How many people carry?

[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.

 

[rchance]

Some of you boys are going to think this is a smart alec answer but it is the truth and the way I have done it for over 40 years.
I started carrying everyday before thare was a CCW---I carried illegally.
I have carried in just about every state in the US and every National park.
I determined, when young, that BG's carry and I was also. I have gone on the theory that "don't ask-don't tell." I have carried in hospitals--movies--ball games--parks--well anyplace that I am going to go that will require me walking back to a car.
It has worked for me and when stopped for a ticket was never asked and never said.
You do it your way.
Blessings

Careful not to incriminate yourself. Listen to what your saying "don't ask, do t tell". I understand completely though.

 

[rchance]

I live in MD, technically "may issue" but in reality it is "no issue" except for business owners carrying large amounts of cash and a handful of others (self defense is specifically cited as not being an acceptable reason to approve the application). I do have a UT non-resident permit, and I spend about 20-40 days a year in PA, VA, and WV where I can carry. When in those states, I now carry 100% of the time when in a place I legally can carry. I also carry when traveling somewhere else where my UT permit is accepted.

Now, should MD go shall-issue (don't laugh, the way the court cases are going, the courts will probably force MD to do so in the next year or so) or should I move to VA (once I get my masters next summer, I will be actively trying to get a job in VA), I will probably only be able to carry about half the time. I am a teacher, my next job will still be in education (hopefully as an administrator). If I was caught taking a gun to work I'd be spending the next few years looking through bars and I'd never be able to own a gun again. It isn't just a matter of being fired for violating my employer's weapons policy. Depending upon state law, I might not even be able to lock the gun in my car and carry to and from work (I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that anyway as it isn't very secure). So, I would never carry to and from work, during the week that is typically more than half of my trips out of the house. On weekends and on vacation I would carry whenever and wherever it was legal to do so.

You may as well stay in Maryland. With all of the school shootings it looks like they'd ask for teachers to carry if their comfortable with it.

 

[rchance]

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.

So what your saying is you would rather everyone carry a billy stick? I think everyone should train to use whatever it is they plan on using to defend themselves but that being said it is their right to carry a gun no matter how little training they have had. At least they would have the means to protect themselves and common sense goes a long way. Respectfully saying.

 

[Cyrano]

I don't carry as often as I should. That said, I practice more than I carry, so I should be effective ifI had to use a pistol.

I don't carry at home. I have four handguns placed where I spend most of my time in the house, and I practice with them, too.

Did I say I handload and like to shoot a lot?

 

[Donn]

The follow up question should be, "How many people who are licensed to carry, are practiced enough to carry responsibly?" and that far too many folks who are carrying are lacking the skills to actually be carrying.

I agree, kinda. There are those, (like me), who carry every day, some never do. Same with range time, some hit it as often as possible. On the other hand, I know guys who've never fired their carry gun! The big unknown is your response when the excrement jumps off. Usually, people will perform to the level of their training, but unless you've been there done that, you don't really know.

 

[jaykellogg]

I am a non LEO and I have a CCW permit. IMO, there is a difference between a LEO carrying off duty and me carrying. First, any LEO has a chance he (or she) will run into someone he arrested with a grudge. Second, a LEO can carry where it is prohibited for me to carry.

Buncombe county in NC has a population of 241,419 (2011) and 2000 folks licensed to carry. I don't know if the 2000 number includes LEOs but I would assume it does not since their license (I believe) is different from civilians. NC is an open carry state, so there are probably a lot of folks carrying that are not counted.

 

[Lost Lake]

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

Did they change the law again? They were allowing anyone with Hunter's Safety to get a permit.

 

[Deputy25]

I'm in Pennsylvania. It's a shall-issue state, so licenses are easy to get. I carry everywhere, all of the time.

 

[dbrow]

I carry all the time. Even at home where other guns are within easy reach. Winter now here in Minnesota so I get to carry something bigger than I do in the summer.