When I got my first cop gig. A model 60 for backup and off duty. I still have it.
Why did you decide to carry
- Thread starter loknload
- Start date
While I've not ever had any real problems when visiting, Miami is one of those cities where it seems you can run into some really shady looking characters no matter where you're at. Still enjoy going there. Nothing compared to St.Louis though which has pretty much turned into one big bad neighborhood.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I started carrying because I had a gun.
max503
Member
Didn't think I needed to carry but my club had cheap training so I took it. When my permit arrived I carried to the supermarket, just to see what it was like to carry a loaded gun in public.
Been carrying always, ever since. I've settled on a snub nose 38.
I truly doubt even my wife knows that I've always got an S&W 638 in my left front pocket.
I live on the outskirts of st Louis. Being in sketchy situations is an everyday thing.
Been carrying always, ever since. I've settled on a snub nose 38.
I truly doubt even my wife knows that I've always got an S&W 638 in my left front pocket.
I live on the outskirts of st Louis. Being in sketchy situations is an everyday thing.
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snowman
Member
Like Rusty1953 I quickly obtained an Ohio permit after the state finally approved it. I was(and remain) partly disabled and thus physically unable to protect myself any other way. I also was planning to be married and couldn't bear the thought of being unable to protect her.
In subsequent years I've often thought about how I would explain to someone else why we do this. To me the whole thing is based on some simple, unassailable logic: 1)the existence of evil is self-evident; 2)the evidence is demonstrated by human beings wherever one goes; 3)some people are so consumed by evil that they are willing to brutalize innocent folks to the extent of assault, rape, murder, etc.; 4)none of us knows where any of these people are located at any given time, making it possible for any of us to cross paths with one of them at any given time or location; and 5)consequently the ability for any of us to successfully protect ourselves against those who are so consumed is at least partially dependent on having our primary means of defense on our person wherever we happen to be.
My CCW has been the same since the beginning: a Ruger SP101 in .357. I chose it over a Smith J-frame because I needed to be careful with how much I spent, but also because its heft enabled me to shoot it well. It's possible I could make a change in the future, but for now I'm satisfied.
In subsequent years I've often thought about how I would explain to someone else why we do this. To me the whole thing is based on some simple, unassailable logic: 1)the existence of evil is self-evident; 2)the evidence is demonstrated by human beings wherever one goes; 3)some people are so consumed by evil that they are willing to brutalize innocent folks to the extent of assault, rape, murder, etc.; 4)none of us knows where any of these people are located at any given time, making it possible for any of us to cross paths with one of them at any given time or location; and 5)consequently the ability for any of us to successfully protect ourselves against those who are so consumed is at least partially dependent on having our primary means of defense on our person wherever we happen to be.
My CCW has been the same since the beginning: a Ruger SP101 in .357. I chose it over a Smith J-frame because I needed to be careful with how much I spent, but also because its heft enabled me to shoot it well. It's possible I could make a change in the future, but for now I'm satisfied.
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I don't know that there was any one thing that made me start carrying a gun. I bought my first handgun the day I got out of the Army (1996) and I honestly don't remember when I started carrying it. I was walking out the door one night and I put it in my jacket pocket.
I started carrying daily when I got my permit in 2007.
I've been through a couple of different guns but for the last 4 years it's either been my Glock 19 or, most frequently, My Glock 26.
I started carrying daily when I got my permit in 2007.
I've been through a couple of different guns but for the last 4 years it's either been my Glock 19 or, most frequently, My Glock 26.
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To hopefully protect my family and myself in this strange world.
leonardocarrillo
Member
Never heard an excuse as good as this one, Jimmy, you're a genius.
As soon as it was legally possible to do so.
My first CCW was my duty weapon, a Smith and Wesson model 15. This worked okay but I soon bought a Colt Junior. That was sold and replace a month later with a Colt Detective Special which I carried for over 30 years.
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Simson-Suhl
US Veteran
A great length of time before Oklahoma issued the CWP, bike racing was a passion for me. My girl friend use to take me and my bicycle, a custom COCI,($1450.00), in her car to the south side of Norman, Ok and I would ride back to OKC at times on the service road beside I35. Beautiful day, on the two lane service road without a car in sight. Then an old beat up auto pulls along side of me a very large fat man starts calling me various names I am not allowed to print here. Just why I do not know as there was no one else on the road other than the two of us, and I was riding near the edge and he should no trouble passing me. After this, I started carrying my Walther PPK 380 in a baggie to keep it dry in my back pack as I would sweat thru my shirt and the back pack. No other threats other than drivers just do not see you at times or realize just how fast you are going. Four lane city street and 74 year old man in a pick up makes a left turn from the outside lane, crosses the other three lanes and hits me. Cop asks him if he saw me. his answer, "Yes I saw him, I just didn't believe he was going that fast." Bike totaled, off work three months, three weeks, he had insurance.
gwpercle
Member
The short answer is because the bad guys carry guns .
