Carry because you're older?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Defending you and yours from an attack is not a contest. There is no referee to score points or stop the fight if the man defending his family is losing. The consequences of losing such a fight are to horrible to think of. You MUST win. Therefore you must always be prepared to win, regardless of whats used against you.
 
Carry not because of age, but because of options.

Animals operate from instinct. Human beings OUGHT TO operate on the basis of intelligent decision making. I long ago decided to avoid any violent confrontations not required by my public and personal sense of duty.

Over the course of nearly 61 years, I've acquired one bad leg, a bad back, a searated shoulder, a heart condition - - I'm still tall, but my weight's down from over 250 to below 200, and I don't have the wind to work out, even if I weren't pretty lazy. I want to preserve my options. Without my pistol, my dealing with danger is limited to conversation or submission. WITH a sidearm, I have another option. ;)

Johnny
 
Tell him he's full of it. Single, white female, 36 years old -- martial arts trained and capable and I'd STILL like to carry. I've got five Berettas, a 686 and a Ruger New Single Six and a Glock 19. It's not an ego trip. You can't defend yourself with harsh language. Ask him to count how many women died yesterday in domestic abuse and on the streets by strangers and ask how many would be alive if they had a gun rather than a cell phone.

Laura
 
He believes its an age thing because people in my age group don't feel capable of taking care of themselves in the world unless they have a gun on their person.
Click to expand...
Pfssst!... Prrrbt!... Bwahahahahaaaa!!!

I'd pay big money to see a 25-year-old talk his way out of Thug Alley while Big Bubba's plucking the kid's teeth from his brass knuckles.

One notable guy that will sorely test your friend's "wisdom" is Gaston Glock himself, who is said to have been assaulted, not long ago, in a dark garage into which he had been lured. Unarmed (must be a Luxembourg thing) he was hit twice in the head with a mallet. But that didn't stop the legendary Tupperware gun king from returning the compliment, bare-handedly pounding his attacker over and over again with unbridled fury until police arrived on the scene.

Glock is 73.
 
Last edited:
Yep - ''brainwashed'' has to be part of this .... and maybe it is untreatable. So - his loss. Hopefully not a BG's gain!

I am ''getting on'' .... viz, 59 ... still moderately fit, tho down on stamina. I'll still give a good account physically if I really have to but hey ..... no amount of muscular machismo and abs like 6 packs .... is gonna stop a bullet comin your way!!!

I reckon us ''curmudgeons'' are maybe a bit more situationally aware ... we have seen examples of trouble ... and are aware of our mortality ..... we are not ''immune'' ....... it CAN happen to us. Maybe some younger guys feel the immortality of youth ... others tho see things as they are and carry ...... very sensible.

It is - of course - the ultimate personal choice, unless you are unfortunate enough to live in a CCW-repressive state.

In the end I think age is irrelevant ... but statistically yeah .. us older guys maybe bother that bit more to carry. I am only in my 3rd year of carry .... and that is only cos before I couldn't ...... but now it's 16/7 ... part of my dress. Simple.
 
I am 21 years old, and have never had an ego trip in my life. I would LOVE to be able to carry, but here in stupid California, I will most likely never be able too. I grew up around guns and have always liked them. There is no "ego trip" about them. I carry a knife religiously, but definitely doubt myself in a serious situation with only a knife, and my extremely meager fighting skills. I would not really trust myself defending myself and my girlfriend if need be, without having a gun. Unfortunately, that is what I am forced to. Stupid Cali laws.

I do not think it has anything to do with older people feeling unsafe, etc. Many of them take it to heart their right to carry, and excercise it because of that. And I do agree that many older people know how to avoid trouble much better than younger trigger happy "kids".

I think Chip Dixon said it very well, in his previous post.
 
Well this should go over well with your friend.

I've never been one to much give a hoot what other people thought, much less when it applied to me. Hence the "names" I'm referred to.

See I came home from being born and there was a loaded handgun next to crib. My gun, granted at the time I had other priorites and needs.

I was taught to shoot, safety rules and the whole bit as a wee brat. Yes MY gun was always loaded, as was the house gun...I knew where they were kept and I knew and observed the rules.

Yes I toted a gun as a kid , be it on foot, my bike to go shoot accross the way where safe to hunt, plink , whatever. I was raised in the city, but there was an area nearby safe and fine for this.

Attitudes of LEO, People, Media, Politicians, schools...etc were different. Yep My gun went with me ,mom and the sibs if we were out and about, in the car, going shopping, to the park.

It was what one did, I was a kid, we did not have pieces of paper "saying we could carry". Folks carried - all ages, all genders.

I as a kid used MY gun when the front door was knocked in and being the eldest sib and parents out running errands...well...I was raised "right".

