What were the determining factors in your decision to carry a gun for self defense? How much thought did you give it? Was it just because it was legal? Or was it some event? How long did you think about it?
When You Decided To Carry
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Waywatcher
Member
No specific event, and not simply because it was legal. Lots of thought involved over a long period of time.
10,000 years ago I would have been armed with a spear. 1,000 years ago I would have been armed with a sword. Today I am armed with a handgun. The reason is the same.
10,000 years ago I would have been armed with a spear. 1,000 years ago I would have been armed with a sword. Today I am armed with a handgun. The reason is the same.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Got my CCW license a little less than a year after Kentucky became a shall-issue state--never carried concealed before it was legal. I'm one of those silly law-abiding types.
Made the decision for several reasons, all involving people who, mostly for no reason, had threatened me. I mean total strangers whom I'd done nothing to offend. Except drive no more than ten over the limit in the slow lane.
There were also some I had helped put in jail or the penitentiary, but that's another story.
Anyway, it seemed like a good idea sixteen plus years ago, and I've never looked back. Life is much tamer in old age, retirement, and declining health; but now I need protection more when I venture out because running and fighting are out of the question.
Made the decision for several reasons, all involving people who, mostly for no reason, had threatened me. I mean total strangers whom I'd done nothing to offend. Except drive no more than ten over the limit in the slow lane.
There were also some I had helped put in jail or the penitentiary, but that's another story.
Anyway, it seemed like a good idea sixteen plus years ago, and I've never looked back. Life is much tamer in old age, retirement, and declining health; but now I need protection more when I venture out because running and fighting are out of the question.
Never thought about it until a few years ago.
The elderly couple across the street from us was bound, gagged and locked in their laundry room by someone fleeing the police. He then stole their car.
Two months later I was legal and everyone in the family was learning to shoot.
The elderly couple across the street from us was bound, gagged and locked in their laundry room by someone fleeing the police. He then stole their car.
Two months later I was legal and everyone in the family was learning to shoot.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I still dont physically carry all the time. I did periodically start to carry at about 20 years old but only when threatened. Then I got into guard jobs for the next 35 years where we were required to open carry. I may not CC much on me but I always have one by me wherever I go. Have the permit, and in utah we can open carry but I never do except sometimes ATVing.
Hodgin
US Veteran
I've had guns all my life but only started carrying about a year ago. I really don't know exactly why I decided to get a handgun permit but part of it was poor health and a feeling that I'd have difficulty physically defending myself. Also, I'd heard about all the Tennesseans getting permits and didn't want to be the only unarmed man in town.
I first got a carry permit about 40 years ago, mid 70s. I didn't have to
give it much thought at all. Being a gun enthusiast, it seemed like
the natural thing to do. My dad wasn't a real gun person but he did
own one handgun and had a carry permit. He told me about the time
some guy tried to take his billfold at knifepoint and he pulled his
pistol on the guy. The would be robber went from demanding to
begging real quick, begging my dad not to shoot him. I was a teenager
at the time, too young to carry but I'm sure that influenced me
somewhat.
give it much thought at all. Being a gun enthusiast, it seemed like
the natural thing to do. My dad wasn't a real gun person but he did
own one handgun and had a carry permit. He told me about the time
some guy tried to take his billfold at knifepoint and he pulled his
pistol on the guy. The would be robber went from demanding to
begging real quick, begging my dad not to shoot him. I was a teenager
at the time, too young to carry but I'm sure that influenced me
somewhat.
nuguy
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I got my first carry permit in 1969. I was driving local delivery with cash involved and my boss was worried about his money. He ask me if I would get a permit to carry to protect his cash. I don't think he was ever worried about me.
Back in those days we had to list the exact gun on the permit that was going to be carried for protection.
Back in those days we had to list the exact gun on the permit that was going to be carried for protection.
ChattanoogaPhil
Member
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Prior to 1989 Joe Law Abiding couldn't even get a carry permit. Tennessee struggled for years implementing May Issue and Shall Issue law. It really wasn't until 96 that they got things ironed out so that the law abiding could obtain a permit on a statewide basis without hassle and confusion. As much as folks like to say how wonderful gun laws are in the South, Tennessee was not much better than NYC regarding carry.
