Has Concealed Carry/Self-Defense ever made you feel alienated?

I've often heard of folks who feel self-conscious about Concealed Carry, concerned over how those around them would react if they knew that they carried a firearm or otherwise became aware of it, but that's not what I'm talking about.

I've never really felt too self-conscious about Concealed Carry because it's my right to do so and I'm generally not too concerned about how others might perceive me if they knew, since those who might react strongly tend to be ignorant, judgemental, and hypocritical anyway.
However, for the first time about a week ago, I found myself feeling outright alienated over my choice to Concealed Carry.

Allow me to explain, recently I had read reports of multiple armed robberies in an area which I frequent. Fortunately, in each case the robberies concluded without bloodshed because everyone complied and handed over their valuables without hesitation and the thieves simply fled the scene. In one case the robbery was foiled because someone called the police, they arrived before the perpetrators could leave, and the thieves surrendered and went quietly.

This report left me feeling alienated because I've heard too many horror stories of homicidal maniacs who weren't satisfied by making off with their loot, and mercilessly executed those they had robbed before fleeing the scene, so personally I wouldn't be so quick to comply. In fact, as crazy as I'm sure that this is going to sound to others, I would sooner operate under the assumption that the thieves would just shoot me dead after I handed over my wallet, and try to catch them off guard.
Frankly, I'm not about to place any faith in a man pointing a gun at me not to pull the trigger if I do as he says, and I don't carry a firearm for self-defense so that I can leave it inside its holster when my live is being threatened.

I know that there are those who are more afraid of a prosecutor than they are an armed gunman or even the Grim Reaper, but I'm not one of them, and if I was then I'd probably just go unarmed since I really have no intention of ever using the thing out of my crippling fear of the courtroom boogeyman, but I digress...

I was shocked to learn that in each of these armed robberies, everyone just gave right into the demands of those who threatened their lives. Nobody resisted, they all just gave right in.
Obviously, shooting someone is not something that I take lightly, would only use as a last resort, and sincerely hope that I can go through my life without ever having to so much as draw my pistol on another person, but that doesn't mean that I'm willing to take a threat lightly by hesitating to defend myself against someone who has already shown intent to do me harm.

Now I'm aware that there are those who would bombard me with all manner of condescending statements informing me of stuff an responsible gun-owner already knows about the legal ramifications of collateral damage to bystanders as well as private property made under the presumption that I'm some trigger-happy buffoon or callous individual and that the thread will be instantaneously one-starred by lurking anti-gun detractors, but I'm I'm going to ignore such baseless implications of gross negligence, outright incompetence, insipid ad-hominems, and blatant fear-mongering which I've seen spouted time after time in any thread which dares to discuss the prospect of actually using a firearm for self-defense.

This is a thread for discussing the feelings of alienation that come with that very sort of ignorant thinking and intolerance towards the prospect of concealed carry/self-defense, not a platform to critique the mindset of others who take threats to their lives seriously.

I can tell you with confidence you'll never feel odd about carrying after it saves your hide.

Once I holster the CC piece, I seldom think about it again, unless I feel the need for it...which so far has never happened.

raljr1 said:

Once I holster the CC piece, I seldom think about it again, unless I feel the need for it...which so far has never happened.

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It's kinda like your testicles, you don't really think about it till you sit on it.

Forte Smitten Wesson said:

Frankly, I'm not about to place any faith in a man pointing a gun at me not to pull the trigger if I do as he says, and I don't carry a firearm for self-defense so that I can leave it inside its holster when my live is being threatened.

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If someone has a gun pointed at you with their finger on the trigger. I kinda think your holstered carry gun isn't going to be much help.

You think you feel alienated!?!?

How do you think all those people you insulted in your post feel.

Good day to you Sir.

I can't wait to see where this post goes......

Just remember that if you initiate a gun fight in a public area you may very well endanger other innocents.

As for over zealous prosecutors, I’d rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

The choice to carry may indeed cause harm where there might not have been any otherwise. For every incident with a homicidal maniac (which get all the press) there are probably thousands of everyday robberies that result only in loss of property. You can calculate the odds and make your choice.

I routinely CCW. Do I put on my holster and handgun with the intention of using it? No, I don't really want to shoot anyone. Do I want to be beaten, stabbed, or shot? No. Do I want to witness other innocent people being killed? No. My carry weapon is for protection, I do not feel uncomfortable nor alienated by doing so.

Could I be charged with murder or attempted murder if I ever had to use my weapon to defend myself or potentially stop a mass event? In Virginia, at least outside of northern Virginia, probably not. Even in those instances where a rabid district attorney has attempted such charges, they usually never make it to the trial phase when the evidence clearly shows justification.

If you are really uncomfortable carrying a firearm for protection and unwilling to use it for said purpose, then you should not carry at all. The most common crime is theft. I think it is better to give the thief your money and valuables than to give the thief your money, valuables, and a firearm.

With age, I stopped caring about what others thought of me in many aspects of my life. That being said, I can understand the feeling of being “on an island”…. at least you are safe on that island.

While I would caution you that at one time, and perhaps still, nine out of ten armed robberies resulted in no injury, and one would not be well advised to turn such a robbery into a murder or hostage situation, I still share what seems to be your basic attitude towards the situation. I further (?) feel that the death of an armed robber is virtually always a net societal benefit, regardless of what the other result would have been.

That said, I will start to answer your question. I am not super-surprised that you feel some doubt or concern in the face of what appears to be widespread difference from your outlook.

Forte Smitten Wesson said:

Has Concealed Carry/Self-Defense ever made you feel alienated?

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Never, but you certainly did manage to alienate and insult anyone who might not agree with your late night thoughts on self defense.

Forte Smitten Wesson said:

… This is a thread for discussing the feelings of alienation that come with that very sort of ignorant thinking and intolerance towards the prospect of concealed carry/self-defense, not a platform to critique the mindset of others who take threats to their lives seriously.

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I read this part a few times…
My only takeaway is that you don’t want to hear any opposing viewpoints. I can help with that.