Grew up in Youngstown. It has not gotten any better.

I carry because I can - I also think I am too young to die and too old to take any *** whippin

When I asked my late father this question his reply was:

"Chance favors the prepared mind!!"

When I grew up and thought about it he was right.

Pete

Because I have seen the face of evil.

Because the Police can't be there to protect me. I know from personal experience. After being shot in the face and robbed. The police apologized and said self defense was my responsibility, they could only come to the scene after a crime has been committed. Then explained all the places I could legally carry a gun, without any permit, to protect myself.
Not going to be an unarmed victim again.
Gary

Because I don't think I protect my wife and myself with this.

Attached Images

Hoppy 001.jpg (55.0 KB, 25 views)

Y'all remember that TV show "COPS"? With the catchy music "...Bad Boys.. Bad Boys.." Many episodes of that show were filmed in Pierce Co. state of Washington. Now, guess where I live!

Even though I wasn't a "Coastie" I still like their motto, Semper Paratus, or "Always Ready," and believe it applies herein this discussion.

For the most part, and while too many people are caught up in unexpected, hazardous and threatening circumstances beyond their control, most civilians living in the U.S. won't have a need to fire a weapon in anger . . . or defense.

Having twice been on the right side of the law when the wrong side was pressing the issue, I know that it takes between 25 and 35 minutes for a law enforcement officer - having actuated lights, siren and going petal-to-metal to actually be present at my abode. Most people think response times are far less. No, make that "The vast majority" think such.

Matters can get pretty dicey, as was the case in one instance when my neighbors, all of whom were either at work or school, had their house invaded by some slick thieves who used a 2x4x8 to render worthless in milliseconds an adequately dead-bolted and locked front-entry metal door, then opened and closed the garage allowing a van to be parked inside without much notice. (Such subterfuge would never, ever work in my garage because I have little trails running through it, the maze of which only I understand.)

So, while the out-of-sight crooks stocked their van with my neat-nick neighbors' possessions, I was on two, sometimes three telephone lines with law enforcement, the neighbors and others. (Yes, I once had that many land lines).

Now, while I would've liked to have been more involved, the fact was I had two kids under three at the time. I won't go into the possible extrapolations of possible following circumstances, but the reader probably can do so without much effort.

However, had they only partially filled their van and thought "This is a nice, quiet area, why not also get next door?" it would've then been a terrible damn day for them. I already was aware of what they were doing and I would've been guns a-blazing had they likewise cracked my door.

As it was, they thought the better of tempting fate and DROVE AWAY after 31 minutes. Yes, t-h-i-r-t-y o-n-e minutes.

Based on my description of the two crooks and their van, my neighbor's father actually saw the van, with license number (recorded before they even went in the garage; my office faces my neighbor's garage), caught the eye of a deputy sheriff and the two pulled a mid-I-95 entrance-ramp-stop with guns drawn. By the way: the crooks were already 12-miles distant from the house they'd robbed.

By the way, again: Four deputy sheriffs from TWO jurisdictions started arriving four minutes after the crooks departed the house they robbed. No, folks, law enforcement, as good and decent and hardworking as they may be, cannot use teleportation just yet.

According to US Bureau of Justice statistics, 1-in-8 U.S. residents aged 16 and older requested police assistance for all matters, with 85-percent of those expressing police response as adequate or better than adequate. (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/ascii/rpa11.txt)

Now, given the above, especially again noting the two kids under age three, it seems quite obvious to me that I need to self-protect despite poll numbers from which extrapolated by yours truly is a reasonable expectation that 85-percent of the population feels good about law enforcement responses to crises. That's a low-end "B" from my school days. A lot of people would think that a "B" is darn good and hardly a thing needs to be bettered.

Of course, there is that matter of the "other" 15 percent - again extrapolating - which roughly equals about 45,000,000 people who are SOoL when needing a quick police presence.

Nevertheless, and upon considerable reflection: I mostly carry "Because I can." And I am darn glad we have that Right, as guaranteed by the State of Florida's Constitution.

My Answer would probably get me banned from the forum......

Age 13 - surrounded walking home from school by 5 guys and beaten to the ground.
Age 17 - Leaving school at dusk after wrrestling practice, 3 guys asked for my wallet. At that point, I had three years of boxing instruction and two years wrestling; kicked one in the groin, smashed a second in the nose, ran like h**l.
1972 - Bedroom ceiling light came on at 3:00 AM. Sat up, looked over foot of bed to see 19-ish stringy haired blonde guy standing in the bedroom doorway. Fortunately, he turned and left. If he hasn't aged, I could pick him from a lineup today.
1972 - 5 days later, came home from grocery store ~9 PM, entered front door, heard crashing around in back of house, left and called police at a neighbor's house. Police arrived ~20 minutes, back door broken open, bedroom ransacked, , nothing of value taken, moved out two days later.
Asked deputy sheriff friend for advice, bought first non-22 gun, started shooting regularly.
In 2006, the Harvey family was massacred in their home not far from me, along with others in the perps' murder spree. 2006 Richmond spree murders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Got CCL as soon as Virginia became shall issue.
Never again a victim.

