Why did you start carrying a gun?

Why did you start carrying a gun?

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In the Winter of '75 I was working the graveyard shift at a beachfront resort hotel that we had opened a few months earlier. I was accosted by 2 fellows as I was walking across the main lobby at ~2:30am and relieved of all of the monies in my cash drawer.

This event starkly highlighted 2 Truths for me: (1) those fellows had taken complete_control_of_my_very_existence during a time and, (2) my 2-year-old 4" 150-model .357 Ruger Security Six did not do me any damn good while it was in the trunk of my MGB parked out front.

By April I had my first VA license to legally carry a concealed weapon ...

... and the ability to legally carry actually came in quite handy on a few of occasions during my remaining ~4½ years at that hotel.

EDIT:
At about the time of the robbery, I learned that an early childhood same-age friend of mine (for several years Danny's family had lived 2 houses away from ours) had been murdered.

He was working (solo) evenings in a Mom&Pop country store in the shadow of the Blue Ridge. One morning when they arrived to open the store, the door was unlocked and the money was gone. Danny's body was found in a ditch miles from the store.

The folks that owned the store kept a handgun under the counter that they had pointed out to Danny ... but ... Danny was a sweet, trusting, pacifist who wouldn't even touch a firearm, so ...

Kinda woke up

Grew up around guns, always had some in the house, got my first shotgun when I was 12, hunted and served but kind of forgot or didn't really think about it. After all, I was a strapping young man; both invincible and ready to take on all comers with nary a fear.

But carrying a pistol daily didn't happen until I woke up and realized that evil exists and I'm a dad and who's going to protect these kids (and more importantly) teach them to protect themselves. So now I carry to be that sheepdog and to be a good example for my daughters.

In 50 years I want someone to ask my grown-up kids "why do you ladies all carry?" and I want their answer to be "my daddy taught me to protect myself."

Moved to a bad Neighborhood with too many things going on, have since moved to a better area but still carry because i have gotten used to it.

rcmodel said:

I have carried off & on for at least 55 years.

Depending on what I was doing, and where I was doing it, and how late I would be doing it.


I was never paranoid enough to carry 24/7 all the time.
And I live a peaceful law abiding life.

But I sleep with a SIG under my pillow.

And travel with a pistol, or a rifle, or both.
Depending on where I'm going through, and where I will be when I get there.

If that makes sense??

rc

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Makes sense to me.

My life has been semi-rural for the last 18 years, and crime is low where my semi-retired life usually takes me.

My judgment of these long odds is experiential. Unless the odds get shorter (as happens from time to time, with reported/rumored rashes of robbery and thuggery), I choose not to take on the heavy responsibility of carrying (concealed only).

But, whenever I sense the odds to be short, or unknown (as when traveling, in the US at least), I will have an appropriate firearm within legal reach.

11 months ago because I moved to a state which allows it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_shooting

Lost a friend, and a classmate lost her husband. I guess that isn't 'why' so much as 'what prompted'.

I will do whatever I can to always have a fighting chance. If I am ordained to die by violence I will do so while fighting back, and a firearm is frequently the best way to fight back.

My neighbour, diagonally across the back yard, was followed home from campus by a serial killer and murdered. At that point we decided it was better to be "tried by twelve, than carried by six". Getting CHL passed was a big relief!

I also have a family. I cannot bravely run away, leaving my wife and kids to fend for themselves.

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Same here. Never owned a gun until I learned I was going to be a father in February 2006. I think I started doing my research in March, took a lot of convincing with the wife. She's not anti, but at that time she really didn't want any in the house either. I told her that I felt I had a moral obligation as a father to defend my family with my life, with whatever tools I could use. And if I'm going to defend her and our son, I'd rather not use my bare freakin' hands, but I would if I had to. I think that was the thought where she agreed ... just. She's okay with it these days, though there were moments. She has 3 guns of her own, though she doesn't shoot but once in a few years, and she'll probably NEVER carry.

