Why I carry

[Chemsoldier]

I carry a gun. It's what I choose to do. I obey the law and pay taxes. I handle and store my guns safely. I take training and practice often. I spend more on ammo than some people spend on gasoline. I own "assault weapons" and they do terrify paper targets (the smarmy steel targets don't seem that impressed, alas). They have never been stolen or poked holes in anything they shouldn't. I compete, hunt, recreate and teach others how to use firearms. My interest in firearms led me to be a reserve law enforcement officer for a couple of years. My nation trusts me enough to possess a security clearance and to command paratroopers in Iraq. I have had a concealed carry permit for a decade and in three different states.

I am not afraid my children will get my firearms. When they are not on my person they are in safes that are armored like tanks and still let me access my firearms in seconds. I teach my daughter gun safety and there is little mystery and romance to firearms in my house.

I do not fear crime. I consider it unlikely I will be a victim of violent crime during my lifetime. Though it is worth noting most calls I went to as a reserve LEO, the victims didn't think it would happen to them either. I am not afraid. I own guns because I like them and I carry them because I feel it prudent. It would be the height of irony for a firearms enthusiast to be shot down with his guns locked in a safe.

I am terrified though, of the thought that one day I will be present when someone threatens the lives of innocents and I will not have that firearm that I have trained and prepared with for so long. It will likely not be because the perpetrator took it from me or because I was lazy and didn't bring it. It will be because my government told me I couldn't have the gun in that location. If I live through it, I will have to deal with the knowledge that others may be dead, because I was a good citizen and obeyed the law. Guilt is a mother fucker.

You see, it's not about a guaranteed outcome, I and others could die even if I have my gun, but that is not the point and never has been. We are a country that cherishes equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes. I don't ask to be protected with absolute certainty from the goblins of our society. Society can't provide that certitude and would become monstrous if it attempted to. I only ask for the ability to try.

[cheryl1]

+1 couldn't agree more

[joeinwv]

Gun = chance
No gun = no chance

I have always found a lot of benefit to the Armed Citizen section of NRA magazines. Stories of real people who stopped bad things from happening by having a firearm.

[ncjeeper]

Gun = chance
No gun = no chance

I have always found a lot of benefit to the Armed Citizen section of NRA magazines. Stories of real people who stopped bad things from happening by having a firearm.

Yep here's a story just in.
http://www.wral.com/intruder-killed-in-henderson-home-invasion/11885004/

[mike77]

Very well written and thank you. If you aren't aware Chemsoldier, I just saw this on elsewhere attributed to "a responsible gun owner".


edit to remove personal info

[Bonnieblue2A]

I carry because self-defense is a basic human right, period.

[backwoods_engineer]

Great post, Chemsoldier.

I will carry everywhere I go, mala prohibita be damned.  I will not live the rest of my life knowing I could have saved my family, if only I had disobeyed a silly misdemeanor law.

[Veritas]

AMEN!

I carry everywhere as well and for the same reason. I carry a full size Glock and spare ammo. Sometimes when I'm getting ready to walk out the door I think to myself.. Carrying all this stuff is a pain in the butt. I've been carrying concealed for about 13 years plus 10 years of military carry in the 90's and I've never so much as had a verbal confrontation with anyone. However, when I'm getting all my edc stuff together and putting it on and whining about it to myself.... I simply picture what could happen to me or my family if I should be confronted by someone who intends to harm me, my family, or the people around us. Then I sigh, and put on my gun and my extra ammo and head out the door.

These people who think we would all be better if the average citizen was not allowed to own / carry firearms are truly, truly deluded. Evil does exist. Monsters do roam the countryside and no law which prohibits violence against others or carrying of weapons by the citizenry will stop criminals who by their very nature do not obey laws. Indeed, the areas of our country in which the most violence occurrs tend to have the most restrictive gun laws (Chicago, New York, etc..). I believe gun ownership and carry is not only a right protected by our constitution, it is a responsibility we have to ourselves, our families, and our community.

And BTW... it's no coincidence that these mass murderers are selecting places which prohibit the possession / carry of weapons.

[rikkrack]

+ 1 Chemsoldier

I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

By OC it has sparked conversations about the laws in my area and feel I do my best to educate them to the best of my ability.

My kids see it, and are looking to get their own when of age. Daughter states she feels safer knowing my wife and I both carry, "it may take a police officer a little bit to get where we are. Until they get here you guys are here to protect us and anyone else around"

I carry every day despite my employere restrictions. Indiana has laws prohibiting employers from even asking about firearms if not visible. Again. I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

As things become more uncertain in the future with the economy, shrinking rights, more government involvement in our lives, I see more and more people becoming more desperate and doing more stupid things. In our area the police will no longer respond for minor burglary, harassment, vandalism, vehicle breakins, and the list goes on. For every one act they won't respond to it give the criminal element more courage to escalate it further as there are NO consequences, and THAT is exactly why I carry.

I OC as a visual deterrent. I never want to have to pull my firearm, and if seeing that I carry deters from a criminal act on my self, my family, or thoes around me. Then it did it's job without ever using.

[Saber19]

Agree with the whole thread.

My issue comes with jobs. Many companies won't allow their employees to carry weaponry into work and literally just a few days ago my job was robbed at multiple gunpoint. It is....infuriating.

[rustyknife]

Well said, I couldn't agree more. Having spent 12 years LEO I can assure you that there are way too many people out there that don't have you or your family or your neighbors best interest in mind. Along with that our founding fathers put the 2nd amendment in the constitution to help protect us from a government gone ferrel. Hence, it bothers me a great deal when I hear of rules ,legislation, fines and punishment that is intended to disarm us.