For the first time in the 2 years that I've been carrying I went to work and forgot my gun at home. I'm not a particularly paranoid guy but I must say that I felt a little uneasy all day. I've got a 30 minute commute so I didn't go back home to get it. I was surprised about how much it stayed on my mind throughout the day. Anybody here ever experience that feeling? Should I keep a hide out piece locked up inside my Jeep console for such future situations?
Forgot My EDC at Home Today
- Thread starter Jimster
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230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
If you habitually carry two, it wouldn't be a problem.
"One is none, two is one."
"The fastest reload is to have another loaded gun at hand."
I have the same problem once in a while with my wrist watch. I can't stand wearing one around the house, but if I step outside without it, I instantly feel nekkid. Weird.
Two-gun Terry
"One is none, two is one."
"The fastest reload is to have another loaded gun at hand."
I have the same problem once in a while with my wrist watch. I can't stand wearing one around the house, but if I step outside without it, I instantly feel nekkid. Weird.
Two-gun Terry
Good Ol' Boy
Member
I haven't forgotten to take it with me but on days that I purposely don't carry for whatever reason, yeah, it's a little unsettling.
And I've only been carrying a few months.
As for the "truck gun" you mention, it's a personal choice. I leave my EDC in my vehicle when at work because I pretty much have to. At this point in my "carrying career" I would never leave a gun in the vehicle 24/7.
And I've only been carrying a few months.
As for the "truck gun" you mention, it's a personal choice. I leave my EDC in my vehicle when at work because I pretty much have to. At this point in my "carrying career" I would never leave a gun in the vehicle 24/7.
How do you know you've been carrying a long time?
A few years ago I got home and reached for my handgun to put it in the safe. It wasn't there. Panic ensued. I looked everywhere. I racked my brain trying to figure out where and how I could have lost it.
Finally figured out I'd have to report its loss. Before I did I opened the safe just to be sure and lo and behold there it was. I'd gone through an entire day without even thinking about it. Somewhat scary.
A few years ago I got home and reached for my handgun to put it in the safe. It wasn't there. Panic ensued. I looked everywhere. I racked my brain trying to figure out where and how I could have lost it.
Finally figured out I'd have to report its loss. Before I did I opened the safe just to be sure and lo and behold there it was. I'd gone through an entire day without even thinking about it. Somewhat scary.
Red Wind
Member
I've been carrying since 1987, so it is an automatic reflex, like reaching for my wallet.
2 years into EDC , I also made that occasional error of forgetting "Roscoe" and walking out the door.
Practice eventually makes it automatic. Don't worry about this one lapse. Nothing happened. You won't let it happen again!
2 years into EDC , I also made that occasional error of forgetting "Roscoe" and walking out the door.
Practice eventually makes it automatic. Don't worry about this one lapse. Nothing happened. You won't let it happen again!
MIL-DOT
member
I did it once a couple years ago, and I was a bit further up the road than I was willing to turn around for, plus, it was just a quick trip into town and back, so I pressed on. But, I still recall the palpable feeling of naked vulnerability.
When I first got my first carry permit, I didn't even carry regularly, so I wasn't bothered by not having one on me.
But after a few years of doing it regularly, not having one was surprisingly uncomfortable.
When I first got my first carry permit, I didn't even carry regularly, so I wasn't bothered by not having one on me.
But after a few years of doing it regularly, not having one was surprisingly uncomfortable.
Ironicaintit
Member
Yup, I've done that.
Next step was, "hey boss, I'm going to be in a little late today. Mechanical trouble"
Next step was, "hey boss, I'm going to be in a little late today. Mechanical trouble"
You realize you are more at the mercy of others without effective tools of defense. Whether a group of young men up to no good or an armed thug, having no gun means what you have to fall back on is less reliable..
It is satisfying to be able to take more responsibility for the safety of yourself and others.
Once you taste actually having the power to be more responsible for your own protection it is harder to go back. Even if the risk is low, knowing you have effective options is comforting.
Many people think the police, those men with guns they hope to call on if needed, will actually be around prior to the completion of the crime they are calling them about.
They may hold the criminal responsible after the fact, but will rarely be in time to make an impact on how things would have turned out.
However that false illusion of having someone on call to protect them is all the peace of mind many think they need until they have a bad experience.
It is satisfying to be able to take more responsibility for the safety of yourself and others.
Once you taste actually having the power to be more responsible for your own protection it is harder to go back. Even if the risk is low, knowing you have effective options is comforting.
Many people think the police, those men with guns they hope to call on if needed, will actually be around prior to the completion of the crime they are calling them about.
They may hold the criminal responsible after the fact, but will rarely be in time to make an impact on how things would have turned out.
However that false illusion of having someone on call to protect them is all the peace of mind many think they need until they have a bad experience.
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JohnBiltz
Member
Last time I forgot mine was the day the Mayan Calendar ended and was supposed to be the end of the world. Of all days to forget that was when I left mine at home.
