[BlkHawk73]

Maybe I'm mistaken on this but it seems to me that a great many people simply carry for bragging reasons. Sure in those states that allow it, it's a wonderful thing but those that seem overly fixated on it sometimes have me thinking. People I know personally that carry, seem to be split on this. Some seriously carry while others carry simply to be able to say they do (perhaps to boost thier ego or something. not that I expect 100% honesty on this but how many here carry just for ego's sake?

Don't waste time with "It's my right" and "because I can". I see those reasons all too often. :banghead:

[Vern Humphrey]

Back in Viet Nam, we had Armed Forces Viet Nam (AFVN) radio -- you may recall the movie with Robin Williams, "Good Morning, Viet Nam!"

They had a lot of clever "commercials" on that station -- for things like "remember to take your anti-malaria pills" and so on.

Among the most clever were the ads for the in-country Rest and Recreation Center at Vung Tau. And every ad ended with the same three words, "Bring your weapon."

Good advice. I've followed it ever since.

[Skunkabilly]

I go out of my way to keep the damn thing a secret. My casual gun friends know, you guys know, but my closest 'real life' friends don't.

[jhisaac1]

I dont' carry, but the first person I know who did, I think was in it for the ego. He showed off a bit and I don't know how anyone would think that a full size revolver carried mexican style would be very concealable.

[P95Carry]

Ego?? Hmmm .. well I have little doubt some deserve that label.

Me?? I instead feel ''PRIDE'' in the fact that I carry. That is nothing to do with ego - it is the fact that I am excercizing a right, first and foremost .. one which IMO presupposes great responsibility. I accept that.

I also tho am 100% certain in the knowledge that ''ME'' is the only guy who is able or likely to save ''MY'' a$$ in a crisis. I use the word ''pride'' because it suits my approach ... I am not ashamed but neither am I ''macho'', ''gung ho''.

The pride is also satisfaction as well ... in as much as ... I am able ...... to not only watch and protect my a$$ but my nearest and dearest also ... to the extent that I would lay down my life trying to protect theirs .... with tho at least ... a means to try in the first place.

[cool45auto]

Only the other people at work who carry know and a select few family members. Oh, and you guys!:)

[Greg L]

Ego? Nope not me, if I was dragging around this hunk of steel every day it certainly wouldn't be for ego's sake as lately I seem to be constantly hitching my pants back up (yes, yes I know, I need a new belt :rolleyes: ).

Ego has nothing to do with my choice/responsibility to be the first line of defense for my family. Perhaps at first when you start carrying there is a little bit of the "macho" image that comes into play. However, time & inconvienence quickly weed them out as it soon becomes too much of a bother to carry a gun.

Beware the man/woman who has routinely carried for more than a year. They have accepted the hassle/inconvienence of carrying a weapon around with them & they probably know how to use it.

Greg

[P95Carry]

Beware the man/woman who has routinely carried for more than a year. They have accepted the hassle/inconvienence of carrying a weapon around with them & they probably know how to use it. That Greg is I think a very valid point!

Any ''novelty value'' does I'd reckon begin to fall off after a month or two.

I am almost daily cussing at times ... due to the piece being there. No biggie .. just minor inconvenience if you like but ... a necessary aspect after all. I do however have .. yeah .. a ''dedication'' to it ... I WILL carry always regardless ....... one reason I have such an assortment nowadays of carry methods .. there will always be something that'll work, even if not the most comfortable. Any discomfort is a small price to pay.

I'd add tho - I DO remove ...... just those very few times I am duty bound to do so ... Court House, and schools. But believe me .. that is RARE - to say the least!

[Ryder]

How do you answer a person who thinks excercising a right is a waste of time?

Having rights is something to be proud of. How many people do you hear bragging about not having a right?

[Devonai]

If desiring to remain alive is egotistical, then yes.

[Standing Wolf]

My life is irreplaceable. That's an egocentric statement, and I'm proud of it.

[Denver]

Well I certainly don't carry for my id!

My id gets its' day at the range as often as I can get it there!

