AKMtnRunner
Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2011
- Messages
- 190
For some background, I've grown up in relatively safe societal areas and never experienced a situation where I wish I had a defensive firearm. I also run a lot in the Chugach State Park in Alaska where I've come into 20 or so yards of bears, and never felt like they were threatening. Perhaps I've been extremely lucky and/or I unconsciously practice good avoidance techniques.
However, I cannot ignore the real danger that does exist out there. It only takes one bad day to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course, everyone here understands that. And now that I am out of my invincible 20's, married, and probably will start a family soon, I can't help but seriously prepare myself to defend against the rare possibilities.
Carrying goes against the culture I've grown up in. My parents were adverse to handguns and wouldn't let my brother and I have toy guns as kids. My friends have and still aren't the kind of people that would even consider carrying and I'd wager they would think I'm crazy and dangerous if they knew I have started.
So, I'm having a hard time carrying and not living in fear. Having the firearm on me is such a change, that I can't seem to get over the reasons for having it. Instead of believing in the goodness of people, the beauty of the wilderness, and going about my goals for each day, it feels like my state of mind is weighed down and altered into a fearful one, which I can't reason is statistically unnecessary. Really, if I'm going to go out of my way to carry a gun, why don't I wear a helmet too while driving or go to the gym to run on a safe treadmill.
Anyone here go through the same and have ideas to enjoy life the fullest while also preparing for the worst?
However, I cannot ignore the real danger that does exist out there. It only takes one bad day to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course, everyone here understands that. And now that I am out of my invincible 20's, married, and probably will start a family soon, I can't help but seriously prepare myself to defend against the rare possibilities.
Carrying goes against the culture I've grown up in. My parents were adverse to handguns and wouldn't let my brother and I have toy guns as kids. My friends have and still aren't the kind of people that would even consider carrying and I'd wager they would think I'm crazy and dangerous if they knew I have started.
So, I'm having a hard time carrying and not living in fear. Having the firearm on me is such a change, that I can't seem to get over the reasons for having it. Instead of believing in the goodness of people, the beauty of the wilderness, and going about my goals for each day, it feels like my state of mind is weighed down and altered into a fearful one, which I can't reason is statistically unnecessary. Really, if I'm going to go out of my way to carry a gun, why don't I wear a helmet too while driving or go to the gym to run on a safe treadmill.
Anyone here go through the same and have ideas to enjoy life the fullest while also preparing for the worst?