Anyway, I think by May 2006 I had taken the class, and in June I had my permit and was pocket carry my trusty S&W 642, which I still carry to this time from time-to-time. In fact, I have it in my pocket right now .

Something several of you said really spoke to the meat of why we should choose to carry. Though a number of us have had our run in's with the bad guy, the bottom line is, as law abiding Americans, we have a duty and responsibility to protect our selves, family, and those who can't.

All too often, and even more so in today's modern electronic era, many view the cell phone in their pocket, or their hi tech home security system as a defensive tool. In most instances, by the time LE arrives on scene, it has become a homicide, rape, or robbery investigation.

'When seconds count, the police are minutes away"

GS

I have been around firearms my whole life. Growing up, there was always a loaded shotgun/rifle in the corner, not only for protection, but for the occasional fox, squirrel, rabbit or other critter that walked within range of the house. That was just part of growing up in rural America in the 50s, 60s and 70s. We could always open carry handguns here and while it was not common all the time, it was not uncommon to see someone OCing or to OC myself. It was just a natural transition to CWC when that too became legal here. While I still live in rural America and the threat of violent crime is relatively slim here, I still feel more comfortable with a gun than without.

It's not the odds... It's the stakes

Although I had shot my brother’s and friends’ guns I never had one until the Marine Corp issued me a 1911A-1 and an AK-47 while I was a participant in “Over The Fence” operations in Cambodia and Laos for two years. Both of those weapons, U-10As and my squadron-mates were responsible for my return home.

Immediately after returning home I became a LEO and I was issued a 4” S&W Model 15 that I swapped out for a Modell 66 and I was also allowed to carry my own 12 gauge Remington 870 shotgun in my patrol car. Six personal shootings and handling numerous homicides made a believer out of me that a self defense situation can happen anytime and anywhere.

I even carry when I’m at home. Friends, it’s not the odds if it will happen, but it's the stakes if it does happen.

Bought my first handgun, a Ruger Single Six, in 1961. Have carried a handgun of some sort ever since. Like rc, I don't expect to need one, but I never leave the house without one.

When I was in high school and college, Black tail Jack Rabbits sold for $.50 and White Tails for $.75. A feller ground them up for feeding the critters on his mink farm.

I had a Nylon 66 and a Ruger Single six. Shells were $.50 a box. One shot one rabbit.
Them was the good old days.

I joined a police department in college 50 years ago, and have carried a concealed side arm ever since.

Why did you start carrying a gun?

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Violence! It is brutal out there and so many people rely upon the thin veneer of civilization as their sole defense. I realized I was one of them! Once I acknowledged it, the next logical step was carry. Fortunately, I was in Texas at the time--it all worked out.

defense, protection .....

I'm a US military veteran; four years active duty. I've also been around firearms since I was a kid.
In my mid teens I became more interested in handguns than anything else.
I was qualified on several weapons that included the M1911a1 .45acp & M9 9mmNATO. My first personal weapon was a SP101 2.25" .357magnum. I used it mostly for home defense & target practice.
In 1997, I purchased a great LE surplus Beretta 96D .40S&W pistol. It was brand new, unused, had Robar NP3(included 03 10rd Beretta magazines), and new Trijicon green night sights, . In 1999, I obtained my first CCW permit from a county sheriff. I packed my 96D in a leather Aker shoulder holster. The state I resided in only had CCW, now(2015) they permit open carry for armed citizens, .
I had a few "close calls" while carrying my concealed .40 pistol. One possible mugger clearly saw me & my firm grip on my Beretta 96D. He quickly turned away & took a brisk walk from the area, .
In 2000, I relocated to a different area & didn't get any new guns or carry any weapons for 2 years. I started doing armed security work(state license). I also used my sidearms off duty as CCW. Several times I had trespass subjects, drug dealers, gang thugs, street people, etc make threats or harass me off duty.
One convicted felon returned after being trespassed & wanted to kill me with a chair leg.
He was caught, pled out & served about 30mo for a felony conviction. I didn't testify or get deposed in the case.
I advised many new security guards or ex cops/veterans who got armed security licenses to go ahead & obtain a valid state CCW license too. Just in case some nutcase comes after them or trys to lunge at them in a mall parking lot or fast food drive thru.
I read a message board post in the late 2000s of how a "bail agent"/bounty hunter had a former client-felon see him in a public place then try & kill him.
The armed bail agent shot the attacker. The felon was his client 12 years before.

