Own, shoot, but don't carry

Living in IL I can't carry at all while in this state (at least right now) but with my Utah and my non-resident PA permit I can carry when I travel to most adjacent states (WI, IN, IA, MO but not Michigan). I think carrying has to become a habit so that you don't feel conspicuous or overly self conscious of having a gun with you. I don't get to carry enough to yet reach that level of comfort. So I have only carried intermittently and usually only when making a significant road trip. I think that when we get concealed carry in IL I will carry daily, but that remains to be seen. Although I want to carry for that "just in case" situation, I must admit that despite being a senior citizen I have never actually been in a situation where I thought "Oh s***, I wish I had a gun with me". I wonder if some who carry do so for awhile, and then when some time has gone by and they have not needed a firearm, the hassle of carrying causes them to just stop doing so. Just speculating.
 
I intend to carry once it becomes legal to do so in my state (Illinois). For the time being, I will do what I can to prepare myself for taking on that responsibility. I've always approached firearms/shooting not so much as a playfull hobby, but as a necessary life-skill. As far as I'm concerned, becoming familiar with firearms is as important as getting a driver's license. Furthermore, as a parent I feel it is necessary to prepare myself as best i can for the job of protecting my family.
 
I own guns, shoot about once a month or so, and do not carry.

It's mostly due to circumstances; I work about 45 hours a week, no guns allowed, am a full time college student, no guns allowed, and I have a 1 year old who uses me as a jungle gym, which probably woulndt be a problem given a good holster, but not worth taking the chance.

Also, quite frankly, I don't have the at least $700-800 bucks to lay out for a gun, license and carry system. (I have only one pistol: a 10 inch barrel Ruger Mk II target model.)

Truthfully, I doubt I will ever carry 24/7. I just don't know that I could make the time commitment. Also, I frequently go to so many places which prohibit carry it would end up as a car gun anyway...
 
Been shooting most of my life I'm 43 and I'll probably never carry. I have no problem with people who carry it's just not for me.
 
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