The annoying question, why do you wear a gun?

Why do I wear a gun? (Turn it around on them.)

Why do you wear a seat belt? Why do you have smoke detectors in your house? Why do you have a fire extinguisher in your home? Why do you have insurance?

In any of these instances, it's better to have it and not need it than it is to need it and not have it.

Any time it comes up, I usually explain that it's because I feel responsible for my own safety, and dislike the idea of having to rely on someone else to be there for me.

For a slightly more smart-ass version: "Because the whole cop is too heavy."

If I were a crazed maniac right here and now, which I am not; and I was intending to use this gun to shoot as many people as I could, which I am not; because I was recently fired from this store, which I have not been; exactly what would there be to stop me from doing so?

If I were a criminal, which I am not; and my intention was to steal everything I could from you, which is not my intention; exactly what would there be to stop me from doing so?

Because it is my right and I can!

Like you, I resent that question, when accompanied by "attitude". My personal point of view gives me a slight advantage when answering the question: I am a retired cop, and have attained a very high level of competency with a handgun, most ANY handgun, and have established my reputation as a shooter. I have lots of LE acquaintences, and they know that few of their kind in this neck of the woods could outshoot me. I shoot a lot; more than any SWAT or other active shooters on any departments that I know of. So for that, I answer, "Sir (or Madam), I am probably the best shot you will ever come into contact with. I was a cop for 20 years, and I know how and when to defend myself, and when to defend YOU. You are better protected by me when I'm around and armed than you would be with 9 out 10 cops. No need to thank me." In other words, I'm a real smartass, but I can back up my claim, it they ever feel big enough to call me on it. I resent any small minded person offering an opinion on self defense,when they obviously know nothing of defending themself, and ride the trust of some luck of the odds that it will never happen to them. Pass the buck to the police? Yeah, five minutes after the assault is over, maybe. Maybe they'll take a report. So, you can be polite to people with those types of question, or you can mount an aggressive counter to their emotional and verbal assault concerning your RIGHT to carry.

Arkady said:

Any time it comes up, I usually explain that it's because I feel responsible for my own safety, and dislike the idea of having to rely on someone else to be there for me.

For a slightly more smart-ass version: "Because the whole cop is too heavy."

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Because a cop won't fit in my pocket and I hate having to clean out the donut crumbs.

The most direct and correct answer is:

"In case I need to shoot someone!"

I am also in AZ, have been my whole life, and nobody has ever lectured me like that! When it was open carry only, most LE asked what caliber, what brand of ammo, etc.
When we got CCW in '94 I went that route and never looked back. I can open carry, of course, but choose not to.
As for my answer, why do you carry a gun, because the courts have held the only one who can be held responsible for my protection is myself, not police fire or military. Other answer is I work in prison. I look into the eyes of Evil every day, and Evil gets out on parole next Tuesday.

In case I need to shoot someone or something.

All kinds of dangerous critters out there.

Many can not fathom anything to much out of their comfort zone. They have never been threatened or felt they needed a weapon.

How many women carry anything for self defense or old guys carry a cane or anything but their wallet? The majority of humankind does not confront a problem until it is upon them with outcomes sometimes not of their choosing. These are the ones asking you why you carry "probably" in most instances. Because they can not think about something or someone doing harm to them or theirs. That kind of stuff always happens to someone else.....

My father is 85 and was the last guy alive in his squad twice!! He was a machine gunner for uncle Patton during the great patriotic war. You would think he would be interested in some form of protection. But not really. The only time he ever was confronted was in Florida by a couple of dudes who wanted his money. He just reached in his pocket and threw 5 one dollar bills at them and took off in the other direction. That was almost 30 years ago. It worked for him.

He grew up on a ranch and has had guns all his life but these last 50 years all he has at the house is a 16 gauge single shot and a little .22 pistol. He certainly does not feel under armed and is comfortable with what he has.

Dear old Dad does not say anything when I CC but I can tell he thinks in my old age I am getting paranoid and maybe I am. Border state can do that to you sometimes.

Funny I am not afraid of getting dead it is more, "who gave you the right to take my life or property" from me? It's an honor thing for me........ I don't have the right so why do they?

Amazing how some of the biggest anti gun people change their minds when confronted with the true evil of some bad people.

"Why are you carrying? Because I can".

Almost always gets more questions.

Maybe an evil look and saying you are a blood thirsty psycho would fit their preconceived notion of anyone armed.

There are no cut and dried answers. But the question did make me think....Thanks...

Because a cop is too heavy.

Two reasons:

1. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

2. Because I can.

If people stop applying for concealed weapon permits , the government might get the idea they wouldn't be pissing off that many people if they stopped issuing them.

Let's make sure they know a lot of people apply for concealed weapon permits and a lot of people would be upset if they took away that right.

because I'm not a trained LEO

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you see...i never understood that argument.....

now i dont know how much training they may or may not go through.........but i am willing to bet you that i shoot more in a month than most LEOs shoot in their entire lives.

Forgot to add what one friend would use.

"Why do I..you mean you're not carrying a gun? Why, man, why?"

I believe I probably don't need to carry a gun.

I do carry a gun just in case I may be wrong about not needing a gun.

It's a reasonable question that I ask myself frequently. Bearing a life taking tool is a serious responsibility and it should be done for the "right" reasons.

My answer can be as simple as, "because I can," or it can be a fairly complex tale of personal experiences, changing world view, philosophy, sense of duty as parent/citizen, patriot, self-actualization-assesment, mid-life crisis, etc.

I love shooting. Carrying is an extension of that.

I carried cap guns as I child, I carry a 9mm as an adult.

armoredman, i agree, " WAIT!, WHAT?!?!?!?!?! YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOUR NOT CARRYING ONE!!! wow, you must feel vulnerable......how does it feel to have to rely on someone else to provide protection and security for you and your family? especially when that person is up to his eyes in doughnuts sittin on the interstate runnin radar, your a brave soul........" ( no offense leos......just using it as a bit of an extereme example. sorry guys)

I always ask "Why do you have car insurance?"

Cause it's easier then carrying a LEO around with me.

I have alot of respect for LEOs and the job that society ask them to do. But let's be real about this. LEOs generally come after the fact when it is either the bad guy or you who has a bunch of holes in them.

If you don't want extra holes that the Good Lord didn't put into you when they made you, then you carry to make sure that it doesn't happen.

In reality it is a very thoughtless and ignorant question, in that, it's self explanatory as to why someone would wear a gun. They wouldn't ask a police officer why he wears one, simply because it is obvious it is for self defense.

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I don't think it's thoughtles or ignorant to ask the question, nor is it self explanatory. There can be many reasons to carry a firearm. Some are legitimate and legal and others are not legal in terms of purpose.

The police can not protect you nor are they required to protect you or your family. So the responsibility falls onto the individual.

Answering with a question like TexasRifleman is a good approach.

I always just ask them right back...."Is it irony or hypocrisy for you to use your 1st amendment right to criticize my 2nd amendment right?"

Questioning your right to wear/own a gun is about as preposterous as questioning their right to free speech.
For me, its as simple as that.

Why do you wear a seat belt? Why do you have smoke detectors in your house? Why do you have a fire extinguisher in your home? Why do you have insurance?

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Because the state says I have to. (I live in a rental)














I don't carry (permit's coming, but I probably won't carry anyway... just don't feel the need), but if you feel the need/desire to, just be friendly and tell the truth, as nobody likes the stereotypical mean, scary gun owner.