Curious Why some people think the way they do

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1st: mchrist80, you have no idea who I am, where I'm FROM, my experiences, or anything. So please don't let your ignorance over ride your mouth and pretend that you have a better insight on life than I do.
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Pardon my two cents but that might just be a little harsh. Again pardon me....

I have made a couple of attempts to answer your question as have others. I think I can reasonably speak for most people and say that were trying to answer the questions as we understand them.

Text doesn't give the tone of a persons voice and there arent any subtle vocal cues that we as a group could or would pick up on if we were actually sitting down at a table together.

I suspect we would get along better than you might imagine if that was possible as I also have 21 years of active military service, and I only retired two years ago.

In any case, I carry what I carry because I can and I believe it is wise too... The mileage for others may vary with there personality and taste. As for why some need full ninja gear and maybe a large number of bullets and a tank parked in back yard, who knows but so long as its legal why not...

A right unexercised is worth what? IMHO not much.

If these answers don't work for you then I don't know what else to tell you except Im not posting what I am posting to be adversarial but rather to simply participate per your posting.
 
Daryl, you're definitely looking at the original post and answering. You're there. THANK YOU. Chaz, you too seem to be following where I was going. A few others too. Unfortunately, there were many that were getting into the whole "Why do I/others carry a gun". Not once was that ever asked. And then when you get the retard answers to that question, such as: "Because I'm allowed to", "Better safe than sorry", etc... Those I prefer to simply not address. Those aren't addressing the original curiosity.

In it's simplest terms. Many people become extremists when it comes to getting a gun for defensive purposes. I'm not talking about owning guns. I own way more than I could ever use. I could arm my wife, kids, and our neighbors, and still have guns left. It's not about owning guns. It's about 2 things.

1. Once some people own a gun(s) for defensive purposes, it's like they forget all the defensive training (life experiences) they've learned throughout their life; and they put ALL their trust in the gun. I.e. Their confidence level (Because they now have a gun) apparently goes up so much, that they feel common sense and basic defensive training is no longer necessary. This is not uncommon. You can tell by a certain cocky attitude. Not all people. Most probably not most. But a noticeable amount.

2. Many of these people, now that they have a weapon(s) for defensive purposes, tend to go the route of (As Daryl would say) mall ninja and similar. You hear them speak of their 18 round magazine in their gun; 2 extra magazines when carrying; walking around the house armed; shot gun next to their bed; and of course everything is "Cocked and Locked". Again, most of these people were not born with a 1911A1 in their cradle. Teens can generally have a more dangerous life growing up compared to adults. (At least in the area and schools I went to in jersey and new york city); yet they learned how to survive without a gun most times. But when you hear many of these people talk now, with their arsenal strapped to them and in the house; it's like they forgot everything they ever learned about being safe.

I am all for owning guns. I am all for using them as a tool towards defending myself and my family. But when listening to some of these people; if they truly believe and live the way they speak, and not just trying to act cool on a forum; then many probably live a very miserable life. Always in fear. Believing that the world is coming to an end. That there's a threat around every corner. I grew up around robbery, theft, muggings, rape, race riots, gang wars, etc... Hard not to in my neighborhood. I know a lot of people, including family members, who were victims of one crime or another. I know a lot of people who have guns. But the majority of them sure hasn't gone over the top. And most still maintain their common sense. Even though they may have a gun, they still know what parts of town not to visit at certain times. They know how to drive and not put themselves into the position of being jacked. Basically, why do some people believe that now that they have a gun, they are protected and they are ready for anything that comes their way. Personally, I think they get a false sense of security. Too many Die-Hard and Lethal Weapon movies, and they think that is real life. Again, I am all for guns. All for carrying them. But the gun is just a tool. And it can't be your only tool. The greatest tool is that gray matter between your ears.
 
Very true Chris! In one post here one person who said a neighbor called him because his alarm was going off. The person who responded would have held them at gun point. DUMB!!!! Say you pull up and there is a car in the driveway. The perps come out of the house with goods. You pull your weapon and tell them to lay down. They say screw you! they pull no gun but go to get in their car. NOW WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?? Shoot them?? if you do say hi to Bubba for me in prison. Its not even your house. I would not pull my weapon unless i was ready to shoot the person who did not do exactly as i told him to do. Being a Marine with much trigger time i think they have no clue what shooting some one is all about. The threat level red, blue, green, purple crowd are just a bunch of Rambo wannabes. They have no real combat time and and its there way of playing commando.
 
