Why I carry a gun.

[Mr_Moore]

Man's neck slashed after refusing a demand for money.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/irwinbank/s_398393.html

A 20-year-old man was slashed with a knife Friday night in Oakland, police said. He was inside the Exxon gas station on McKee Place about 8:22 p.m. when a stranger asked him for money for cigarettes and he refused, according to a police report. The stranger cut the man's neck once with a knife.
Police did not identify the victim, who they said walked to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for treatment and was released Saturday. He gave no description of his attacker.

___________________________________
Oakland is a part of Pittsburgh.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Some people just aren't very polite: that's all.

 

[cz75bdneos22]

mr. moore, don't make the assumption that carrying a gun will give you immunity from being a victim..
my uncle thought the same until he met someone who also was carrying a gun..
he ended up dead with 16 shots all over his body..
i think we've all thought at one time how we'll do this and that if the situation ever arises.., but from experience, uneventful things seldom go by the best laid plans..it kind of reminds me of the day back in high school when a fellow classmate got his butt whipped up and down the courtyard by another classmate. he was a jerk with a big ego..he felt that because he was in karate and had a year's worth of classes under his belt. he could kick anybody's behind.+
well, as it always is there is somewhere outhere that is stronger, smarter, quicker or braver than oneself..so you know the rest of the story..
to prepare for combat is noble, but fear not the weapon, but the man..i think some japanese dude said that..sorry if i can't recall now. in any case, that's my .02/100..YMMV. what do i know??

 

[longtooth]

Yes cz just because you carry does not mean you will be the winner. One thing I talk to folks about who want to get a permit & carry is to decide that you can use it. Then to know that if I do have it & use it I might loose this gunfight. If I had no weapon I would probably wind up dead also. My position is stated clearly in my signature. I would rather die once than every time I close my eyes. I would rather have the opportunity to defend self & family than have no equalizer.

 

[Ala Dan]

Besides, carrying a firearm carries with it a multitude of responsibility~!
When a split second decision has too be made, the outcome could become
real grim in a hurry. Make the wrong decision, and it could cost you your
life; or a stint in "the joint". Ponder what everyone has said carefully,
as it could mean the difference of life or death~!

 

[Mr_Moore]

Ponder what everyone has said carefully,
as it could mean the difference of life or death

I agree.

There is a ton of good advice in THR postings.

In fact THR has become one of my favorite spots on the internet.

 

[cz75bdneos22]

longtooth,

i hear you, bro..just that somepeople are in for a surprise when their own private SHTF moment happens to them. having a gun, under stress and unpredictably forced to draw will/can get you disarmed so quick and easy..i'm telling you...but i can definetly relate where people get the feeling of being protected by carrying a gun/knife-blade..just have a plan B, is what i say, in case you are disarmed/ equipment malfunctions. this will/can happen where/when you least expect it...your thoughts remind me of the immortal words of Emiliano Zapata. one of Mexico's legendary icons. " I would rather die standing, than spend a lifetime on my knees.." usually followed by Viva Zapata! Viva la revolucion!

 

[Mr_Moore]

Yep

Sorry, double post.

Is there someway to delete a post?

 

[EddieCoyle]

I carry a gun because I was robbed at knifepoint. The next time that happens, the bad guy will find that he's brought a knife to a gunfight.

 

[kjeff50cal]

mr. moore, don't make the assumption that carrying a gun will give you immunity from being a victim..
my uncle thought the same until he met someone who also was carrying a gun..
he ended up dead with 16 shots all over his body..
i think we've all thought at one time how we'll do this and that if the situation ever arises.., but from experience, uneventful things seldom go by the best laid plans..it kind of reminds me of the day back in high school when a fellow classmate got his butt whipped up and down the courtyard by another classmate. he was a jerk with a big ego..he felt that because he was in karate and had a year's worth of classes under his belt. he could kick anybody's behind.+
well, as it always is there is somewhere outhere that is stronger, smarter, quicker or braver than oneself..so you know the rest of the story..
to prepare for combat is noble, but fear not the weapon, but the man..i think some japanese dude said that..sorry if i can't recall now. in any case, that's my .02/100..YMMV. what do i know??

That Bruce Lee wantabe's initials wouldn't be A. T. would it?

kjeff50cal

 

[phoglund]

Having a weapon and knowing how to use it, having unarmed combat skills, maintaining situational awarness, keeping in the best physical condition you can all increase your ability to survive a confrontation with the lowlifes of the world. They are not guarantees of survival. Does this mean we do nothing? I think not.

We all have a right to defend and protect ourselves and our loved ones. The original poster believes he has a better chance of exercising this right if he goes armed. Assuming a reasonable level of competence with his carry weapon I suspect he is indeed more capable of protecting himself if he carries a firearm than if he goes unarmed. Indeed, this is why I carry one as well.