Good question. No personal event or anything like that. A carry permit was obtainable. I was a gun enthusiast. I got a permit. That's about it. It's not like I was overly concerned with my safety and finally breathing a sigh of relief that I could walk the streets without fear of not being able to defend myself. I don't know... if I wasn't already a gun enthusiast I might not have bought a gun and got a permit. Now I can't imagine not being armed.
Good question. No personal event or anything like that. A carry permit was obtainable. I was a gun enthusiast. I got a permit. That's about it. It's not like I was overly concerned with my safety and finally breathing a sigh of relief that I could walk the streets without fear of not being able to defend myself. I don't know... if I wasn't already a gun enthusiast I might not have bought a gun and got a permit. Now I can't imagine not being armed.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I did my career in los angeles county california. It was next to impossible to get a CC permit there. I didnt worry about it as we had to OC on the job and I practically lived at work. I didnt much worry over the matter off the job and yes, I can remember at least two incidents I had to do some explaining but the issue wasnt pressed and I kept my gun and ammo. Wouldnt want to try it there now though.
BobC357
Member
My decision was made after the wife, dogs and I encountered a pack of hungry coyotes. Around these parts, the two legged varmits are rare however the four legged variety are everywhere. I can open carry legally but it annoys others and I would rather have it under my coat or jacket anyway. To do that required a concealed carry permit.
foggood11
Member
This is what did it for me:
Lakewood, Washington police officer shooting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Something clicked. I guess I decided if I found myself in a similar position, I'd rather be able to fight for my life.
Lakewood, Washington police officer shooting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Something clicked. I guess I decided if I found myself in a similar position, I'd rather be able to fight for my life.
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ibewbull
US Veteran
I chose to carry because I have always SEEN things.
Always tried to help or be involved in some way. Be it putting out a fire
or helping someone in need.
I like to be prepared.
I first open carried in VA 1974 .
It was a 36 Navy by High Standard.
I never fired at another person. But have deterred actions which could have been very bad by others. Without help from my pals Smith and Wesson I don't know what the results would have been.
Always tried to help or be involved in some way. Be it putting out a fire
or helping someone in need.
I like to be prepared.
I first open carried in VA 1974 .
It was a 36 Navy by High Standard.
I never fired at another person. But have deterred actions which could have been very bad by others. Without help from my pals Smith and Wesson I don't know what the results would have been.
Pre-LEO days I was always an enthusiast and WANTED to carry, but at that time, CC was not legal in Ohio. My dad was a cop and I would often ride along with him on duty and as others have said, I SAW things and being a cop's kid, I heard and learned things that a "normal" person would never hear or know. So from a young age, I knew the world was NOT all sunshine and roses.
Put off getting a CPL for years, didn't want the responsibility. Finally got one five years ago, couldn't ignore the headlines or evening news any longer. Still think about the responsibility thing every time I holster the piece.
TexasArmed
Member
I had thought about getting a permit a long time before finally making the decision to do it. In Texas one needs no permit to have a gun in the vehicle normally, unless one has a criminal
record.
The event that finally tipped the balance was the terrorist jihadist attack at Ft. Hood. Subsequent jihadist attacks at the Little Rock recruiting station and in Boston validate that decision. I decided that nobody is going to protect us but ourselves. The frequency and repetitive nature of watching thugs get released over and over also convinced me that police cannot protect a citizen, and I am from a family
of law enforcement.
record.
The event that finally tipped the balance was the terrorist jihadist attack at Ft. Hood. Subsequent jihadist attacks at the Little Rock recruiting station and in Boston validate that decision. I decided that nobody is going to protect us but ourselves. The frequency and repetitive nature of watching thugs get released over and over also convinced me that police cannot protect a citizen, and I am from a family
of law enforcement.
