76shuvlinoff
Member
Because when I go down the group protecting my family will be reduced by 1. I can't afford to bet their lives on that condition being "OK".
WHY do we carry?
- Thread starter Loosedhorse
- Start date
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theken206
Member
some one post the lil lizzie article,
Treo
member
Oh Pleeez Gawd, Pa-Leeeeez Not Another Sheep Dawg Story!
Or you could enroll Little Lizzie's mom in an NRA approved defensive pistol course.
But then you wouldn't feel like a hero.
Come Back Shane, come back!
Or you could enroll Little Lizzie's mom in an NRA approved defensive pistol course.
But then you wouldn't feel like a hero.
Come Back Shane, come back!
schnarrgj
Member
Why do I carry? For a variety of reasons here are a few,
1) God gave me the gift of life and the wonderful gift of a family. He gave
me these gift to use to their fullest. I was not entrusted with them to allow evil to destroy them. To allow that to happen is an abomination to Him. To save the world is not my intent.
2) I do not carry because I feel inadequate. If confronted with a situation in which I am not able to defend what is dear, I have the ability to defend.
3) I do not carry to kill , but to protect my life and to live to an old age. If I must kill, it has not been my choice but the evil ( I refuse to give the thing the name human) that forced it.
4) I carry because I want to live in peace. Having seen evil in the world and in my neighborhood, I know that evil does not respect weakness. I do not and will not seek a confrontation, but if one is forced on me, I will do what ever is needed to end it peacefully if possible but if needed I will protect my gifts without hesitation or mercy. I owe that to my family and to my God.
Being a little older than many of the people on this forum, I find that the person who does carry, is usually more considerate and forgiving. I have seen and experience too much of this evil to think that I or my family is immune. Preparedness and watchfullness is needed. My wife carries also.
1) God gave me the gift of life and the wonderful gift of a family. He gave
me these gift to use to their fullest. I was not entrusted with them to allow evil to destroy them. To allow that to happen is an abomination to Him. To save the world is not my intent.
2) I do not carry because I feel inadequate. If confronted with a situation in which I am not able to defend what is dear, I have the ability to defend.
3) I do not carry to kill , but to protect my life and to live to an old age. If I must kill, it has not been my choice but the evil ( I refuse to give the thing the name human) that forced it.
4) I carry because I want to live in peace. Having seen evil in the world and in my neighborhood, I know that evil does not respect weakness. I do not and will not seek a confrontation, but if one is forced on me, I will do what ever is needed to end it peacefully if possible but if needed I will protect my gifts without hesitation or mercy. I owe that to my family and to my God.
Being a little older than many of the people on this forum, I find that the person who does carry, is usually more considerate and forgiving. I have seen and experience too much of this evil to think that I or my family is immune. Preparedness and watchfullness is needed. My wife carries also.
XD-GEM
Member
Because my Momma taught me that it was impolite to leave things just lying around. 
Restorer
Member
This wasn't mentioned as one of your reasons to carry, but here's mine...take it for what it's worth.
I carry as a reminder to myself that things are not always as they seem, monsters walk among us under the noonday sun, and sometimes those things that go "bump" in the night are harbingers of ill will. I think of it as a positive action reflecting a need for situational awareness. It's like an item in a checklist: Keys? Check. Wallet? Check. Gun? Check. Parking area clear? Check. Anybody unknown around? Check. Like any drill, after repetition it becomes second nature. This is not to say that I wouldn't perform a safety check without carrying a weapon...I would. But a safety check without a means to ensure safety is, shall we say, a less that optimum solution.
I live in an area blessed in natural beauty and cursed with meth cooking and abuse. We also have a dense population if illegals, many of whom are involved in drugs, prostitution, human smuggling and other unsavory activities. You can occasionally get "the perfect storm" of crime...a methed out illegal without a background of social restraints. My wife and I are involved in substance abuse (the rehab side) and the reality of how close to the edge some of these people are is probably scarier than you think.