I have always had a firearm on person or in vehicle. I did NOT get a pc of permission paper until some years ago. they were not available in my state. I did not rush out to get one - when the legislature changed stuff aorund here.

See my thinking has always been, there is document over 200yrs old - says I can. Only reason I did secure one... finally...hell folks ain't being raised right. LEO, Politicians Schools, and whatnot got folks thinking the gummit gonna take of them. They obviously never heard about that other dealie called the Second Amendment.

So to be "legal" in some folks "eyes" now-a-days I have multiple pcs of paper.

Responsiblity : I never knew there was a minimum or maxiumum age dealie. I'm 49, been saying "screw the rules of normalacy" , "some rules need breaking" since ...whenever it was I learned to talk.


I tell folks you get yourself killed because the gummit didn't take care of you- don't come running and whining to me. Don't care if you are family- I got something planned on the day of your funeral.

I don't argue, but I make no bones about how I feel to those who try to argue. I say my piece - Sorry man, and I walk off.
Now a person wants to learn to shoot, get a CCW, whatever - I'm avail.

Getting older and I ain't got time to waste on stupid folks.
 
Around the age of 50 you will see the thugs sizing you up. It's like being a tourist on an Italian subway. The pick pockets just look you over and wait for their chance.
They aren't attacking now but they will someday. Most of them look at you in advance and make a choice called victim selection. I think old or middle aged people are more likely to be seen as an easy mark.
 
I wish I could remember the specifics and provide a link, but there was a criminology study done at one point that focused on what predatory criminals look for in victims. I'll Google it and see what I can find.

Basically, researchers went in to prisons to talk to convicted rapists and robbers. They showed them video tapes of normal people walking around in public and asked the convicts to note whether they would definitely assault that person or definitely not assault that person. The results were, for the most part, not surprising. One dapper elderly gentlemen shown received a response of 100% would NOT assault. Curious, the researchers found the man and asked him about his background. Turns out he was former SAS who'd fought behind German lines in The Big One.

So remember that age doesn't necessarily negate attitude!
 
It's the ego thing that amuses me the most. If anything I have acquired a calmer more self-reliant attitude since I started carrying. People told me it would happen and it has. I wouldn't call it meek, but I am much more tolerant. Especially when driving. An incident that might have triggered a honking tirad is now just laughed off. I pull off the road safely to avoid tailgaters rather than touch the brakes. Another thing I noticed is that I am more aware of my suroundings and possible threats. You know, things that warrant a second look. I teach night school and have a 50 mile ride home. There is one stop-and-rob that I always pull into to get a soda for the trip home. I scan the place thoroughly before entering. And my 6, I am always watching my 6.
 
Ditto Rickstir, I tend to keep my mouth shut when in the past I might have spoken up. I am also many times more observant then I used to.
 
Well Smoke, that may be true. You and I have discussed some matters...others too. Some folks "get it" younger than others - some never do. Just like the story about the old bull and the young bull -Some folks late in life still want to "run down get them all" . There are some young folks that learn to "walk down'.

Maturity is NOT age specific.
 
I’m 22, so guess I qualify. I applied for my Florida CWP a week after my 21st birthday. Before that I carried 5†fixed blade Buck Knife, and a pair of brass knuckles. I know it wasn’t all legal. I’ve seen bad drug deals go down, AK displayed, brass knuckles to the face (wasn’t pretty), and some pretty intense fights. I’ve worked in some pretty rough neighborhoods, with some pretty rough people. I was always respected because I minded my own business, and was a capable individual.

I’m about 6’4â€, weigh 230 and am in very good shape. I don’t look like an easy individual to take either, I’m pretty buff, have (scary) long hair, but no tattoos, piercing or any other things that attract unwanted attention. I always dress and conduct my self very professionally. Any one who decided to mess with me would bring more than their fists.

I don’t believe in, nor trust God, society, or governments to protect or take care of me. For me it’s simply being prepared. Man is where he is today not because of warm fuzzy thoughts and good intentions, but because he managed to stack up the highest mountain range of corpses. We are here today because of disease, famine, deep lacerations, birth defects, venom, fangs, internal bleeding, blunt head trauma ect. To sum up why I carry a gun in a single word: Entropy.

Most of my friends are either geeky, or freaky! As a result they see the world as I do and agree with me. A few even shoot and own guns themselves.

I’ve never been accused of being on an ego trip, mainly because I’m a calm, mellow, very liberal (in the classic sense of the word) individual. Most people see me as being a true humanist. A live and let live individual with an extreme distaste for all forms of authority. I’m currently in my third year as a pre-med student, and have plans on going for my MD, and eventually into dermatology.