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Arik
Member
I was always interested in firearms. ...so that obviously helps. When I was 15 I worked summers for my dad in his office. His office was located in Philadelphia on the corner of Broad and Olny (those from Philly know what I'm talking about). This was in the mid 90s. Since then the area has gotten better but back then it was safer to be a rabbi in the middle of the sunni triangle then it was being in N. Philly. Anyway, my mom would pick me up after work and we would go home. One day as we walked to the car, in the lot down the street, my mom got mugged. As we approached the car some guy ran from behind, grabbed her purse and ran off. I don't know if he followed us or was already there and just saw an opportunity but nonetheless she got mugged. This is before cell phones so we walked back to my dad's office to call the police. Since this had already happened and no one was physically hurt it took the cops 2 hours to respond (that's a busy part of Philly). The cop took a report and told my dad to get a permit and a gun and next time plug the s o b and we will thank you.
My dad never did get the permit (he did but many many years later). And in this case it wouldn't have mattered anyway since he was not there. However, I took the officer's words to heart (this doesnt mean im looking to shoot people) and as soon as I turned 21 I got my 1st gun and my permit.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
My dad never did get the permit (he did but many many years later). And in this case it wouldn't have mattered anyway since he was not there. However, I took the officer's words to heart (this doesnt mean im looking to shoot people) and as soon as I turned 21 I got my 1st gun and my permit.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
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After open carrying every day in Vietnam from 5/25/68 to 10/30/69, except for R&R's and one 30 day leave, I felt naked coming back to the world. As the years passed the feeling abated somewhat but there was always that sense of absence.
About five years ago the wife an I were sitting at a red light when a car drove up on the raised median, drove around us and then blocked traffic in our two north bound lanes. Two young men exited the back seat with their hands under their t-shirts. I saw a momentary flash of steel. They came down between the two rows of cars walking past our car. I looked in my mirror and saw a car three cars behind us unload and the occupants start running the other direction. The two gang bangers went back to their car which had moved to the south bound lanes and took off after the fleeing targets. I started case carrying that afternoon.
Three years ago I got to be a juror in a criminal case. Aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle was the charge. We found the defendant guilty. It was only after we were excused that we found out this was his third gun violation. This is when I started donating to Illinois carry organizations.
I started carrying concealed when my CCL arrived 3/22/14. Haven't been unarmed since except in prohibited areas.
About five years ago the wife an I were sitting at a red light when a car drove up on the raised median, drove around us and then blocked traffic in our two north bound lanes. Two young men exited the back seat with their hands under their t-shirts. I saw a momentary flash of steel. They came down between the two rows of cars walking past our car. I looked in my mirror and saw a car three cars behind us unload and the occupants start running the other direction. The two gang bangers went back to their car which had moved to the south bound lanes and took off after the fleeing targets. I started case carrying that afternoon.
Three years ago I got to be a juror in a criminal case. Aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle was the charge. We found the defendant guilty. It was only after we were excused that we found out this was his third gun violation. This is when I started donating to Illinois carry organizations.
I started carrying concealed when my CCL arrived 3/22/14. Haven't been unarmed since except in prohibited areas.
Amp
Member
I used to go hiking a lot before losing my leg. Always thought it was a good idea to protect me, the family and the house.
In over thirty years of carrying I have never had to use it but many times I felt better knowing it was there.
Still carry at times but I give more thought about retention because I do fall. Don't want a discharge or unwanted revealing.
In over thirty years of carrying I have never had to use it but many times I felt better knowing it was there.
Still carry at times but I give more thought about retention because I do fall. Don't want a discharge or unwanted revealing.
Maze 686
US Veteran
I 'ge carried everyday for thirty years for the simple reason of self protection.
I don 't depend on anybody else for my protection.
I don 't depend on anybody else for my protection.
In late 2007 some nut job took exception to a bumper sticker on my wife's car and chased her halfway across town screaming at here about her political views.
When she got home my wife told me that she had an epiphany in the car and realized that due to her health issues she would not have been able to physically defend herself had the nut job decided to attack her.
