How do you answer the "Why do you carry" question?

[mjbskwim]

Yeah so the police are not obligated to protect you,just come write a report on the mess afterwards.
And they're just minutes away

 

[madmax]

its my right! I have a right to defend myself! This is not a utopian world, even know the left would like to think it is. crime is every were. there will always be crime.

its just that simple

 

[duane black]

Just curious how everyone else answers the "Why do you carry a gun" question. The first time I was ever asked I never really thought about it before so I didn't really have an answer other than "because I can". How do you guys answer that question? Smart *** responses would also be appreciated.

I carry because I take responsibility for my own safety as well as my family. Why would I put that in some complete strangers hands ?

I also , coming from a family of cops, have heard stories of violence directly and indirectly my entire life. Law Enforcement is rarely if ever there to intervene in a violent confrontation. This is a indisputable fact lost on most people whom fear guns. So if they are not going to protect me, who is ?

I also have read the " strange things found in the woods " thread on this site and will never go into the PNW woods again without a gun, maybe 2 guns, maybe 2 guns and a friend with a gun.

 

[DireWolf]

When someone asks me why I carry a handgun, I usually answer with a question: "I carry a handgun?" or sometimes I flat-out deny it."

Exactly.

If you're having this discussion with people throughout the day, you're doing it wrong.

 

[duane black]

Exactly.

If you're having this discussion with people throughout the day, you're doing it wrong.

touche

 

[bikejunkie]

I carry a pistol for the same reasons I have insurance on my car and home. One just never knows when something awful is going to happen and I want to do my best to protect myself and my family. Most likely Ill never draw my pistol outside of practice, but it doesn't change the fact that some day I might need it

 

[Rooster2713]

Why would anyone ask?

Seems to me there should be no reason anyone should know.

Open carry.

 

[HahnsXD]

When a West Linn cop asked me, I told him the old standard "I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it".

 

[DireWolf]

Open carry.

In that case, "I'm trying to make a quasi-political statement of some sort. Not quite sure what."

Based on your OP, you haven't thought about it enough to do it.

 

[Mr. Ben]

Because I take full responsibility for my own personal security, and that of my family.
And, because The Supreme Court has said that the police are under no obligation to protect me, or anyone else. And, even if they did, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

That's my answer, couldn't have said that better myself.

 

[just dan]

easy: i don't.
i doubt there's more than 3 or 4 people who know me in person that know i carry... or even suspect that i do.

 

[Kruel J]

^^^Agreed. As a matter of fact, I've been trying to convince a friend of mine to NOT carry. His reasons are just not what I would like to hear. I think he is about being "cool and tough" while carrying. I'm almost 40 and have had a CWP since I was 21. I find nothing tough or cool about carrying. To be quite honest, I find it uncomfortable while driving.

 

[Rooster2713]

Great answers. Thanks guys.

 

[oknow]

easy: i don't.
i doubt there's more than 3 or 4 people who know me in person that know i carry... or even suspect that i do.

+1 same here. no one has ever asked.

 

[RicInOR]

Because ...

<broken link removed>

" An [suspect] with an arsenal of loaded guns was prevented from opening fire on churchgoers only because he accidentally shot himself in the leg, French officials said Wednesday. "

... when seconds matter the police are just minutes away. And you can't count on luck to protect you.



And, French gun laws overview:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_gun_laws_by_nation#France

 

[Capn Jack]

" An [suspect] with an arsenal of loaded guns was prevented from opening fire on churchgoers only because he accidentally shot himself in the leg, French officials said Wednesday. "

Murphy strikes again.....

 

[Riot]

Any-hoot...to answer the question I guess you have to ask the asker a few questions.

Do you have a spare tire in your car? Why? Do you expect to have a flat tire, or do you except that being prepared for a flat tire is better than being dependant upon someone else to help you? That's why I carry a gun.

If they don't have a spare tire then they'll never understand your mentality...ever. Mainly because they believe that someone at all times will be there to help them, so they do not need to prepare for anything.

 

[etrain16]

Any-hoot...to answer the question I guess you have to ask the asker a few questions.

Do you have a spare tire in your car? Why? Do you expect to have a flat tire, or do you except that being prepared for a flat tire is better than being dependant upon someone else to help you? That's why I carry a gun.

If they don't have a spare tire then they'll never understand your mentality...ever. Mainly because they believe that someone at all times will be there to help them, so they do not need to prepare for anything.

Exactly. I also like to add:

* Do you lock your doors at night? Dead-bolt them? Why? Are you expecting to be robbed? What are you afraid of? The police are just a phone call away. Same question extends to locking the doors on your car(s).
* Do you wear your seatbelt? Would you if it wasn't the law? Why? Are you expecting to be in a car accident? What are you afraid of?
* Do you own a fire extinguisher? Why? Are you expecting to have a fire? Do you have some fantasy to become a fireman?
* Do you walk around the Eastbank Esplanade in Portland in the middle of the night alone? Why not?

Though I've had this conversation with few people in person, I've had it with folks online. In person, it's concealed, and I prefer to keep it that way. The few people that know are people I'm close to and already know my reasons, and don't question them.

As easy as it can be to come up with a challenge to their flawed 'logic', most have already made up their minds that you're nothing more than a freaked-out cowboy/soldier/cop wannabe who can't wait to shoot the first guy that looks cross-eyed at you. Of course, the very fact that this doesn't happen all over the country every day should be obvious to your point, but they really don't care.

 

[Deebow]

It is always force versus reason.

If I can match the force of criminals or tyrannical government (one in the same?) then all you have left to deal with me is reason.

 

[bakersman345]

The people I know that know I conceal are pro 2a the other people I deal with regularly have no idea i have a gun on my person. I am however a preachy douche so I'm always going on about so.ething.

If someone The answer I give is another question
"why not?" Then explain that its my right to protect my self and that police are to heavy and expensive to carry around.


i explain im not looking for trouble but sometimes things happen. Dogs can attack you, people can assault you, someone can open fire in a mall etc.

then i ask "why do people have fire extinguisher? Do you have one?" The same logic applies to a firearm. Fire fighters aren't always near by and you hope you never have to use it.

a gun is like a insurance policy or a spare tire in the trunk. Its just a tool to be prepared for the worst.