Response times are almost instantaneous... on TV.
Not so much in real life.

Even if the police response is only two minutes, a lot can happen. Two minutes is an eternity.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

No argument there - especially if you're fighting for your life in those 2 minutes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The question "Why do you carry?" will get individual responses that meet their needs. If one gets a CCW one should have prioritized personal reasons.

The world has changed, rules and laws are seriously watered down. Criminals and crazies have zero respect for laws, society and your life.

I carry because I will not let the aforementioned make me walk in fear nor become a victim.

The rules have changed, the ante has been raised.

One has to be tougher than thine enemy.

It all started with the death of respect. I have mourned the loss and now embrace life as it is today. Personal protection is now ones own little onus.

I feel it is not now a why question but more of preparedness. The longer the pendulum swings away from respect and decency the vegas odds of individuals being impacted grows closer to 1 in 10 rather than 1 in 100,000.

The why is dead, long live King Preparedness.

I started keeping a gun around after 9 11 and when it became legal I got a CCW. Partly because I could, and partly because 9 11 woke me up a little. I am proud of the fact that I could walk in and pass all the background checks and finger printing without worry. Plus I love guns and shooting. Just like this guy.
peace,
Gordon

__________________
better have that checked

When I was 19 years old I was an intended murder victim that was attacked and left for dead, after surviving and learning to walk again but with dulled senses and being in a coma I did recover almost fully with one exception it affected me in such a manner that if I attempted to smoke pot my throat would swell up and was uncomfortable and breathing was restricted, haven't smoked the stuff since 1972.

The other effect was to never let such an event occur again so I have carried a handgun ever since 1974 when I was 21. With the things that are occurring in this world anymore if you are allowed to carry there is not reason you should not.

Carrying a weapon is to me just part of my everyday experience and will be till I leave this earth, hopefully peacefully!

__________________
59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

Hi folks. I mostly just lurk around here trying to learn things but thought I would share my experience that helped me make the decision to carry. Sorry for the long reply. Cliff notes version is that I was almost mauled by two huge dogs and it helped me make the decision to carry.

Back in the spring my family was visiting my parents. We arrive and are heading for the front door (wife/9 year old boy/7 year old girl) when a huge Rottweiler (easily 100 pounds) comes around the corner of dad's house barking, growling, showing teeth and being all around very aggressive. I recognize the dog as being owned by the guy that lives three houses down from my dad. Not a good sort of person, seems like every neighborhood has one. I also know he has another of these dogs.

So I put my skinny butt between the menacing dog and the family and tell them to get inside quick as they can. While they are moving toward the house the other huge Rottweiler comes around the corner of the house. At this point I reach back and pull out my Gerber pocket tool () and flip open the 3 inch blade and pray that they don't come after me while slowly backing away. The dogs were probably 20 feet away at this point and stalking forward.

Thankfully we all manage to get inside unharmed. The dogs run back toward their house. At this point I'm pretty shaken and pissed. Mom is already on the phone to the police to report the dogs.

Two or three minutes go by and I'm still watching out the front door both for the dogs and the police. I now notice two young girls walking in the street toward the negligent dog owner's house. These girls were probably 11 or 12 years old. Not good.

Sure enough out come the dogs straight at these two kids. Instead of taking a second and thinking, I just grabbed the first thing handy and ran out the door which turned out to be my wife's big leather purse. Not my best move ever. In hindsight I could have ran over and grabbed a larger knife, or even a folding chair that was nearby. Anything is better than the wife's purse right?

So I run the 100 yards holding a purse and a 3 inch pocket knife and manage to again put my skinny butt between the terrified girls (they are clinging to each other and crying now) and the apparently crazy dogs and have a standoff in the street in front of their negligent owners house.

I tell the girls to try and go back the way they came while I keep the dogs busy. As they are backing away, one of the dogs goes for them and I have to cut it off, which makes it even more pissed. That's when it's buddy came at me low and actually got my pants. I hit it with the purse and it let go and put a hole in the purse. Now both animals are within say 5-8 feet and intermittently charging at me as I'm retreating as best I can. This probably went on for just a couple minuets (felt like forever) when the owner appears and calls them off.

In the ensuing "conversation" (I may have ranted slightly) with the negligent owner he accused me of being a bad neighbor because we called the police and kept insisting that his dogs "wouldn't hurt anyone."

So that's my story. It's not as intense as some posted here and thankfully it turned out OK but I don't think I have ever felt as helpless as I did facing down those two dogs. I thought sure I was going to be mauled. This experience along with many of the other reasons posting in this topic helped me finally decided I was going to go through the process of getting a cpl. It took a little while but I'm now just waiting for it to show up in the mail.

Best,
Mike

If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand.

Bob

I see a pattern, large surly dogs and large surly dregs of society.

...just kidding! You got that right, because I ALWAYS carry!

__________________
Stay protected my friends.

It makes sense to.

When I bought my first handgun and learned about PA's LTCF, I thought "Why the heck aren't I doing that?".

Soon after I bought my first concealed carry gun.

__________________
- The Federalist #46 -

Because I'm a realist !

