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Has Carrying Made You a More Responsible Person?

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What statistics are those Vern Humphrey: There is a theory amongst criminologists that 6% of the nation commits the majority of crimes. Does this mean that a CCW holder cannot be a part of that 6%? There are bad people but the majority of these 6% commit crimes that have not been reported or noticed. THats what we have to remember.

My idea would be just to treat a permit for what it is, a permit to carry a gun. Having one does not mean that we are not criminals nor does it mean we are honest law abiding people. We are just people with permits to carry a firearm.
 
Of course, as a general rule (yes, there are exceptions and bureaucratic screw-ups), people with a criminal record are not likely to be issued a CCW permit. This would mean that precious few CCW permit holders would be among those "6%" who have, in the past, committed crimes that have been recorded. There may be those among CCW holders who are among those who have never committed a crime but are going to commit one in the future. No database can predict who is going to do what in the future. However, since most of the 6% are habitual and repeat offenders (which is why only 6% commit most of the crimes), it seems likely that since most CCW permit holders have not committed crimes in the past, they are also likely not to commit them in the future. People show patterns in their lives. Habitual criminals commit crimes. People with a developed conscience or super-ego, generally do not. Anyway, why would a career criminal, possibly a sociopathic individual, with a rap sheet, bother to even try to get a legal CC Permit? Would it be a stretch to think he might just carry a gun without being "permitted"?
 
Yes. I am 100% responsible because I need to be. I don't flick people off, drive aggressively and rarely honk my horn.

Before, I was 98% responsible but now made me realize I needed to change a couple of things to minimize my risk to be "involved in something!"
 
I've always been prone to having a "little voice" in my head start describing how wrong any given situation could go if self-restraint is not exercised. In general this has kept me pretty responsible and low-key over the course of my life and the thoughts that focus around my CCW are really just a continuation of that so I don't really think it has been the catalyst for too much change in my behavior.
 
What statistics are those Vern Humphrey: There is a theory amongst criminologists that 6% of the nation commits the majority of crimes. Does this mean that a CCW holder cannot be a part of that 6%?
Click to expand...

In this and other threads, several people have posted statistics from their respective states showing a very low offense rate amongst CCW holders.

Do you honestly think if CCW holders were shooting people at the same rate as gang-bangers, the anti-gun press wouldn't be trumpeting that to the sky?
 
There is a theory amongst criminologists that 6% of the nation commits the majority of crimes. Does this mean that a CCW holder cannot be a part of that 6%?
Click to expand...
Of course a CCW holder can be. But the question is whether a CCW holder is equally likely to commit crimes as a randomly-selected person. The answer is almost certainly "no," because people who have committed crimes in the past are denied CCW. And any CCW who commits a crime loses it, so his repeat offenses are all committed as a non-CCW holder.

And that's without taking into account that folks who get a CCW are probably, in my opinion, less likely to commit crimes anyway.

--Len.
 
No. Carrying makes me better prepared to defend myself. My level of responsibility is a result of the complex interaction of my basic personality and the influences of my upbringing. Guns, or the carrying of them, do not change me as a person.
 
I could agree with what Texfire just said. I really dislike the idea of people touting that simply having a permit means your not a criminal. The permit is issued to anyone with a criminal background in some states. That however does not mean they are not a criminal. I do agree they are more liklely to be interested in following the law as the pemit allows them to carry a gun legally. So it does show an interest and probably a tendency to follow the law but it does not prove that in all cases.
 
ZeSpectre, I often wonder if you are a long lost twin or something, because every time I read one of your posts I find myself saying "I could have written that".

To speak to the OP, I have adjusted very little, but I find myself avoiding downtown, driving a bit slower, drinking less, and being more aware of my surroundings. The awareness comes from my desire to avoid conflict, and to know what my options are if conflict arrives.
 
I'll have to agree with hrgrisso's post. Among other things, having to stop for a traffic violation and to announce the presence of a concealed firearm and the ensuing reaction does not appeal to me. Nor does being spotted with a bulging, printing handgun make for a fun day. So driving slower, dressing better and an overall law abiding appearance seem to be a plus. I also open doors for women...
 
I can see how it can make people be on their best behavior but concealed carrying hasn't made me a more moral or responsible person it is an extension of me. I carry because I am responsible, I am not responsible because I carry, if that makes sense.

Before carrying I already obeyed the law, opened doors, etc. Open carrying does tend to increase the nice traits of my personality because I want people to realize that there are responsible, safe, and sane gun owners out there.
 
Tecumseh--

You are being unnecessarily confrontational and ugly. That is not THR.

The OP and several respondents were being contemplative and somewhat rhetorical. Nothing un-THR about that.

Remember, attack the idea, not the person.

Although I do not follow the OPs practices, and although I would prefer that he carry 24/7, that is his choice to make, not yours or mine.

And any religious connotations he makes are his. Attacking him, or them, is not in keeping with THR.

Please give this some thought.

Thank you. Live long and prosper, unless that offends you. In which case, feel free to drop dead. :)
 
Okay, thank you and well done.
I agree with your final premise.
May The Force be with you.
:)
 
Umm, no, just more mindful of my surroundings and those in it.

OP, don't take this wrong, but if you carry, always carry. You not feeling worthy one day may have you in the middle of an armed robbery while your out picking up a pack of gum at 7-11. I live in a safe neighborhood too, but there was a recent armed robbery at a Subway exactly 24 hours after my wife and I were there. Spooky.
 
Remember, attack the idea, not the person.
Click to expand...

orionengnr,

Tecumseh wasn't attacking me. He was wanting what is best for me. He was "watching my back" against a wrong and potentially dangerous way of thinking.

True, he failed his diplomacy skill roll. But his good intentions were still clear. I would have had to be alarmingly self-centered to not see that much.
 
orionengnr and jeepmor,

We differ on what is for me a theological issue.

I'm not responsible for other people's safety. God has that job. He and I talk a lot, and he hasn't asked me to carry all the time when I'm in public.

When my self-discipline or alertness is lacking then I trust God has someone else watching out for people or will be doing so himself. After all, there are plenty of CHLs where I live, and God confuses and confounds his people's enemies quite regularly.
 
How do you know what changes in your life are because of your CHP and which are just from getting older and learning from your mistakes?
 
No, and the reverse is probably more true. I think less now of trying to stay out of places that offer intimidation or worse, because that is where I find are the most interesting activities. I feel the deck is not stacked against me now, that I have a reasonable chance to make a difference in the normal outcome.
 
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