what do you say when asked "why do you carry"

Why do ou guys feel the need to be so defensive? If its a normal conversation my question is because i want to.

I think some of your responses are what you would say to someone who is aggressively against you. I mean if a friend asks why no need to be rude to them.
 
If I decide to answer, I just say I have no reason not to carry.

I've never accepted the premise that I need to have a reason to exercise a constitutional right. I'm not confrontational about it, though.

But I do think it odd that nobody asks:
1) Why do you choose to exercise free speech?
2) Why do you choose to not let police search your home?
3) Why would you choose to not incriminate yourself?
And so on.
 
Some people though not against guns did not grow up around guns. They are just curious.
 
People that I know who know I carry, understand and don't need to ask. Everyone else doesn't know I carry, so they don't ask either. It's really no ones business, but mine.
 
Strikes me as odd that a couple people posted that not even thier wives knew they carried a firearm. Not judging that one way or another, just found it unusual.

At this point, I think my wife would be surprised if she found I wasn't carrying some gun out the door when I left the house.

As far as being asked why... I don't ask, and I don't tell.

Last summer I traveled for a week with a friend on a motorcyle trip across a couple states. Neither of us knew the other was carrying a firearm till the third day of the trip when we reached a motel and began unloading pockets and riding gear.

That made for a bit of a laugh and of course showing off of the hardware. ;)
 
I'm just repeating, but here it is.

If asked "Why do you carry a weapon" I might say to this person, whom I presume I'm having a safe philosophical discussion with, that I'm responsible for the lives of my wife and myself, I'm a steward of this life given to me by God. I believe it's my obligation to protect her, me and the rest of my family. Even if I wasn't an LEO who is obligated by law to protect those around me, I'd do it as a civilian.

If asked "Why are you carrying a weapon" then I say I'm not. Not trying to bomb throw, but carrying visibly in public is the single dumbest thing a human can do with a gun in crowded places, besides maybe shooting himself or someone else (wrongfully).

If someone sees you carrying openly or in a very poorly concealed manner, then a simple question being asked of you is NOT your problem - the fact you're the center of attention IS the problem. Walk away. Get that thing concealed, don't be a wannabe mini-celebrity of the moment just for attention.

Throwing every conceivable tactical advantage in the crapper just to *show your piece* is about as smart as walking around with your gentleman's sausage hanging out your fly. And frankly, it has the same effect - it's going to offend or put off most folks, but for sure it'll make EVERYONE is look at you very closely, including the goblins and trolls that really enjoy cruelty, destruction, pain and ruining people's lives for fun.

Don't remember who said it, but you really, really would much rather be the ambusher as opposed to the ambushed.
 
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I don't think I've ever been asked. If I were, and elected to answer at all, I probably would just say it's the same as carrying my rescue inhaler, cell phone and pocketknife. Simple prudence.
 
All of my family and friends know I carry.... I do not recall ever being asked why. A few of my co-workers also know I carry, as I know they do also. Still no question(s) as to why. I am a free man, I choose how to lead my life. I choose how, when and where...... I live within the confines of the Law, I do not infringe on the rights of others to choose what path they feel is best for them and theirs. In turn I refuse to allow others to infringe on mine.
 
DevilDog72 said:
All of my family and friends know I carry.... I do not recall ever being asked why. A few of my co-workers also know I carry, as I know they do also. Still no question(s) as to why. I am a free man, I choose how to lead my life. I choose how, when and where...... I live within the confines of the Law, I do not infringe on the rights of others to choose what path they feel is best for them and theirs. In turn I refuse to allow others to infringe on mine.
Click to expand...

Well said neighbor.
 
Did you ever think that if you are carrying concealed and someone asked you about it, you either:
a) are doing a poor job of concealing it, or
b) run your mouth too much about your personal business?

Or if you wanted to be a bit flamboyant, how about answering like "English Bob" in the "Unforgiven"- something like that neither you nor any of your companions carry firearms on your person, preferring to trust in the good nature or your fellow man and a forebearance of reptiles.

Now if you are open carrying, maybe you could tell them it is your own personal belief that you are indeed the reincarnation of Hoot Gibson.
 
Never been asked "why". Only asked once "if" and that was by a friend LEO . That particular day my answer was "no". His response was "why?"
Never talk about it unless I am sure I am with like minded people.
My reason to carry is the same reason for having a fire extinguisher in my house, a spare tire in my car, home owners insurance , etc.... "just in case it is needed".
I read the paper, watch the news and talk to LEOs that I know. Reason enough for me.
 
I've never been asked why I carry. I mean, in our little town, that would be considered a dumb question. I mean, it's a given.

Most people just take it for granted that you are either carrying open, carrying concealed, or you have a rifle, shotgun, or handgun in your pickup or car. You're considered out of the norm if you don't have a firearm readily accessible. I mean, even the eighteen year old girl down the road who came over to visit us the other day keeps a rifle in her pickup.

Don't get me wrong. We don't live in a high crime community, but it's kinda like carrying a pocket knife...you never know when you're going to need one. You might have to shoot a coyote, a rabid skunk...who knows? It's just nice to know you've got one handy.

Right now, it's turkey season so we see a lot of shotguns in the back window of trucks.

This morning, I had to go into the big city two hours south of us. I knew I probably wouldn't see any coyotes, but there was a handgun in the truck and a little .380 auto in my vest pocket. Why? Because I'm more afraid of the dangers in the city than I am of anything in our part of the state.

The only time I've been asked if I was carrying was one time when my wife and I inadvertently found ourselves in the seedy part of a city one evening after going out to dinner. As we were walking back to the car, she nervously whispered, "Are you carrying?" I was happy to answer in the affirmative.
 
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tbgunner88 said:
Yeah, I think it's more comparable to having a fire extinguisher in your home, hope you don't need it but it's there if you do.
Click to expand...

I've bought 6 fire extinguishers in my life and have discharged 4 of them on an unexpected fire in or around my home (2 on a lawnmower that caught fire in my garage, and 2 on a Jeep that caught fire in my driveway) the other 2 I bought replaced the last 2 I used. I will always have fire extinguishers on hand.

I do know that before I considered buying a hand gun (over a year ago), I almost always assumed if I saw a gun on the hip of somebody at a store that they were LEO's. I didn't know that normal people carried gun. Shortly after buying a pistol for plinking, a friend talked me into getting my CCW. My whole attitude has changed since then. I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm trying.

I have not had anybody ask me that question, I'm not even sure how'd I respond if somebody did. Hopefully I never have to find out.
 
I've never been ask, people that are good friends know I always carry.
Anyone else doesn't need to know.
 
I haven't been asked why specifically, even when open carrying and having people walk up to comment on it. If I were asked why, I would say something like,

"Let me ask you a question first. You understand that there are bad people who are inclined to do very bad things out in the world. Whose responsibility is it to protect your family?"

If they answer 'the police' then I would politely point out that they are in conflict with every court ruling ever made on that subject. I would tell them the police have no duty to provide any individual with protection, and they are far more likely to arrive after the bad stuff has happened. I would also suggest they ask the next police officer they see if it is his job to provide them with protection.

All of which begs the question, If it isn't the responsibility of the police to provide your family with protection, then whose responsibility is it, and if it's your responsibility to protect your family, what are you doing to fulfill that obligation?

Of course, that's just simple logic; something lost on the clueless.
 
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