How many people carry?

[marmax]

I am armed close to 100% of the time except where not legal. I have many different carry guns depending on what the weather is and what I'm wearing. I don't believe you should carry at all if its only once in a while. You cannot plan on when you are going to need protection. I do believe in practice, often.

 

[frdtgh91]

never leave home without it....or should i say them!

 

[Mickey D]

I'm in CA and have a CCW. Carry every waking hour.

 

[TomDedrick]

If I have my pants on I am armed unless I am in an unarmed victim zone such as am airport.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[badge 851]

In CCW friendly states, are there a lot of people who actually carry ALL THE TIME?

I live in CA , and always carry off duty. But CA is not a CCW friendly state, so I don't run into many people with CCW.

So I am asking people from states where CCW is easy to get.

I carry two revolvers (357 & 38), every waking moment of every day; EVERY DAY.

 

[gdauth]

I have been involved in shooting sports for 60 years, and I agree with your concerns. I personally don't carry because I never felt the need to carry. I could easily get a permit here in Florida, but i still do not feel the need to carry. If I suddenly felt the need to carry, do I believe that a 3 hour course will make me qualified to carry? No! It amazes me that you need less training and testing to get a CCW than you do for a drivers license.

The follow up question should be, "How many people who are licensed to carry, are practiced enough to carry responsibly?" I fear that with the increasing number of CCW applications being approved, far too many individuals who are able to carry are lulled into a false sense of security by a state issued card and a shiny news handgun from the LGS. I'm an ardent supporter of the 2nd, and encourage people to become involved in the shooting sports (as well as self defense/CCW), but I'm also a pragmatist. Most folks don't have the geographic/economic means to practice sufficiently with their new handguns to be considered competent and responsible CCW holders. With all due respect, a mandatory pre-CCW safety class does not a skilled handgun owner make. I worry that the current generation's CCW is the previous generation's desk drawer gun, and that far too many folks who are carrying are lacking the skills to actually be carrying.

This is strictly opinion-based thinking, MY OPINION ... completely unscientific and lacking in statistical research. It's simply a sense I get.

 

[Ilike9mm]

I'm in CA., in a shall issue county. Forget L.A. and the bay area.

I pocket carry a .38 snubby.

Yea, it's a little cumbersome, but there may come a day when you really need it. Saving lives (my own) is worth a little discomfort.

 

[photoman]

"How many people carry?"

Not enough!

 

[mr.jbk79]

Always carry on the weekends, when I'm going somewhere for sure. During the week, not as much as it's to and from work, and work is near by. When at home, one is always within quick reach.

 

[TStick]

I feel naked unless I'm carrying.



That said, I would always:

Try to leave 1st and call the police

Try to hide 2nd / set up my own ambush (hoping not to have to use it) - and be a good witness

BUT

If my life or a family members life is in danger and/or the above doesn't work, fight like hell with every advantage I can get.

 

[GLV]

I guess I'm the exception in this group.

Have had a CCW for about 20-25 years in more than one state (Ct and Fl). However, I seldom carry. I believe very strongly that if I'm going somewhere where I feel a gun is needed....I have no business going there! Likewise, I believe that a "live chicken lives to run another day", thus not having a gun ensures that I walk away from a situation which I might not if I have my trusty 1911!

Shooting someone is such a major legal hassle (think: George Zimmerman) that I want as little exposure to this as possible. However.... if absolutely unavoidable, I will carry. That's why I have a CCW. But I actively avoid these situations.

CGM, I will honor your stance, it is your right. Hope you never have a problem.

Had a permit in this state for over 42 years, and also in other states. Don't go into places where 'stuff' happens like bars, etc. Carry 100% of the time. I carry to protect me and mine. The rest of the time I will be a good witness.

Folks, everyone has to be responsible for themselves. Way too many chances of intervention going very bad.

 

[Grayfox]

Not allowed to carry at work. Otherwise, if I walk out the door I'm armed.

 

[MP1518]

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU for so many responses!

I am an LEO in Ca. and carry 100% of the time when I am in public.(ON/OFF duty)

Since 2004 (LEOSA) , I carry 100% in my own state and in ANY other place in the country.

I see that people who carry 100% of the time are still in minority.

Recently , in Ca CCW's became more available .

What is interesting is that MANY people who got a CCW in CA, DO NOT CARRY most of the time.

 

[Lost Lake]

I guess I'm the exception in this group.

Have had a CCW for about 20-25 years in more than one state (Ct and Fl). However, I seldom carry. I believe very strongly that if I'm going somewhere where I feel a gun is needed....I have no business going there! Likewise, I believe that a "live chicken lives to run another day", thus not having a gun ensures that I walk away from a situation which I might not if I have my trusty 1911!

Shooting someone is such a major legal hassle (think: George Zimmerman) that I want as little exposure to this as possible. However.... if absolutely unavoidable, I will carry. That's why I have a CCW. But I actively avoid these situations.