As a Preachers Kid, I feel I can say this without an repercusions.
I have found that almost everyone has to have a dramatic occurance in their lives before they get religion, unless they were brought up with it. I feel that the same applies to those of us who have felt it necessary to aquire a firearm later in life as a form of protection. I personally have given it alot of thought over the last couple of years. But with the lack of ability by Law Enforcement to prevent the violence in our society along with the very real danger in losing our "Right to Bear Arms". I have felt it necessary to participate in gun ownership before that RIGHT is taken away.
 
My Second shot at answering your question

“Many of these people, now that they have a weapon(s) for defensive purposes, tend to go the route of (As Daryl would say) mall ninja and similar. You hear them speak of their 18 round magazine in their gun; 2 extra magazines when carrying; walking around the house armed; shot gun next to their bed; and of course everything is "Cocked and Locked". Again, most of these people were not born with a 1911A1 in their cradle. Teens can generally have a more dangerous life growing up compared to adults. (At least in the area and schools I went to in jersey and new york city); yet they learned how to survive without a gun most times. But when you hear many of these people talk now, with their arsenal strapped to them and in the house; it's like they forgot everything they ever learned about being safe.”

In today’s society we have been lead to believe that technology is everything, we have to have the latest and greatest. So the fixation with huge capacity magazines and accessory rails on the latest and greatest wonder pistol some marketer and gun writer convinced the public they can’t live with out. Add to this the mindset that everyone is a victim and we no longer have to be responsible for ourselves, so if I buy the latest pistol I will no longer have worry about surviving by my wits and if need my muscles all I have to do is draw my latest and greatest handgun to prove I’m capable of defending myself as long as I’m the only one who has a weapon.

Now in slightly less polite but much more direct words. It is my opinion that all to many of these people are attempting to make up for something they are lacking in their lives and manhood, and what a better way to prove to the world how tough you are than to have the biggest gun in the room.
 
old bear said:
In today’s society...how tough you are than to have the biggest gun in the room.
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I don't think that condition is just fed and attached to the concept of weapons.

I think lots of people feel unfulfilled and empty. Some fill the void with food or money. In many ways they are saying, "If I could have this one last thing, then I would be complete..."

So they finally become tougher than Chuck Norris' callouses and they still feel as empty as before. It's at this point they look inward to finally address the real problem.

But it's a secret, and I won't tell you until you start to grow gray...
 
Thank you kg, bear, and tourist. You all understand my curiosity. The world is a changing place. And in our country, we still have a very large anti-gun contingent of citizens. There are so many that want to socialize our lives economically; yet control our actions with more government control. I understand that the world can be a very scary place. But the rambo types, the mall ninjas, those who have the attitude of shooting anybody who is on their property instead of just for defensive purposes, and other extremists; only hurt the cause. I'm glad that you all understand the significance of my question.

Mr Dish; fortunately you don't sound like any of these people that I am referring to. You may have started off late in the firearm arena, but you don't seem like an extremist.

I'm fortunate to currently live in a state like Wyoming. 86% of all households have at least 1 gun. (usually much more). It's a very gun friendly place. That's also one reason crime is so low. And now; our state legislature is voting on repealing the concealed weapons permit requirement. In other words, they believe that the constitution doesn't require you to have to apply for a license in order to carry a weapon any way you want to. This is a great state. But it's hard for many states to have this attitude. And it's also hard when there's gun owners out there with an attitude. Maybe it's because some people start late and are making up for lost time. Maybe it's because in some places like my birth state of new jersey, it's so difficult to get guns that it's a major accomplishment in your life. Or maybe it's because some of us live in places where guns truly are tools. We hunt all year round. We use them against varmints. We carry them in our cars, boots, belts, in the house, etc... And maybe we've just become too accustomed to them. Anyway, I hope that pro and anti gun people can view guns with the respect they deserve, while realizing that they as individuals still have to be responsible for their own actions and choices. And a gun doesn't automatically make you safe. You make you safe. Guns are just a tool.
 
I think my response would be along the lines of Ken -Oh:

We used to be younger and more naive.

We used to be more physically capable (and of course assumed we could handle anything.) I can't run anymore

There did not used to be home invasions.

There didn't used to be the high level of violence there is today.

When I was in college, I often walked the ten blocks to the electronics parts store. That same neighborhood now is averaging a shooting per day. The city police have asked the county sheriff to provide patrols. None of that happened 40 years ago.

Also, until six years ago, it was generally illegal to carry a handgun for self defense.
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Specifically, though, when I was younger, I relied on the same set of situational awareness tools I still use (couldn't explain it as well then, . . . but I was very aware of my surroundings, . . . etc. as far back as I can remember).

