66 shooter
Member
Peace of mind....
what do you say when asked "why do you carry"
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Harkrader
Member
I think there is an important difference between being asked "ARE you carrying?" and "WHY do you carry?"
I have a broad range of friends, acquaintances and (now former) work associates. Their opinions about guns run the full range.
I respond to the question of "Are you" by answering only those people who already know I would, and whom I trust.
To everyone else I say that I do not answer that question.
One couple we know are stridently anti-gun. When going to their house or any event where they will be present, I know they will demand to know if I am carrying. They will always assert their right under WI law to tell me not to bring it into their house. My practice is to always return to my car and sit in it for a couple minutes, whether I had my gun with me or not. If asked whether I was taking off my gun, I tell them I never answer the question.
I worked with one of them for years - a very competent and desirable work associate. Whenever we met somewhere to perform our duties, she would try to "out" me by asking the question in front of witnesses. Whether carrying or not, back to the car for a minute.
When I told her she was straining our professional relationship, she went off like a nuclear bomb about how no one "needs" a gun. We eventually came to terms about it and she stopped trying to out me in front of others.
People who demand answers to the question will soon figure a way to "out" an armed person, so I always leave an environment where I can be denied my right, whether armed or not. That way there is no difference in my behaviour either way.
"Why" I carry is a completely different question. Answering it does not reveal whether or not I am armed. Gunzine writer John Connor wrote a piece called "Little Lizzie" or something like that. It was an eloquent explanation of his reasons. I'm sure it's online.
Part of it rings resoundingly in my own thoughts: "Because you're not qualified to carry one. You haven't got the skills, the judgment, the sense of responsibility or the courage for it."
Someone else in this thread gave the "grandpa" response. I'll go with that, too. I will not stand idly by and see myself or my family wantonly killed if I have any means to prevent it.
I have a broad range of friends, acquaintances and (now former) work associates. Their opinions about guns run the full range.
I respond to the question of "Are you" by answering only those people who already know I would, and whom I trust.
To everyone else I say that I do not answer that question.
One couple we know are stridently anti-gun. When going to their house or any event where they will be present, I know they will demand to know if I am carrying. They will always assert their right under WI law to tell me not to bring it into their house. My practice is to always return to my car and sit in it for a couple minutes, whether I had my gun with me or not. If asked whether I was taking off my gun, I tell them I never answer the question.
I worked with one of them for years - a very competent and desirable work associate. Whenever we met somewhere to perform our duties, she would try to "out" me by asking the question in front of witnesses. Whether carrying or not, back to the car for a minute.
When I told her she was straining our professional relationship, she went off like a nuclear bomb about how no one "needs" a gun. We eventually came to terms about it and she stopped trying to out me in front of others.
People who demand answers to the question will soon figure a way to "out" an armed person, so I always leave an environment where I can be denied my right, whether armed or not. That way there is no difference in my behaviour either way.
"Why" I carry is a completely different question. Answering it does not reveal whether or not I am armed. Gunzine writer John Connor wrote a piece called "Little Lizzie" or something like that. It was an eloquent explanation of his reasons. I'm sure it's online.
Part of it rings resoundingly in my own thoughts: "Because you're not qualified to carry one. You haven't got the skills, the judgment, the sense of responsibility or the courage for it."
Someone else in this thread gave the "grandpa" response. I'll go with that, too. I will not stand idly by and see myself or my family wantonly killed if I have any means to prevent it.
tbgunner88
Member
Yeah, I think it's more comparable to having a fire extinguisher in your home, hope you don't need it but it's there if you do.
In my suburb, the crime rate is so low, that the correct answer would be:
"Because I'm a paranoid scaredy–cat."
If I am asked are you carrying the answer is a flat "No" regardless of the circumstances. If you have to ask me that you don't know me well enough for me to tell you. It's also been my experience that any attempt to deflect or evade the question will be taken as a "Yes".
That said, I've never been asked and I'm sure that's partially because I don't talk about guns with random strangers. I didn't discuss guns with people I worked with when I was carrying gun. If the topic comes up at work I say "In the time I've worked for this company I've never needed a gun but that doesn't mean I won't tomorrow." then I change the subject.