Dan
 
Like your thinkin Dan! I was about like that age 22 ... now ... hmmm .... now 37 years on ... not much different. Still 6'.00" and 205 .. not as imposing as you but ... I still manage (so I am told) carry a semblance of ''don't mess with me'' :D No point in trying to look like a prospective victim even if white round the muzzle!


Steve .... I'll give you ''Apprentice Curmudgeon'' status!! :p By time you've piled on 10 more years you'll reach my ''Practicing Curmudgeon'' status!

If I live another 10 years then my practice will have me as a full-blown Curmudgeon ... then allowed to be as cantankerous as I wish!!:D :D
 
Well, when I was 22, I would possibly have agreed with your friend.............I think I might have been wrong occasionally...........but I agree that the issue is debateable by honest men of sound judgement.

Point is, I am 60 years old. I am no longer 22 years old. I spend my days pushing a pencil ( and have for a long time). IOW, I am no longer able to defend myself and my family against about anything that comes along like when I was 22.

When the chips are down, I intend defending myself and my family against those that mean them harm when there is no reasonable chance of escape! I hope this doesn't offend any one.

PigPen
 
I'm old and have a disability. Every time I park and put the disabled placard in the window, slowly get out of my vehicle and gingerly walk down the street I feel like I have a sign on my forhead that says "Victim, please rob". The glock 26 on my hip helps me feel more secure, which is a feeling I like. I didn't feel the need for it when I was young and healthy. Awww, the invinsiblity of being young. Carry for what ever reason suits you and tell the rest of the world to go to hell.
 
38snapcaps - Much has been said about age. All of us, young and spry, or venerable, seem to share much the same outlook on this. Here's another. Wherever we are, between the age of 10 or 100, our lives and time are too precious to waste with fools. Your friend is a fool. Shake his hand, pat him on the head, and send him out to play in traffic.
 
I'm 22, and got my CWP when I was 21. The only two people in the world that have a clue that I ever carry are my two roommates.

Ego trip it's not. And I hole heartedly echo Tamara's sentiments.
 
I was 35 once and I was cocky. I could take care of my loved ones and me if I had to.

15+ years of bad events has bless me with copious quantities of wisdom. Wisdom is acquired through experience, both good and bad.

I've made it through life without someone shoving a pistol in my face. My daughter hasn't.

You may lose your argument with you friend, but just remember that time is on your side. . . .not his.
 
Snaps, I never judge anothers decision to carry or not. I have carried daily for about 40 years. I have my reasons and concerns. as do others. I do what I consider prudent, and leave others to their own devices.
Frankly, at 57, I just don't feel like fisticuffs anymore, but I won't be demeaned or threatned either.
 
At age 68 and a 32 year career military vet, I'm in pretty good shape considering the shape I'm in. However, I'm too old to run, too old to engage in hand to hand combat (altho I do know some pretty good moves) and I'm too damn proud to be afraid of anyone. Hence I carry 24/7/365, my little Kahr PM9 provides a lot of comfort and fits in just about all of my right front trouser pockets. I practice with it at least twice a month and have well over 2k rounds through her so I know she's reliable.
Here in certain areas of Florida, bad guys consider robbing and beating old folks to be sport. Back in my younger days as a sailor in the worlds finest Navy, I used to brawl with the best of them and have the crooked nose and scars to prove it but these days I no longer bend, I break so I have to be prepared to defend my wife and I if a nasty situation presents it's self. On two occasions in the last year, I have been jostled by a couple of thugs and both times I used my standard saying, "Young fella, I'm too old to fight ya so I'm gonna have to kill ya" with my hand on the Kahr in my pocket, they get the message loud and clear.:fire:
 
He believes its an age thing because people in my age group don't feel capable of taking care of themselves in the world unless they have a gun on their person.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to have to say this, but your friend is an idiot. If an older person doen't feel capable of taking care of himself without a gun, that is exactly why he SHOULD carry a gun. Some youngs folks could learn a thing or two from their elders.

Now, to the question of the source of your friend's mental deficiency:
And finally-his real dad is a thirty year policeman who rarely carries off duty. His position is, if his dad doesn't feel the need why should any ordinary citizen?
Click to expand...
We know the parents get blamed either way, but in this case it looks like heredity. It will eventually breed itself out, but it may take a while.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Do you carry unloaded?
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
Zach S
Z
M
  • Locked
Help convince Dad not to carry .32acp.
2 3 4
Replies
85
Views
4K
Eyesac
E
K
  • Locked
My Handgun History
Replies
12
Views
978
Mike J
M
G
  • Locked
Passing The Torch
Replies
6
Views
536
230RN
230RN
L
  • Locked
New Guy -- Looking for Carry Gun
2
Replies
33
Views
1K
CZ223
C
Back
Top