I have children away in college. Last year, a young girl was chosen, apparently at random, stalked and murdered practically on campus. It happened within a 10 minute walk of where my kids live. They both legally carry for the same reason I do....protection, yes, but primarily as that reminder to yourself to constantly be aware of what's going on around you. My daughter was in one class (ethics, I think) and the subject of carrying firearms came up. She revealed that she carried...when she was asked why, she said that in the event of a bad situation, she intended to be the one walking away. Several girls wanted to know how to go about getting training after that. I was so proud.
I pray that I never have a need to draw, much less fire, a weapon in defense of myself or another person. If I have it and don't need it, that's great. If I need it and don't have it, it may be tragic. An ounce (or 230 gr.) of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I carry as a reminder to myself that things are not always as they seem, monsters walk among us under the noonday sun, and sometimes those things that go "bump" in the night are harbingers of ill will. I think of it as a positive action reflecting a need for situational awareness. It's like an item in a checklist: Keys? Check. Wallet? Check. Gun? Check. Parking area clear? Check. Anybody unknown around? Check. Like any drill, after repetition it becomes second nature. This is not to say that I wouldn't perform a safety check without carrying a weapon...I would. But a safety check without a means to ensure safety is, shall we say, a less that optimum solution.
I live in an area blessed in natural beauty and cursed with meth cooking and abuse. We also have a dense population if illegals, many of whom are involved in drugs, prostitution, human smuggling and other unsavory activities. You can occasionally get "the perfect storm" of crime...a methed out illegal without a background of social restraints. My wife and I are involved in substance abuse (the rehab side) and the reality of how close to the edge some of these people are is probably scarier than you think.
I have children away in college. Last year, a young girl was chosen, apparently at random, stalked and murdered practically on campus. It happened within a 10 minute walk of where my kids live. They both legally carry for the same reason I do....protection, yes, but primarily as that reminder to yourself to constantly be aware of what's going on around you. My daughter was in one class (ethics, I think) and the subject of carrying firearms came up. She revealed that she carried...when she was asked why, she said that in the event of a bad situation, she intended to be the one walking away. Several girls wanted to know how to go about getting training after that. I was so proud.
I pray that I never have a need to draw, much less fire, a weapon in defense of myself or another person. If I have it and don't need it, that's great. If I need it and don't have it, it may be tragic. An ounce (or 230 gr.) of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
SoCalShooter
Member
These 3.
Loosedhorse
member
Thanks--Anyone else weighing in on WHY?
A couple of you mentioned that the A, B, C and D were phrased perhaps a bit negatively. On rereading I think you were right, but I think that negativity is somewhat self-directed on my part. All of those reasons (at one time or another) formed SOME part of of my own philosophy, and I tend toward self-critical.
Obviously, B was eliminated pretty quickly from my mature thinking (I do seem to hear echoes of it occasionally in posts here, but I think they're mostly bad-boy give-'em-heck fighting spirit, not endorsement of uncalled-for violence).
For me A is a given, but doesn't really address why should I want the RESPONSIBILITY of carrying. And there is a constant tension in me between C & D--see my signature line.
The other reason I phrased them negatively perhaps was that I did want to give opportunity, some daylight, to disagree--to start a discussion. I apologize if this came across as trollish; it was meant to help me see if I've gotten so far down in my own philosophical rut that I can't see any other opinion around me.
I have young kids, and they're beginning to ask me this question (rather than just take my carrying for granted)--so it's not really me staring at my navel so much as their doing it.
Helps with discussions with the gun-unfriendly neighbors, too--of which there are a lot in this neck of the woods.
Appreciate votes, the disagreements, the links and the careful thioughts.
Any more?
A couple of you mentioned that the A, B, C and D were phrased perhaps a bit negatively. On rereading I think you were right, but I think that negativity is somewhat self-directed on my part. All of those reasons (at one time or another) formed SOME part of of my own philosophy, and I tend toward self-critical.
