Excellent point; it is important to know whether carrying past a no guns sign is a trespass if you don't leave (VA, where I used to live), or a criminal act (AR, where I am now). An added nuance is whether the sign must meet specific size, typeface, wording, and location requirements to be valid (TX, 30.06 & 30.07). HandgunLaw is a great assist to travelers.
Carry Everywhere You Can
- Thread starter Craig_AR
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Spot on.
That is applicable beyond carry or not, but also to what is carried.
Many who carry a 5 shot snub will post how they feel 5 shots is enough, or they feel protected.
I can post examples where 5 hits failed to quickly incapacitate a single attacker, invariably these examples are inapplicable to them, rationalized, dismissed.
luzyfuerza
Member
One interesting side-lesson of this story has to do with weapon familiarity.
Let's say that the officer was most familiar with the Glock 17 that he carries at work, but that the gun he was able to borrow was a commander's model 1911 with an RDS.
Different grip size, shape, and angle. Much different trigger. Thumb safety vs no safety. Completely different sighting system. Much smaller ammo capacity.
Who knows what really happened, but it does make for an interesting thought exercise.
Some might say that such a situation is a rationale for having different types of guns in a "carry rotation". I disagree. But that's a topic for another thread.
Instead, carry and practice the most with what you shoot best, but become familiar with a variety of weapon systems.
If you're sworn and your agency or neighboring agencies approve the use of handguns (or even long guns) that vary significantly from your preferred choices, it might be a good idea to become familiar with these other weapon systems.
If you're not sworn, be sure that you're competent with your significant other's chosen weapon. Or the handgun that your best buddy carries. And visa versa.
"Battlefield pickups" are rare, but, as this incident shows, do sometimes happen.
Let's say that the officer was most familiar with the Glock 17 that he carries at work, but that the gun he was able to borrow was a commander's model 1911 with an RDS.
Different grip size, shape, and angle. Much different trigger. Thumb safety vs no safety. Completely different sighting system. Much smaller ammo capacity.
Who knows what really happened, but it does make for an interesting thought exercise.
Some might say that such a situation is a rationale for having different types of guns in a "carry rotation". I disagree. But that's a topic for another thread.
Instead, carry and practice the most with what you shoot best, but become familiar with a variety of weapon systems.
If you're sworn and your agency or neighboring agencies approve the use of handguns (or even long guns) that vary significantly from your preferred choices, it might be a good idea to become familiar with these other weapon systems.
If you're not sworn, be sure that you're competent with your significant other's chosen weapon. Or the handgun that your best buddy carries. And visa versa.
"Battlefield pickups" are rare, but, as this incident shows, do sometimes happen.
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AlexanderA
Member
In my case, the decision not to carry has nothing to do with "feels." It has everything to do with practicality. Carrying responsibly is a burden. This burden has to be weighed against the perceived risk of being a victim. I have simply figured that my perceived risk is much less than the associated burden of going armed. I'm 76 years old, and I don't have the time or energy to mess with this stuff. I'm reasonably safe. There are no guarantees for anything in life. I could drop dead tomorrow, and that's OK.
I spent a career working in the District of Columbia (essentially a no-gun zone), in a federal building (even more of a no-gun zone). Add to that extensive travel overseas, where gun carrying wasn't possible. Under these circumstances, you learn to take defensive precautions that don't involve guns. These habits persist.
Anchorite
Member
Good post. Not all serious gun-nuts feel compelled to carry all the time. It’s a choice of lifestyle. I like that.
it is a requirement of employment for some like me. i drive a truck over-the-road. i cannot carry a gun when i am working. there are other ways to protect yourself.
i carry a gun as much as possible, but i don't panic if unarmed. the gun gives me the freedom to go more places.
murf
AlexanderA
Member
I might add that the one time I was seriously victimized by criminals, I was "swarmed" by a gang of 5 or 6 pickpockets on a crowded subway. In that situation, having a gun wouldn't have done me any good. In fact, the gun itself probably would have been stolen. (Lesson learned -- don't travel on crowded subways carrying large amounts of money.)
Not carrying when one otherwise could because they don't feel the need, its a burden, they don't have the energy...
Which of these most accurately describes that (pick one):
-proactive
-prepared
-lackadaisical
Its not "name calling" to say not carrying when one otherwise could because "its a burden" sounds lackadaisical.
My dad is 79 years old and doesn't always carry when he could, maybe at rest stops where he "feels the need" - that aint very proactive or prepared, IMO.
I thought lackadaisical was accurate, but how about a synonym instead.
enervated - lacking energy or motivation.
bdickens
Member
I carry every day. All day.
GLOCK 19 IWB
It isn't a "burden" in the least.
I don't particularly "feel" the "need" either.
I live in a rural "good" area.
GLOCK 19 IWB
It isn't a "burden" in the least.
I don't particularly "feel" the "need" either.
I live in a rural "good" area.
eyeshot
Member
I don't ignore the private signs I just don't see them anymore and not on purpose. Carrying concealed, like belt and pants, is just part of my attire. You don't even know it's there after you've carried long enough.
Kind of scary if you ride a motorcycle without thumb break. (rubber bands)
Bazoo
Member
I carry all the time. From the time I put my pants on till I take them off at night. I mostly don't even think about my gun on my hip. I'm a gun nut. Having a gun handy or in hand is as natural as having the tv remote on my table next to my chair. Or having my pocket knife in my pocket. I feel naked without my gun and knife.
I carry a gun partly because I want to protect myself and family. But partly it's because I just like guns.
