What is your answer when you are asked why do you carry a gun.

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DanimalFL

New member
When family or friends or anybody I guess ask you why you are carrying a gun what is your answer. I'm sure some of you guys have some clever answers. I usually say, Because I'm not going to be a victim. or Because I'm not going to beg some methhead to spare my life. or my favorite When Seconds Count The Police Are Only Minutes Away!!!!
 
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Quite honestly, I've never had anyone ask, flat out "Why?"

I had a good friend at church make a comment like "I can see carrying, but not at church." but then there was that shooting at the church a year or so ago, and now there's a guy who made direct (and believable) death threats against a number of our members. My friend doesn't say much anymore.;)


When I do explain it to people, I generally use the seatbelt analogy. Guns are like seatbelts. You're not likely to need it on any given day, you may very well go through your whole life without needing it, BUT if you do need it then you'd better have it "on" because, if you don't, it's already too late.
 
The reply I love most is "I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy". My father carried a gun for years and when my mother would ask him why he carried "that thing", he would tell her "it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it".
 
Firearm, Fire-Extinguishers, Condoms and Seatbelts.....

peetzakilla said:
When I do explain it to people, I generally use the seatbelt analogy. Guns are like seatbelts. You're not likely to need it on any given day, you may very well go through your whole life without needing it, BUT if you do need it then you'd better have it "on" because, if you don't, it's already too late.
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Firearm, Fire-Extinguishers, Condoms and Seatbelts.....
All along the same lines. I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
 
rjrivero said:
All along the same lines. I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
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I agree, except that I NEVER use that phrase.

"I'd rather have it...." has taken on a very strong cliche status and I've seen many people, even "gun people", roll their eyes when they hear it. It tends to come across as a macho, tough guy thing and, I think, does nothing to change minds or even promote conversation. Adding a couple of sentences with a brief explanation in real world terms is much more conducive to actually impacting the questioners thought process.
 
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I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
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While I cannot disagree, I do think this understates the real issue. If you need a gun, whether or not you have it, you or someone you love is in extreme danger. Perhaps something along the lines of:


I'd rather have it and not need it, than have my need for it be the last regret I ever have.


Of course as gun-owners we all know that if you need a gun, you need it RIGHT NOW.
 
I just show'em my teeth and say, "Cuz I'm an impotent, rage-filled psychopath".

That always seems to end the interview.
 
Ive had many people ask me WHY I carry.
Well, It can happen, you never know when it will happen. If it does happen my odds are better than if i wasnt carring.
Had a guy ask me do i carry cause im scared. Yea it scares me that a loved ones life and mine could be takken in a matter of seconds.
It may never happen, but if it does, more than likely ill be more trained and familulre with my weapon than the BG.
Almost every person that i love and care for that has never carried a firearm has told me that there is no reason to carry a gun all the time. Now allmost all of them have permit to carry and carry all the time. It wasnt very hard to convince them WHY they should carry. Because it CAN happen to you!!
 
Because when seconds count, the police are only minutes away. Ooops. I see you added that one. The fire extinguisher/ seatbelt argument is pretty good, too.
 
To answer the question directly, I REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM and BECAUSE I CAN.
I hope I never have to use it. In my area crime is high,car jackings and home invasions and the preying on the elderly such as I seems to be a daily occurance. Like those before me,I'd rather have it and not need it.:)
 
I turn it around and ask why they don't carry, do they believe bad things will never happen to them or thier loved ones? I see what we release from prison every day, great incentive to be armed.
 
Never been asked, but then I live in Texas.

I don’t really know what I’d say if I were asked. However, I don’t tell many persons that I do. Concealed is not only visual it’s oral, too.

But then some time ago I did the Wally Walk and I just knew, absolutely, that 497 persons knew I was carrying. I expected that lady who grabbed her child’s hand and rapidly exited the Canned Vegetables aisle was going to notify store security. Of course it could have been because I took down eight cans of turnip greens and one never knows what a guy needing eight cans of turnip greens is going to do.

I’m going to have to think about this because I don’t won’t to come across as a gun-nut with some long, drawn out recital of 2A and possible BGs in the parking lot just waiting to jump a helpless old man.

I do carry all the time, where permitted, because of Murphy’s Law that says the one time you leave it is the one time you’ll need it.
 
Why. Because I want to.

Just wanting to is good enough reason. But then I state that I have "pulled" mine twice in my life and was glad I could. One guy had known me all our lives and the other didn't know me at all. Both of them sobered right up and did as I said. Event over.
I travel for a living and even in the best of motels you never know what can happen. If they won't give a different room you feel safer in, leave, block payment on the credit card. For one night, pay a little more, get a room where all rooms open to an interior hallway. park close to office, in well lighted area. WATCH yourself at rest areas and quickie marts.
Safety is having good habits. Keep a good flashlight and your handgun at bedside. Do not leave guns in your car overnight, LE does not like "failing to secure", it is a crime in some states. Check CWP laws of areas you are traveling in, especially "non-friendly" states as carry is concerned

Pray and Shoot Daily
Lee Jones(Celtgun)

"A gentleman seldom has need of a pistol, but when he does he needs it very, very badly. "Winston Churchhill"
 
I'm not sure how many people have asked why I carry a gun. I was a bit affraid of that question at first, but over the last few years of carrying I learned no to.

I have a few answers for it, pretty much along the same lines as most others here. I usually give one, two or more, depending on what type of person I am talking to.

1. The same reason I wear a seatbelt. I've never needed one, but I still buckle up everytime I get in a car. I holster up everytime I put my pants on, provided I am not going where prohibited.

2. Its my right to do so. A right un-exercised is soon lost or forgotten, so I carry to remind myself of what this country really is, and of my own personal ideology.

3. There are a lot more possible situations where you wish you had one, than I would wish I didn't.


No matter what your idea of a response is, just be confident and polite with them, accepting what you can and cannot change on the matter.
 
My 18 year old daughter also shook her head when I was carrying. She did not get it. FYI we live in a very mellow suburb outside Boston where they roll the sidewalks in at night. A very sleepy, protected bedroom community.

One night we were walking in Boston and some gangbangers started some crap slightly ahead of us. She was scared by it, as she should have been. These characters were behaving erratically and in an intimidating manner. My guess is they were high on something. We crossed the street and steered clear of the nonsense, but I was watching carefully and ready to act if needed.

After we were safely away I asked her if she now understood why I carried. She understood, and said she was very glad I was armed at the time.
 
All my answers are already here except those that walk right into it:

The do you carry because you are scared and the are you paranoid. I carry a loaded gun, what do I have to be scared or paranoid about?
 
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