Since carrying where I am currently stationed would land me a Turkish Jail, I compromise my need for my little friend on my side. I am speaking from experience when I say that you don't miss a right until you are no longer able to exercise it at all. I am not even allowed to have a handgun in my home for self defense.

I truly cannot wait until my feet hit US soil again in Jan 09.

[RexKwonDo]

In middle school and the beginning of high school I was pretty anti-gun just because one of my teachers taught me that way, then I didn't really think about guns at all until I was turning 21. I don't drink, but wanted to do something to mark my 21st birthday. I found that 21 year olds can have concealed pistol licenses, but 20 year olds cannot. So, I went to the range and fired some handgun rentals (first time ever shooting a handgun). Later that day I got my concealed pistol license.

Aside from discovering that I very much enjoy shooting, I also felt something more profound when I handled guns. I never thought about rights or freedom before then, but just the simple act of handling handguns prompted me to think about those things. Suddenly they became very important to me. I really do feel like holding that gun changed the way I thought.

When I turned 21, I didn't know much about Thomas Jefferson other than that he was an early president. By the time I turned 22, I considered him the man I most admired. I'm 24 now, by the way.

Every day I think about rights and freedom. My favorite hobby is taking first time shooters to the range, always hoping that guns will have the same effect on them as they did on me. One of Jefferson's passages describes this effect:

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind."

[aguyindallas]

For me, I have just always had a firearms attraction. I love to touch them, look at them and shoot them. I spent most of my younger years and early adult life in California as was not able to carry there. When I moved to Texas, I got my CHL and havent looked back.

Yes, I do carry for the obvious reasons of personal safety for myself and my family. They count on me to take care of them and I never like to let people down.

[Jkwas]

Three women. Frances, Jean, and Wilma. (hurricanes)

[MTS Cop]

One day, after about 6 months of wearing this stupid gray uniform, I was handed a shiny, silver piece of shield shaped metal that had a 5 digit number on it and said "City of New York Police". Ever since then not a day has passed that I haven't carried a gun.

[ArizonaTRex]

Lurked long enough here, this question made me want to reply. Grew up with guns, always had them, never carried even in AZ where I could have opened carried. Then one day my sons and I were getting ready to leave the house, I needed to make a "pit stop" and the boys wanted to wait outside in the van, 20 feet from my door. This time for some reason I said no wait for me. When we walked out the door two minutes later the police had just cornered a BG across the street and were yelling at him to put down his weapon. I scooped up the kids and went back inside. Minutes later the BG was down and cuffed. I realized if I had let my boys wait outside they would have been right next to this, and would the BG have wanted a couple of little hostages? What if the police had been a little slower and the boys and I where there, would the BG have tried to carjack us and what could I have done to protect my family... run back inside and arm myself then run back outside? That is when I realized I need to be better prepared to protect against any situation. I always carried a cell phone, toolbox, AAA card, and fire extinguisher in the car, was even well respected at work for my ability to "mcgyver" anything with my Swiss army knife. Now I wear a Glock or 1911. Even at work it is with me, with full approval from the boss. Especially after his family was threatened. He trusted me enough that when the situation arose he requested that if this person ever came on the premises that that I would do whatver was needed to stop the BG. Carrying is a BIG responsibilty, so is protecting my family.

[GaryArkansas]

Little Rock, Arkansas, 2005 crime statistics - 22.1 murders per 100,000, national average is 6.9. Robbery - 462.7 per 100,000, national average is 195.4. That's why I carry.

I will not be a victim, I will not be a statistic. I'm responsible for my own safety, and the safety of my family.

[Coyote3855]

See here for more reasons to numerous to re-type....

http://www.a-human-right.com/

[bpisler]

Bears,big hairy bears with lots of sharp
teeth, i started carrying when we would
be in the outdoors around fairbanks alaska.
I would carry a 4" S&W M-28 and a
mossberg 500A in 12 gauge.After moving
to arizona it became a matter of personal
safety that you can't get from calling 911.

[jeepmor]

I have several stories I could share. Why it took so long for them to sink in, I'm not sure.

HS friend shot in belly by disgruntled worker. - survived
Aunt called in sick the night a Vietnam vet killed 13 people in the bar she worked. - talk about lucky day
Family friend shot by crazy land owner - dead

You don't schedule emergencies, you prepare for them.

jeepmor

[skwab]

I agree with most of what everyone else put and so many of the situations you guys have described is why my wife and I are taking CHL course this weekend. I have witnessed a handful of crimes but thankfully nothing has happened to us directly, but basically it comes down to the fact that there are people out there with absolutely no respect for human life, and if myself or someone I care about is ever confronted with one of those individuals, I'm not going to be a helpless victim of some stupid criminal.

[Thefumegator]

Why do I carry a gun? Someone else said it best: "Because I can't carry a cop."

I carried before anything "bad" ever happened to me or anyone I knew. I was always aware of the dangers around me, though, and that's what initially made me carry.

I've carried for a long time, but a year and a half ago, a friend whom I had known since childhood was raped and murdered. Her job (a counselor for troubled teens) mandated that possessing tools for the defense of oneself were prohibited... To be honest, I don't know if she would have carried if she could have -- but a small, concealed gun could have saved her life and her dignity.

There is also a simple moral factor to it, as well. At some point, a responsible adult must recognize that he/she is responsible for his/her own safety. No one else is.

Wes

[arctictom]

The violent criminals look like all the rest of us 'normal' folks and various animals, particularly bears.

