Do you carry a gun because you are afraid?

[Bazoo]

Well a recent thread got me to thinking. I’ve had some folks in the past suggest that my carrying of a gun be because I was afraid of something or someone. Friends or family have said, what are you afraid of that you need to carry a gun all the time?

My wife was at a yardsale once, open carrying. She’s a little thing and was carrying a 686. Some lady said what do you have that gun for? You afraid someone’s gonna get ya?

Well, I carry at home and there is no threats here and I’m comfortable, since we live in the country. I carry out of habit more than anything. I feel naked without my gun same as I do without my knife and my pants.

I’m not one that carries a gun out of chore. In fact, I rarely notice my gun even though it’s a large revolver. Once I found a comfy spot and holster combo, It ceased to be a bother. Rather it’s a constant comfort to my mind.

I carry anytime I have clothes on. I don’t wear house clothes, I step into my pants and holster my gun.

This is my take on the matter.

 

[.38 Special]

"Afraid", in such cases, is often used as an insult, and my standard response is to ask if he or she wears a seatbelt because he or she is "afraid" of car accidents.

I personally carry for exactly the same reason I wear a seatbelt, and own a fire extinguisher, and buy insurance: because sometimes bad things happen, and you can't generally predict them, and I like to be prepared for them. It's just that simple.

 

[GNP]

I don't see it as living in fear, but as being prepared for an event that could possibly happen...in the same way that I have insurance for various possible events.

 

[Kleanbore]

No.

 

[TomJ]

I'm responsible for my safety and that of my family. I don't live in fear, but with the knowledge that sometimes bad things happen, even to those of us with low risk lifestyles living in statistically safe areas.

 

[WrongHanded]

People that "ask questions" (read: make snide comments) like that, simple do not understand the world for what it truly is. They think they are perfectly safe and always will be. They think "it" will never happen to them, or in their neighborhood, or at their local school/movie theater/night club/supermarket. So they literally cannot comprehend why YOU think you might need a gun.

To them it's like carrying a .375 H&H whilst hiking in New Zealand because you're worried about a bear attack. What they don't realize is, it's not New Zealand. It's Kodiak Island. Knowing the dangers and being prepared for them is common sense, not fear.

 

[unclenunzie]

A better question might be "do you keep a fire extinguisher in your home?". I don't fear a fire, I understand the potential consequences so I prepare for them.

 

[film495]

it is kind of silly, but so are people to say things like that. hey - why are you eating, what are you afraid of starving?

 

[Waveski]

What kind of response to that question are you expecting from this group?
What is the purpose of the question?

 

[The Night Rider]

I have to echo Waveski's question "What kind of response to that question are you expecting from this group?" do you think anyone here is going to answer in the affirmative?

My question would be why would you engage in behavior (open carry at a garage sale) that's likely to draw exactly the response you got? No one outside my immediate circle knows I even own a gun. as a result, I rarely if ever field questions like that.

 

[Old Dog]

I would say only that, since I have had more than a passing acquaintance with evil, that I am not afraid, simply educated in this business of life, while being prepared for that over which I have control.

Now, I freely admit that since I've retired, I will only get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle when I have to; I am afraid of all the knuckleheads with whom I must share the public roadways.

 

[Bazoo]

Well, the responses I expect are a combo of “no I carry too”, coupled with a spicing of “yes you live in fear”, “you’re a dufus”, “why would you open carry”.


For a period of time my wife didn’t have a ccdw license so she open carried. I also open carried when she did so she wasn’t the only target for criticism.

In general, everyone knows I am a gun guy. It’s bout all I talk about. From the lady at the post office to my family, everyone have I more than just passing contact with. It’s not a secret for me.

Now they don’t all know I carry constantly but, they mostly assume so as I try to inform them of the legality of carry. Most folks don’t know that guns aren’t “licensed” and much less that you can now conceal carry without a license in the commonwealth of Kentucky.

 

[.308 Norma]

hey - why are you eating, what are you afraid of starving?

If I completely stopped eating today, it would probably be 4-5 months before anyone might look at me and think I was “starving.” But hey, after about a month, I’d probably be able to wear that brand new IWB holster for my Glock G19 that I’ve had in the closet for two years. And, I wouldn’t even have to buy bigger pants and a bigger belt. Of course someone on an internet message forum might think I’d become “afraid” of something or the other if I started carrying a higher-capacity firearm than the one I’ve been carrying.

 

[film495]

it is really funny to me as I think about this again. I carry because I am not afraid to defend myself should the need arise. I'm older now and don't run away as good as I used to.

 

[redcon1]

I think that "gaslighting" has been turned into a science in America and it is so prevalent that we're numb to it and don't always recognize it for what it is but when someone states or otherwise implies that your lawful behavior is somehow indicative of your own paranoia or irrational fears or some other defect in your personal character, you are being gaslighted by someone who is probably not your friend. Gaslighting is a psychological attack and friends don't attack friends.

 

[Bazoo]

I’m more afraid of the legal ramifications of using my gun than I am of being in need of my gun.

I’d say I carry my gun mostly for the comfort it provides than anything else. Feeling of security.

 

[redcon1]

At the root, yes, I am afraid but fear is a healthy thing, not a bad thing. Fear has been keeping us alive since before we were walking upright.

 

[Bazoo]

I was young, I had a cool old 22 rifle. We were at a cousins house. I whipped the 22 out for show and tell as some folks in the family had interest. Well I heard through the grapevine that it was frowned upon by the “upper class”.

Those are the kind of folks that only take their guns out when they need to shoot something. I am the type that likes show and tell.

I hear tell it really bothered some of them. Looking back, I don’t remember ever being invited to other gatherings when they were present.

 

[Mizar]

I carry because it's nobody's business except mine and this is the only response I give to the larpers asking.

 

[FL-NC]

People who are afraid to leave their home should stay home.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I'm the first responder for my family, should the need arise.
Like any tool that you rarely need, but that are indispensable when you do need them (fire extinguisher, spare tire, firearms, etc), it's best to have them readily available, and be familiar with their use.

 

[RKRCPA]

What do I have to be afraid of, I have a gun.

 

[fastbolt]

Is someone afraid if they lock their doors?

Context and more information is needed.

Lots of insecure or self-righteous folks may have strong opinions about why others make their own decisions about their safety. The world continues to spin 'round ...

Now, my answer to this question? (My answer isn't contained as an option in the poll.)

Do you see carrying a gun constantly as living in fear?

Depends who it is, and why they've decided to carry a gun. No particular shortage of some strange folks in the world.

 

[bearcreek]

I carry out of habit more than anything.

This is a good reason to carry just in itself. The vast majority of the time, I don't feel that I am likely to have the need to carry a pistol, but I do because I've developed the habit. The problem that I think is likely to arise for those who only "carry when they anticipate a threat" is that they have a much lower chance of actually being competent with that weapon when they need to use it. That isn't to say that simply carrying the pistol makes you better at using it (it doesn't) but my observation has been that those who make a habit of carrying regularly are also the ones who are most likely to get good training and practice often.

 

[Blue Jays]

I voted "YES" just to be completely silly!