Do you carry a gun because you are afraid?

[BushMaster-15]

I remember once when a Woman asked Me , Why I felt the need to carry a firearm . I turned looked her square in the eyes and replied .
Mam it's for You and Your children's protection ,it is most certainly Not for mine ; See I'm ex Military and I survived a tour of Southeast Asia ,so I can and do take care of myself . It's You and yours I must look out for . It's our Oath under enlistment which I swore to ,protecting OUR constitution , Against Enemies both Foreign and Domestic .

For those that may not know and for those that need reminding :

Enlistment oath: who may administer
(a) Enlistment Oath.—Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath:

“I, ____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”


(b) Who May Administer.—The oath may be taken before the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary of Defense, any commissioned officer, or any other person designated under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 17, §501; Pub. L. 87–751, §1, Oct. 5, 1962, 76 Stat. 748; renumbered §502, Pub. L. 90–235, §2(a)(1)(A), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 753; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VI, §653(a)(1), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1462; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §595(a), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2235.)



RANGER CREED
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to
uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I
accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will
shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers,
neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will
fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy
and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I
be the lone survivor.

 

[I6turbo]

. You are not a better person because you are fearless. Truly fearless people would be a menace to be around frankly.

Yep. At a point, fearless = stupid. A chest-pounding "fearless" dumba** might get into a cage, unarmed, with a rampaging 600 pound Grizzly bear. Humankind will probably be better off without his genes in the pool, but he can have "fearless" on his tombstone. Or stupid, if they need a shorter word.

There appears to be a lot of verbal and mental gymnastics going on here by people who really want to avoid getting themselves too close to the word "fear."

 

[JohnKSa]

I tend to think that deep down, fear is the primary motivator.

I think one way to tell is if a person feels uneasy when not carrying. If that's true then there probably is some fear motivating them to carry. I know some folks who carry when they can because they think it makes sense, but when they can't, it doesn't bother them--they just go about their business as usual without worry.

By the way, being fearless is not the same thing as not being motivated by fear. There are certainly things I fear, so I wouldn't call myself fearless. But that doesn't mean that fear is my motivation for everything I prepare for. I really don't worry about house fires but I do have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Those are sensible precautions so I make sure I have the bases covered--but I don't do them out of fear. I have a spare tire in my car, but I don't fear having flats. They happen, you deal with them (which is easy if you have prepared) and go on with life.

My prototypes are the Spartans and other warriors of ancient Greece. Scholars now believe that they would don their armor and weapons literally seconds before the clash of arms.

I really think that people can understand why soldiers don't wear their full battle gear all the time and how that's different from going about one's normal daily activities while carrying. Gearing up for battle is a terrible analogy for getting ready to walk out the door for a normal day. If I really thought that there were a throng of soldiers outside who were going to try to kill me and I had to go outside anyway, I would definitely do a lot more preparation than just put on a compact firearm. There would be lots of preparations that I absolutely wouldn't take before routine outings.

 

[Kleanbore]

There appears to be a lot of verbal and mental gymnastics going on here by people who really want to avoid getting themselves too close to the word "fear."

I don't see it.

Again, fear involves the anticipation or awareness of danger. Most of us carry at times when there is no reason to be aware of an existing danger. Fear is certainly not a prerequisite for carrying a firearm for the purpose of the reduction of risk.

 

[.308 Norma]

To flip this question in the opposite direction, does carrying a gun give you courage you wouldn't otherwise have?

Yes, and that's why I feel seat belt law are counterproductive. Every time I put on a seat belt, it makes me think I can drive like Mario Andretti.
Just kidding of course. Just because we have a fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink, and another in the hall closet doesn't make my wife and I think we can be careless about leaving the stove on or burning Christmas candles in the house. And just because I'm a retired electrician doesn't mean I don't use one of my voltage testers before I take apart a light fixture or a receptacle even though I think I probably shut off the right breaker, and that the breaker actually works.
I could go on and on about things like having first aid kits, spare tires and some "rainy day" savings, but it's all pretty much the same thing - carrying a gun doesn't give me any more courage than I already have. Guns make lousy body armor anyway.

 

[Bazoo]

After having carried over a decade now, I am uneasy of I don’t have my gun on my side. So fear is probably my motivator. Though, I choose to carry a single action revolver as opposed to a hi cap semi auto. So there is that paradox.