Because I never, ever want to be in the position again of being faced with a potential threat to my life and all I have is my leatherman tool and a really loud scream.

38 spl snubby in pocket holster, because I'm 64 yrs old & can't fight like I used to when I was young. Arthritic hand, wrist , back surgery. The gun would be my main defense in this stage of life unfortunately. ( I did martial arts when I was a young man).

Because I can...

Because my lungs are filled with helium and without the added weighted I'd float away.

__________________
This≠DodgeCity&You≠BillHickok

because of people like RICHARD RAMIREZ, TED BUNDY, & idiots that decide to go to a mall,school,or the movies & start shooting for no reason,& i forgot bears if they attack

I carry because I'm old, and can't run fast....

I carry because I don't want wife enjoying my life insurance policy...

__________________
I'm Proud To Be An American!

My years in LE taught me what is out there. And if you should ever need a gun... YOU WILL REALLY, REALLY NEED IT, AND NOTHING ELSE WILL DO!!!!!!!!

because I'm too old to take an *** beating but too young to die.

I'd rather be caught with my pistol, than be caught with out my pistol.That's why I carry !

I have 4 main reasons:

If my wife was to get killed and if I was carrying a gun I could have prevented it.

If our daughter was to get killed and if I was carrying a gun I could have prevented it.

If a grandchild was to get killed and if I was carrying a gun I could have prevented it.

Even If I was to get killed and if I was carrying a gun I could have prevented it.

__________________
A real sucker for the J-frames

For what ever reason, we are all doing the right thing

Simply because I can.

__________________
Endeavor to persevere. <><

I carry because after 22 years as a street cop, I have seen up close and personal the evil that some so-called people can and will do to others. There really are those people, who are truly evil, and as a retired street cop I know these people do exist and I refuse to be a victim. I carry to protect me and mine.

There is good and evil.
We good folks need to help each other and need the tools to do it.
Even at 61 and in my condition I do what I can to makes and make an impact on this old world.
Nuff said.

__________________
Have a blessed day ,
Bull

Because I worked enough years to retire as a peace officer in good standing, and President Bush signed a bill that said I can...

Do I every day? Ain't sayin

__________________
Not enough space

I carry now for the safety of my wife and me.Up to 10 yrs ago I carried for the safety of the public that I served.I also carry because after 30 years on the job it just doesn't feel right not to have my piece with me.

I carry because I couldn't live with myself if something happened to my loved ones that I could have prevented.

__________________
Anti-gun = Anti-American

If the good Lord wanted me to fight like a dog, he woulda given me fangs and claws.

__________________
Eccentric old coot

First to protect lives. My family members incase some Looney goes to do them harm. To sleep in peace because my first line of defence is the family dog. Next it's me and my six friends. My six friends don't like being disturbed when there resting.

For the ones who don't believe in ccw carry it's better to have a sword to fight with than have nothing to fight with and die. My tee shirt does not have that big "S" on it this means the bullets don't bounce off me.

Yup I ccw carry. I practice, practice and more practiced in the last four decades. Let's say I'm good enough not to miss my intended target with any gun. I hope and pray the time never comes when I need to defend myself and family. I don't want to take a life. But if we're looking at evil who's going to hurt us I know what I have to do.

Be safe, god bless, bigbill

God made man and Winchester made him equal.

It's genetic.......goes all the way back to my dad, grandad and great grandad and great great grandad carrying all the way back to their Texas roots.......when no one told you when to carry, how to carry or what you could carry, you simply carried or you were carried.

I'm 82 years old.started carrying at 16 driving a wheat truck in Texas.
Old habits die hard.

__________________
"You ain't got what it was"

I carry a S&W 669 with two extra clips in a neatly concealed shoulder holster because there's just too many crazies out there..... some of our local retired LEOs have already received death threats. These thugs think that we're the vulnerable ones.... they've got another thought coming! Bring it on, mutha****er!

Because I'm 72 and have COPD. Can't run and a *** kicking would kill me.

Because i want to. Atleast when that was the reason when i had my permit.

I carry ALL THE TIME because I'm not on the distribution list for the bad guys' Plan Of The Day.

The BGs aren't just after stuff.

On Jan 20th, in Dover WI, a BG broke into a home at night simply for the thrill of killing someone. He managed to slit a man's throat before the wife fired at him and sent him running. If she hadn't had that gun, they'd both be dead. He was caught by police.

And, on Jan 14th, in Renton WA, a BG robbed a GameStop. The clerk cooperated. He cut her throat. Another 'Gentle Giant' doin' his thing.

Keep your gun close at home, and always carry when you leave your house.

Because bad stuff happens to good people. If it didn't, there'd be no need for the 6 o'clock news. ��

Cause the bad guy won't leave his home

Amen! I actually had fellow daft officer ask me why I carry a pistol "all the time" off duty & asked it in a rather snarky manner & then followed up that he thought I was paranoid. I replied; "why should I be paranoid, I have a gun?" His response was even more ignorant when he said; "well I never carry off duty" as if he was morally superior. I just said: "YOUR FUNERAL" and walked away.

Sadly, even some cops can't see the forest because the trees are in the way.