Id says,"YES!"
Ego says,"NO!"
Superego says,"Let's discuss this."
-Freud paraphrased with my apologies!
-denver

[Harold Mayo]

It's my right...

AND

Because I can...

What does ego have to do with it? I'm sure that some people have an ego about it, but that implies that others know that you carry. There are more people on this forum who know that I carry a gun than people in my life who do. Concealed carry means concealed in more ways than just physically...

[Dave R]

No one who knows "me" knows I carry, so I don't see how it could be benefitting my ego.

You all know I carry, but due to the anonymity of the Internet, you don't know who "I" am.

I suppose its possible I do it for ego, but it seems like a lot of effort for the approval of a chat room. (Granted, a really, really good and informative chat room.)

[P95Carry]

Ryder ... in fairness to BlkHawk73 ........ the ''wasting time deal'' was purely regarding the fact that he KNOWS about the ''usual'' reasons, like ''it's my right'' and ''cos i can'' .... that as I saw it was all he meant. he and we, have heard those before and accept them. OK!

He was therefore, after other things ..... namely, the ''ego deal''.!:) (or not).

A nh yeah too . I'd say we are all, to a person .. proud of the right ... too true.

[BluesBear]

I think a better question is,

How many here know someone who only CCW to boost their ego.

I suspect most of know at least one such person. In my case it's a Rainbow Six wannabe. I think this guy has an ongoing Walter-Mitty-joins-the-CIA fantasy.

It's people like this that really scare me. If the balloon goes up they'll be more of a liability than an asset.

[Absolut]

carrying is every responsible citizen's duty

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

My life is irreplaceable. That's an egocentric statement, and I'm proud of it.

Me too! Standing Wolf included Ego, Pride AND Id in one simple sentence!

[bobdobalina]

I mainly carry for defense. But I have another reason also, and it kind of goes along with why I decided to get my first gun in the first place. I was always mostly neutral with respect to gun ownership and shooting, etc. I went shooting a couple of times with friends and shot .22 rifles in JROTC. But one day I realized that I'd better get myself a gun and enjoy it while it lasts because I sincerely believe that during my lifetime most (if not all) private ownership of firearms will be banned in the U.S.A. I know that is a very pessemistic thing to say on a gun board, but I think people are increasingly looking for the Government to solve all of their problems (percieved or real) and the banning of gun ownership will be a consequence of that. Kind of like socialized medicine is an inevitibility for the same reasons. So, I carry for self (and family ) protection, but also because time is running out for gun ownership (and by extension, concealed carry )

[Ryder]

I can see that Chris.

5 people I know expect that I am cocked and locked. My father, two sons, a significant other, and one old friend whom I visit occasionally. I trust my life to these people so it is OK with me that they know. I want their trust also. I can only imagine what they would think if they discovered I am carrying in their presence without their knowledge. They be justified to feel they have reason to fear me IMO. I would be suspicious of anyone close to me who didn't trust me enough to let me know that so it's a two way street.

Strange to me that BlkHawk73 has so many people who trust him in this way yet he is attempting to steer the discussion in way that shows these people were perhaps wrong in their assesment of him?

Odd from my point of view. Verges on trolling or baiting.

[clubsoda22]

The only time carrying a gun would boost my ego is in a gunfight.

Reminds me of an argument i had with campus safety.

Campus Safety: "Why do you have emergency lights on your car, do you want people to think you're a cop?"

Me: First off, i'm an EMT, secondly i'm licenced by the state to have them, thirdly, i don't care what people think i am, as long as they get out of my way when i turn them on.

Campus Safety: So it's an ego thing?

Me: Get more low profile that a set of barely visable LED's on the dash, they're even clear when i have them off. If it was an ego thing i'd have a full lightbar, don't ya think?

I feel the same way about carrying guns. If you are able and allowed to, ou might as well be prepared for when you might need it.

As long as it stays concealed and you don't go flashing it around to everyone saying "hey look at me!" no one can claim it's an ego thing.

[BlkHawk73]

How do you answer a person who thinks excercising a right is a waste of time?

