Being a retired LE officer, I can carry in all 50 states. Regrettably this is a Constitutional right denied our citizens (unless you're retired LE). Anyway, having retired in 1998, I have had 2 incidents in which the right to carry a firearm has afforded me both peace of mind and protection. I'll share my stories and encourage you to share your stories, as concealed carry is an important right for all law abiding citizens to enjoy. There are likely thousands of examples where US citizens directly benefit from this right. It is in our interest to share these instances of the benefits of the 2nd Amendment.
1. Invited to a duck hunt in the Stuttgart, Arkansas area. Drove straight through from NH to Arkansas in my NH registered truck. Somewhere in the Deep South, around 1:00am, a couple knuckleheads in a pickup decided to screw with the old fart from NH. They would slow down, then speed up if I tried to pass them. Then they would parallel my truck for miles, boxing me in if their was a slow moving 18 wheeler in my lane, preventing me from passing. What they didn't know is that I had my 9mm pistol (15 rounds) with laser sight in my lap shortly after they began their shenanigans.. I figured this nonsense could lead up to something. Although I did not make direct eye contact with the passenger, I used peripheral vision to make sure he didn't try anything stupid, like point a weapon at me. As a former firearms' instructor I was prepared to defend myself if they threatened deadly force. As it turned out, the situation ended after about an hour and they exited the interstate. The pistol in my lap provided peace of mind, as I was neither intimidated or afraid, just puzzled by their stupidity.
2. While on vacation in Alamogordo, NM I was parked in a supermarket parking lot, with 2 dogs sleeping in the rear of my 4Runner, while my wife was getting take out lunch. It was about 100 degrees so all the car windows were opened. As I watched the entrance to the Mexican restaurant where my wife entered, a hitchhiker walked by heading towards the entrance to the lot I was in. Having spent 12 years in some tough NYC neighborhoods, I developed a skill most experienced street cops develop, that is to spot potential problems beforehand. Thus I removed my Model 60 from the ankle holster and held it in my lap. Sure enough when hitchhiker got next to the entrance to the parking lot he spotted grey haired old fart in NH vehicle and walked from the side of the road to my car. I thought "here we go" and covered the Model 60 with my left hand as I wanted the element of surprise if in fact he was about to assault me. Well he got to the driver's side window and said "mister, I need a ride, i'll Pay $10". As he said that he reached toward his back pocket. I figured that if he brought a knife or gun out he would have 2 rounds in his chest before he knew what happened, otherwise if it was a wallet, I would decline his request. Anyway, my sleeping Weimaraner, a better judge of character than me, lept over the seat and wanted to kill him. (He normally greets strangers who stop by my car to say hello to him.) I had to block my dog with my right elbow and still keep the Model 60 concealed, but the hitchhiker took off running. I thanked my Weim, telling him that he may have saved me a lot of paperwork. (I had never seen my dog this angry, he literally would have torn the guy apart; however once the guy ran my dog calmed right down, satisfied that there was no longer a threat.)
Again, at this point in my life I believe I should be able to travel this great country without fear. Concealed carry, consistent with the 2nd Amendment, guarantees me that right. It should guarantee all law abiding citizens that right.
1. Invited to a duck hunt in the Stuttgart, Arkansas area. Drove straight through from NH to Arkansas in my NH registered truck. Somewhere in the Deep South, around 1:00am, a couple knuckleheads in a pickup decided to screw with the old fart from NH. They would slow down, then speed up if I tried to pass them. Then they would parallel my truck for miles, boxing me in if their was a slow moving 18 wheeler in my lane, preventing me from passing. What they didn't know is that I had my 9mm pistol (15 rounds) with laser sight in my lap shortly after they began their shenanigans.. I figured this nonsense could lead up to something. Although I did not make direct eye contact with the passenger, I used peripheral vision to make sure he didn't try anything stupid, like point a weapon at me. As a former firearms' instructor I was prepared to defend myself if they threatened deadly force. As it turned out, the situation ended after about an hour and they exited the interstate. The pistol in my lap provided peace of mind, as I was neither intimidated or afraid, just puzzled by their stupidity.
2. While on vacation in Alamogordo, NM I was parked in a supermarket parking lot, with 2 dogs sleeping in the rear of my 4Runner, while my wife was getting take out lunch. It was about 100 degrees so all the car windows were opened. As I watched the entrance to the Mexican restaurant where my wife entered, a hitchhiker walked by heading towards the entrance to the lot I was in. Having spent 12 years in some tough NYC neighborhoods, I developed a skill most experienced street cops develop, that is to spot potential problems beforehand. Thus I removed my Model 60 from the ankle holster and held it in my lap. Sure enough when hitchhiker got next to the entrance to the parking lot he spotted grey haired old fart in NH vehicle and walked from the side of the road to my car. I thought "here we go" and covered the Model 60 with my left hand as I wanted the element of surprise if in fact he was about to assault me. Well he got to the driver's side window and said "mister, I need a ride, i'll Pay $10". As he said that he reached toward his back pocket. I figured that if he brought a knife or gun out he would have 2 rounds in his chest before he knew what happened, otherwise if it was a wallet, I would decline his request. Anyway, my sleeping Weimaraner, a better judge of character than me, lept over the seat and wanted to kill him. (He normally greets strangers who stop by my car to say hello to him.) I had to block my dog with my right elbow and still keep the Model 60 concealed, but the hitchhiker took off running. I thanked my Weim, telling him that he may have saved me a lot of paperwork. (I had never seen my dog this angry, he literally would have torn the guy apart; however once the guy ran my dog calmed right down, satisfied that there was no longer a threat.)
Again, at this point in my life I believe I should be able to travel this great country without fear. Concealed carry, consistent with the 2nd Amendment, guarantees me that right. It should guarantee all law abiding citizens that right.
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