Does Being Armed Alter Your Behavior?

[Smoke]

Before I started carrying a gun I had quite the mouth on me. If you did something I didn’t like I’d let you know it. One night I pulled into a Walgreens parking lot and walked past a car in a handicapped spot, I made a point of looking at the plate (not handicapped) and then looked the driver right in the eye. He got pissed and hopped out of the car and started talking smack to me and I almost got into a fight right there.

All that changed shortly after I got my permit. I was driving to work one day and I passed some guy on the road who took exception he started following me, flashing his lights, tailgating me and trying to get ahead of me. Being young and dumb I showed him my gun to back him off and damn near ended up arrested for Felony Menacing . It was probably one of if not the dumbest things I ever did but I learned my lesson then and there.

If I’m out and about and armed (which is anytime I’m out and about) I make point of being courteous to people, I let things slide that I ordinarily wouldn’t and If I do run into a jerk I’m the first one to back down because I do not want to be in a situation where it escalates to a fight and have any witnesses say I escalated the situation.

So what I want to know is does carrying a firearm change your behavior? Do you go out of your way not to start confrontations when armed

 

[speedyquad]

you read this topic from me...http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...-situation-tonight-why-i-carry-concealed.html
had i not been armed, my mouth would have been running a lot more...

 

[ralph7]

I have been carrying long enough, that I pretty much forget that I am carrying when I am interacting with people.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Heinlein coined the term "an armed society is a polite society."

Most read that statement to mean that you don't mouth off to someone because he might be armed. But I read it the opposite way. Because I am armed I have a responsibility to to be polite, it is incumbent upon me to keep the peace whenever possible.

 

[Jakpro]

I don't know how old the OP is, but as you get older what people say does not really mean as much to you anymore.

When I was in my 20's, I would be ready to fight or argue at any moment, but as I have gotten older, much older, I have decided that it is just not worth it.

 

[snubbyfan]

I don't know how old the OP is, but as you get older what people say does not really mean as much to you anymore.

When I was in my 20's, I would be ready to fight or argue at any moment, but as I have gotten older, much older, I have decided that it is just not worth it.

Same here, back in the day I've adjusted more than one attitude with a punch in the mouth.
Now however it's, "Meh, whatever." I've mellowed a lot with the passing of time.
My behavior hasn't changed because I carry concealed. It changed because I grew up, matured and got my priorities straight.

 

[shouldazagged]

I was raised to be polite and courteous, and have always tried to behave that way; but I'm old now, suffer fools less gladly, and express disagreement and displeasure more often.

Still, it's my fervent hope that I continue never having been forced to draw my gun. Part of maintaining that state of affairs is not provoking confrontation needlessly. Tempting as it may be to flip the single-digit salute or question the nature of someone's relationship with his mother, it would be stupid as hell.

I'd hate to spend my few remaining years dealing with the fallout and guilt of a shooting I caused by injudiciously mouthing off.

I also have the responsibility as an armed private citizen to avoid going into places and situations I know to be dicey, but
that's just common sense. Being armed doesn't make me invulnerable.

 

[hangnoose]

CC & BVR

YES, I'm much more polite & cool headed when carrying for the same reasons. The old me would have been in a fight yesterday at the range over a shooting lane when others were available. The range officer assigns me a lane, I limp over and sling my heavy bag on the empty table and unload and start setting up. I notice an unshot target in my lane and ask the guy next to me if it was his, he says he has no idea who's it is. A second later an older guy comes over and says you are in my spot and the guy I asked previously sticks up for him. I've seen this clown before and later remembered his routine, he hangs targets at 2-3 diff distance lanes and claims them all as his. He now goes to the range officer and gets nasty with him saying "why did you give my spot away" & the r/o apologises to him. I told the R/O don't worry there's another lane 2 down & I don't mind moving, IF ASKED & NOT TOLD TO, he said ME TOO. the clown takes 6 shots and goes back to one of his other spots. Even at a young 56 I still respect my elders and call people Mr & Mrs, they always tell me I don't have to do that anymore, but it is just so ingrained. If it happens again things will be a bit different.

 

[sipowicz]

I am much more reserved carrying...I always think, "I don't want to get into a fight and maybe lose my gun..or worse....use it."

 

[AimHigher]

It is basic and fundamental human nature to be concerned for one's safety and well-being. So, possessing a super-significant means to counter most all potential living threats or actual attacks, would naturally alter a person's mindset with regards to their personal safety profile.

Having this "super-significant" protection available, no doubt lessens the degree of stress (however slight), fear and concern related to perceived personal safety. With a lowered stress and concern/fear level, we are less inclined to feel challenged and react aggressively when experiencing an unpleasant, disturbing or provocative encounter with another person. While armed, we have less uncertainty about the ultimate outcome of a physical confrontation -- which translates to security and allows us to remain more calm and passive under any given situation.

The gun is the equalizer and therefore, (to answer the OP's primary question), yes, we do change our behavior when we're armed whether we realize it or not. There is less innate fear.

Having said this, I believe that it is always better to be courteous and respectful to all and avoid speech or actions that could insult or challenge a stranger e.g. so what if someone is parked in a handicapped spot without proper tags. It should only matter to a private citizen if someone who really needs the spot is being denied.

BTW, I never felt as safe in a big city as I did while visiting Phoenix AZ, where I presume 1 out of 5 people are armed. The criminals in AZ spin the wheel of fortune every time the choose a victim.

 

[feralmerril]

I think I have always been the same packing or not but then again its been about 50 years when I started carrying on my jobs. I really dont think it ever has caused me to act a bit different one way or the other.