Read the original post again...Don't believe I said that the exersising of one's right is a waste of time. I simply asked that responders not use the simple "it's my right" answer as so many people do. I was looking for well thought out and well worded responses.

Strange to me that BlkHawk73 has so many people who trust him in this way yet he is attempting to steer the discussion in way that shows these people were perhaps wrong in their assesment of him?

Hmmm. once again re-read the original post:banghead: Did I even mention that I carry? Did I mention the trust people have in me? How can I "steer" this discussion when I made one post prior to this one? I do carry on occasion but not all the time. When I do carry it's because I feel a need to be prepared in the eveny that my weapon would possibly be needed to protect my family or myself. I also have the right to choose NOT to carry when I want. If I know I'll be in places that may frown upon it, it's not worth the hassle I'll encounter. Very few people know when or even that I do indeed carry.
If I was intending on trolling or baiting, I'd have done a much more in-depth infiltration in doing so. :evil:
A few postes to this thread actually earned my respet with what they wrote. :cool: Others, well...:rolleyes: :uhoh: I know those people don't care and frankly, neither do I.

[Frank5]

I've had a carry permit in PA since 1986. This was I believe before PA was a shall issue state. My ego did recieve a boost because I felt they were trusting a non cop to tote a hidden gun around in public. I must have made a good impression on them in addition to having a clean background check. They did not have to grant it....but they did. It was like being told by the Lackwanna co. sheriff's dept "OK you're a good guy".

I was younger then & now I realize that PA is shall issue & it's easy to get a permit. (as it should be................No..peaceable citizens should not need permission to pack....but it's the best we have at this time.) Now it would do nothing for my ego. Because I spend so much time in NJ, I almost never carry. (no NJ permit) :(

In a place like NJ I could see more of an ego boost from having a CCP. It tells me you're either wealthy,have political connections or both. Normal people are not allowed. :mad:

[Oracle]

I carry because I simply don't trust the protection of my life and the lives of my family members to anyone else. I realize that (thankfully) the chances that I may have to use my CCW weapon are rare, but that chance is still out there. It's the same reason I carry a spare tire and a jack - I take the precautions to make sure that my tires are in good condition, but due to factors outside of my control I may get a flat tire, and I would be smart to have the ability to change that tire if I needed to do so. Similarly, I take precautions to make sure that I don't put myself or my family in bad situations (staying out of certain parts of town, not being belligerent or threatening others, keeping a fairly low profile, etc.), but due to factors beyond my control, I may end up in a bad situation, and it would behoove me to have the ability to protect myself and my family in that situation.

[Ringer]

I just started carrying this year and had to learn how to swallow my pride beforehand. Here is an example. Driving to and from work in Metro Detroit people tend to do things that can be quite aggravating. I had to work on getting out of someone's way rather than holding my rightful course. The way people drive around here I'm surprised we don't have more "road rage" incidents. For me carrying a gun means striving to avoid unnecessary confrontations rather than boosting my ego.

The only people that know I carry are my wife, daughters and one co-worker. My closest shooting buddy doesn't even know because he is too chatty :).I don't really know anyone that carry's for ego's sake, but I don't really know many people that do carry (that I know of anyway). One guy I work with came in waving his CPL around the office with a big grin. I think that was more excitement than bragging rights though.

[Werewolf]

I carry because one day I woke up and I realized the world had changed since I was young. I realized that now:

1) I always lock my car doors because they've been broken into twice in the last 10 years
2) I always lock my house up tight because it's been broken into 3 times in the last 10 years
3) When I go out I see people on the streets acting and dressing in ways unheard of when I was young
4) Not a day goes by when there isn't a murder or robbery in the local news
5) Politicians are regularly trying to take my rights away

Maybe my view is jaded but when I was in my 20's I didn't have to lock my car doors when I went to a store and usually left the windows rolled down. I never locked up my house and when I went out the folks on the street were normal not punk rockers with spikey purple hair or gang bangin' scum. Were there robberies and murders when I was in my 20's - of course - but I don't remember them being quite so common an occurance as today.