She insisted on getting her CHP and I wasn't going to let her get one without me getting one
When she got home my wife told me that she had an epiphany in the car and realized that due to her health issues she would not have been able to physically defend herself had the nut job decided to attack her.
She insisted on getting her CHP and I wasn't going to let her get one without me getting one
When we first moved out to small town West Virginia, things seemed pretty groovy. We left the terrorists, crackheads and bureaucrats of the Washington DC area behind. Only to encounter a different kind of terrorist.
Apparently some of the locals don't approve of a White Italian woman being married to an American Indian male. Our house was vandalized, trash thown in our backyard, obscenities written on the windows of our vehicles and fires lit on our front porch. We called the local police, who of course did nothing. So, my wife and I got our permits and carry concealed.
I was in our backyard grillin' meat and telling our neighbor about what's been going on. He of course had no idea about it. I told him that because of the hate crimes, we've gotten our carry permits and I don't go anywhere in town without my Smith and Wesson snubby.
After that, all of the problems stopped and people in town are so friendly to us now. Did my Smith and Wesson save my life? Would the hate crimes have escalated to the point of my life being in danger? I hope I never find out.
A couple of years ago an Asian family about a block away was having a moving sale. I was checking out their stuff and talking with the owners. They told me that people were commiting the same hate crimes against them and that they were leaving because they feared for their safety. I told them what I did but they didn't like guns and chose to run away instead. They kept their house and yard neat and tidy. I told them it's too bad they're leaving and I hope the new owners kept the place neat.
Now the place is a dump with trash and junk mounded in the yard and on the porch.
Apparently some of the locals don't approve of a White Italian woman being married to an American Indian male. Our house was vandalized, trash thown in our backyard, obscenities written on the windows of our vehicles and fires lit on our front porch. We called the local police, who of course did nothing. So, my wife and I got our permits and carry concealed.
I was in our backyard grillin' meat and telling our neighbor about what's been going on. He of course had no idea about it. I told him that because of the hate crimes, we've gotten our carry permits and I don't go anywhere in town without my Smith and Wesson snubby.
After that, all of the problems stopped and people in town are so friendly to us now. Did my Smith and Wesson save my life? Would the hate crimes have escalated to the point of my life being in danger? I hope I never find out.
A couple of years ago an Asian family about a block away was having a moving sale. I was checking out their stuff and talking with the owners. They told me that people were commiting the same hate crimes against them and that they were leaving because they feared for their safety. I told them what I did but they didn't like guns and chose to run away instead. They kept their house and yard neat and tidy. I told them it's too bad they're leaving and I hope the new owners kept the place neat.
Now the place is a dump with trash and junk mounded in the yard and on the porch.
hotrod150
Member
I've had a carry license since moving from Los Angeles to Washington over 20 years ago, and have always kept a gun handy in the car, but I only started every-day carry 4 or 5 years ago after a well-respected & well-liked local couple were murdered in their home about 3 miles from where I live. A former employee did it, I don't know if it was a home invasion or just a visit that turned bad, but it made me realize that senseless violence doesn't just happen in the big city. I bought my first real-life carry gun shortly thereafter & have carried just about every day since.
snowman
Member
I owned guns years ago until I sold them to help pay for grad school. Fast forward twenty years and I found myself partly disabled and having a lady friend whom I planned to marry, and knew I was physically unable to defend either of us without a gun. This was a year or so before Ohio passed its first carry law, so at first I just bought home defense guns. With this background it was natural to get my permit and a carry gun when Ohio passed its law. I was among the very first applicants in the sheriff's office, maybe a day or two following passage & implementation of the law.
Regards,
Andy
Regards,
Andy
CatSnipah
Member
Certainly not done on a whim - lots of thought into why, the consequences (good and bad), talked it over with my wife (both encouraging her to also go for her permit, which she isn't ready to do, but also to make sure she would be ok with me doing so, and making sure she understood why and what to do in case something happens).
Fortunately (knock on wood), nothing happened to drive my decision to do it. I had been thinking about it for quite a while, and was finally in a position in life for which I could make it so.