I am 55 now, but when I was 18, I worked construction. I stayed late to finish hanging a drop ceiling grid, and got robbed by a guy swinging a bat with a knife taped to the end like a bayonet. He was actually gonna kill me for 6.50 and a Exxon card. I bought a used jframe and that was the start.

I was hired as personal security for a celebrity in the late sixties.

The position required me to have a License to Carry.

I was 13 or 14 and me and dad ended up in the wrong part of St. Louis on a cold rainy night in his 47 Oldsmobile that we had restored from the ground up has a bunch of big chrome pieces on it worth quite a bit of money plus the custom 350 motor we put in it anyways long story short we have a flat and here comes up an 88 caprice parked at the next street light ,Out get Ray Lewis and his three brothers huge thug looking black guys the one we were under was burnt out I was holding the flashlight and the umbrella for dad who was wearing his full length duster (this was after the movie tombstone come out) I said dad real quiet he looked up said oh and stood up and opened his duster there on his hip was the GLOCK 23 I didn't know he even owned let alone carried anyways when the 4 LARGE men saw it they got back in their car and we weren't botherd that is why I carry a gun

Wrong place. Had a hot blonde chase me with a '70 Olds 442.

My second day in high school some huge guy walked up to me and slammed me in the face with his fist and asked for whatever money I had. I have been carrying since I was 17, legally or illegally, wherever I lived. That experience in high school established in my mind that there are some pretty violent people in the world and I had to protect myself. So, I've been carrying for almost 55 years and the greatest treat was when Colorado started allowing us to defend outselves.
Stu

manithree said:

I didn't have a near-defense experience. My decision to carry was more of a political and cerebral exercise.



My wife actually got me started. She wanted us both to get Utah CFP's, and have the option for when we're travelling. My .22lr Winchester 190 was the only gun I owned at the time.



We took the class, and I read "The Constitutional Right And Social Obligation To Carry A Gun" and then started reading every bit of Massad Ayoob, Jeff Cooper, Clint Smith, et al I could get my hands on. My son doesn't need any convincing to take his responsibility for self-defense seriously (he's become a gun nut), but I also have 3 beautiful daughters, and I'm convinced that it's extremely important they learn that lesson, also. So I'm trying to teach by example.

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I find this article exceptional. Thanks for posting.

My Story:

When I was in my early 20's it was because I spent 99% of the time outdoors in the Mountains. Then came marriage to a woman that didnt care for guns along with moving to the big city. I stopped carrying all together for 15yrs or so.

Until one day, I was robbed at gun point.

USAF Security Police, carried an M-16 and a S&W Model 10 M&P Revolver. I live in a state (PA) where I have a carry permit, but I work in a neighboring state (NJ) where my PA permit is not reciprocal and my occupation does not qualify me to have an out-of-state license to carry. So, I consider my right to carry where I live a privilege more than a right.

1. I am not a good hand/knife/stick/etc fighter, but I am a good shot.
2. Bad people exist and they are not nice.
3. Don't like the idea of being helpless.
4. I have a lovely wife that I am responsible to protect.
5. I live in America and I can.

My family had a lot of public servants, many LEOs. At the ripe old age of 14, I confronted an arsonist breaking into our home at 3AM. He had a couple of gallons of gas and intended to end my father's life - and all his family. He was mightily surprised to meet a teenager with a 870, and I was ready to use it. He surrendered and did eight years. I got a CCW the day I was of age.