And finally - believe it or not our president, senators and congressmen were actually folks that were looked up to not the skirt chasing, lying sacks of s-h-i-t we've got today (though I suspect that politicians have always been liars - at least back then they were clever enough to not get caught at it too often). As go the morality of our leaders so goes the morality of our society and it's all going downhill.

So one day in my 50's I woke up and decided the world had become a way more dangerous place to live in than it was when I was young. I decided it'd be better in this day and age to have a gun for protection and hopefully never need it than to need one and not have it. I decided that I needed more than cowboy action pistols and a shotgun and lever gun. I decided I needed to carry on a daily basis - because that's the smart thing to do.

If one can call that ego then so be it - I just think it's smart in this day to carry!

[Zedicus]

Don't know if I should realy be posting in this thread since I've never even owned a gun, but as I plan to get a CCW sometime I decided to go ahead.

I would expect that once I do get a CCW that I will be very pleased/proud with mysellf that I would be Officaly Recognised to be Responsable enough to be trusted with carrying a conceled tool for defence of mysellf and others.

However I would keep it on a Strict "NEED TO KNOW" basis, and any Novelty would likely wear off within a week or 2.

I wouldn't lie about it if I was clocked, but I wouldn't say much (if anything) either.

[rayjay]

Amen Werewolf! Very well said. I feel the same way. I too woke up one day and found that the world had changed and not for the better. I carry concealed because I feel it is my job to protect my wife and family. The weapon I carry(depending on the weather) is only one of the tools I use to protect my family. No one will see or spot my weapon unless they pose a threat to me or my family. Is it my EGO that I do this.....no. I am a husband, father and (gulp) grandfather. And I take responsibility for the safety of my family in a constantly changing world. You ask if it's EGO why people carry weapons nowadays? I think not.

[Kentucky Rifle]

I'm proud of my small gun collection, but I haven't showed my entire collection to anyone but my wife. (Who has her OWN little collection. :) ) Ego? No--Boasting for *any* reason is just wrong. Other than you guys, the number of people who know I carry, or even own a firearms collection could be counted on the fingers of one hand. I carry every waking hour, however I go to great lengths to hide that fact. Boasting you carry or have a collection is wrong in so many ways, I don't want to spend the next few hours typing them out. Being able to purchase and carry what you want is a blessing, not a bragging right. Don't get me wrong--there probably ARE people like that somewhere. But, I've seen no evidence of them on "The High Road". The "pride of ownership" thing--you bet! But I'd also bet that it stays right here on this forum.

KR

[Mad Man]

carry for ego's sake?

Maybe I'm mistaken on this but it seems to me that a great many people simply carry for bragging reasons. Sure in those states that allow it, it's a wonderful thing but those that seem overly fixated on it sometimes have me thinking. People I know personally that carry, seem to be split on this. Some seriously carry while others carry simply to be able to say they do (perhaps to boost thier ego or something. not that I expect 100% honesty on this but how many here carry just for ego's sake?

Don't waste time with "It's my right" and "because I can". I see those reasons all too often.

Since the original question is about us, it may be hard to be objective about it. Let me paraphrase it a bit, and maybe BlkHawk's point becomes more clear (or at least my interpretation of it). As with all analogies, it's not perfect.


Maybe I'm mistaken on this but it seems to me that a great many people simply become journalists/protestors/activists for bragging reasons. Sure the First Amendment is a wonderful thing but those that seem overly fixated on it sometimes have me thinking. People I know personally that are journalists/protestors/activists, seem to be split on this. Some seriously add value to public policy debateswhile others speak out simply to be able to say they do (perhaps to boost thier ego or something. not that I expect 100% honesty on this but how many here work to make their opinions known just for ego's sake?

Don't waste time with "It's my right" and "because I can". I see those reasons all too often.


Now, I happen to believe that a free press is important, but I think that most so-called reporters do a terrible job, partly because they won't admit their biases/agendas. And while the right to public assembly is great, I think that people who go to protests (including the few pro-gun ones I've attended) are people who have way too much time on their hands, and just want to feel good about themselves.

