Why do YOU carry a gun?

[Shay VanVlymen]

What is your main motivation for carrying a gun on your person?

[GT_Rat]

Personal protection. In all honesty it is unlikely that I will ever have to use it because I don't frequent many places where I would be likely to be threatened but I would rather have it and not need it than not have it and need it.

[GlocKingTN]

Personal protection. In all honesty it is unlikely that I will ever have to use it because I don't frequent many places where I would be likely to be threatened but I would rather have it and not need it than not have it and need it.
My reason as well^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[jackdog]

Self defense is why I carry. But it was not a decision that came easily. To carry a fire arm requires a large amount of responsibility and should not be entered into lightly. Plus you are possibly opening yourself up to both criminal and civil prosecution. That being said I think one needs to be sure that there is nothing in is mind that might delay him from using the weapon, if it becomes necessary.

[Loaded247]

Outside of duty use, my reasons for carry are because I PERSONALLY feel I should take the responsibility for my own safety, as well as the safety of my family.

[GlocKingTN]

Outside of duty use, my reasons for carry are because I PERSONALLY feel I should take the responsibility for my own safety, as well as the safety of my family.
And family being the most important part in that statement!:up:

[Mousegun]

All my life I have been a very practical person, spending my hard earned cash only on things I really use.

For the first time in my life I decided to spend some cash on an item I hope I never really have to use and a gun was one of the best things I could come up with.

So to expand on my one impractical decision, I figure I may as well carry it with me as a reminder of my diversion.:cool:

[Steelharp]

Because it's KEWL!!

Seriously, though... in my main biz, music, I can be in some fairly rough areas at some pretty bad hours. I thought it the responsible thing to do for me and my family.

[saintsfanbrian]

I carry because the police won't be there BEFORE I need them. Basically saying that they can only come after something has happened.

I had one of those situations yesterday. The next door neighbors alarms was going off. I knew they weren't at home. I had to make a decision, investigate or stay home and wait for the police. After 15 minutes of the alarm going off and the police not showing up I decided to investigate. I walked across the street, looked in the kitchen, saw nothing, walked around back and found a shed "broken in to" and the back door open. I walked back home and called the non emergency number for the police and reported what I had observed. It took maybe another 10 minutes for the police to show up, in the mean time the home owners came home. I told Mr. Homeowner what had happened and he asked if I would go in the house with him (a little bit older and not very fit person) It was at that time that I realized I had made the right decision to carry a weapon.

Should we have waited for the police? Probably, but you know how people are. We walked in and that is when he noticed that the cat was probably the one to set off the alarm.

A couple of seconds later the police showed up. I have to admit. I was scared. I didn't know what I would find in that house. But the ordeal reassured me that I have made the right decision about carrying and that if it comes down to it, I could and would use it.

To protect ourselves and our families and in some cases our neighbors. That is why I carry a gun. That is why I think most people should.

[Steelharp]

saintsfan... while what you did was noble, the smarter thing probably would have been to convince your neighbor to stay outside with you and wait for LEO's to show. If you had found cause to use your firearm in your neighbor's house, and (assuming) you're not a LEO, you probably would be facing some very stiff charges right now. Just my .02.

[towerclimber37]

I carry because when TSHTF, IF it does, I want every option I can get to make it out alive.
the LAST thing I want to do is find conflict...but I definitely don't want to be shorthanded when/if it does show up.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

I love my life.

I don't want my fiance to be a widow before we are even married.

I don't want her to be taken from me at gunpoint and raped.

I don't want to become a vegetable because I wouldn't give some thug my wallet or car and they decide to sever my spinal cord with a bullet.

I don't want to die before my parents do, especially not because someone killed me on purpose. I can't handle the thought of my mom being at my funeral.

In short, personal protection, and protection of the loved ones and friends with me.

[jgrauman]

i'm sure everybody heard the news about hte 18 year old with the shotty that killed the 5-6 people in the mall couple months ago... that's why i carry, because you never know.. you just never know

[targetpistol]

i have been thinking of getting a permit to carry.most people tell me that you need to be responsible and i think that might be the under statement of the day.