 

[cz75bdneos22]

i can dig that..pho
i never meant to say fear=cowardice
be prepared that's it.
do what you gonna do, cuz i know what i'm going to do..
no dirty harry," go ahead, punk..make my day!!" just because you got a "gun"..
YMMV based on age, physical condition, training, life experience, psyche, etc...
again, nothing against carrying..damn it..it's your right to, if your state allows!
also, too... be careful who you call a "lowlife, cause that lowlife might just kill your A$!@!!!!

 

[ny32182]

Getting back to the original post, it doesn't sound like a gun would have helped the guy much... if the situation is as described. When inside a gas station with other people, how close are they? Normally, they are within contact distance. Obviously this guy was.

You say, "no, I don't have any change"... and a knife starts swinging at your throat? I don't know anybody that can draw that fast.

A gun is just one tool of many; its usefulness is limited by your skill in employing it, and the circumstances of the situation. It doesn't make one omnipotent, or guarantee victory in any confrontation. That seems to be the prevailing opinion in this thread, but not so in many others.

 

[White Horseradish]

your thoughts remind me of the immortal words of Emiliano Zapata. one of Mexico's legendary icons. " I would rather die standing, than spend a lifetime on my knees.." usually followed by Viva Zapata! Viva la revolucion!

I always thought it was Dolores Ibarruri that said that...

 

[AStone]

When a "when a stranger asks [me] for money for cigarettes",
I have my finger on my trigger when deciding whether to give him that money.

Before I am tried in the court of public opinion, please allow me to edit that.

I have my finger on the weapon just above and to the right of the trigger.

Rule 3: Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target (and you have made the decision to shoot).

Nem

 

[cz75bdneos22]

white horse,
might be, so i'll be sure to let the people running the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City to redo their murals to give proper credit, as well to the thousands of rural Mexico's schoolyard murals change their credits also... Damn! live and learn...i did not know that. i'm telling you...there are lies..and then there are L-I-E-S...!

 

[Val USP]

I always thought it was Dolores Ibarruri that said that...

U're absolutely right - "I would rather die standing, than spend a lifetime on my knees.." usually followed Viva la revolucion! - Dolores said a long time ago - in 1936-1937 in Madrid

 

[45Broomhandle]

Packing Iron Is Cheap Insurance

All boils down to: I'd rather have it and NOT NEED it, than to NOT HAVE it and need it. All other arguments are superfluous.

Nematocyst-870 said it right: When a stranger asks [me] for "money for cigarettes", I have my finger on my trigger when deciding whether to give him that money.

Keep your finger on your trigger, be aware of your surroundings, and remain alert - ESPECIALLY when you're standing out in the middle of a bunch of gas pumps and you're approached by a stranger. Gee, do you suppose they WANT something from you??? Even if it's only to ask the time of day or for a light, it may be a diversionary tactic for an accomplice to attack from another direction: remain aware and alert.

Just my two-cents worth. 45Broomhandle

___________________
It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning. ---Calvin, of Calvin & Hobbs

 

[AStone]

It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning. ---Calvin, of Calvin & Hobbs

LOL.

 

[cz75bdneos22]

emiliano zapata..

he was born 1879-died 1919..gunned down by a man greater than him and Zapata was carrying too. the Mexican revolution began in 1910..while it may be credited to dolores..it wouldn't be the first or last time a quote has been misattributed (sp)...but what do i know..regardless i like it. sorry for going off topic...

 

[Colt]

I'd rather have it and NOT NEED it, than to NOT HAVE it and need it

I agree.

Carrying a concealed firearm is not a cure-all from being victimized by criminals. As described in the gas station situation above, even if armed, there are times that you may not be able to employ your weapon for defense, due to proximity, timing, etc... That may not always be the case, though.

Therefore:

I'd rather have it and be uanable to use it, than not have it when need and opportunity present themselves.

P.S. - This is why I think concealed carry is preferable to open carry. Even though open carry usually provides better/faster access to a firearm, there are some situations in which open carry is still not fast enough. In those cases, I feel open carry can get you killed, as you will be instantly perceived as a high-level threat.

YMMV

 

[enfield303]

If Zapata was born from 1879 to 1919, he musta been one huge baby! I wonder if his mom was the reason C-Sections were developed?

 

[Biker]

There are a million reasons to carry a gun, but on rare occasions, I've wished I hadn't been carrying. You just can't get into a scrap while carrying, if you can at all avoid it. And what is "YMMV"?
Biker

 

[Feanaro]

You say, "no, I don't have any change"... and a knife starts swinging at your throat? I don't know anybody that can draw that fast.

I doubt anyone can draw and fire that fast. That doesn't necessarily negate the firearm. You shouldn't let someone get that close. You might be able to defend against the initial attack, draw and fire at the "quarter hip" position. A slim chance but a better chance than with your fists, IMO. You shouldn't let someone get that close in the first place, of course.

 

[solareclipse]

It all depends on the situation. Guns are effective in cases where escalation can be seen some time ahead, like a bar dispute or such.

If someone is about to slash you, he will and nothing will save you unless you can manage a 2nd strike or just shoot before he approaches (which we all know is not an option unless you are in the battlefront)