I also carried a knife or blade of some sort and was known to carry it sometimes in my hand, . . . open, . . . in a pocket, . . . and even sometimes, open, in my hand, at my side, as I walked.

Nothing has really changed in MY outlook, . . . other than I have become less adept at fisticuffs and 'rasslin', . . . so I took up (when I could legally do so) packin' iron, . . .

It's no different in my outlook than takin' up dental insurance when my employer offered it.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
Very true Chris! In one post here one person who said a neighbor called him because his alarm was going off. The person who responded would have held them at gun point. DUMB!!!! Say you pull up and there is a car in the driveway. The perps come out of the house with goods. You pull your weapon and tell them to lay down. They say screw you! they pull no gun but go to get in their car. NOW WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?? Shoot them?? if you do say hi to Bubba for me in prison. Its not even your house. I would not pull my weapon unless i was ready to shoot the person who did not do exactly as i told him to do. Being a Marine with much trigger time i think they have no clue what shooting some one is all about. The threat level red, blue, green, purple crowd are just a bunch of Rambo wannabes. They have no real combat time and and its there way of playing commando.
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+1, I was going to say something but bit my tongue (so to speak) - that's a job for the cops.
 
I think I see your point. There is a lot more negative news lately and stories about defenseless victims and such. There are also numerous articles about people who were in a situation, had a gun, and were able to fend off would be attackers. The NRA magazine, First Freedom, has a section titled 'Thank God I had a Gun' or something close to that. I have a few guns, none loaded, but I reload so, there's enough ammo around to fend off a small army. I don't feel the need to keep one within arms reach. I have a friend, however, who carries a gun all the time. To hear him tell of the ordeal he goes through every night with his "home defense setup" (you know, bag, flashlight, gun, extra mags) you'd think he lives in a war zone. We're not to far from each other and yet, live in two separate worlds. I'm a service tech and work in the worst parts of Los Angeles, I keep my wits about me and have never had an issue. In short, no-one is after me. I lean to the far right of the political spectrum and fully support everyone's right to self defense but I think the threat is more perceived than factual. IMO it's the press, both sides. I'm in CA and gun owners here are generally considered some sort of evil necro/pedophile war mongers so I keep a low profile, stay out of trouble and mind my own business. I support the NRA to keep the liberals at bay, try not to read or watch too much news. I'm almost 56 and so far....this has worked for me. ;)
 
OK

A gun is just a tool. Yeah. With that, I agree. Almost all of my guns are sporting goods. The few that I rotate through as CCWs are small and, in the modern scheme of things, underpowered and/or underfed (# of rounds in the mag).

Y'know - one thing that I have never seen discussed vis-a-vis ownership of firearms and why "some" people do what they do - I believe that it may be especially true of those who did not grow up with firearms as part of their lives - one thing is the connection to "power" and control. We all yearn after power in one form or another - think of your first car and the thrill and fascination and independence (power) that it gave to you. Even a small caliber "mouse" gun, be it a .22 snubbie or a little .25 ACP semi, is quite powerful - dangerous, deadly. There is a great deal of satisfaction in being "in control" of that power (or thinking that you are), of being able to make it do what you want it to do, of being able to carry it on your person. It is a power that is seductive and which only becomes more so as caliber increases and magazine capacity climbs. (I had a 1960 VW. Lenny Fitzsimmons had a 409 - which do you think the girls liked more?)

Just as a car becomes a tool for most of us - a way to get to work, to carry food home from the store, to do many of the hum-drum tasks that make up most of our lives - so too does long familiarity with firearms change our attitude. I expect that some/many/most people referred to here will temper their attitude toward firearms as time goes by (hate those terms in a discussion like this - I haven't met enough people who fit into this discussion to be able to say "many or most". The best that I can come up with is "some" - is there a more non-specific word - which can mean almost any number more than one. Not very accurate.)
People carry what makes them comfortable. Personally, I wouldn't carry much of what I read about - and I often wonder where people go that they feel the need to be heavily armed. But....I live where I live and not where they do.
Violence - worse today? Better?
Things change. I have a home in Brooklyn, NY. When I settled into my neighborhood years ago, there was a burned out school down one block, three burned out stores on the corners of the intersection in the other direction and a family living on the fourth corner of that same intersection that provided the local crime spree. A few blocks down the street the late and legendary Joey Gallo and his gang maintained a "clubhouse" in which they kept a lion. A few blocks further was/is Red Hook - the sound of gunfire was common. "No, Danny, those are not firecrackers."
I had a car that the thieves used to practice on; it was broken into seven times. You couldn't keep a stereo radio/tape/CD player in an auto.
I had a guy follow me into my home once when I was just home from the store. Looking to rob. I ended up chasing him down the street (NOT smart). I didn't get hurt and neither did he. But that's the kind of place it was.