 

[The Night Rider]

I remember once when a Woman asked Me , Why I felt the need to carry a firearm . I turned looked her square in the eyes and replied .
Mam it's for You and Your children's protection ,it is most certainly Not for mine ; See I'm ex Military and I survived a tour of Southeast Asia ,so I can and do take care of myself . It's You and yours I must look out for . It's our Oath under enlistment which I swore to ,protecting OUR constitution , Against Enemies both Foreign and Domestic .

For those that may not know and for those that need reminding :

Enlistment oath: who may administer
(a) Enlistment Oath.—Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath:

“I, ____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”


(b) Who May Administer.—The oath may be taken before the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary of Defense, any commissioned officer, or any other person designated under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 17, §501; Pub. L. 87–751, §1, Oct. 5, 1962, 76 Stat. 748; renumbered §502, Pub. L. 90–235, §2(a)(1)(A), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 753; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VI, §653(a)(1), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1462; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §595(a), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2235.)



RANGER CREED
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to
uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I
accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will
shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers,
neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will
fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy
and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I
be the lone survivor.

Take a deep breath.

Maybe you're wound a little bit tight here

 

[AlexanderA]

I carry a gun because I don't have a servant to carry one for me, unlike the wealthy and politically powerful folks that have security teams but don't think that the common folks should be armed... .

A lot of class resentment here. Actually, class resentment works in both directions, and it animates much of the gun debate. Nobody much talks about that aspect, but it bubbles just below the surface. Remember "the deplorables" who "cling to their guns and religion"?

 

[shafter]

My answer would be yes, yes I would be afraid to do my job and go where I have to go without one. Fear is what causes us to take precautions. Precautions are what allow us to overcome fear.

 

[Kleanbore]

A lot of class resentment here. Actually, class resentment works in both directions, and it animates much of the gun debate

I have absolutely no idea of what you are talking about.

Remember "the deplorables" who "cling to their guns and religion"?

What on Earth does that have to do with it?

 

[Howland937]

After having carried over a decade now, I am uneasy of I don’t have my gun on my side

If the uneasiness you describe is anything like mine, it's the same feeling I get when I sit down and don't feel the lump of my wallet or notice my front pocket feels light. I immediately know something is missing, and if I don't have my wallet or the weight of my keys in my pocket it makes me uncomfortable. I've been at a point for a very long time that I no longer notice the gun I'm wearing but I surely know if it's not there. I don't think it's fear so much as different that makes me uncomfy.

 

[AlexanderA]

Here's a survey question for those (except for law enforcement officers) who regularly carry -- how many times have you actually used (or displayed) your weapon in a defensive situation? And what was the outcome in each case?

I'm not convinced that street crime is as prevalent as it's hyped to be. Plus, street crime seems to be concentrated in identifiable areas (inner cities) and involves victims and perpetrators from the same demographic (black people).

So, are gun owners responding to an image, or to a reality?

Lurid stories of crimes are always played up by the press, precisely because they are such an anomaly.

 

[AlexanderA]

I have absolutely no idea of what you are talking about.

It's often said (on the pro-gun side) that gun control is more about "control" than it is about "guns." I tend to agree with this. The antigunners, who skew upper-middle to upper class, want to put the screws to gun owners, who they see as being socially beneath them. And the gun owners, in turn, resent the "elites." Make no mistake, there's a class dimension to the gun debate.

 

[Waveski]

Alex-
You proposed an analogy that was without merit, then when several individuals rejected the merit-less analogy you suggest class resentment. Are you able to consider the possibility that your analogy is flawed?
Try.
As to street crime prevalence, look at the statistics relative to annual increase of violent crime over the past few years in Milwaukee Wi. Homicides and carjackings are increasing year by year ; I hear it in the news daily. 27 children shot dead as of Dec1 , approximately 25% increase over last year with a month to go. Last year set record as well.
Or , perhaps I am conjuring up that “image” , as you put it? Am I imagining crime statistics?

You are remarkably condescending.

 

[JohnKSa]

...how many times have you actually used (or displayed) your weapon in a defensive situation...

The Kleck study indicates that there are around 1 million times DGUs a year in the U.S. If you look at violent crimes, or even fatalities resulting from violent crimes, the stats dwarf things like CO deaths or house fire deaths, and yet no one seems to disparage or question people who put CO or smoke detectors in their houses.

So, are gun owners responding to an image, or to a reality?