Should we deny that Michael Moore does what he does for his ego's sake, out of fear that it might somehow undermine support for the freedom of speech?

[Hot brass]

I don`t have an ego problem. I carry for protection of my family and self. I hope the time never comes when I have to use deadly force. I have told one guy that I work with that I carry, wife and kids know, one neighbor, cousin, and a couple of gun "NUT" friends who don`t carry. Not ten folks that I know, know that I carry. Have you ever looked down the bbl of a loaded gun before, and the person holding the gun is not friendly? I have :(

[goldy]

I know someone who carries because it makes him feel more *secure*. Not simply because he is carrying a powerful weapon that can kill someone, but because it makes him feel more of a man to have it with him. Like no one will mess with him. He will ride down the road and if someone cuts him off, he goes off yelling how he can blow their *&%())* brains out so they better think again before doing that to him. Of course, this is all said in *his* car and goes unheard by the other. It's pretty sad, really. Yeah, I guess for some it is an ego thing. Personally, I think, if a person can't feel good about himself/herself as they are, a gun isn't the answer. It's a ticket to disaster.

[P95Carry]

He will ride down the road and if someone cuts him off, he goes off yelling how he can blow their *&%())* brains out so they better think again before doing that to him It's those goldy who scare the cr*p outa me .... always a few eh!

Hopefully they remain just the verbose ''big I am'' and their vocalizing satisfies their ego ....... but those types we most assuredly do NOT need in our ranks .. no way! Only takes one of them to go that bit too far and we all can suffer.

[BluesBear]

It's similar to the Mall-Ninja-Syndrome.

I know people who became Security Guards just so they could wear a gun and have a badge. They were the people who, when not working and not attired in their stylish uniforms, :rolleyes: couldn't let a day go by without telling anyone who'd listen that they were a "Security Guard", as if that titbit of knowledge would strike fear in the hearts of men and desire in the busoms of women.
:barf:


Reminds me of the 27 year old SG that patrolled the parking lot of a Burger King in a neighboring county back home. He had annoyed so many people with his para-military bravado that one fall Friday night a 5'6" 15 year old kid beat the shot out of him.
Said 15 year old then proceeded to walk inside and lay the SG's 4" RG-38S on the counter and inform the night manager that she needed a new guard since this one wasn't qualified to be the fry-guy.
Needless to say it was his last night night in that vocation.

[Kentucky Rifle]

I've never known anyone like you described. If it were me, I'd rid myself of this guy...PRONTO! He's obviously nuts, plus he's doing nothing but giving lawful carriers a bad name. Does he have his CCW? If he behaves like that a lot, he's going to meet up with a person who doesn't care about the gun because he's going to have one on him also. As a matter of fact, someone should call the Police on this guy. Like I said, he's giving us all a bad name.

KR

[Browns Fan]

My feelings about CCW is that every time I pull the gun out of the safe and put it on, I thank God that I have the right to carry, yet with the same breath, pray that I'll never have to use it.

[WvaBill]

Found this on dead bang guns. I guess it has to address ego:

"It is thus necessary that the individual should come to realize that his own ego is of no importance in comparison with the existence of his nation; that the position of the individual ego is conditioned solely by the interests of the nation as a whole ... that above all the unity of a nation's spirit and will are worth far more than the freedom of the spirit and will of an individual .... This state of mind, which subordinates the interests of the ego to the conservation of the community, is really the first premise for every truly human culture .... we understand only the individual's capacity to make sacrifices for the community, for his fellow man." --Adolph Hitler 1933



Even if misattributed, it has grave implications to fear our ego as a motivator.

[blades67]

I carry because I can. If you feel that isn't good enough, move to California where you'll fit right in.

I don't carry to boost my ego, I carry gun as another tool to use to protect myself from anyone that would bring harm to me. If I didn't have a Right to carry a gun then I wouldn't carry one. I also carry a couple of knives, a leatherman and some keys. Some because I can, others because I don't want to explain why I have to hotwire my car.:neener:

It is a Right, so I carry because I can.

[itgoesboom]

I think the original poster has a point, although, I don't think he is mainly talking about those of us on this site.

