Do you carry a firearm for protection?

RDKirk wrote in post #15102779
No, it's not. In the military you are under arms when authorized. "Authorization" is a military thing.

Let me re-phrase it . I carry all the time. I will not be a victim and it's my right as a US Citizen.

Gordon

yep the ones that the Brady Campaign, Handgun Control Incorporated (or whatever their current name is) are brainwashing the liberal minded masses with...

are you telling me that the handguns the Poles in Warsaw used to fight their way to a rifle had no purpose? if the ONLY THING handguns are good for then why wasnt Reagan killed when John Hinckley shot him? that handgun must have failed in its mission and im sure it felt TERRIBLE about it but there was probably a nice warm cuddley liberal to pat it on the cylinder, offer it a warm beverage and say "there there..."

the entire purpose of the 2nd amendment was NOT about hunting or sporting use but to keep the government in check...

Owain Glyndwr wrote in post #15104897
you know, I'd much rather have my kit properly insured against theft than have to resort to carrying a gun and risk being shot. Besides aren't there stats that show that gun owners are more likely to be victims of crimes with their own gun than someone else's?

Feel free to find those stats since you are the one making the argument. Besides, no man has the right to violate the sanctity of another man's right to live a peaceful existence on Earth and a person should be afforded the ability to defend that right.

Owning and carrying a gun is a citizens right in the U.S.. Citizens of many other countries do not have that right and their government has assured them that it is a right they do not need.

If you think that laws or law enforcement personnel will keep you safe, then you are a fool. The laws govern the law-abiding only. Law enforcement are there to take reports and investigate in the hopes of removing a criminal from the streets after a crime has been commited.

Gun ownership and carry permits are at an all time high in the US and violent crime is at it's lowest rate in fourty years. The anti-gun crowd will never acknowlege a connection between the two but criminals will tell you there is.

I personally don't care if someone chooses not to carry a gun. That is their decision. I absolutely loathe those who feel they have a right to make that decision for me. I choose to carry because I understand what a predator is and I will not allow the day to come when I say "If only I had carried a gun, I would have been able to protect my family".

Bob

This discussion, no matter the forum, virtually always polarizes the members. Each side can sight numerous examples to support their position, and both believe they are right in their position.

I believe it is a very personal decision to carry, and one that should be given serious thought before reaching that decision. If you have doubts about if you would use a gun or not, irregardless of the circumstances, then you should not put it on your belt. Conversely, if you think everyone is a bad guy, then you shouldn't carry either.

In a prior life I carried everyday as part of my job. And while I'm retired from that occupation, I never leave the house without a weapon on my belt. As others have said, I'd rather have it with me and never need it, than need it and not have it with me.

"I spent the weekend in Aspen, Co (I know, 2 weeks too late for great fall color I was up at Maroon Bells Lake at about 5am. I was the only one there and for one of the few times since I have begun taking pictures I realized how vulnerable I was. So, my question is, how many of us carry guns when we are out by ourselves?"

I'm not trying to be a problem maker here, but, this is going nowhere at all...

Please read what the OP said in the beginning, it was not about laws, or opinions from people from countries that aren't in agreement about the laws in the U.S., that has nothing at all to do with what he asked. (Not that people in other countries don't have opinions, they should, but it shouldn't be in this thread, and actually a lot from the U.S. will argue the point to death, as it has been done a million times)
On the route that this thread is going, it will be shut down due to people's opinions about gun laws, that is not the question here.
Actually, more than likely the OP's question has already been answered, but to have it shut down because we can't act like adults is kind of embarrassing... Or should be.

Randy

I posted the following without having read Randy's comments. I know that this is a polarizing discussion, but I also believe that there can be healthy discussion without demonizing the other side. Sadly, in today's climate that is what most discussions end up in.

I really appreciate all of the thoughtful responses. To be honest, when I posted my question, I forgot that not every one who reads this message board is from the United States. It is kind of amazing the differences in opinions! I am still undecided if I will pursue a concealed weapons permit, but, I do know that I do not want to be in a situation where I feel helpless. Thanks again!

Kliphe wrote in post #15105784
I posted the following without having read Randy's comments. I know that this is a polarizing discussion, but I also believe that there can be healthy discussion without demonizing the other side. Sadly, in today's climate that is what most discussions end up in.

I really appreciate all of the thoughtful responses. To be honest, when I posted my question, I forgot that not every one who reads this message board is from the United States. It is kind of amazing the differences in opinions! I am still undecided if I will pursue a concealed weapons permit, but, I do know that I do not want to be in a situation where I feel helpless. Thanks again!

Yea, I think the gun topic is more loaded than the use of a UV filter. It would be worth getting your permit for the times you may want to bring a sidearm to the woods or the urban jungle.

gordonb wrote in post #15102764
Every time I go out of my element I carry a firearm. It's a military thing.

Gordon

It is not a military thing to carry a firearm while off duty. I have 35 years in the military and have never even thought about doing that once.

Chiefy wrote in post #15105934
It is not a military thing to carry a firearm while off duty. I have 35 years in the military and have never even thought about doing that once.

Indeed, actual military things include:

-Bringing a compass
-Carrying a good knife
-Always bringing TP and a fresh pair of socks
-And never trusting the decisions your 2nd Lieutenant makes when he says "Well the book says we should..."

Yes I do

lehmanncpa wrote in post #15103080
Better to carry and not need it, than to need it and not carry it.

+1 on this

I carry because I can...and in some of my shoots here, I sometimes park my AMG MB in the middle of nowhere, carrying gives me peace of mind, here is one of my carry's a .40 mm Glock sub compact

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Nope, I dont. I am just happy to see you!

I do but my job requires it