When is it responsible to Carry?

[Agent_Iron]

I have had my License to carry for about 15 years now. I have not actually carried for half that time, but am prepareing to do so again. I did carry, but was it responsible to do so. I am looking for thoughts from you experienced men as to what a person should look for before carrying a firearm? Are there objective things one should shoot for like, putting 1000 rounds through your cary gun, or qualifying through some type of firearm class. Maybe some subjective things like a certain mental attitude that you will use the weapon, and use it responsibly if a situation arises. Obviously when the time comes you can never be fully prepared, but is there things to look for that would give you confidence that you are ready to carry.

It is a tremendous responsibility to have a tool with such power, and it should not be taken lightly. I also believe that open carry by all people would nearly eliminate crime, and it is our responsibility to help and protect those God has placed around us so I feel that I should carry if I can do so in a responsible mannor.

Any suggestions would be great.

Jay

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

It is a tremendous responsibility to have a tool with such power, and it should not be taken lightly.

Obviously, you understand that the weapon is not something that allows you to fearlessly face any threat. As for the actual question "is it responsible", that really is up to you. Do you think you can draw and pull the trigger if the need arises? Have you practiced recently, or at all, with the weapon to make sure you can hit reliably with it, and that it works? Some people feel more comfortable than others, some never feel comfortable carrying it and don't think they could bring themselves to fire it anyways.

Obviously when the time comes you can never be fully prepared

Very true too. Shooting paper at the range is nothing like actually being in a situation. It sounds like you have your head on straight enough that if you are carrying, you will be able to analyze the situation well enough to know if you should draw or not. Brush up on your local laws, practice to get in the groove, and carry again. We truly can be all safer that way.

 

[pharmer]

First it depends on your state, they make the rules. I carry whenever I can, my weapon is like my keys wallet cellphone and knife. Have the tools with you when the need arises. If your weapon changes you into billy badazz, leave it at home. Same if you plan to get hammered. Don't show it, pull it or discuss it unless there is reason. Choice of weapon should be effective caliber that you can hit with inside of 20 feet. Must be reliable as in ask yourself "if I pull the trigger will it go bang every time." Enjoy the freedom to protect yourself. Joe

 

[P95Carry]

Weapon familiarity and practice - both in substantial doses! Repeat!

Beyond that I consider it your ''responsibility'' to carry all waking hours where legal so to do. The more we have carrying the better IMO.

Maybe too I should add - the suitable mindset ... that is a whole other subject but includes the attitude whereby you take pains to avoid all trouble at all costs, and come to terms with the possibility (remote I hope) of maybe having to take a life to protect your own or those you hold dear.

 

[Mannlicher]

Trick question, right? Heck, I always thought it responsible to carry every time you walked out the door.

 

[sm]

Mindset.

Leads to everything else. Education, training ,equipment, licenses , practice...

Repetition becomes habit - habit becomes faith.

 

[mnrivrat]

When is it responsible to Carry?

Anytime it is legal to do so , and with no other special mindset or training than you normaly use to be a responsible gun owner and citizen.

You should know how to safely handle a firearm and shoot it with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Other than that , you have to ask yourself if you are capable of dealing with the possible use of a firearm in self defense.

That could be an issue if you carry ,but can also be an issue at home in the middle of the night wether you carry or not.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I believe I have not only the right, but a moral obligation to keep and bear arms. I'm part of what keeps our nation safe, sane, and free.

 

[Agent_Iron]

Great thoughts men!

mnrivat wrote.
"I believe I have not only the right, but a moral obligation to keep and bear arms. I'm part of what keeps our nation safe, sane, and free."

Absolutely! I agree 100%

P95Carry wrote
"Weapon familiarity and practice - both in substantial doses! Repeat!

Beyond that I consider it your ''responsibility'' to carry all waking hours where legal so to do. The more we have carrying the better IMO.

Maybe too I should add - the suitable mindset ... that is a whole other subject but includes the attitude whereby you take pains to avoid all trouble at all costs, and come to terms with the possibility (remote I hope) of maybe having to take a life to protect your own or those you hold dear."

As I think about my question, this really is exactly my gut feeling on the subject. I feel obligated to carry. I feel that if I carry, I should carry all the time, not when it is is convenient ( no drinking or silly stuff while carrying). I also never want to be in a position where I must use my weopon, but I do feel that I would use it to protect a life.

I have been practicing again, and am pretty adept in the accuracy department, but this is of course the non threatening, non moving piece of paper in the side yard. I no I need to practice so much that it is second nature, and to use differnt tecniques when practicing. I also need to be more aware when I am out, more watchful for potential situations, and go over scenarios that would afford my family the greatest safety should a problem arise. I believe I also need to practice drawing a bunch, I don't want to have my gun and need to use it, but be floundering around getting it out.

Any thoughts on books, videos, or any other things that would help me to be better trained to carry would be great.

Thanks so much fellas, all your thoughts are very helpful.

Jay

 

[Andrew Rothman]

When is it responsible to Carry?

Only on days when you value your life, and the lives of your loved ones and those around you.

To keep it simple, I just carry on days ending with "y".

 

[mnrivrat]

Hi Jay,

First I better give credit to where credit is due --- your quote attributed to me was from Standing Wolf - I also agree with him.

As far as books - I recommend a couple of them by Massad Ayoob. The first being something to the effect of "In the gravest extreme" and the second being something akin to " Truth about self defense" not sure I have the titles exactly right, but you can look his books up on the internet.

 

[XavierBreath]

I was once asked officially by a LEO if I carried "ritualistically". Heck, I didn't know what he was talking about. I figured he was talking devil worship or something. I told him of course not. He then told me I should. So I asked what that was.