The chance that I'm going to need my gun is very slim considering my lifestyle. But, I still carry a gun. Not because I'm paranoid, but because I like the feeling of security it offers.
I avoid places I can't carry. Example, I was offered free tickets to a concert. I declined because it was at a school theater were I couldn't carry. I would rather have my gun and feel comfortable than be unarmed and feel naked.
Carrying a gun for me, is a lifestyle. If the world as I knew it came to an end and every other person was gone, I'd still carry a gun. I carry a gun for me, not for a potential bad guy.
I carry a gun partly because I want to protect myself and family. But partly it's because I just like guns.
The chance that I'm going to need my gun is very slim considering my lifestyle. But, I still carry a gun. Not because I'm paranoid, but because I like the feeling of security it offers.
I avoid places I can't carry. Example, I was offered free tickets to a concert. I declined because it was at a school theater were I couldn't carry. I would rather have my gun and feel comfortable than be unarmed and feel naked.
Carrying a gun for me, is a lifestyle. If the world as I knew it came to an end and every other person was gone, I'd still carry a gun. I carry a gun for me, not for a potential bad guy.
Hangingrock
Member
I've minimized the places I go to such as government offices, medical facilities and financial institutions etcetera where weapon carry is not allowed. On the other hand the YMCA is a facility where weapons are not allowed but I go there. I obey the laws. Being law abiding one places themselves at a disadvantage in regards to weapons carry.
Bazoo
Member
The law here is of the type that cc carry past the sign is not a crime, on private property, including, stores, medical facilities, colleges, banks, churches. The laws favor the ccdw holder in the state of ky.
Speedo66
Member
Many agencies used to mandate carrying off duty.
But LEO’s are human like everyone else and will imbibe alcohol on occasion. Not an ideal combination.
Rules have changed.
Good Ol' Boy
Member
Like I said, you're not going to convert anyone who's made their made up.
I did find it interesting that AlexanderA said its a "lifestyle" not carrying.
I always thought it was the other way around.
If you're not carrying you're just like most unprepared folks.
Elkins45
Member
I was a teacher. I would have had to change careers to carry everywhere.
I like the feeling of security that having access to a firearm gives, but I’m not willing to let an inanimate object rule my life. Not being willing to leave the gun at home means never taking a cruise, never traveling internationally, never getting on an airplane, etc. That’s too much like living in a cage for me, and that doesn’t feel like freedom.
Having said that, I’m perfectly happy to avoid those US states that restrict my American right to carry whenever possible. There’s nothing in NJ I want to experience that badly.
The vast majority of people whom I know carry very infrequently--if at all.
Good Ol' Boy
Member
This sums up quite nicely what I was referring to as a "lifestyle". Choosing to be armed/prepared does limit some things, it shouldn't but we've let our rights over the last 100+yrs be trampled to the point we're at.
Thankfully I did enough traveling and seeing things in my younger years that theres nothing I have any desire to do or see where I'm being forced to be unprepared. I'm perfectly happy living the simple man life.
And on the flip side, where you state you feel not having freedom being limited by carrying, that is what freedom was always supposed to be. Even though we've let this freedom be trampled on quite a bit I still intend to exercise it as much as possible.
To state it another way, I see taking a plane ride or cruise as being in a cage.
If I were asked to describe my lifestyle, I do not think that my carrying a concealed firearm would make it into the description at all.
Good Ol' Boy
Member
Fair enough. You also missed the entire context of the discussion I was having with other members.
If you are still confused I would suggest to carefully re-read the last few dialogs as I can not make it any more clear what I was trying say.
mcb
Member
"If your mind is a weapon you are never unarmed."
Can't carry at work for any of the jobs I have held over the years, never bothered me. The gun is not the only tool in my self defense plan.
Can't carry at work for any of the jobs I have held over the years, never bothered me. The gun is not the only tool in my self defense plan.
Bazoo
Member
Carrying a gun, guns in general, are main parts of my lifestyle. It isn't a hobby for me that I can just leave out if it doesn't fit. Kinda like a relationship with Jesus Christ, it's something that defines me.
I don't watch sports, I don't work on hotrod cars. I eat sleep and breath guns and reloading and knives. Those are my passions. Woodworking is a passion too, as is nature. Both of those though are doable without excluding the guns.
I don't watch sports, I don't work on hotrod cars. I eat sleep and breath guns and reloading and knives. Those are my passions. Woodworking is a passion too, as is nature. Both of those though are doable without excluding the guns.
AlexanderA
Member
Carrying or not carrying is not the "lifestyle" I was referring to. The "lifestyle" is the underlying way in which you live, that would necessitate or justify carrying a gun. In other words, it's one step removed from the decision to carry.
For example, if you live in a high-crime area of an inner city, if you have a vengeful and violent ex-spouse, if you know people who are into drugs -- any of these things increase your chances of a criminal encounter, and tip the scales in favor of carrying a gun. On the other hand, if you live in a gated community in an upscale suburb, have a crackerjack local police force, are retired, are low-key and don't flash your wealth, stay home most of the time, etc., it tips the scales in favor of not carrying. (Having a gun at home might be more than adequate.)
What I'm saying is that there is no one-size-fits-all rule that everybody (who can) must carry a gun everywhere, all the time.
And another thing -- I sense a tendency among carriers to see their gun as a magic talisman, that will ward off evil. To that extent, they might get complacent and let their guard down in other areas. Nothing can replace situational awareness.
bdickens
Member
Because we all know that criminals are immobile....
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