[Punisher84]

1.It's my right to do so. 2. I don't rely on others to take care of me. No matter how many good cops are out there and how good their intentions are, they won't always be there when I need them.

[Tungsten]

1.It's my right to do so. 2. I don't rely on others to take care of me. No matter how many good cops are out there and how good their intentions are, they won't always be there when I need them.

Put me down for what he said.

[molonlabetn]

1. I own and carry firearms in order to end any un-avoidable deadly confrontation which arises, and have a high likelihood of survival for myself and my family... Whether it be a thug invading my home, a mugger in an alley, or any other form of SHTF.

2. I enjoy plinking and target-practicing for fun... it is a very satisfying recreation.

3. To be able to, if necessary, provide food for my family through hunting game... and to protect our small garden plot from varmints & large pests.

Even just the 2nd reason is good enough for me to warrant keeping firearms... but the first and third are essential, when planning for the worst-case scenario, and cannot be truly effective without the competence gained through #2.

[skwashdem]

I love my life.

I don't want my fiance to be a widow before we are even married.

I don't want her to be taken from me at gunpoint and raped.

I don't want to become a vegetable because I wouldn't give some thug my wallet or car and they decide to sever my spinal cord with a bullet.

I don't want to die before my parents do, especially not because someone killed me on purpose. I can't handle the thought of my mom being at my funeral.

In short, personal protection, and protection of the loved ones and friends with me.

All of the above. My mother having to attend my memorial service isn't an idea I like to dwell on.

[saintsfanbrian]

saintsfan... while what you did was noble, the smarter thing probably would have been to convince your neighbor to stay outside with you and wait for LEO's to show. If you had found cause to use your firearm in your neighbor's house, and (assuming) you're not a LEO, you probably would be facing some very stiff charges right now. Just my .02.


Steel,

Yeah, looking back, I know we should have waited for the cops, but then again, I don't think I could have waited if it were my house. I am not LE but then again, would I not have the right to defend myself in my neighbors house provided I am in there with his permission?

I am in no way saying that I wouldn't be facing charges, I am just wondering about the "legality" under these specific circumstances. I know if we were sitting down watching a ball game and some one broke in, I would have the right to do what I need to do, I am more concerned about under this case scenario.

[Marswolf]

OK, I'm confused. The cat set off the alarm, but it looked like there had been a break in?

It really would have been better to have waited. If you neighbor didn't have a gun and someone had been in the house he was a serious liability. He probably would be one if he had a gun.

On one occasion I had to do a house clearing without backup. Not very pleasant. Fortunately the home was empty.

A couple of points here. First, no matter how much you like your neighbor, or your own possessions at your house, you don't provoke a confrontation with a BG if you don't have to.

Second, it took the normal 30 minutes or so for the cops to get there. You had better have a way to protect yourself during the waiting time if there is a threat to you or your family.

[saintsfanbrian]

Yeah mars, for all intents and purposes it appeared to be a "break in." They had a shed in the back yard that appeared to be "ransacked" and had the door broken open on it. A piece of the door was laying in the yard. The inner back door was open but the outer door was closed. (Had I actually put my hand on that door and tried to open it I would have known it wasn't a break in because that door was still locked) The garage was opened and neither my wife nor myself remembered it being open when we came home about 30 minutes prior to the alarm going off. One of their cars was in the garage but the other one wasn't. It just didn't "look" right.

After the home owner came home and we looked at it, he remembered that the back door can be "mostly" closed in order to set the alarm but still have enough that the cat could force it open if it wanted to.

Everyone is right though, we should have waited, and like I said, even calling the NON EMERGENCY NUMBER as I didn't think this was going to be a case where the police needed to leave a higher priority call it only took about 10 to 15 minutes TOTAL for the police to arrive.

[0down]

Everyone can think of reasons to carry a gun.

It is the ones I can't think of that worry me.

[Hornet Handler]

Because my wife has my balls and I need to feel like a man.

[Marswolf]

Oh, OK. I didn't realize no one had called when the alarm went off. I added that 15 minutes into the 10. Average response time to a 911 call in this country is 30 minutes.