Obviously, B was eliminated pretty quickly from my mature thinking (I do seem to hear echoes of it occasionally in posts here, but I think they're mostly bad-boy give-'em-heck fighting spirit, not endorsement of uncalled-for violence).
For me A is a given, but doesn't really address why should I want the RESPONSIBILITY of carrying. And there is a constant tension in me between C & D--see my signature line.
The other reason I phrased them negatively perhaps was that I did want to give opportunity, some daylight, to disagree--to start a discussion. I apologize if this came across as trollish; it was meant to help me see if I've gotten so far down in my own philosophical rut that I can't see any other opinion around me.
I have young kids, and they're beginning to ask me this question (rather than just take my carrying for granted)--so it's not really me staring at my navel so much as their doing it.
Helps with discussions with the gun-unfriendly neighbors, too--of which there are a lot in this neck of the woods.
Appreciate votes, the disagreements, the links and the careful thioughts.
Any more?
OregonJohnny
Member
I hope I can make it the rest of my life without having to say either of the following after a tragic incident:
"If only I didn't have to use my gun."
"If only I had been armed with a gun."
Guess which one I would rather have to say if it came down to a life-or-death struggle for the safety of myself or a loved one? So, in short, I guess the most accurate answer for me based on your choices would be D (self-defense of myself and family).
"If only I didn't have to use my gun."
"If only I had been armed with a gun."
Guess which one I would rather have to say if it came down to a life-or-death struggle for the safety of myself or a loved one? So, in short, I guess the most accurate answer for me based on your choices would be D (self-defense of myself and family).
Kentucky Kernel
Member
I carry because it has become a very dangerous and irrational world and I want to protect my loved ones.
KK
KK
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
This oughta be enough reason, in case there was any doubt.
What was that about no random crime?
What was that about no random crime?
Tom Servo
Member
In full-on cynical mode this morning.
Carrying a gun is inconvenient, and in the wrong place and time, could get me into trouble. I need a better justification than just, "it's my right!"
That's a real question I received less than a week ago, which seems to tie into the next point.
If I see a guy on the ground screaming for help while another is assaulting him, how do I know who's really the aggressor? Could the guy still standing be an undercover LEO making an arrest, or could he be the victim who's gained the upper hand on his attacker?
A couple of years ago, I was in a gas station in urban Atlanta, and I saw a man walk up to a woman in her car, bang on the window and yell, "$%*&, gimme the car!"
The window rolled down, and she said, "Kevin, cut it out!" and they laughed. Imagine shooting the guy and then finding out it was all a prank, albeit a stupid one. It's very easy to misgauge a situation you're not familiar with.
If others are victimized because they've chosen not to take precautions (and not choosing is a choice), then I'm sorry, but they're not my responsibility.
Now, if I'm in a situation where the factors are clear, I may intervene (I doubt I'd stand by in a public shooting type of confrontation), but I don't feel in any way obligated to do so. Nor do I in any way look forward to having to make such a decision.
Thing is, it's not our right. It hasn't been for awhile. It's been whittled away to being a privilege requiring a permit, and in some places you don't even have that much. I'm old enough to remember when they didn't issue permits to carry, and the choice for many was to carry at the risk of serious jail time.
Carrying a gun is inconvenient, and in the wrong place and time, could get me into trouble. I need a better justification than just, "it's my right!"
I haven't heard this much, but I've spoken to a sizable percentage of people holding permits, and when you read between the lines, this is a reason for them. Most are under 30 and have little or no prior experience. These are the folks who pepper me with hypothetical questions like, "well, if a bad guy's in my yard at 3:00AM and he's pointing a garden hose at me, can I shoot if I tell the police I thought it was a gun?"
That's a real question I received less than a week ago, which seems to tie into the next point.