 

[CoMF]

Yes. If anything, it's made me more polite and civil with strangers and helped me further develop my conflict de-escalation skills. Carrying a firearm is not a decision one makes lightly; losing your composure can lead to a brandishing or voluntary manslaughter charge or worse.

 

[Mr Pokeyman]

Does carrying a gun change "my" behavior"?

No, not at all.

 

[BigCityChief]

I've carried a firearm daily for 36 years and have always been reserved in my social behavior. I hope that carrying a firearm as part of my profession has made me cognizant of the environment around me, respectful of others, and more keenly aware of my obligations to behave responsibly in any situation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Don 73]

So what I want to know is does carrying a firearm change your behavior? Do you go out of your way not to start confrontations when armed

It SHOULD and you should.

 

[photoman]

I go out of my way to avoid confrontations when NOT armed because my hand to hand skills suck. I go out of my way to avoid confrontations when I AM armed because I don't want to have to shoot anyone.

The only difference is that when I am not armed, I don't have to be concerned about all the silly "gun free zones" where I can't carry legally.

 

[The Big D]

Absolutely not!!!

I am the same person as I was before I started carrying a gun...and have now carried for more than half my life.

I truly like people. I enjoy big cities and love tailgates, bars, and sporting events.

There is absolutely no difference in how I act whether carrying or not. And there are occasions when I am not armed. (e.g. international travel, lapses in LEOSA quals, etc.)

Frankly, I do NOT alter my lifestyle based on whether I am toting a gun or not. I do the very same things, engage with the same people, and (most importantly) THINK the same.

Be safe.

 

[millisec]

I think I'm much more aware when I'm carrying. And yes "an armed society is a polite society." I tend to be calmer and more polite.

Where I take exception to current law is the OP's story as it relates to menacing, brandishing etc. As it stands here and a lot of places if you pull a gun you better be killing someone because you feared for your life. I really don't think it should be so limited. Threat should be allowed short of having to kill someone. In a bad situation there should be room for your basic BTFO or die. Cops don't need to kill someone every time they pull a gun and it should be the same for private citizens.

Then again my grandfather taught me "never pull a gun on a man unless you plan on using it. Never use a gun on a man unless you plan on killing him".

 

[Badkarma 1]

Carrying means you can't suddenly go Walter Mitty, you will be held to a higher standard, and most importantly check your attitude at the door on the way out.

Remember the best gunfight your in is the one you don't attend!
Dale
(Gaps included)

 

[Don 73]

I am the same person as I was before I started carrying a gun...and have now carried for more than half my life.

I truly like people. I enjoy big cities and love tailgates, bars, and sporting events.

There is absolutely no difference in how I act whether carrying or not. And there are occasions when I am not armed. (e.g. international travel, lapses in LEOSA quals, etc.)

Frankly, I do NOT alter my lifestyle based on whether I am toting a gun or not. I do the very same things, engage with the same people, and (most importantly) THINK the same.

Be safe.

Then you must have been raised right.

 

[Rick_A]

I'm always armed with something. I'd like to think my wits are my main tool. I'm not bothered by much. Carrying is a huge responsibility and I do not take it lightly.

ETA: I usually carry a large auto so I have to alter how I sit and make sure I keep my back straight when picking things up

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Luckily I learned a very important lesson. Who you treat people is how they treat you. Its just that simple. If you go in to the bakery with a sour face on and grumpy the lady behind the counter will respond accordingly,its human nature. Go in with a light heart and interact with the same lady and you get a happy cheerful response. The ccw should not affect your attitude.

 

[Iggy]

A big ego don't fit well in a gun holster.

 

[Maze 686]

No change in my attitude. I try to treat people kindly no matter what.

Peple call me a big teddy bear.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

One thing I have noticed is that I am always checking my 360.


I am sure there are more things, can't think of any now.

 

[venomballistics]

carry made its changes to me long ago.
Not by the trial and error methods brought about by letting myself be my worst enemy. There's not much room for that form of evolution.
Rather I thought long and hard about the whole thing well in advance.
I worked on my situational awareness and listened more closely to my instincts.
As a result. with or without sidearm, I'm fairly uniform. Its a system that benefits me in a general sense rather than a conditional one

 

[shouldazagged]

A big ego don't fit well in a gun holster.

That's a fine summation, Iggy! I'd give it more than one like if they'd let me.

 

[Smoke]

That's a fine summation, Iggy! I'd give it more than one like if they'd let me.

I'll give it one for you

 

[PALADIN85020]

I think that I'm more confident that I can END a confrontation that would appear to be life-threatening, but at the same time, I will never start one or try to exacerbate one.

About two weeks ago, I slipped onto an exit ramp on a freeway when I had no choice but to cut it a bit close in front of a guy who turned out to be a total irritating jerk. I had given him plenty of warning with my turn signal as to my intentions before I executed the maneuver. It was evening, and he blew his horn and turned on his high beams behind me. I resisted the impulse to give him the universal gesture indicating my opinion of his probable IQ as I had done once in a while in my youth before carrying. I also didn't roll down my window and shout my opinion of what kind of hole I thought he was. I just ignored him as though he didn't exist. That probably hacked him off more than anything I could have done, but I would bear no responsibility for him needing to seek anger management counseling.

I want no trouble; just the means to end it if warranted by the circumstance. If anything, carrying concealed has forced me to mellow out when something like I've described occurs.

John

 

[PALADIN85020]

BTW, I never felt as safe in a big city as I did while visiting Phoenix AZ, where I presume 1 out of 5 people are armed. The criminals in AZ spin the wheel of fortune every time the choose a victim.

That's one of the reasons I enjoy living here. Crooks know they could end up on a slab in the morgue by attacking a man or woman who is out and about.

John