[saintsfanbrian]

Yeah, that response time really impressed me. It was Saturday Evening at about 7:30 that this happened. I figured the response time was going to be way enormous. When it wasn't We were all shocked. At that time, I programmed the non-emergency number into my phone. I figured, if they were that fast, I would try them in an actual emergency and see what happens (call both basically.)

[Archimedes]

Harp is probably correct, but, if there where more neighbors like saintsfan, the world would be a better place.

OH, I carry because the bad guys carry...and I carry for my homeslice, T.J. --NOT HOOKER-- That's right, Thomas Jefferson, baby.

~Archi

[Marswolf]

Oh, I think its great that he did it. I just can't advise someone to do it. :D

[Shay VanVlymen]

Good answers so far.

My own answer most closely resumbles what Loaded247 wrote. I carry because I take personal responsibility for my life and the safety of my family. I wish more Americans would stop looking to the nanny state for their protection.

[pherman926]

I found this to be an interesting answer to this question.

http://www.americanhandgunner.com/GunCrank2.html

[ProguninTN]

I take responsibility for my own safety. Public safety officials are not omnipresent, and the courts have held that they are not liable for injuries, nor are they responsible for each individual citizen. Hence, why I bear arms in my own defense.

[saintsfanbrian]

Damn good article that one. I will try to remember it,

Life, liberty and Little Lizzie's of the world.

[Rooster]

I have thought a lot about this since I got my permit. First I thought why do I even have the permit? Cause for the last 28 years of my life I have never even been close to a situation that I might need to use a gun, and why would I need to in the future. I guess I just came to realize that first of all its my right to carry and second you just never know what kind of situation you will find yourself in somewhere in the future.

[saintsfanbrian]

Cause for the last 28 years of my life I have never even been close to a situation that I might need to use a gun, and why would I need to in the future.


You didn't move closer the the areas that you might need one, the areas that you might need one moved closer to you.

There is NO "Safe Haven."

Our homes, offices, schools and even churches are all "targets" for Bad Guys. I don't like thinking this way, but the facts are clear. Criminals and terrorists both foreign and domestic will attack us where we are "comfortable" because they "have the power."

Intimidation is a wonderful tool. When some one comes in to your "safe zone" they intimidate you and make you affraid and you have to react to their actions. If you were able to take it in the opposite direction, if you KNEW who the bad guys were and could confront them in their homes, they would be on the defensive and the world would be a better place.

How about we start posting in the papers and on the evening news the names of everyone who is CONVICTED of a crime!!

Those are public records that probably should be published but never will because of the rights of the accused. :down:

[db99wj]

1. I own and carry firearms in order to end any un-avoidable deadly confrontation which arises, and have a high likelihood of survival for myself and my family... Whether it be a thug invading my home, a mugger in an alley, or any other form of SHTF.

2. I enjoy plinking and target-practicing for fun... it is a very satisfying recreation.



Mostly what molonlabetn said, I will protect myself and my family at all costs.

I really enjoy shooting and trying to improve (wish my finances supported my habit better:p)

[DEIMOS]

My reasons have been pretty much covered above.

[Archimedes]

Heh, the voices.

That was good, Pherman.

~Archi

[Voodoo_1]

Peace of Mind. If I am caught in a life threatening situation, I know I have the tool and ability to stop the threat.

[Hyaloid]

I carry because I believe it is MY responsibility to protect my family and myself. It is also my God given right, as recognized by the Founding Fathers.

Also, I cannot rememebr who I stole this quote from so sorry there is no credit given... "I carry a firearm because I can't carry a cop.", or "a cop won't fit in my holster."

[Archimedes]

This is also a pretty good take on it.

http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/2005/02/why-i-carry-gun.html

"A few months ago, I broke up with a girlfriend over this. She asked me what I would do to someone if they tried to rape her. I told her flat out that I would kill him. No hesitation there at all. She told me later that from that moment, she was afraid of me."

...