The longer answer is , after being shot in the face , robbed and left for dead in my office , a Police Lieutenant explained that they couldn't protect me , they could only come after a crime was committed .
It was my responsibility to protect myself , he then explained all the many places I could legally conceal carry a weapon, without a permit ...a lot more places than I was aware of ... Then he explained that open carry was perfectly legal in Louisiana , no permit required !
I own the business so I made a concealed or open carry policy for whoever employees wanted to carry at work to do so .
That was in 2004 and no one has attempted another robbery .
I showed up in court , testified and the guy will be eligible for parole in 2089... while being apprehended he shot a police officer wearing a vest and shot another in the arm . Shooting police officers is frowned upon in La. and the bad guy was out on parole for...armed robbery so that sentence got tacked back on .
The DA assured me he probably wont be paroled but if so he will be 107 years old ... I'm not worried about him .
Gary
The longer answer is , after being shot in the face , robbed and left for dead in my office , a Police Lieutenant explained that they couldn't protect me , they could only come after a crime was committed .
It was my responsibility to protect myself , he then explained all the many places I could legally conceal carry a weapon, without a permit ...a lot more places than I was aware of ... Then he explained that open carry was perfectly legal in Louisiana , no permit required !
I own the business so I made a concealed or open carry policy for whoever employees wanted to carry at work to do so .
That was in 2004 and no one has attempted another robbery .
I showed up in court , testified and the guy will be eligible for parole in 2089... while being apprehended he shot a police officer wearing a vest and shot another in the arm . Shooting police officers is frowned upon in La. and the bad guy was out on parole for...armed robbery so that sentence got tacked back on .
The DA assured me he probably wont be paroled but if so he will be 107 years old ... I'm not worried about him .
Gary
The job told me I had to carry.
Near the end of recruit training we were issued our duty weapons. (We were sworn in when training began but no LEO powers.)
From that point on we were ordered to carry on and off duty.
Issued gun was a Model 10, heavy barrel. That was replaced (for off duty carry) almost immediately with a M36...shortly thereafter a M60.
Be safe.
Near the end of recruit training we were issued our duty weapons. (We were sworn in when training began but no LEO powers.)
From that point on we were ordered to carry on and off duty.
Issued gun was a Model 10, heavy barrel. That was replaced (for off duty carry) almost immediately with a M36...shortly thereafter a M60.
Be safe.
THEmodelof1989
Member
Mhhmmm... I've got to ask, what made you decide to play the white race card? Is being white exceptionally difficult? Asking for a friend...
As far as the OP's question goes, I started carrying to help me get through my day and sleep at night after coming home from combat; I didnt make a lot of friends in the sandbox.
As a product of the '50's I was accustomed to a pretty decent world. Perhaps that was because news was not instant as it is today, but none the less my impression is that being able to defend yourself and loved ones has become more important as time marches on. I have CC'd for decades. In earlier years, when I was going to a less than great environment I would carry. Now, it seems that even rural areas where crime was basically nonexistent, it is there. Society in general is on a slippery slope, so it is that I now carry almost 24/7. My favorite is a Sig .45 ACP Ultra Compact 1911. For self-defense I find it quite adequate. I am not looking for a confrontation, so eight .45's should get me out of almost any jam I find myself in where lethal force is required for my survival.
Jeppo
Member
My state requires either a Pistol Purchase Permit (one permit for one gun) or a Concealed Handgun Permit (valid for 5 years and substitutes for the PPP for unlimited purchases). Both require background checks while the CHP also requires fingerprints and certification of passing a mandated 8-hour course.
After my first PPP's, I realized that was too much trouble and too limiting (if you happen to see a pistol calling your name but are out of PPP's, you're toast). I realized that, over 5 years, the CHP would be much more convenient and perhaps even less costly. Side note...this was a HUGE mistake for me. Being able to grab a gun and go has become more costly than I could have ever imagined.
My state also permits Open Carry without any kind of paperwork. If I have a handgun on my seat and am approached by an LEO, everything is copacetic. If I stupidly drop my Big Mac wrapper or paper napkin above the gun, I'm now a law-breaker. Having a CHP means not having to worry about how I transport handguns.
In other words, my original motivations for having a CHP were all about convenience. As time passed, I became more and more concerned about crime in our area. It may sound exaggerated but our local authorities appear to be at a complete loss about how to take control. Their latest idea is some kinda commission to talk about what to do. I have plenty of ideas but don't think they're interested. 