I know a few people who have CHLs that don't carry daily, either because "it's too dangerous" or because it's inconvenient. But they tend to let other people know that they have a CHL.

As for myself, there are a few people who know I carry. My wife knows, my extended family knows, just incase they happen to see me strap it on while visiting, I don't want them to freak out, plus they appreciate me being able to protect their daughter, my wife. They are even paying my range renewal fees this year for Christmas. Two of my close, close friends, who both are into shooting and have expressed intrest in getting their CHLs. My boss knows, but only because I didn't want to lie to him, and he asked if I had a firearm with me (he meant in this state, since I moved recently, I thought he meant WITH me, which I did, so I told him since he then knew) while he was inviting me to go shooting with him :D .

Other than that, I don't tell anyone. If someday there is a reason to inform someone else, and its a good reason, I will tell them. Otherwise, it's concealed, and as far as anyone else knows, I am as unarmed and defenseless as any other sheeple.

So no, I don't carry for ego, I carry for protection.

I.G.B.

[*8*]

Nah, there is no need for people to know you're carrying.

I usually leave my primary gun in the truck inside a lockbox. Most of the time, I only carry my backup gun and knife deeply concealed. :D

If I'm walking down the street you would not be able to tell, If I'm packing or not.

One thing though, it seem like homeless people or bums are avoiding me. For example, I'm in a stop light and some homeless dude walks up to every car stopped, for some unexplained reason, they would rather avoid me and look the other way, same with the window washer dudes. :confused:

[dshimm]

When I carry concealed, I tell nobody and I conceal. Often my wife is surprised that I had my firearm on when I take off my clothing at the end of the day.

[Werewolf]

*8* Claimes that:
One thing though, it seem like homeless people or bums are avoiding me. For example, I'm in a stop light and some homeless dude walks up to every car stopped, for some unexplained reason, they would rather avoid me and look the other way, same with the window washer dudes.

And this is a bad thing??? :neener:

Same thing happens to me but on purpose. When I see 'em I purposefully look them straight in the eye and put a look of scorn and disdain on my face. Add to that that even though I'm a professional financial analyst I look like I could be a member of the hell's angels old timers club and I just don't get bothered by the bums, beggars and homeless - which is just exactly the way I like it.

[TonyB]

Ego----no
I carry because I take my life and that of my family seriously...like most who CCW the only one who knows is my wife.(or significant other)......Now I believe you do need CONFIDENCE to carry....but that confidence comes first....if you carry and are not confident you could actually use your gun to take a life if need be ,don't carry.......so maybe a little ego is involved,but not as you put it,at least with MOST people that I know who carry......it's a resonsability,and sometimes a huge PIA....but I see it as neccesary........:cool:

[HankB]

. . . a great many people simply carry for bragging reasons . . . Carry for BRAGGING?
How can one brag about something that's supposed to remain CONCEALED? :confused:

[spacemanspiff]

those who carry for 'ego' sake probably arent members of THR. instead, they are probably at GT.

KIDDING!! i'm j/k! :neener:

[MrPink]

Well to be honest, when I first started to carry - quite a few years ago - it was kind of a rush. Sure I said, because its my right/self defense and all that, but truth be told it was very cool. Selecting carry gun and leather, ammo, mods was all a psych.

Years down the road and never having to have had to use it, I still carry. But I gravitate towards a light S&W 340PD in a pocket holster as small and unobtrusive. More of a chore than a thrill - call it the pragmatic stage of CCW

[Jayman]

Well all I can say is ditto to the people who note that carrying a firearm is a royal pain in the butt. Throw in a spare magazine or two and you're definitely not traveling lightly. The idea of it being fun goes away pretty quickly no matter how comfortable your setup is.

For the most part I don't discuss carrying. My friends know I do, most of them don't care one way or the other, some COUNT ON me carrying. Heck, me carrying has made at least one or two friends realize that maybe they should consider it as well.

Likewise to what everyone else said. It is just a concious decision to protect yourself and your loved ones. Nothing more, nothing less.

