Putting your CCW to actual use?

[Thad]

How many CCW holders have actually used there carry weapon to protect themselves or someone else? Not looking for every detail as I would think some of you would deem that private, just curious as to how many can say yes it is great to be able to carry. Unlike us here in Canada.

 

[otomik]

I don't understand your post,

just curious as to how many can say yes it is great to be able to carry.

are you saying I can't say that if I've never had to use it in an incident? the fire extinguisher in my kitchen is a comfort too yet I've never had to use it.

 

[Mantua]

How many CCW holders have actually used there carry weapon to protect themselves or someone else? Not looking for every detail as I would think some of you would deem that private, just curious as to how many can say yes . it is great to be able to carry , Unlike us here in Canada.

I think it's a misunderstanding due to grammar. maybe I'm wrong?

 

[chris in va]

Yes, it is great to be able to carry "legally", no I've never had to use it yet after 4 years of holding a permit.

 

[M1 Shooter]

I had to pull it, but didn't have to shoot, thank God!
Long story short. Guy pulled a knife on me and said he was going to kill me. I pulled my gun, pointed it right at his head. He saw my gun pointed at his face, dropped the knife, and surrendered. I called the police, police arrested knife guy, and I went home safe and sound.

 

[.cheese.]

Thad, this comes up a lot.

Do a search and you'll find many threads which have covered it.

 

[abarth]

Yes, I used it as a door stop once.

Sorry didn't read your massage, just read the title.

 

[Thad]

Thank you for those that did understand it, thanks to cheese also I will search it.

 

[fletcher]

Fortunately, I've never had to use it. I credit it to luck and situational awareness.

 

[highfive]

yes but I didn't have to fire it, as a coincidence my wife pulled out hers on the same situation, good to have a back up

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

As a cop, several times - thankfully never had to use it.

 

[Kacerdias]

I've had at least 4 situations where I was thankful to have a firearm in my posession even though I never had to draw:

1. A mentally disturbed individual in Austin, TX decided to follow my wife and I when we left a movie theatre. She hurled insults and started throwing street trash for no reason at all. At one point she picked up a small chunk of wood - we picked up our pace and managed to evade her. Honestly, I never thought of drawing but I did concider using OC if she closed distance.

2. Another mentally ill individual in Alexandria, VA (King Street) was yelling at other pedestrians. He was shrieking and threw a few punches at random strangers before hurling a city trash container into the street. He eventually spun around and pointed at me before rapidly closing distance. I turned heel and ran while doing a mental check that my .38 made it to my front pocket that afternoon. I made it to Murphy's Pub when I looked back I saw he had found someone else to harass. The bouncer noticed I looked a little freaked out. I gave him a heads up about who was coming. He just smiled and told me he'd handle it. I promptly left. (The bouncer was easily twice my size!)

3. I was in a Shell station late at night in Desoto, TX. While paying for my soda I noticed a pair of shifty looking teens at opposite ends of the store casing the place - it was just an overwhelming feeling that something bad was about to happen. When one walked past me, I noticed a pistol grip bulging under the back of his shirt. There was NO way they were old enough to be legal CHL. I told my wife to head back to the car and wait for me, then I whispered to the clerk about what I'd seen. He waved me off so I paid and left. As I'm getting in the car a highway patrolman pulls in to get gas. I give him a brief heads up and head out. The .380 stayed in my pocket.

4. The last incident was at a stoplight in Orlando about 2am. I slow and stop for the red when a discheveled looking guy runs to the passenger side of my car and demands a ride. I told him no and he tries to open the door anyway. My right hand went to the Walther on my strong side. Before I drew, I noticed the light change so I slammed the gas and escaped.



Close calls, but I feel lucky to have made it out of each one.

 

[Caimlas]

I put my CCW to use every time I strap it to my hip: it's there for the same reason I keep smoke alarms in the house or a spare in the trunk. I use it as a safety measure. Using it as a firearm to stop a threat and not an available tool is secondary.

 

[kellyj00]

I don't even carry mine anymore. *knock on wood*
It seemed like a good idea at the time, but from all the horror stories about fellas who actually use their CCW getting put in jail I'm not going to risk it.

Besides, nobody seems to want to start a fight with me anyhow.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't even carry mine anymore. *knock on wood*
It seemed like a good idea at the time, but from all the horror stories about fellas who actually use their CCW getting put in jail I'm not going to risk it.

Besides, nobody seems to want to start a fight with me anyhow.

kellyj00,
That seems wrong in so many ways. Most people carry for protection all their lives and never have to use their gun. The one time in your life you MAY have to protect yourself or a loved one will be worth any grief that will follow. At least you will be alive to answer the questions. Just my opinion though and I'm not telling you that you are wrong, only how I feel.

 

[rantingredneck]

Presented: Once
Hand on it: Once

Edited to give a bit more detail:

First instance, BG trying to break into my vehicle (with me in it) with a look on his face that told me he intended to do me serious bodily harm. I had just left a jewelry store where I had purchased my wife's engagement ring. I drew my weapon, flicked the safety off, and was prepared to shoot to stop if necessary. He backed away from my door allowing me to back out of the parking space and leave.

Second instance, I'm leaned in to my vehicle to put some packages away (Christmas Shopping). I turn to catch BG sneaking up behind me with what I assume was a knife in his hand (he tucked it behind his hip quickly) I turned crouched and put my hand on my pistol and shouted "STOP!". At which he stopped and several other people did too. He stammered out some BS story about being held up the day before "Right over there" pointing over my shoulder trying to get me to turn around again and needing money to get back to Virginia. I then told him to "Turn around and go back to your vehicle, I have nothing that you want". He returned to his vehicle. I got in mine and went home.

Both of these incidents ended the best way they could. Everybody lived.

Also in both of these incidents I had just come out of a posted no carry zone and my gun was secured in my vehicle. When I drew in the first instance I drew from under my seat. When I placed my hand on it in the second it was also under the seat.

 

[Mad Magyar]

The worst is having the permit and the time you could use it: you left it at home....

 

[Sean85746]

If by the word "use" you mean fire in self defense as a civillian...never.

If "use" means employing it as a tool to stop aggression or imminent assault upon my person without being forced to shoot...twice as a civillian.

Both above were fully drawn, ready to fire situations. One aggressor backed off (literally threw the truck with which he was trying to run me over into reverse and fled like a scalded dog). Second aggressor ran screaming down the street, dropping his knife when I drew my pistol.

 

[Thad]

All great responses, just what I wanted to hear. Glad to hear all of you were safe in the end.