How many people carry?

[681ismyfavorite]

other than actually swimming i cant think of an occasion where i could not go armed.

 

[everReady Rob]

I'm in Colorado, have a CCW, but do not carry 100% of the time. Use to, but have come to realize my life style and leisure time activites just do not warrant carry 100% of time. I know, I know, the first time I need it I won't have it, I'll just have to take my chances. Avoidance is the key. Seems like most things in life are a trade off.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

I'm in Colorado, have a CCW, but do not carry 100% of the time. Use to, but have come to realize my life style and leisure time activites just do not warrant carry 100% of time. I know, I know, the first time I need it I won't have it, I'll just have to take my chances. Avoidance is the key. Seems like most things in life are a trade off.

what kind of activities do you participate in which prevent you from carrying?

 

[Granddad]

I carry any time I leave home. I forget the latest statistics (but you could look it up), but here in FL there are an amazing number of people that hold a carry permit. Who knows how many actually carry on a regular basis.

 

[gymguy]

I myself used to carry 100% of the time but after years of trying different holsters and the guns getting smaller and lighter, I probably carry about 80% of the time and can only afford range time every couple months if I'm lucky.

Finding a range (especially a rifle range) in a densely populated area is a problem. Around here there is an affordable indoor pistol/rifle range built for LE and available after hours. Great for target shooting but not designed for defensive handgun training. LE uses an outdoor range (not available to the public) for defensive handgun drills. There are courses available for this but require hundreds of miles of travel and lots of dollars. I'm still working on a solution.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

If I'm not in the shower you can bet I am

Nickel-plated S&W Model 37 in a zip-lock bag when no one else is home. Just sayin'.

ECS

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Oklahoma - I open carry at work (job requirement). I carry concealed or open carry when not at work (personal requirement), and, yes, I carry at home. One of my daughters carries when not in class (college). My brother carries when not at work about 40% of the time. My brother-in-law rarely carries. About ⅓ of my co-workers carry off-duty. (Ridiculously low and, in my opinion, stupid.)

ECS

 

[The Highlander]

Always carry when I am awake, let alone out of the house. Even mowing the yard or getting the mail. Shot more than one snake that way. In rural Tennessee, if you see someone, they are most likely not far away from at least one gun.

 

[The Highlander]

I should have added that Tennessee does not have "concealed carry." Instead we have a "Handgun Carry Permit." There is no requirement to conceal, however most do. Gotta love Tennessee!

 

[Buffalohunter60]

I have a cc permit...I seldom carry because there is little need here in the middle of NH. I am fully prepared if someone is dumb enough to invade my home, if they get past the GS...they are armed and dangerous and I have loaded firearms readily available. For theifs...cant shoot them anyway and you will get in deep do do if you even point the weapon at them to stop them.....as important to learning how to defend youyrself ....is when to shoot...how to be effective when you do...and what steps you need to take after the incident to protect yourself from the state...there are two defences you need to think about....the deadly confrontation (avoid if at all possible) and the legal confrontation that will come if you have to shoot and you can not afford to lose either battle...even of you win both battles, it can be very expensive. I am more apt to walk away from any confrontation if I am armed than if I am not...being armed carries a lot of responsibility with it and should only be used as a last resort if you have to defend your life and a lot of different things come in to play, like your chance of serious injury if you are an old person confronted by a young and strong assalient...how close do you let them get before you shoot....your physical ability vs their physical ability. The courts are going to take a hard look at the threat to you and if you could have avoided it so be careful out there. You can not necessarily shoot someone if they hit you.....and you have the ability to fight back or retreat with little danger of serious injury....lots to learn and think about when and if you ever use deadly force. Thats is just as important as the ability to use the firearm properly.

 

[Joewisc]

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.

Excellent points. In WI, you have to jump through a couple of hoops including taking a certified instruction class in handgun use and knowledge.

 

[Joewisc]

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."!!

Actually, this is not true. John Lott in his book, "The Bias against Guns" documents thousands of anecdotes and cases where defensive use of guns has thwarted criminals. Remember, you don't always have to pull the trigger. Just brandishing a firearm is enough to scare off a would-be attacker.
I don't think anyone has mentioned "mandatory carry". Kennesaw, Ga., north of Atlanta, has had it on its books for the past 30 years. You HAVE to own a firearm and ammo there.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