I've had a couple of people in my circle that made guns an issue every time we met and it didn't happen more than once or twice before I cut them loose.
That said, I've never been asked and I'm sure that's partially because I don't talk about guns with random strangers. I didn't discuss guns with people I worked with when I was carrying gun. If the topic comes up at work I say "In the time I've worked for this company I've never needed a gun but that doesn't mean I won't tomorrow." then I change the subject.
I've had a couple of people in my circle that made guns an issue every time we met and it didn't happen more than once or twice before I cut them loose.
RV4driver
US Veteran
It took way to long to read a response like "do you have insurance"?, or "do you have a fire extinguisher"?
Anyone that attempts to argue with that doesn't have insurance... or a fire extinguisher.
Anyone that attempts to argue with that doesn't have insurance... or a fire extinguisher.
jrs70
US Veteran
I tell them I do not believe in "A" gun. I just walk away. Most don't get it. Few do.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
My answer depends on who asks. If it's someone I know and respect I MIGHT explain why I carry. Mostly, I say it's none of your business or because I can.
Dandecoteau
Member
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If someone asks, obviously your not concealing right.
If your open carry, tell them because you aren't married and this Wilson combat 1911 is the only woman in your life you will ever need.
If your open carry, tell them because you aren't married and this Wilson combat 1911 is the only woman in your life you will ever need.
Bamaeagle
Member
I open carry while at my house and that is the only time someone has asked why I carry. My next door neighbor came over one day and while in my house he asked the question, "why do I carry a hand gun?". I thought about it for a moment and then told him the way things are now days you never know when you might need some protection. Back when I was young we never locked the house doors and during the summer left just the screen doors open (we did not have AC back then), we would stay outside in the yard or other peoples yard until 9 or 10 PM with no worries. You can not do that now days due to home invasions and robbery. We keep the doors locked and most everyone has some kind of gun be it a hand gun or shotgun at their house.
In 37 years.............................. must be doing the Concealed Carry thing right!
sciencepenguin
Member
I have yet to have anyone noticed that I conceal carry and ask me that question.
A friend who goes to the range with me from time to time ask for my opinion on CCW (he knows that I carry), and the simple answer is "I'll stack the cards in my favor whenever I can."
A friend who goes to the range with me from time to time ask for my opinion on CCW (he knows that I carry), and the simple answer is "I'll stack the cards in my favor whenever I can."
old&slow
Member
Carry What ??
It's not concealed if everyone knows you have it..
It's not concealed if everyone knows you have it..
wittmeba
US Veteran
As stated above - we watch the news. The latest one today was a guy holding up a Popeye's Chicken. The manager was at the business end of the gun. The perp took $400.00. After the event she was fired for not agreeing to repay the $400.00 to the business.
Criminals do not discriminate. They will attack anywhere - filling stations, convenient stores, Walmarts, Subways, parking lots, etc.
My sister-in-law had her car and purse taken from the parking lot of a Major ford dealer in SoCal when she was leaving work. A guy approached her and demanded she get out...she had no choice at gun point.
We perform Dealer Exchanges for a local ford dealer. We cross state lines, get fuel at stations and eat at fast food places we are not familiar with. We often have out-of-state tags on the vehicles. We don't know if that is a signal or not but could be. Perhaps we are viewed to have cash, CC cards, or who knows what.
Just makes sense to have some defense - just in case - until the LE arrives.
Criminals do not discriminate. They will attack anywhere - filling stations, convenient stores, Walmarts, Subways, parking lots, etc.
My sister-in-law had her car and purse taken from the parking lot of a Major ford dealer in SoCal when she was leaving work. A guy approached her and demanded she get out...she had no choice at gun point.
We perform Dealer Exchanges for a local ford dealer. We cross state lines, get fuel at stations and eat at fast food places we are not familiar with. We often have out-of-state tags on the vehicles. We don't know if that is a signal or not but could be. Perhaps we are viewed to have cash, CC cards, or who knows what.
Just makes sense to have some defense - just in case - until the LE arrives.
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