It's not my job to Protect the Innocent. That could end up costing me my life, my freedom and everything I own. Sorry, but I'm not risking that for a stranger and a situation I don't know with certainty.
If I see a guy on the ground screaming for help while another is assaulting him, how do I know who's really the aggressor? Could the guy still standing be an undercover LEO making an arrest, or could he be the victim who's gained the upper hand on his attacker?
A couple of years ago, I was in a gas station in urban Atlanta, and I saw a man walk up to a woman in her car, bang on the window and yell, "$%*&, gimme the car!"
The window rolled down, and she said, "Kevin, cut it out!" and they laughed. Imagine shooting the guy and then finding out it was all a prank, albeit a stupid one. It's very easy to misgauge a situation you're not familiar with.
This is the reason I carry, and the only logical one I can see of the four mentioned. Carrying a weapon isn't an idealogical choice for me, it's a necessary precaution. I'm not law enforcement: this is to ensure that I go home alive.
If others are victimized because they've chosen not to take precautions (and not choosing is a choice), then I'm sorry, but they're not my responsibility.
Now, if I'm in a situation where the factors are clear, I may intervene (I doubt I'd stand by in a public shooting type of confrontation), but I don't feel in any way obligated to do so. Nor do I in any way look forward to having to make such a decision.
rainbowbob
Member
Restorer:
Excellent post, sir. And bravo to your well-bred daughter.
indie
Member
I am yet to begin carrying, but schnarrgj nailed it for me.
SSN Vet
Member
personal responsibiltiy for me and mine.....
others want to outsource their responsibilities to some government entity (ususally thinking that someone else will get stuck paying for it).....and hence we are more and more every day creating a police state.
others want to outsource their responsibilities to some government entity (ususally thinking that someone else will get stuck paying for it).....and hence we are more and more every day creating a police state.
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Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
It's patriotic. Also because I have a wife and son, and therefore a responsibility to protect them.
Creature
Member
Just as SSN vet said, I carry because I am not willing to outsource my personal protection and well-being to some government entity.
TheLastBoyScout
Member
I carry a pistol to protect myself. Option C falls under that, because I wouldn't want to live with an innocent's death on my conscience because it wouldn't be convenient to deal with the consequences.
If I can't leave well enough alone (and live with myself) might as well be able to intervene with decisive effect if the hypothetical becomes reality.
Also, being a warrior is not a "only when in uniform" type vocation.
Option A is a good one, but that applies less to why I carry a pistol, and more to why I keep a battle rifle.
If I can't leave well enough alone (and live with myself) might as well be able to intervene with decisive effect if the hypothetical becomes reality.
Also, being a warrior is not a "only when in uniform" type vocation.
Option A is a good one, but that applies less to why I carry a pistol, and more to why I keep a battle rifle.
hdrk1955
Member
There are a lot of reasons I carry none of them sound anything like the selections noted above. They sound more like the laughter of my 5 children and 2 grandbabys, the sound of my wifes voice, the fact that "bad guys" don't always stay in in their own habitat, sometimes they wander into mine, and IT IS MY RIGHT TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM TYRANNY.
SSN Vet
Member
well said....
and Tyranny has many faces...
rampant crime being just one of them
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
"I don´t carry, because no reason to be afride."
Yet.
But, there was a time within living memory that in your country you would have had reason to be very afraid of your neighbor to the east. Your fore-fathers rose to the challange and it may well come again, in fact I think it's likely to come again. When it does, if you and your generation do or don't rise to that challange for your people and your homeland is your choice. If it comes here, I expect to defend mine.
We just have a different mindset and sense of values I guess.
Yet.
But, there was a time within living memory that in your country you would have had reason to be very afraid of your neighbor to the east. Your fore-fathers rose to the challange and it may well come again, in fact I think it's likely to come again. When it does, if you and your generation do or don't rise to that challange for your people and your homeland is your choice. If it comes here, I expect to defend mine.
We just have a different mindset and sense of values I guess.
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