After my first PPP's, I realized that was too much trouble and too limiting (if you happen to see a pistol calling your name but are out of PPP's, you're toast). I realized that, over 5 years, the CHP would be much more convenient and perhaps even less costly. Side note...this was a HUGE mistake for me. Being able to grab a gun and go has become more costly than I could have ever imagined.
My state also permits Open Carry without any kind of paperwork. If I have a handgun on my seat and am approached by an LEO, everything is copacetic. If I stupidly drop my Big Mac wrapper or paper napkin above the gun, I'm now a law-breaker. Having a CHP means not having to worry about how I transport handguns.
In other words, my original motivations for having a CHP were all about convenience. As time passed, I became more and more concerned about crime in our area. It may sound exaggerated but our local authorities appear to be at a complete loss about how to take control. Their latest idea is some kinda commission to talk about what to do.
I have plenty of ideas but don't think they're interested. 
If I ever had to be arrested I would want it to be done by you.
What a great ride to the station house it would be.
Carried since the day I graduated the academy. I carry in retirement since the world is an unpredictable place.
REM 3200
US Veteran
As time passed, I became more and more concerned about crime in our area. It may sound exaggerated but our local authorities appear to be at a complete loss about how to take control. Their latest idea is some kinda commission to talk about what to do.
This seems to be the case every where.
For the OP, I've been carrying since I retired from the Army, 29+ years and counting.
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Ziggy2525
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Started carrying when random gang related/drug related violent assaults and robberies moved from the inner city to suburban areas that were previously considered safe. Only gotten worse since then.
First carry gun was a Glock 26.
First carry gun was a Glock 26.
Rastoff
US Veteran
This is not uncommon. This is not a criticism, but, have to actually presented those ideas to the commission? If you have, good for you. If you haven't, why not?It may sound exaggerated but our local authorities appear to be at a complete loss about how to take control. Their latest idea is some kinda commission to talk about what to do.
Again, not a criticism of Jeppo, but this is a huge problem today. We have most of the problems in society because we are talking about it, but not acting.
If you never ask, the answer is always no. So, go to the commission with your ideas. The worst that can happen is they say no. At least you have some avenue to bring your ideas. Too many communities don't even have that.
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Bozz10mm
US Veteran
I don't know. Maybe it was an act of defiance to the gun control movement. Right after Sandy Hook I felt like our gun rights could be taken away at any moment. That's when I got my first EDC, an XDm 45 ACP Compact. After that, I moved on to bigger things like ARs and a Mossberg 590A1. Hah, then more carry guns and a good stock of ammo.
Trooper224
Member
I started carrying when I became a cop. There are evil people doing evil things out there and it was my job to stop them. I'm no longer a cop, but evil remains.
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mrchuck
Member
I have been a LEO my whole working life, and thus have been armed the same time.
wetdog1911
Member
Same here! Was born and lived in the Miami area for 58 years. Kept a 1911 handy long before CCW happened, but got the permit soon after the law was passed.
Live in SC now and miss Miami, not at all.
Rob
Jeppo
Member
I went to a recent "public safety" meeting and was more than disappointed. There are areas of the city they've virtually given up. I'll not take an active role because I'm fortunate enough to have moved outside the city limits. While we do have to travel through and shop there, we're no longer citizens. We moved across the city limits to a neighboring county.
While still living and working there, I supervised investment in construction of a large commercial building. I insisted the lower floors have bullet-resistant glass. At the time, my colleagues were sure I'd lost my mind. Unfortunately, turns out I was a visionary.
Got my carry, yes carry, license in 1984 in NY, yes NY. Been carrying ever since.
Still have my NY license.
Still have my NY license.
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beagleye
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bears and drugs
I live on the NC TN border on a gravel road that connects the 2 states through the national forest. Bears and drugs are common in this neighborhood. Having a gun is a no brainer. Of course the bears don't mind open carry, and it is legal here, but's not my thing.
The human traffic on the road is pretty sketchy. Most folks I meet are great, but it is a road that gets used some because it's out of the way. I have met some desperate people here.
I live on the NC TN border on a gravel road that connects the 2 states through the national forest. Bears and drugs are common in this neighborhood. Having a gun is a no brainer. Of course the bears don't mind open carry, and it is legal here, but's not my thing.
The human traffic on the road is pretty sketchy. Most folks I meet are great, but it is a road that gets used some because it's out of the way. I have met some desperate people here.
I carry because I can.
First carry: M&P 40c.
Current carry: Same M&P 40c converted to .357 SIG.
First carry: M&P 40c.
Current carry: Same M&P 40c converted to .357 SIG.
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