The 'normal' looking serial killers, was the tipping point for me.

[dtalley]

To Old to Fight and to Fat to Run:D

[coylh]

Nothing in particular. It seems like one of the prudent things to do in life. And it generally puts you in good company, socially.

[SiG78]

>> "To Old to Fight and to Fat to Run:D"

LOL... the best reason I have read so far!!

[A. Mann a gun]

I had my CHL and had carried maybe 4 or 5 times in acoulpe months.
One day the ex wife was dropping off my son, we out front in my yard with my 2 other kids and I hear BANG BANG I think that sounds like and I look 1/2 a block away is a man standing behind a car with a gun and is shooting at a man running across his yard. After that day everywere that is legal I carry!

[deltacharlie]

Nothing "made" me carry but there are certain realities to the world in which we live, one being the 2nd Amendment guaranteeing my right to keep and bare arms as a citizen (not a subject).
But, to quote myself: "When seconds count, the police are just 10 minutes away!"

I carry b/c it is my right (use 'em or lose 'em)
I carry b/c I have a family to protect
I carry b/c criminals carry
I carry b/c it's my social responsibility to protect the weak from being victimized by the strong
I carry sometimes just to pi$$off liberals
And mostly I carry just because I can

But if you want a few examples of why one should exercise his or her right to carry a firearm, try these little gems where a gun would have made all the difference in the world:
example (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18134671/)
example (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channon_Christian_and_Christopher_Newsom_murder) (WARNING: this one's graphic)
example (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_Fields)
example (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250798/)


Litmus test: ask ANY woman this; if I found you in an alley being attacked and on the verge of being savagely gang-raped by some local thugs, would you rather I showed up with a cellphone or a gun in my hand?

[DavidVS]

I carry because my friends don't.

I'm lazy and have enough responsibility in my life. I would much rather have my friends protecting me than me protecting them. <grin>

But they don't carry. Where I live is very safe, but of course not completely safe. So someone should be able to defend the group.

There's an old saying, "I don't carry a handgun because I expect trouble. If I was expecting trouble, I'd be running the other direction and would have a shotgun." I don't expect trouble. But carrying is not that much of a bother, and I would really hate to not be able to defend my family or friends if I could have done so.

[lanternlad1]

I never used to worry about carrying. I'm a big guy 6'0, 260, kinda scary looking (I've been told - by close friends). Most people look at me and walk in the other direction, or think I'm a cop - depends on the way I'm dressed. (I'm not a cop - I'm a graphic designer) I can handle myself well enough - or I could, until the accident.

I was driving down FM 1960 in Houston when a woman pulled out of a gas station and crashed into me. I was thrown into the door of my truck and everything on my left side was damaged (arm, knee, spine). Needless to say, I don't really trust my body to defend me in an emergency anymore. Hence, the gun. A couple of relocated Katrina thugs casing a friend's store was the last straw for me. I bought a Kel-Tec P11 a week later. (I was low on funds at the time - I've since upgraded. :) )

Let me just say for the record, I think carrying is a pain in the butt. I'd rather not have to carry - but I'm a realist. Life in a big city can be difficult, and you need every advantage you can get. Luckily, I live in Texas, where guns are plentiful and cheap, and the laws are not too bad. :)

[22-rimfire]

I carry because I sometimes come into contact with bad people during the course of my job...drug types, meth heads etc.

Plus, I like being able to have a loaded handgun legally in my vehicle.

[Don Lu]

The birth of my daughter !

[DMZ]

I am an elected official.

Have accumulated a short list of enemies.

[VegasEgo]

I live in Las Vegas where, we are the 12th most dangerous city. Icant find the exact numbers but we are like top 5 in homicide gang burglary rape narcs.

Plus there are people like this running around my city...

http://www.lvmpd.com/bureaus/violent_crimes.html

[samtechlan]

I don't believe that there are ever enough cops to prevent crime. Cops are there to act AFTER the crime has been committed. To be honest I don't think living in a heavily policed society is the answer either. I lived in Spain back when it was a heavily policed dictatorship. There were police everywhere in large numbers and crime was practically nil but, on the other hand, civil liberties were not much in evidence either.

[sed6]

What made me carry? My desire to have the ability to protect myself at all times without the need to wait for "help" I got my CCW when I turned 23, the then minimum age (now 21).

Carrying a gun is like keeping a spare tire in the trunk of your car. You'll probably never need it. You hope you never need it. But when you need it, you really need it!

[hardhit777]

For me i have always been fascinated with firearms. I had planned to get my CCW 2 years ago on my 21st B-day. 2 Weeks after i put my paper work in, 4 before i got my permit, A VERY close friend was involved in a double homicide. The night it happened i was contacted by him and asked to bring another one of my friends out there. i didn't. Call it my Spiddy sense, but something didn't seam right the way our conversation went. ( i had no idea of what they were planning at the time.) The next day its all over the news. Had i gone out there i would probably be dead. I would not have gone along with something like that. I would have tried to stop it if i were there. From the moment they were arrested i made the decision right then and there to always be able to defend myself or someone with me. (As a matter of fact i have my Makorov in a G-Code paddle holster on my hip right now.)
It was a wake up call for me, i changed my life after this happened. Stopped hanging out with friends who were fans of recreational drugs, (i never did it with them, just not my thing) became more aware of what goes on around me, and learned to be observant of peoples actions and body language. It has kept me out of trouble several times.

It may not be the best reason but its my reason.

HH