As soon as I put my pants on in the morning I can feel the lack of weight and the gun goes on immediately after. I did forget it once probably a year or two after I had been carrying like you and it was definitely a strange feeling all day. Now I've been carrying for 6 years or so and can't imagine not noticing after a minute or two. Of course if you're someone who doesn't carry all the time or usually changes the position of where you carry, it's probably less noticeable.
I think everybody that carries consistency would get that feeling if they forgot it...kind of like how us religious seatbelt wearers when we pull out of our driveway and haven't quite put the seat belt on yet.
I have not yet neglected/forgot to carry my gun for the day, although I did once, probably 3 years ago, carry an empty OWB holster for a walk around the neighborhood and realized about halfway through.
My father was in the 17th Airborne, in WWII, and he is 93 years old. His saying is," your carry weapon is like a pilot and his parachute, as you can go your whole life and probably never need it, but if you need it just that one time, and it's not there...". The saying sticks with me and helps me not to forget my carry.
guyfromohio
Member
I spend quite a bit of time traveling by air to the Boston. I always feel naked and like a lamb going to slaughter.
Similar to a quote I use:
'A gun is a lot like a parachute, if you need it and don't have it, you'll probably never need it again.'
Blade First
Member
Highly recommend a backup in the vehicle.
Don't forget my EDC firearm [goes in holster before keys go in pocket] but occasionally go out without my EDC knife [there's a rotation]...most aggravating.
Don't forget my EDC firearm [goes in holster before keys go in pocket] but occasionally go out without my EDC knife [there's a rotation]...most aggravating.
1KPerDay
Member
I must admit I miss my knife more than I've missed my pistol. I use my knife 5 or more times a day and feel handicapped without it.
JR24
Member
I have a structured dressing routine, almost OCD. Everything goes from its place on the nightstand (or safe) into the correct pocket or holster. Anything missing bugs the crap out of me.
buck460XVR
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CWC has only been legal in my state for 5 years. For the previous 57 years of my life I had no EDC. I also cannot carry at work(High School). Thus on those few occasions where I forget to carry, I don't wet myself out of worry and fear. It does not mean I have become complacent/lackadaisical. Instead of fretting about not having my EDC, I just depend more on my senses of awareness and observation to keep me safe and out of scenarios where I may need a EDC. There's much more to SD and keeping yourself safe, than just having a gun.
So...you don't use awareness and observation to stay out of trouble when you have a gun? Big mistake.
buck460XVR
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I knew before posting someone would have to think that was the case. Some folks seem to want to read something more into a post than what's there. But if you reread that post, you will see no where did I state anything about not using my awareness and observation skills when I have a gun.......I just said without a gun, I have to rely on them more. As I said, I work in a High School, where no guns are allowed. Still everyday, the threat of an active shooter is more likely for me there, than anywhere else I go(probably more likely than most folks here). The only thing I have for SD and the protection of other staff and students around me is awareness, observation and whatever I can grab at the moment. We even have mandatory training twice a year related to this. Similar to folks who lose a sense. Even tho the loss of a sense may put them at a disadvantage, they can overcome that disadvantage by increasing and becoming more dependent on the use of their other senses. IOWs, forget your EDC, scrutinize your surroundings and those folks within them, more carefully than you are used too. You may need to look for a way out or cover, instead of standing your ground. Having a "out" before hand is always better than waiting till you need it. Kinda like approaching a intersection with a motorcycle. If you assume that other cars are not going to yield to you, you will already have a evasive maneuver in mind if something bad comes up.
I think there are many folks who become complacent on their awareness and observation skills because they are carrying, thus they lead themselves into a scenario where they may have to use that gun. George Zimmerman is a prime example. Worrying/fretting all day about not having your EDC, will take your focus off being aware of your surroundings and may put you in more danger than the not having a gun.
MedWheeler
Member
I've done it once or twice. Been carrying (as a civilian) since 2008. Had carried as an OD-LEO in the late 80s and early 90's, but got lazy about it when I gave up the badge.
I carry a so-called "man-bag" similar to those carried by men in Europe, but not on myself. My wife bought it for me in Russia. It stays in whatever I'm driving. In it, there is always either a P32 (if it's not on my person as a BUG) or a Bauer .25 pistol, along with a pocket holster. The odds are that I'll never forget both my sidearm and that bag.
Plus, I've been also carrying a NAA mini-revolver in .22LR as a BUG as of late.
I carry a so-called "man-bag" similar to those carried by men in Europe, but not on myself. My wife bought it for me in Russia. It stays in whatever I'm driving. In it, there is always either a P32 (if it's not on my person as a BUG) or a Bauer .25 pistol, along with a pocket holster. The odds are that I'll never forget both my sidearm and that bag.
Plus, I've been also carrying a NAA mini-revolver in .22LR as a BUG as of late.
RioShooter
Member
I go through a mental checklist before I leave the house: keys, wallet, comb, money, pen, phone, knife, gun, flashlight, leatherman.
The only time I forget something, is when I forget to run through the checklist.
The only time I forget something, is when I forget to run through the checklist.
Red Wind
Member
Jimster said:
My son works security for a major airline. He has shown me pictures of a lot of cool knives that they have had to confiscate. Since you threw yours away, it wasn't among them!
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