Responses to CCW question.

[Bravo11]

What are your responses to people that ask you why you want to carry a gun.
I get the impression that some people think your either paranoid or your a LEO want-to-be.

 

[TarpleyG]

First and foremost, because I live in a violent society and I refuse to be victimized without putting up a fight. Secondly, because it is my right and duty as an American citizen to do so.

GT

 

[MonkeyMan]

My standard answer is, "I'd rather have and not need it than need it and not have it."

Now the question of "what does 'need it' mean" is a whole different animal. If the questor is even remotely "anti" chances are nothing you can say will make sense to them.

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

Been accused of being paranoid by the duck hunters at work.
Said "nothing has ever happened to you, why do you need it"
My reply was " I don't need a reason, I take care of myself"

 

[shermacman]

The licensing officer in my town looked at me as if he were looking at a Martian: "Why do you want to carry a firearm?" I knew he was anti so I didn't want to jepordize my chance. In Massachusetts a B license limits you to non-CCW and requires ridiculous restrictions for transporting a gun to a shooting range. I told him I was very concerned with accidentally violating those laws, therefore I wanted a full CCW Class A license. He reluctantly agreed. Interestingly, he asked my wife none of those questions, he just gave her the Class A... But then she is cuter than I am.

 

[Thumper]

I've put way too much time into becoming proficient with a pistol to suffer the irony getting killed by some punk kid with a Lorcin.

I carry all day every day.

I also just kind of enjoy having a fine pistol on my hip...embodiment of freedom, fine craftsmanship...all that stuff.

Some folks enjoy Mont Blanc pens...I prefer custom 1911s.

Edited to ask: Where in Arkansas do you live?

 

[Hemicuda]

My standard answer is that "I take an ACTIVE role in my own safety and that of those I care about"

 

[Graystar]

Here's my answer..."The National Crime Victimization Survey, performed yearly by the federal government, consistently demonstrates that defending yourself with a firearm is the best way to avoid being injured in a violent attack."

And that's the truth.

 

[Jedi_7.62]

Becauser I can.....And If they are being Anti and rude about it...Because I can and there is nothing you can do about it.


I used to try and explain myself by saying stuff like because you never know when you might need it, and expaling to people the histroy of our country, it's founding principles concepts behind the constitution, The founding fathers weren't worried about hunting when they were fighting offf the brits, because our for fathers fought and died for our rights and we should respect that. The police can't be everywhere all at once, Bullets are faster than phones, etc...etc... etc....

Though I've learned it's much like pissing in the wind.

People don't really want to know why they just want to be smart A$$e$


Anyone ever actually have any luck with these people?

Best Anti story...Myself and my former girlfriend used to live in the same apartment complex. NOT a good neighborhood...One night in paticular there were 50+ police in the hood hunting someone blocking off drives and such not to mention a helicopter in the air covering the complex we were in.

She was terrified. We had been broken up for a few months. She calls me up crying and sobbing she so scared wants to know if she can come stay w/ me. O.K. fine but I made her reenounce all her anti crap on the spot.

She gave me trouble every time I bought a gun and she always griped about me carrying, though she learned to live w/ it.

Point is logic and reason doesn't work on anti's only fear. A lot of folks cxhanged their minds after 9 11.

 

[TheeBadOne]

Why do you wear a seatbelt, are you planning on getting in an accident?

 

[Greg L]

The seatbelt example is a good one. I've also asked if they have a fire extinguisher in their kitchen. If yes then the follow up question is why, the fire department is just a phone call away. I'll play dumb and lead them down that line of reasoning letting them dig themselves in deeper and deeper explaining to me how they would try to put out a small fire on the stove with the extinguisher themselves and how it would be silly not to have one at hand in case something like that happened. After they are done with their explanation as to why they have an extinguisher near the stove I'll nod and say that's why I carry a gun.

Greg

 

[Bravo11]

I like the response Jedi gives "Because I can" it's similar to my response of "Because I want to".
I also like the seat belt analogy.

 

[Thumper]

Graystar,

I like that, and I know it's the truth, but I can't find the report.

Anyone have it?