[RandyB]

Funny I carry my Kel-Tec .32 instead of my .45 Kimber most of the time. Obviously I want to brag! <Sigh> No the reason I carry 1. concealed 2. The only folks that know are family and a few trusted friends. 3. For Protection #1 . When I go out I have my wife and 17 month old daughter with me and I carry to protect them as well. I also am trained as a EMT and am an amatuer radio operator and carry items to those tasks as well. Not to brag, but to increase the safety of those I love.

[Amish_Bill]

Satisfaction of ego... yeah... It's really fun to:

-constantly monitor your carry piece so you don't accidentally flash a sheeple who then calls in a "MAN WITH A GUN" 911 report.

-constantly monitor your carry piece to make sure it is still there & secure.

-not be able to enjoy a beer with lunch because you are under arms.

-pay constant attention to where you can, should, sholdn't, and can't carry.

-know that if you have to step into a situation it's likely someone will die ... possibly you.

Of course, this is all in the context of someone who carries at all possible times. I really don't see how a regular carrier could do it for ego purposes. It's just too annoying.

[P95Carry]

It's just too annoying haha ..... Bill, ya know there are times when I really do agree on that. As you say, in effect --- hardly much room or energy left for ego!!

I think the word for those of us who make carry a full-time deal ..... is ''DEDICATED'' ..... and thus prepared to endure those inconveniences that go with the territory.... usually willingly.

My wife and I are going to a surprise birthday party next weekend, for my Sons FIL ... now they did months ago ''catch me'' with my exposed carry piece when I was at son's unloading sheetrock with him ... I just carried on as if all were normal. Not too much was said .. just the odd question but no paranoia.

So - I know they are not gonna go crazy if I am carrying but I intend to make it as low key as possible - diplomacy ya know! .... having to be wearing better pants than my daily jeans .. and a half decent (tucked in ... Urggh) shirt.

Probably this will one of those occasions where the Smart Carry will get the job done - my usual options will be otherwise gone. So - here I am pondering on the ''how'' for the simple reason that I refuse to give up the carry, regardless .... we still have to get there - and get home again!!

Damn nuisance really but .. I am ''dedicated''. Ego lies buried .... somewhere!:p

[Roadkill]

Mine is based on where I am and what the situation is, but I'm realizing that my PP gets a lot more time than the others. When you are a kid you want everyone to know how bad you are, when you are 50 you only want to be left alone. I will however have a gun within reach or on me all the time situation and laws permitting. And nobody will know about it.

rk

[WvaBill]

Often my wife is surprised that I had my firearm on when I take off my clothing at the end of the day.

Has she ever asked, "Is that loaded?":eek: Mine Has.:scrutiny:

[P95Carry]

Has she ever asked, "Is that loaded?" Mine Has. Really Bill?

Oh yeah .. hmmm .. of course .... the gun!!:p :D

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Maybe that is a rhetorical question ..... or more likely a ''loaded'' question!!:p

[Hazwaste]

Yeah, I carry for my ego like I wear my seatbelt for my ego (makes me feel like a race-car driver!!!) and keep fire extinguishers in my house for my ego (makes me feel like a fireman!!!). :rolleyes:

[tommytrauma]

Blkhawk, keep in mind that the majority of people who carry for reasons other than ego or image never stand out as carrying. The jerks get noticed more. Therefore, you're seeing a skewed sample.

Personally, I see self defense as a responsibility as much as a right. Ethically, I believe it's part of the social contract to be self responsible. Anyone who gives in to crime is encouraging it. Pregmatically, I know that the role of the police is not to ensure my personal safety. If anyone ever tries to victimize me or mine, there isn't going to be a cop around. Both of my jobs bring me into contact with the most mentally unstable, violent members of our society on a regular basis. I KNOW what can happen. Choosing to be defenseless seems to me to be as foolhardy as choosing not to have medical / auto / home owners insurance.

[yy]

In an eye blink.



I'd stay out of trouble with planning and prevention (and avoidance). If I had to draw, something already failed.

In that sense, I'd carry as a ego booster