Since carrying is not legal in NYC, what you needed then was "street smarts" - to which CCorp referred in a number of ways - use of the grey matter. Make sure the door closes behind you. Don't go to Red hook. Take the stereo from the car. Don't park on that street with all the broken auto glass. LOOK down the street; see what is there.

FF to 2010 - the schoolhouse and the burned out buildings are all expensive coops or condos. The folk in the family are mostly dead or in jail. Joey Gallo was killed in Umberto's years ago and the clubhouse is a pharmacy. The street hasn't had auto glass on the sidewalk in years; instead there are BMWs and Lexus (Lexi?), Volvos and lots of SUVs. Not a Pick-up kind of place is Brooklyn.
Red Hook is full of artists and property values are climbing. You can walk the streets.
It isn't always worse.
Pete
 
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Lawyer Daggit said:
Obviously CCW does not (should not) place you into a situation where you will walk around looking for a fight, but it does I imagine enable one to move about with more confidence.
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I agree, and in fact, it should make you more cautious, more aware, and more willing to walk away from "trouble".

When carrying, a person should never involve themselves in conflict with another. If such a conflict goes bad, and becomes physical, there is simply no way for the armed to lose the conflict unless a gun battle ensues.

The repercussions of such an event are severe, so it's easy to "just walk away" without escalating a situation.

And IMO, anyone who isn't willing to walk away from such things, and is instead more inclined to pull a gun as a last resort after escalating the situation should not be carrying.

I carry for the simple fact that there are people in the world who, on occasion, will not allow one to walk away. Instead, their goal is to impose their (evil) will upon others, and do not take "no" for an answer.

2. Many of these people, now that they have a weapon(s) for defensive purposes, tend to go the route of (As Daryl would say) mall ninja and similar. You hear them speak of their 18 round magazine in their gun; 2 extra magazines when carrying; walking around the house armed;
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Well, at the risk of sounding like a "ninja", I do carry at home. I wear a handgun from the time I get dressed in the morning, 'till I go to bed at night. Home invasions along the border here are fairly common, and I drew on a pit bull recently that acted agressively towards me in my own yard.

But I don't own anything that holds 18 rounds. *grin*

Daryl
 
Thanks for the last page of responses. On target and definitely well thought out. Now; when you listen to friends who own guns, and many posters on the forums, see if you notice a difference with attitudes. Listen to the words they use. e.g. "I carry an extra magazine on my belt". vs "I carry an extra magazine on my weak side". Just an example. Not that certain words alone makes someone a mall ninja or extremist. It doesn't. Don't take words out of context. But listen to what you hear and read.

But the ones that truly do bother me, are the ones who when asked why they have gun, their answer is something along the line of: "Because it's my right"; "Because I'm allowed to". "Because this is America". Let's be real here. Part of being a pro-gun advocate, is educating the non-pro gunners. So, when a neighbor asks a serious question like: "Hey Fred, was wondering. Why are you always wearing a gun on your belt? Are you working for a security company? Did we get some child abuser in our neighborhood". Basically an "interested" and concerned question. Well, all is good for many people who respond. But then there's those that answer: "Because it's my constitutional right to keep and bear arms". "Because this is America". "Better safe than sorry". These answers don't help the cause at all. Especially to the anti-gun crowd. That's like talking to a muslim and quoting the bible as your source for your position. They don't read the same book as you, so using it as reasoning is stupid. You have to find something you have in common; then you can discuss the differences.

Anyway; thanks for the recent responses.
 
reasons why I carry....

because I'm 5' 4" / 160 lbs and have minimal hand to hand skills.

because drugs and users and pushers are more prevalent.

because in my state in this country it is legal.

because I spent the time and the money to have the option.

because there is evil on the street and sometimes for no
reason evil people attack innocents.

because if it were not for keeping and bearing arms in general,
I'd be most likely under British, Japanese, or German rule.

because if my daughter and I are leaving the downtown parking
garage (where her doctor practices) and we are confronted with
a mugger or pedophile, I want her to be safe and live if there
is an attack.

because aside from a knife or taser, a firearm employed by a
user in self defense with proficiency can SAVE life. my own
and possibly others.

because my father and one brother fought for this country and
sacrificed much of themselves and family time that we may
have our freedoms.