I respect your opinion and your right to not defend yourself. I marvel at the comment "Shooting someone is such a major hassle"
George Zimmerman may be dead right now if he didn't pull his trigger. His case is also unique in a political sense, and remember he was NOT charged until certain activists pressured the local police. That's a different topic, but I think if I am ever forced to use my gun to defend my life, I will gladly take whatever comes next verses leaving a widow and three orphans.

I am from a state where concealed carry just became law, and I was one of the first to get my permit. Carrying legally takes some getting used to! My son informed me last night I was printing at the restaurant, while I thought i did a great job at hiding my little 3913.... He's 11 but knows what to look for so I hope that was all it was.

At home I don't always carry. I have guns throughout the home placed in 'strategic areas'. These areas were determined by seeing where my wife didn't look too often and she wouldn't notice all the guns I have accumulated.

Everyone in my home knows where to find a weapon if danger should present itself, and we live in an area that nobody should be within 300 feet of the house or they are trespassing. Doors are usually locked by way of the closed garage door providing the main family access to the home.

Out and about I usually have the 3913 in an IWB or less often a 9c in an IWB. If that doesn't work for me due to my line of work, a 642 drops in a pocket easily.

 

[Lost Lake]

What is interesting is that MANY people who got a CCW in CA, DO NOT CARRY most of the time.

If we think about it, if 5% of the population has a permit, and only 10% of them carry regularly, that means only 1 in 200 are probably carrying....

 

[luangtom]

Northeast-GA here.... My two sons and I carry all of the time.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I carry a weapon around here all the time. Mostly for 4 legged critters. I still carry when I leave the property simply due to the sad state of society at this time. Seems like the odds of something bad happening are becoming greater every year. I hope I never have to respond with gunfire, but if means the safety of me or my loved ones, count on it. I usually carry a .357 magnum around the farm and a little M37 .38 snub everywhere else. Not much trouble out here in the sticks....yet. I have noticed that thieves are moving out farther into rural areas around here, and I literally hate thieves. Pants on, gun on is my policy.
Peace,
gordon

 

[Kanewpadle]

Many people who are new to CCW begin to carry until the novelty wears off. Then the shiny new toy gets left either in the car or at home most of the time. Full time CCW can be inconvienient as well as uncomfortable, and dressing around the gun is something some folks just cannot bring themselves to do.

I don't think people realize just how true your statement is.

I marvel at those that take the time to look at their crystal ball before they leave the house.

Several years ago an off duty cop was killed while taking out his trash. He intervened in a domestic problem with a neighbor and he was unarmed which he seldom did.

Concealed carry is a way of life. It's an art. It's a commitment. It's serious.

Here in Washington we have somewhere around 400,000 people with a CPL.

I too carry 100% of the time. Even at work.

 

[CGM]

I respect your opinion and your right to not defend yourself. I marvel at the comment "Shooting someone is such a major hassle"
George Zimmerman may be dead right now if he didn't pull his trigger. His case is also unique in a political sense, and remember he was NOT charged until certain activists pressured the local police. That's a different topic, but I think if I am ever forced to use my gun to defend my life, I will gladly take whatever comes next verses leaving a widow and three orphans.

I didn't intend to imply that I wouldn't defend myself.

However, discretion is always the better part of valor. Avoiding a conflict is the best defense. Zimmerman may or may not be dead if he hadn't shot the miscreant. However, to many of us who have been following his case closely and, who agree that he probably was justified under the stand your ground doctrine. Notwithstanding, I believe he was an imbecile who could/should have not pursued when it was clear there was no risk to him. Look at him now.... You don't think he wouldn't prefer to have done things differently? I agree w/you that this is an unusually politically charged case. But to a lesser degree, you will always find the lowlife will find an equally lowlife attorney who will bring you to court even if the police don't file charges.

Of course shooting someone is better than leaving a widow and kids.... If necessary, I'll do so too. But let's face it, the probabilities of facing life threatening situations in daily life in America are probably less than being hit by lightning (BTW.... we have a lot of lightning here in FL!) if you are reasonably careful. I just don't feel the need to carry everytime I put my shoes on. If I lived under circumstances where that was necessary I would seriously think about moving!!

If, as most in this thread seem to concur, you feel the need to carry 100% of the time, go right ahead. I suspect this is more paranoia than need but, I don't have problem with that!

PS..... As the old saying goes: "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that someone isn't out to get you"!!

 

[photoman]

I just don't feel the need to carry everytime I put my shoes on. If I lived under circumstances where that was necessary I would seriously think about moving!!

Magical thinking! You cannot predict when or where you will become a victim of violent crime. To think otherwise is not logical.

I can appreciate if someone decides not carry because they are willing to take the risk. But to say that today will be a safe day because of a particular location and/or time so a weapon is not needed is pure fantasy.