He stated that it was carrying habitually. He informed me that this question is usually asked after an incident. If the person does not carry habitually, then the very fact that he put on a gun that day shows an awareness of increased danger, and potential premeditation if a lawyer twisted up a jury. At the very least it showed a decision to arm oneself when one would otherwise not arm oneself, instead of avoiding the danger. That made sense to me. Since that day, I have always carried my gun. No exceptions, except when expressly forbidden by law.

The #1 thing to look for is can you keep your temper. Can you keep your temper in any situation. Can you walk away from someone who just slapped you? Better yet, can you avoid letting a confrontation reach that point? Are you willing to choke down your pride to save an unwitting ignoramus? Are you willing to be seen as less than you are by some people to keep from having to use that gun? Are you mature enough, and secure enough in who you are, that words, no matter how harsh, and blows, no matter how hard, have no effect on your self worth?

If you cannot answer yes, then you are an unjust killing waiting to happen if you carry a gun.

Finally, it is my belief that a gun should never be produced until it is necessary to use it. A person should carry not because of what they fear may happen, but because of what they fear may happen if they do not.

 

[P95Carry]

The #1 thing to look for is can you keep your temper. Can you keep your temper in any situation. Can you walk away from someone who just slapped you? Better yet, can you avoid letting a confrontation reach that point? Are you willing to choke down your pride to save an unwitting ignoramus? Are you willing to be seen as less than you are by some people to keep from having to use that gun? Are you mature enough, and secure enough in who you are, that words, no matter how harsh, and blows, no matter how hard, have no effect on your self worth?

XB ... very well said indeed ... I concur totally.

A person should carry not because of what they fear may happen, but because of what they fear may happen if they do not.

(My emphasis)

Agreed - once more. Good post Sir.

 

[P12]

To the practice part of the equation.

I like to shoot IDPA. Not to try to win but just to improve in my personal level of confidence and to have some understanding on my limitations.

When I first started shooting IDPA, I though I was pretty good. Then after the first match I realized just how bad I was and needed gun handling time. After that infamous first match I decided if someone needed shooting they had better be within about 6-8 feet if they expected me to hit them. Punching paper is one thing. Adding stress and movement and about 20 pair of eyes watching your every move, really brings out the mistakes.

Also I’ve shot semi-autos most of my life. Until IDPA I was just standing there punching holes. Never have I had a gun malfunction until I began shooting IDPA. Thanks to the network of help developed by rubbing shoulders with other shooters I’ve learned how to deal with a gun malfunction. Which if I had encountered these issues in a real fight I would have probably wound up on the losing end. Now at least I have some level of a chance and know what to do other than stand there going, DUUUHH.

 

[tcdrennen]

I carry whenever I leave the house - and sometimes while IN the house.

The (VERY rare) exception is when I am ill and/or on medication and not sure of my judgement or reactions: basically if I'm not well and alert enough to drive, I don't carry.

If I still imbibed adult beverages, I'd also not carry while indulging. As it is, I'm ALWAYS the designated driver AND packer

 

[Model520Fan]

I recommend the LFI-I course by Massad Ayoob.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I really think that any person who is sound and legal should trained and carry if they choose to do so.

They must trained and be capable to do so and do so well.

I and my brother have shot IDPA. However, the rules there sometimes are a bit odd and not in the best interest of real training from what we have seen.

Bottom line in my mind. Be prepared to use force if needed. Never more than needed, never less.

I think the lever of "comfort" for each person is different though and I can't really make a statement as to what that should be. ie-there are several older people everyday who stop an assualt that would never pass a qual course.

I think it's all personal responsibility.

 

[mnrivrat]

XavierBreath Wrote :

and blows, no matter how hard

While I agree with the rest of what you wrote sir, I will not let someone strike me .
I have no way of knowing when they will stop (if at all) and no way of telling what damage they can cause. I will not attempt to take a beating with the idea that I will survive it. I am crippled enough .

I stay situation alert and away from area's that I think can mean possible trouble. If someone is going to physically attack me I will take that as a sure sign my life is in danger.

 

[ny32182]

I didn't read the whole thread, but my answer is, "whenever it is legal to do so". I carry almost as often as legally possible.

 

[ExtremeDooty]

If someone is going to physically attack me I will take that as a sure sign my life is in danger.

I agree with this and it might be a sign of age. After a couple of heart attacks and a hip replacement I can't fight like when I was 30. I've seen what BG's do even after knocking someone down, so any physical attack is life threatening. And I'm not taking a beating just so I don't pull my gun. The good thing is that I'm old enough not to care what people think if I walk away from a fight. And it's really not that hard to avoid trouble.

I think that deciding to carry a gun is a personal decision and you'll have to decide if you're "ready." OTOH...The BG's are "ready" now and aren't likely to wait until you catch up.

 

[aroshi]

I agree with almost everything stated so far in this thread.

Moreso, I believe it's a combination of all of them. You must have the proper mindset, which should lead to the proper training. The proper training would include more than just shooting at paper targets, but also drawing from different situations, stances, include obstacles, distractions, multiple threats. I'm not a trainer, but I am a teacher and understand the importance of education and experience.

Train well with what you choose to use, shoot straight and be safe.

The idea of legality is important, because it can have drastic repercussions. :banghead:

 

[TallPine]

Self defense is a Creator given right and responsibility and not rightfully subject to any preconditions dictated by either individuals or society.

That said, it is wise to be both:
1) aware and informed of what constitutes true self defense both legally and morally
2) reasonably proficient in handling your chosen implement