An image, of course, since that's all anyone has to work with. Everyone THINKS they are responding to reality, but everyone, including you, can only respond to the image created in their mind based on the facts they have assimilated/processed, their intrinsic nature and the effects of their experience. You want to get into the details of how the chemicals that control the complicated machines we call humans, create concepts in the mind? It's interesting, but it doesn't really have a point. Call it what you want, slice and dice it however you please and it doesn't change anything. We ALL operate from our own personal flawed picture of reality that we hold in our minds. Trying to indict someone based on that truth is pointless given that you would be doing so using the flawed picture of reality you hold in your mind.

Lurid stories of crimes are always played up by the press, precisely because they are such an anomaly.

1. Lurid stories of crime are played up by the press because that's what people want to read. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140728-why-is-all-the-news-bad People want to read about negative things because that's a survival trait. People who pay attention to negative stories learn from them and improve their chances of surviving and passing on their genes.

2. Lurid stories of crime are played up by the press because it would be stupid to the point of being moronic to try play up stories about people who got up, went to work, came home, and went to bed without incident.

3. Calling them anomalies doesn't seem to make them occur any less frequently, does it.

 

[Rubone]

My biggest fear is all the CCW holders out there carrying without a clue what they are doing......

 

[TomJ]

Plus, street crime seems to be concentrated in identifiable areas (inner cities) and involves victims and perpetrators from the same demographic (black people).

So you should only carry a gun if you're black and live in the inner city? Since we moved from our "safe", predominately white Chicago area a year and a half ago one of our former neighbors and the mom of one of my son's friends had gun fights break out in the safe, white areas they were in (2 separate incidents) leaving them running for cover. There were two car jackings I know of in this safe, white area plus a car load of thugs, at least one of who was armed were stealing cars in this safe, white area. Those are just the incidents I'm aware of over the past 18 months. While it doesn't rival the crime that goes on in Chicago's south and west sides, it's not free of violent crime and people who live in this area who decide to carry a gun are responding to reality as opposed to not carrying because of an image of an area being safe because the people who live there happen to be white.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

If I am afraid of going somewhere I simply will not go there whether I have a gun or not. There are places in my county where I expect almost 100% that I will get into serious trouble if I go there so my defense is to never go there. The best defense against the expected is avoidance. You cannot fear the unexpected because by definition you have no idea it is going to happen. Carrying a weapon is to be prepared for the unexpected.

 

[The Night Rider]

My biggest fear is all the CCW holders out there carrying without a clue what they are doing......

But it doesn't seem to be causing that much of a problem does it?

 

[nettlle]

I carry a gun because decades ago we were robbed while we were not home and our Doberman's brains were blown out all over our kitchen floor. It's not for fear that I carry. I carry to make it a fair fight.

 

[aaaaa]

I carry a gun because decades ago we were robbed while we were not home and our Doberman's brains were blown out all over our kitchen floor. It's not for fear that I carry. I carry to make it a fair fight.

That is horrible. Sorry that happened. You'd think a perp would turn and go elsewhere when he hears a dog in the house, but I guess the gun makes a perp rather fearless.

 

[.308 Norma]

I carry a gun because decades ago we were robbed while we were not home and our Doberman's brains were blown out all over our kitchen floor. It's not for fear that I carry. I carry to make it a fair fight.

I don't know how to click "like" for your post, frogfurr. I'm truly sorry that happened to you.
I do like what you said about carrying to make it a "fair fight" though. It's just sad that so many of us carry because the possibility of a "fight" is greater nowadays than it used to be.

 

[Ed4032]

I carry a gun because decades ago we were robbed while we were not home and our Doberman's brains were blown out all over our kitchen floor. It's not for fear that I carry. I carry to make it a fair fight.

So sorry about your dog that’s really harsh to even imagine. BUT I want to say that if you fight fair then your tactics suck. Fight like you’re the third monkey and it’s starting to rain.

 

[YankeeFlyr]

A better question might be "do you keep a fire extinguisher in your home?". I don't fear a fire, I understand the potential consequences so I prepare for them.

No, the equivalent is “Do I keep a fire extinguisher at the ready in every room in my home?”…

 

[lightman]

So sorry about your dog that’s really harsh to even imagine. BUT I want to say that if you fight fair then your tactics suck. Fight like you’re the third monkey and it’s starting to rain.

I've made reference to the 3rd monkey a few times myself!