The reasons I carry are thus:
1. I am a disabled vet, who now has been branded as 'suspect', as are ALL military veterans, by the mere fact of my existence, by a government, that is inhabited by those that took an oath under false pretenses.
2. The undeniable facts of increased crime, whether it is home invasions, or on the street, are still there. I cannot perform, physiologically, as I had in my days of active military service. Therefore, to fend off the wolves that may come, I must prepare myself.
3. As being a disabled vet, and having served my country, there is no question that I have reserved the right to defend myself, on my streets, or in my home. I will not accept that phrase, "shoot to kill", because that implies premeditation. Were the supposed scenario to become real life, I would "shoot to stay alive", but I do not give that future time a 'fetish-like' status. It is NOT within a theater of combat, during operations of war, in the defense of my country, as it was long ago. It is the act of self-preservation, by an American. Self-preservation is a basic human right, and one not sold away to the State for that false sense of security.
4. The U.S. Supreme Court has stated: "1982-Bowers vs DeVito: "There is no Constitutional right to be protected by the state against being murdered by criminals or madmen." 1982, folks! Therefore, I protect myself.
5. Since 1993, with the FIRST NYC Twin Towers bombing, the Jihadists of Mohameddanism, or as they wish to call it, Islam, have declared war on all peoples of all descents who call themselves Americans. Just as those same folks wish to destroy Israel, the Jewish national state, they wish to destroy us or become our overlords, because we also exist. I view these self-proclaimed 'freedom fighters' (remember the PLO?), as I still view those in present-day Russia who look at America as their problem to eradicate. It was not the peace-and-love-fuzzy side of the Islamic coin that made havoc during the 1972 Munich Olympics, was it? Therefore, I arm myself in readiness, (and I hope NOT), in case these nice folks attempt to harm those around me, at a future moment.
This is a serious business, with serious dedications, with possible serious outcomes, for both sides. This answer does not validate the: "Oh come on, what is your 'real reason' for carrying?", as the questioneer looks at you over their martini at the bar. I do not believe that the questioneer could truly fathom the depths of heart-searching it took, to come to the decision to go through the process, be investigated, be fingerprinted, become certified by learning what to do, knowing what the possibilities are, choosing the most correct firearm that fits their defined perspectives, making that firearm work in their hands, and living that choice, until there are no more days. I end by quoting the lines from a movie, " I speak so you know my words of life are true, and my words of death are true."