How many people carry?

[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.