Then, even more thought went into which firearm I would end up carrying. Lots of reading, asking folks I know, comments on forums, and some handling and firing for myself before I made my final decision.
Fortunately (knock on wood), nothing happened to drive my decision to do it. I had been thinking about it for quite a while, and was finally in a position in life for which I could make it so.
Then, even more thought went into which firearm I would end up carrying. Lots of reading, asking folks I know, comments on forums, and some handling and firing for myself before I made my final decision.
I always carry a boot dagger knife on the inside of the driver's side door of my pick-up truck. In 2006 I loaned my BIL (a LEO) the truck for a day and when he returned it to me he politely informed me that the dagger could be considered a concealed weapon by a police officer.
That set in motion my application for a Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License.
I have been stopped by police and had my vehicle searched for weapons (I had a revolver, shotgun and rifle) while on a hunting trip one time. My CWP helped to put the officers at ease as I explained the location of each firearm in the vehicle.
That set in motion my application for a Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License.
I have been stopped by police and had my vehicle searched for weapons (I had a revolver, shotgun and rifle) while on a hunting trip one time. My CWP helped to put the officers at ease as I explained the location of each firearm in the vehicle.
kozmic
Member
I've had my pistol permit for over 30 year and carried on and off since.
I was taking and instructing self defense classes about the same time. Many of those folks were LE, vets, pro athletes, business people and most carried. I began to shoot with them and really enjoyed it. It seemed like everyone had or got their permit, so I did too. Besides my mother was the signing County Judge's clerk and I got my permit in a couple of days.
Over the past 7-8 years as the climate of civility has changed (read "eroded") I carried more and more. Now I always carry, unless I know I'll be going to my son's school. I can still defend myself(as can my wife and both kids), but I'm not as quick and not as strong as I once was. I worry about defending them and frankly, myself too.
20 years ago if someone wanted to fight it was with fists in the parking lot or better yet, you settled over a beer and a game of pool in the bar without a punch being thrown. Now if you look at someone wrong you're likely to get a gun or knife pointed at you. We now have; violent home break-ins. car jackings, street muggings, you name it. I now firmly believe if you aren't proactive you're very likely to be a statistic.
Being able to defend yourself today means having a couple black belts, a gun, a knife, a bug, a big dog, good sneakers, a good lawyer and a helava lot of good luck!
I was taking and instructing self defense classes about the same time. Many of those folks were LE, vets, pro athletes, business people and most carried. I began to shoot with them and really enjoyed it. It seemed like everyone had or got their permit, so I did too. Besides my mother was the signing County Judge's clerk and I got my permit in a couple of days.
Over the past 7-8 years as the climate of civility has changed (read "eroded") I carried more and more. Now I always carry, unless I know I'll be going to my son's school. I can still defend myself(as can my wife and both kids), but I'm not as quick and not as strong as I once was. I worry about defending them and frankly, myself too.
20 years ago if someone wanted to fight it was with fists in the parking lot or better yet, you settled over a beer and a game of pool in the bar without a punch being thrown. Now if you look at someone wrong you're likely to get a gun or knife pointed at you. We now have; violent home break-ins. car jackings, street muggings, you name it. I now firmly believe if you aren't proactive you're very likely to be a statistic.
Being able to defend yourself today means having a couple black belts, a gun, a knife, a bug, a big dog, good sneakers, a good lawyer and a helava lot of good luck!
November 17th, 1980
KKECK5
Member
Prior to retirement i carried everyday. But, anyone who does for 8-16 hours a day for 20 or more years will tell you, it get's old....it's a lot of weight with all your gear on, to go along with bad feet, bad hip and back...so when i retired i kinda hung them up for sometime and moved out to the country away from Metro Boston to escape...The only problem is , there is no escape, drugs and drug related crimes are everywhere. They follow you wherever you go....Sometimes their waiting for your arrival. So i started wearing my j-frame again. and bought it some new friends as time went on. It was mostly my wife idea to carry again...AND she hated every minute i worked as a LEO back when i still had some hair. Well at least it was black around the edges back then.