I have a cc permit...I seldom carry because there is little need here in the middle of NH. I am fully prepared if someone is dumb enough to invade my home, if they get past the GS...they are armed and dangerous and I have loaded firearms readily available. For theifs...cant shoot them anyway and you will get in deep do do if you even point the weapon at them to stop them.....as important to learning how to defend youyrself ....is when to shoot...how to be effective when you do...and what steps you need to take after the incident to protect yourself from the state...there are two defences you need to think about....the deadly confrontation (avoid if at all possible) and the legal confrontation that will come if you have to shoot and you can not afford to lose either battle...even of you win both battles, it can be very expensive. I am more apt to walk away from any confrontation if I am armed than if I am not...being armed carries a lot of responsibility with it and should only be used as a last resort if you have to defend your life and a lot of different things come in to play, like your chance of serious injury if you are an old person confronted by a young and strong assalient...how close do you let them get before you shoot....your physical ability vs their physical ability. The courts are going to take a hard look at the threat to you and if you could have avoided it so be careful out there. You can not necessarily shoot someone if they hit you.....and you have the ability to fight back or retreat with little danger of serious injury....lots to learn and think about when and if you ever use deadly force. Thats is just as important as the ability to use the firearm properly.

your location includes new zealand....i think that might be clouding your understanding of new hampshire law, look a little closer at HB160.

 

[beemerrider]

Having had an Oregon CCW for about 40 years now, I carry 16/7, with about 8 hours off, when my ED Brown Kobra Carry1911 sits in a Grassburr brand leather holster with swivel attachment, screwed to the back of my nightstand next to my bed. I keep a 3" Mod 36 under my desk in another of their rigs. Grassburr makes great products and they are very customer oriented folks. I am very careful to keep my pistol well concealed all the time, i.e. I dress appropriately and don't bend or move in a manner that would cause my pistol to print or be exposed.
During this approximately 40 years I I've experienced two attempted robberies, had the classic experience of waking to an intruder at the foot of my bed and actually had a man shot within 10 feet of me on the one day I wasn't carrying at the University of Oregon. I've not had to shoot anyone thus far, and hope not to, however I refuse to be a victim if possible, so I dry fire some, practice on my range at home, or at my gun club and carry all the time. If you see me, I'm carrying. My wife thinks I'm a paranoid "Gun Nut", and so be it; she has never had any of the experiences I mentioned above.
The smallest pistol I will carry is an S&W 338 or 642 .38 special, usually in a Kramer pocket holster and always with at least one or two speed loaders. I may add a left side pocket holster for a second .38, as it's a lot faster to draw a second loaded gun, than it is to draw and reload, even with speed loaders. Anybody with both hands in their front pockets looks like a real non-threatening Dufus, so that might be a good tactical reason for the second holster and revolver. I much prefer carrying a 1911 or a SIG 226 in 9mm for greater firepower. I am very experienced with the 1911, have several in different sizes from Officer's to Full Size, and must admit I have not spent enough hours mastering the double action pull on wheel guns or SIG's. Hmmm; good reason to go shooting on my range in our woods. Tomorrow would be good, although it'll be rainy, but I'm not sweet enough to melt, so I'll give it a go. On second thought, if the rain is bouncing off the driveway, I might just spend the time "dry-drawing and dry-firing" with guns loaded with snap caps in front of a mirror.

 

[soccerguy83]

There is nothing wrong with your gun Tonto, get some instruction on how to shoot...[/QUOTE]

I almost spit coffee all over my laptop over that one haha!

 

[kisportolt]

what kind of activities do you participate in which prevent you from carrying?

Here in MI that can include going to a school, day care center, child placing agency, sports arena, stadium, bar that serves liquor, place of worship, hospital, casino, college dorms, or any entertainment facility seating more than 2500.. so quite a few things.

I do carry, but also go places where I can't, so it is not 100% of the time.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

Here in MI that can include going to a school, day care center, child placing agency, sports arena, stadium, bar that serves liquor, place of worship, hospital, casino, college dorms, or any entertainment facility seating more than 2500.. so quite a few things.

I do carry, but also go places where I can't, so it is not 100% of the time.

damn, that "shall issue" is about as bad as north carolina's.

 

[MikeChandler]

I live in AZ, where open and concealed carry are both legal without a permit. I have a CCW so I can also carry in additional places that requre it - such as any place that serves alcohol (though you can't ccw and drink liquor at the same time). I still can't carry in federal buildings or libraries, or any place that has the proper sign posted - so, except for the library, I just avoid going those places. There are good lists online of gun friendly merchants, restaurants, theatres, etc.

I'm always armed; at home I carry a 6" 357 or 5" 1911, in western style holsters, when out and about I always carry a J-frame 357 (usually with 38 p+ ammo), and when I have more clothes on, I also carry a Dan Wesson V-bob or full size Valor 1911. When I open carry (and I usually don't, but do when out in the open desert) I carry the Valor 1911 in a safariland retention level 3 holster, and the j-frame with a galco IWB.

Since I got the j-frame, I never have a reason to go unarmed, as I can just slide it in my pocket. Regardless what else I am carrying, I always have it on me. It only comes out at the range, or at night when it goes in the safe.

I still stand by the J-frame as my smartest gun purchase ever.

 

[rchance]

I'll never tell. Maybe we should all wear t-shirts that say I'm packing heat when were carrying. Lol! Maybe go ahead punk make my day.

 

[MP22]

I carry all the time with the exception when the law states I can't or my employer.