I'm proud to carry and will never stand down or shy away
from the above reasons.

I do not worry about converting or answering the anti or the
person who thinks no guns or pure pacifism means that evil
will all go away and everyone will be safe.
 
I went back and re-read the OP's concerns, and I'd like to add an observation that only applies to my outlook.

Yes, I know the world can be/will be/ or isn't a dangerous place. I also have a life to live, and I'd like to get some joy out of the wonderful aspects of living.

If I concentrated on the extreme, I don't have to imagine scenarios. Over my lifetime I can relate three examples of shots fired in anger--one of these events ended with the death of a fellow member, Lenny Stone in 1979. I could ruminate on this, fixate each nuance, apply all of the mistakes and the bravado into my own life and re-arrange every action and movement based around only the concept of survival.

I choose not to.

Numerous Presidents and foreign heads of state are killed amid the best personal protection known. Even mafia dons, they themselves trained in assassination, fall to execution by their own kind. Jealous ex-husbands routinely complete bizarre murder/suicide rampages.

But even knowing this, I refuse to strap on layers of kevlar and act like a dime-store mercenary. I have tools, I have alarms, I have insurance and I walk in yellow. At some point our first inclination must not be "the gun" but with thoughts of joy, love and fulfillment.

A know of a popular "sensei" who owns his own forum and lives each moment of his life in the constant hair-trigger consciousness of the samurai. What a pathetic waste of decades.

I'm taking a day off from the gym, and while his kind polish their nunchucks I'm going to go have a triple latte' and enjoy the wonderful aspects of existence. I've decided not to play soldier today.

And that is the curious way I think.
 
Anyway; thanks for the recent responses.
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As opposed to all of the responses. :rolleyes:

If you have a certain mindset in terms of how you just want people to agree with you instead of asking a question intended to elicit diverse viewpoints meant to better understand the query you posed, then I understand why you seem to be so discriminating and contentious in your reaction to some of the responses to your post.
Some of us just don't feel the need to go about questioning the motives and reasonings as to how or why some of our brethren decide to carry a weapon for self-defense nor prejudge them based simply on how many bullets they want on board nor condemn them by attributing some dark, deep-seated Freudian impulse to their stated reason(s) for why they carry. Frankly, it's really none of my business as to why someone chooses to carry and it would be the height of presumption for me to infer any ulterior motive to their decision to carry, what they carry, why they carry, how they carry, where they carry or when they carry. For the most part, I'm just glad that they do carry.
My thirty years of le experience doesn't necessarily count for anything when it comes to most things. But for those who believe that the criminal element in America is no worse today than it was in yesteryear, I'm afraid you haven't kept up with the radical, cultural changes this country has undergone in the past four decades or so. No one is saying that we didn't have crime (and bad crime) in the past. But what has changed is (1) a criminal justice system that has pretty much broken-down due to the sheer influx of the number of cases and the radically liberal attitudes of many so-called "activist" judges which results in many bad people being out on the streets instead of being incarcerated (2) a general societal reprieve on the part of offenders who no longer have to address personal responsibility for their evil acts but can blame others (family-or lack of same, schools, the bad crowd they hung out in, etc.) for their bad behavior and (3) illegal drug use, which has resulted in a huge increase in property-related crime and, worse, a drug-induced, crazed mind-set that has no regard for human life-they will now kill you as easy as look at you. This lack of sanctity for human life wasn't so common "back in the day."
Finally, some of you have rightly suggested that people avoid going to the wrong end of town and to steer clear of situations where it doesn't appear that the outcomes will bode well. That's great advice and should be followed whenever possible. Unfortunately, it isn't always possible for many of us.
There will always be a small number of people who tote a gun who really shouldn't have one, just as there will always be a small (well, maybe not so small :)) number of people who operate a motor vehicle every day who shouldn't even own one. And, yes, using your head is more important than having a gun. But having a gun might someday keep you from losing your head.
 
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"My thirty years of le experience doesn't necessarily count for anything when it comes to most things."

Thanks for your humility.

But realistically from what you posted, It counts a lot.

And thank you for your service.
 
I don't know if we really have activist judges or not but we lock up more people than any country but China, our number one trading pardner. So if that doesn't help, I don't know what to say.

Did you ever notice that every time we have a crime control bill go through congress, more things become illegal? Now that's liberalism, for sure. Maybe that's why we have the sheer influx of cases. Could be; maybe not. Drugs? Aren't they illegal, just like alcohol was "back in the day?" Or am I missing something? Why isn't alcohol illegal now, if drugs are so bad?
 
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