 

[spacemanspiff]

i was out with the nephews last night on the bike trail, and as we were loading back up into the van a man and a woman were getting ready to barricade the parking lot of the park we were at. i asked them if that was something Parks & Recreation setup and they hemmed and hawwed, so i pressed the issue a little further and they said "Well its already a regulation that the park closes down at 10pm, we just enforce it, as residents of this neighborhood." the man cuts in with "You know, to cut back on gangbangers and potsmokers in our neighborhood."
i said "well you know, armed citizens can take care of gangbangers." the woman gets all flustered and says "ohh we wouldnt want to do THAT."

i figured it wasnt prudent to go any further and just left them at that.

 

[sm]

I'm responsible for me.

 

[blades67]

I've started replying that I carry because I'm not afraid to take care of myself, which frees up the police to take care of those who are.

 

[Jedi_7.62]

Did I get this right?

A couple baricades on a park entrance will stop gangbangers and pot smokers?

Will this work on imigrants at the Mexican border to?

Don't be prepared to defend yourself tho?

You have my sympathy.
Times like that I hold my head and ask for tylenol.

lmao

 

[LiquidTension]

blades - I like that one.

My usual replies are pulled from the following pool:
Because I can.
Because the police show up after the crime, not before.
Because god hates me so I have to fend for myself.
Because it makes people like you mad.
Because I'm a skinny white guy.

Every once in a while I will explain in detail all of the benefits of having concealed carry laws, but only to those with the mental capacity to understand.

 

[spacemanspiff]

yeah... barricades you can step out of your car and move aside. our PD never even enforces the park closures, unless whomever they encounter is drinking or hitting the whacky tobacky.

a funny anectdote, some years back, okay, a lot of years back (9?, 8?) my cousin and i pulled into a park to pour a couple of screwdrivers (yes, we were really really stupid back then) when a PD cruiser lights us up. my cousin panics, tells me to hide the bottle of vodka, so i toss it into the back seat. now the back seat is full of clothes, cds, food, garbage, paperwork, skis, the works. so the bottle is now lying on top of everything. the officer tells us the park is closed, and we should move on. doesnt check ids, registration, insurance, nothing. he then asks "is that an open container of alcohol in the back seat?" jason meekly answers "yes". he says "well you should put it in the trunk. you cant have an open container in the car with you like that, you'll get in trouble for that. good night."

we still marvel at not getting nailed for underage possesion of alcohol, underage consumption, and whatever else laws we were violating. we wound up heading home and drinking the booze there.

 

[Ala Dan]

How about an EX-LEO that has done it all?

One who is just trying to save his bacon!

Well, that's ME. You see, I've put 'em in jail, helped
others do the same, and sent a few convict's to
meet the maker. So, its obivious I'm not very well
liked; thats why nowdays I don't leave home with
out it! And we ain't talk'in about American Xpress,
Master Card, or Visa; we're talking about one thing:
FIREPOWER my friend.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[foghornl]

As a former Auxillary Reserve Deputy, I have seen how much mayhem the Bad Guys can inflict in 5 minutes or less.

I have been the victim of violent crime, including what is now popularly called "Home Invasion", and been 'rolled' at an Interstate Hwy rest stop.

Not being aware of what was happening, walked into a "Stop & Rob" during commission of said action, and was forced to the floor with a shotgun in my back.

There is more and more of the "lesser elements" of society that would glady stomp both of us into a muddy spot and kick the water out for nothing more than a few dollars, some cold beer, the next drug fix, or even "just for grins".

With the budget crisis that most states are facing now, one of the popular ways to reduce expenses is to redcue police forces and parole/release career criminals. Therefore, you need to Stand Ready, or you will get whomped.

 

[Graystar]

Thumper, I'll see if I can find it.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Because police can't be everywhere all the time.

Or because I no longer have to wait for the background check.

 

[dinosaur]

I have to confess, I have a virtual arsenal of fire extinguishers in the house and garage. Haven`t had a fire in the 7 years I`ve owned the place. Does that make me paranoid?

 

[OF]

Q: "Why do you carry a gun?"

Gabe's standard A: "In case I run into anybody needs shootin'!"

Extended Explanation: "I mean, if you didn't have a gun, how would you shoot somebody that needed shootin'??"


Works for me.

- Gabe