Do you really carry ALL the time?

mike campbell said:
More than 90% who respond will say "yes", and I don't doubt them. But in my experience it's the other way around in the general population....90% of those who can, don't.
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I don't know what the percentage is, but I agree with the general sentiment that a great deal of those with carry permits seldom if ever carry.

Among gun enthusiasts at the Club with carry permits, here are some reasons in no particular order.

Never intended to carry on person. Got a carry permit to make sure there wouldn't be a problem if pulled over taking guns to and from the Club. Or just to have a loaded gun in the glovebox (which is now legal absent a permit).

Carried for a while but never got over anxiety and self-conscious feeling of carrying a gun in public.

Carried for a while but found that a 1-2lb hunk of gun just didn't fit with their lifestyle.

Won't carry around their young kids.

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I carry all the time for a couple of reasons. The first one is that if I'm going to carry a gun I might as well carry all the time. I haven't had any luck picking the right lottery numbers and I doubt I'd be much better at picking the exact time and place I might end up needing a gun.

The second reason is I'm not willing to invest much effort into gun carry. Arming and disarming all day long, going in and out of the house or places I may or may not think it more likely to need a gun seems like a lot more effort than simply dropping an LCP in my pocket in the morning and leaving it there until bedtime. Being lazy has it's advantages. :D
 
Chat.Phil, your logic is sound. That program is easier to adhere to than what I'm actually carrying for. Meaning, sometimes its hard to be disciplined to always carry for that event that has never happened to me yet.
I know that I will never know when that will be and I need to be vigilant.
BUT, human nature being what it is, its easier to always be armed
due to habit and making it easier to be than not be armed.
I like the way you think! I can appreciate the lazy aspect of it.
 
Carry

I carry when I feel it's necessary. Always one in my car and within arms reach at home. To be honest, I hate carrying. It's a hassle and it weighs too much. When I do carry, it's a J-frame in a pocket holster.
 
I do, been that way for several years now. Crime is bad where I live (no police), and being armed is a good idea. My wife used to make fun of me whenever she noticed. I now use her to practice my conceal methods. If I can fool her I'm doing it right. There have been times when something goes bump in the night and she will look at me and ask "you do have a gun, right?", I just smile and say "of course". So far so good.

An ex-coworker once asked me what it feels like carrying a gun in public, like at the grocery store. I had to think a bit, but my reply was more along the lines of not being armed feels like driving without a seatbelt. I think he understood.
 
I just got my pistol permit and a holster, carried a couple times and haven't since. I bought a Shield and have 1100 rounds through it and feel from a average SD distance I could use it. I work from home so there are days where I don't leave the house. I also have gone to a coupe GFZ lately so didn't take it with me. I need to get in the habit of carrying.
 
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It seems that I've been carrying most of my adult life with only hiatus when I have made interstate moves requiring that I obtain a new CCW permit.

For the last 15+ years, I've carried either a full-size Kimber1911 or my smaller Kimber Ultra Carry1911. I feel almost naked when I have to go into a GFZ.

I have recently joined the forum as I have purchased 3 S&W revolvers - Model 36, Model 60-15 and Model 66-4 - and plan to put these into my rotation. Waiting for the holsters that I've ordered and I'll be good to go.

BTW - I have found this forum to be a great place to learn and share. Thanks to all!
 
I carry whenever I leave my farm, always the same .45 pistol. I have been carrying it for 20 years. KS has constitutional carry. They also have a state law that if one has a LEOSA permit, they can carry anywhere an active peace officer can. That means anywhere but a prison, jail, federal property, and certain court rooms. On the farm I usually carry a .380.
 
my problem in Massachusetts are restrictions on storage of a handgun in a motor vehicle. I have to go to a number of places where one cannot legally have a gun, and in some places leave it in a car either. What I did no notice is whether one carried or not when having a drink. I am not saying going out to drink but a glass of wine in a restaurant, etc. Any thoughts on that?
 
I take it everywhere I go and if a place doesn't allow me to have it on me than I guess they lost business from me.
 
If I am outside my house, I have a gun. If I'm in my house, it's either on me or on the table right next to me. I carry my LCR in 9mm as my main carry, and it's my BUG at work. I can't tell you the last time I was somewhere without a gun.
 
Everywhere it is legal, including at home where I am at most of the time. Night time one beside pillow, not in shower. 45 acp.
 
mdglaw said:
my problem in Massachusetts are restrictions on storage of a handgun in a motor vehicle. I have to go to a number of places where one cannot legally have a gun, and in some places leave it in a car either. What I did no notice is whether one carried or not when having a drink. I am not saying going out to drink but a glass of wine in a restaurant, etc. Any thoughts on that?
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My thoughts are if you may have to possibly take a life, you'd better be totally sober minded.
I also grapple with the thought of 'Should I have to give up my right of self defense because I had a glass of wine or a beer?'. What if I'm at home BBQing and have a beer or two? Does that consign me to being a sheep?
The answer to me is No, but my previous statement over rules it.
My final thoughts on that subject would be that I will do what I have to do to save my loved ones and myself. Then arm myself with a good lawyer, but hope that it never happens.
 
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Jessie said:
My thoughts are if you may have to possibly take a life, you'd better be totally sober minded.
I also grapple with the thought of 'Should I have to give up my right of self defense because I had a glass of wine or a beer?'. What if I'm at home BBQing and have a beer or two? Does that consign me to being a sheep?
The answer to me is No, but my previous statement over rules it.
My final thoughts on that subject would be that I will do what I have to do to save my loved ones and myself. Then arm myself with a good lawyer, but hope that it never happens.
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I am 100% of the same mindset of sober carry. Since I always carry outside the home, It means I never drink anything outside. I like a glass of wine with dinner occasionally, but only at home, now that I CC.
 
If I'm wearing pants, I'm carrying, at home, in the yard (50 acres), in town. Obviously not at the post office. I volunteer at the local museum. It's a state building so don't carry there. The most vulnerable I feel, oddly, is unarmed coming out of the LE building at 10 pm after teaching NRA Basic Pistol Class. Permit says no carry there.
 
Since it's impossible to carry on my person 24 hours a day, the answer is no; however, whenever I'm not carrying in the house, a firearm is only an arm's reach or a few steps away. Outside my home, I am armed.
 
bigwheelzip said:
If your driving to GFZ's, buy one of the small gun vaults that can be attached to the car with cables, and re-holster once your clear.
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Connecticut law states you can not have a gun on school grounds even if it is locked up, trigger and chamber locked. If caught it is a class D felony. Also, it appears that if caught on any premises where the owner does not allow guns you are screwed as well.
 
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KSDeputy said:
I carry whenever I leave my farm, always the same .45 pistol. I have been carrying it for 20 years. KS has constitutional carry. They also have a state law that if one has a LEOSA permit, they can carry anywhere an active peace officer can. That means anywhere but a prison, jail, federal property, and certain court rooms. On the farm I usually carry a .380.
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Why only a .380 on the farm? [Not that I'm putting down the .380, but it is a substantial drop in caliber from .45]
 
I always carry. ALWAYS means ALWAYS. Love my S&W M&P 340 without the lock. Added the S&W Crimson Trace. 340CT with out the lock.
 
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