what do you say when asked "why do you carry"

[Ogandydancer]

Too short winded to run too old to fight and nothing says stop like a 40 S&W muzzle in your face.

 

[Whitwabit]

Concealed carry only and have never been ID'd or at least never asked. Even in classes at the local Basspro Shop, only family know I have a conceal carry license. Twice I have stood talking to a LEO and neither ID'd me carrying appendix at 11, wearing a t-shirt and a cover shirt one time and OWB at 3 the 2nd time same attire.

If you conceal properly know one knows!

My wife has even asked when we have gone some place if I am carrying as she can't tell most of the time if she doesn't see me put it on .

 

[Packard]

It came up recently when a child noticed my ankle rig while seated. She asked me if I was a cop (she was with her father and we were having a conversation).

I replied that I was not a cop, and why did she ask. And she said, "Because of the gun" pointing at my ankle.

I replied, "That was a mistake. It is supposed to stay hidden. And I am not a cop."

She asked, "Why do you carry a gun?"

I responded, "When I got my pistol license 37 years ago I probably thought I had a good reason. I really cannot remember what it was. But at this point it is like brushing my teeth when I get up. It is part of getting ready to leave the house. So I brush my teeth, get dressed, tie my shoe laces and slip my gun into the hoster. It is just how I get dressed each morning."

It seemed to satisfy her (and her father).

 

[old bear]

I've always done my best to see that very few people know I, often, c.c.w. Those who know me well enough to know I c.c.w know why I do...

 

[KEN L]

Because I can.

 

[itslucky]

WHY I CARRY A GUN

A old timer in the PD once said to me son, 'there comes a time in every mans life when he stops bustin' knuckles and starts bustin' caps and usually it's when he becomes too old to take an *** whoopin'.

I don't carry a gun to kill people.
I carry a gun to keep from being killed.

I don't carry a gun to scare people.
I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.

I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid.
I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I'm evil.
I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I hate the government.
I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.

I don't carry a gun because I'm angry.
I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life
hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone.
I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy.
I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.

I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man.
I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.

I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate.
I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.

I don't carry a gun because I love it.
I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.

Police Protection is an oxymoron.
Free citizens must protect themselves.

Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.

Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an *** whoopin' !!

 

[CajunBass]

I sure don't go out of my way to blow a bugle or anything, but I also don't go out of my way to deny that I carry. I suppose most people that know me, and think about such things, probably figure out that I do. Still, I've never been asked "why." I really think nobody really gives a hoot ( I have never in my life met an actual "anti" that I know of). It's just a gun.

A couple of times when I've open carried I've been asked "Can I do that too?" or some variation of that question, but never "Why" I do it.

If I ever am, I suppose I'll just tell the truth. "I want to."

 

[wittmeba]

All joking aside.

Do you watch the NEWS?
Do you and/or family every go to any of the places where NEWS happens (Walmart, theaters, parking lots, convenient stores, fast food places, your own driveway, etc)?

Any more questions?

 

[bopilar]

I got my CCW sometime ago (after a lot of folks worked very hard to get it passed in Missouri). Whenever I'm asked by co-workers/friends (while we're sitting around passing the time) I say that exact thing; A lot of people worked very hard to get CCW passed here and I figure I would be remiss if I didn't exercise my right to do so.

 

[Buford57]

Agreeing that concealed means concealed (and having been patted down by pros while carrying and then asked "why aren't you armed?") sometimes the question is just a question, not an accusation or provocation and a civil answer is preferable to a sarcastic one (even if not as fun):

Because 37 years ago I decided that my relationship to violent criminals would be "adversary" rather than "victim" and nothing has happened to change my mind.

 

[rock_castle]

Always concealed, so I've never been asked. Nobody should know.

 

[trooper2899]

"To preserve human life" ? sounds like a line from a "Pink Panther" movie, none of us is empowered or expected to be a super hero….MY human life is numero uno and family is next - deadly force laws in most states do not place any responsibility on us (unless you have a badge) and even then its vague. To "Protect and serve" has been has been disavowed by the courts……"Self" Defense is the primary mission of the armed civilian.

 

[S&W SS Revolvers]

Well, that's certainly true. No one knows I carry concealed. No one! Not even my wife. A huge advantage of same is that.......no one knows! Why give up that advantage?!

I and we do not CC yet. (I know it just takes some time; which there has been none due to work in 3 years for both of us).

When we/I do ya' won't know. Don't ask , don't tell is mine and my wife's MO. It seems there is a 99% chance we'll never need to show let alone fire. BUT once that CC is obtained...promise we will.

In Communist CO we can still have a gun in our car which in most cases is seconds away. Just so you gang bangers (who likely ain't here) know...

 

[S&W SS Revolvers]

Hmm...........I must be doing it right because the only few that have ever asked me that question were, co-workers who've seen me take it off my belt and place it in my tool chest so it doesn't get messed up while I'm working on cars.

Even when I'm out and about and wearing only a thin t-shirt to cover it up, I'm sure somebody somewhere has noticed the handle when I bend over to pick something up or whatever but, nobody that I don't already know has asked me that question.

The thing is, I live in a VERY gun friendly state so I'm sure a decent percentage of other people I see from day to day, are also carrying.

Only been there once. God Bless Georgia USA/Free State. Amen.

 

[vito]

The chances are that if you are asked "why", the person asking has already decided that its not a necessary or good idea, and is probably not open to any logical discussion. People are very capable of maintaining contradictory beliefs in their mind simultaneously. I have a nephew who lives in the north east who told me he keeps a baseball bat by his bedside "just in case". He admits that even as fit and quick as he is, a bat is not likely to prevail against a determined attacker who is armed and has broken into his home in the middle of the night. But he is also so emotionally opposed to owning a gun that he cannot imagine having one in his home. He also admitted that the police are not likely to come, even if called immediately, in time to protect him and his family, yet he still cannot come to grips with the idea of a gun in his home. He is a victim of being raised and indoctrinated in a state where anti-gun laws are draconian and enforced. So why would I even try to engage in a logical discussion with someone like this?

 

[BigBill]

I was told once by a family member he who carries a sword dies by the sword. I said it's better to have a sword to fight back then to die with no sword at all.

A neighbor told me once I'm itching to kill someone. I told him I'm ready to defend my family and him if need be. I hope the day never comes to use it. But it's ready if need be.

 

[Mainsail]

I was told once by a family member he who carries a sword dies by the sword.

I wish people wouldn't misquote scripture like that.

Tell them, "I don't live by the sword, I live by going to work and earning a paycheck. I carry a gun to counter those that actually do live by the sword."

 

[toc1]

My standard reply.

Come on now, who says I carry?

 

[KSDeputy]

Not everyone knows I carry, but those that do need no explanation.

 

[otis24]

I say "my job requires it". When they ask what my job is, I reply that I am a father, husband, bread-winner, psychologist, councelor and many other things that fall under the responsibility of a father and spouse. Then I ask "why don't you carry?".