~Archi

[surviveg27]

I own and carry firearms for many reasons. It is might right, and like muscle, if you don't exercise it you'll loose it. Another is for the protection of myself, my family, and my friends (even those that are armed as much as I am). I learned long ago not to rely on others for my safety.

The criminals out number the police much of the time, I cannot afford to have a "body guard" with me 24/7, etc.

Besides, going to the range and plinkin' is just fun :)

[dkd83]

I have stated on the other thread why I do not carry (just beginning the permit process) but I will add here the reason[s] that I want to carry. I initially toyed with the idea 10 years ago when my medical retirement from the Army became official. Until that time I was not concerned about my personal safety but because of my then-found new disability I began to have some. However, I never actually took the measures necessary to acquire the carry permit though I did keep firearms in my home for protection.

The carjacking and horrific murders/rapes of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom early this year 1/6/07 brought these concerns back to front of my mind. I really am not concerned about my personal safety but I will NEVER allow this to happen to my wife or any other woman that I know, no matter what the personal consequences.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

The carjacking and horrific murders/rapes of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom early this year 1/6/07 brought these concerns back to front of my mind. I really am not concerned about my personal safety but I will NEVER allow this to happen to my wife or any other woman that I know, no matter what the personal consequences.

Well I had never heard those two names until you just posted them. I looked them up and was sickened by what I read. For anyone else who hasn't heard of this terrible story, click this link: http://readthis.wordpress.com/2007/02/18/channon-christian-rape-suspect-in-court/

I can't believe that this isn't a hugely high profile crime story. Cliff's notes: 5 blacks (4 men and one woman)carjack, rape, torture, sodomize, dismember and murder these two white kids. News stations don't pick up on it. ****ing ridiculous.

I swear I wish my fiance would get a handgun permit. Pepper spray is about all I can convince her to carry, though.

[HemiRam]

I can't believe that this isn't a hugely high profile crime story. Cliff's notes: 5 blacks (4 men and one woman)carjack, rape, torture, sodomize, dismember and murder these two white kids. News stations don't pick up on it. ****ing ridiculous.

Good lord!!! I had never heard of this incident either. WTF?

[saintsfanbrian]

I hate to say it, but the reason you didn't hear about it is probably because the racial make up is the way it is. Had it been the opposite, it would have been front page of every paper and lead story on every evening news.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

I hate to say it, but the reason you didn't hear about it is probably because the racial make up is the way it is. Had it been the opposite, it would have been front page of every paper and lead story on every evening news.

Yes it would. The Duke "rape" :rolleyes: scandal is proof of that.

[molonlabetn]

I hate to say it, but the reason you didn't hear about it is probably because the racial make up is the way it is. Had it been the opposite, it would have been front page of every paper and lead story on every evening news.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Sad...

Some of my ancestors were tortured in concentration camps... I wonder if I could claim discrimination and irresponsibility for my actions due to the anguish of my opressed lineage, if I felt 'disadvantaged' to the point of behaving like a barbarian devoid of remorse, principle and concience.

[surviveg27]

I had not heard of either. And it is making my blood boil!!!! Ugh, makes me sick!!!!

[saintsfanbrian]

Remember kids, Political Correctness is going to save this country.

[dkd83]

I am amazed to hear that the news of this hideous series of crimes never made it to the entire state of Tennessee. Just goes to show what is important to some/most people means little to most media outlets.

[molonlabetn]

It's all about mass influencing of society to 'feel' a certain way, by manipulating the issues presented, to accomplish their agenda...

We need a tin-foil hat Emote, Tungsten! http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/images/smilies/tinfoil-hat.gif

[Archimedes]

Wow.

WTF is wrong with people?

Remember this?

http://www.wichita-massacre.com/

Probably not.

~Archi

[Voodoo_1]

Being a little more old school, I never did adapt to the political correct CRAP.
Political correctness can burn in hell just like I hope the five animals that commited this crime do!

[SMSTRICK]

Self defense is my duty, responsibility and obligation to myself and family. When I was married, I vowed to my wife , witnessed by God and family that I would love, honor and "PROTECT." The welfare and and safety of my wife and family is my responsibilty and obligation as a man.....This is why I am always armed.