To carry or Not to carry (CCW)

[doodMAN]

i'm considering whether or not i want to start concealed carrying my XD9 and i'm trying to make an informed decision. so, i thought why not get feedback from my wonderful, fellow XD owners...

Before any of you decided to start carrying,

1. what factors did you take into consideration?
2. why did you start carrying?
3. did something convince you to start?
4. what were some of the resources (info, articles, etc...) you utilized to help make the decision?

Thanks in advance for the replies/advice!

[GFunk]

1. Where can I carry - Who will lecture me about it.
2. Because I legally could
3. Nope, just got into guns and this was the next step
4. Internet!

[So Flo]

Well, 9/11 came about and I realized I had fallen into a sheeple like trance like so many people.
I took a long, hard look at the world around me, both near and far, and realized that I will no longer be a sheeple and will endeavor to protect (to the extent that I am able) my family.
South Florida is a dangerous place, as are many other places.

I have been handling guns for many years but had gotten away from the gun culture. Now I am fully immersed into firearms and happy I am.

I did not take any classes or make any research references before doing this, I just did it. I read a lot about carry technique and also try to read as much as I can about the legal outcomes of ccw uses.

I would suggest that you consider how familiar you are with firearms and how much you want to protect you and yours, before making the decision.

Let us know what you decide to do.

[spyderman2k4]

1. When it comes down to it, am I ok with taking the life of someone trying to kill/harm me or someone else? (something everyone needs to ask, and if the answer is no, then don't carry)
2. I've always wanted to carry. I've been around guns all my life, and made the decision long before I was 21 (little over a year now)
3. Nothing convinced me to start carrying, but I had several experiences that helped me decide to start carrying absolutely as soon as I could (got my XD and carry permit less than a week after my 21st.)
4. I looked online to figure out exactly how to get a permit in my county. Other than that, no resources that really helped me make a decision or anything

[Bree]

I started to carry after some loser tried to assault me in a grocery store parking lot late one night in Florida. The threat of pepper gas backed him down. Next morning I took the 4oz can out in the yard and pressed the button and NOTHING happened. It was dead as a stone. If the assailant hadn't had been such a wuss, I would have been toast. My defense was worthless.

So I immediately went to school, got permitted, bought a .357 Magnum, and begun to carry a concealed handgun. Except for some time spent in Illinois where I could not carry and my first year and a half in NY where I could not carry, I have carried concealed ever since.

I carry at least one handgun everywhere I go except places where it is illegal for me to carry. I also carry pepper gas to keep the riff raff away. And of course I usually carry some kind of edged weapon of which I have many of different kinds and shapes. My favorites are Cold Steel Tanto knives.

Now I study self defense books and tapes and websites like this to try to stay one step ahead of those who might want to harm me or mine.

CCW is a lifestyle choice. It is a great responsibility. It is work. It is a cross you carry for CCW restricts your freedom of action. At the same time it allows you to live safer and with greater confidence. It's a trade off. You have to exercise great self-control and restraint but you get the warm fuzzy feeling that only a .45 ACP can deliver!

[GerryM]

Bree said it - CCW is a lifestyle choice.

Each person has to make the choice and decision for themselves.

Protection of myself and my family are foremost for me... I have carried for a number of years, never needed it, never asked if I was armed, no one even notices.

After a while it becomes 2nd nature, but you also need to practice with the firearm you carry and practice drawing it as well.

I know people who have had a CCW for years, but do neither of the above ... Not good.

Once you get used to carrying, you'll wonder why it took you so long to do it.

[HumbleGuy]

Originally Posted by Bree

CCW is a lifestyle choice. It is a great responsibility. It is work. It is a cross you carry for CCW restricts your freedom of action. At the same time it allows you to live safer and with greater confidence. It's a trade off. You have to exercise great self-control and restraint but you get the warm fuzzy feeling that only a .45 ACP can deliver!

Thats pretty profound. Well said.

[propellerhead]

What got me started was driving to and from the gun range to go target shooting. I was worried about getting pulled over for a traffic stop and running into the worst cop who happens to be having a bad day. Transporting a handgun would be so much simpler with a Concealed Handgun License (CHL). At first I was intimidated with the idea of carrying a pistol every where I go and having to be careful about going into forbidden land. At first it seemed more trouble than its worth.

I took it in steps. First I took the class. That gave me a good run down on the concealed carry laws in my state. I could have stopped there but I later decided to submit the application. When I got the license, again I could have stopped there. I was now covered driving to and from the range. I didn't have to carry concealed. Later I tried carrying to places I knew were legal. I kept reading thread on a local CHL forum and learned more and more about it. Now I carry almost all the time. Still not 24/7 but I'm working on it. Likewise, you can take it in steps and learn as you go. You don't have to go from nothing to being armed 24/7.

[apollosmith]

1. what factors did you take into consideration?

Be sure to check the legal factors. Can you carry at work/school? To/from work/school? Private businesses? Public gatherings? If you find that 90% of the places you are at don't allow carry, it may not be worth it to you.

Definitely consider your own commitment to it. Showing a gun and not being willing to use it may result in you getting shot by your own gun or worse. And if you do not put in the time to practice and know how to safely and accurately use your firearm, you may find yourself unable to use it when you need it - or worse yet, you'll hurt yourself or someone else. Go shooting A LOT!

2. why did you start carrying?

A gun is like an umbrella. If you have it, you won't need it. But if you don't have it, you'll be really upset (or dead) when you do need it. Carrying a gun does not entitle you to anything - it simply gives you more options when things go real bad.

3. did something convince you to start?

Probably the Trolley Square shooting and the fact that someone (off-duty police) was maybe able to limit the loss of life by engaging the shooter. And I believe it is my right to carry - and rights that are not exercised can be taken away.

4. what were some of the resources (info, articles, etc...) you utilized to help make the decision?

If you're not sure about concealed carry, go take the course. You'll learn enough in the class to decide if you want to do it for sure or not. Even if you don't do it, you'll come away a lot smarter.

[GoCodeBravo]

I'd have to say a little bit of everything that's been said, plus:

1. because a right un-excercized is a right that is forfeited - the fact that us gun-carrying types have volunteered to wear a leash, drives me nuts, but again we are law-abiding to a fault
2. because a reliable gun, in trained hands, is another option to deal with a threat (along wiith your feet to get you moving, a car, a flashlight, a knife, a decoy wad of money, etc, etc)...and can cause said threat to simply give up before any lead leaves the barrel
3. because I'm a husband, father and sole wage earner - yes, I'm insured, but I'd rather live than become a "pay-out"
4. because I refuse to be a victim - I will not ever LET SOMEONE tell me they are going to decide my fate and simply "roll over"