When did you start carrying and why?
- Thread starter sks
- Start date
- Status
I started packing in 1989 when I was in college. I started carrying a S&W 2.5 inch model 19. I sure do miss that gun. I now carry a G19. I carry because I am an independent cus. Dad always said that if you want something done right, do it yourself. I do not trust anyone to protect my and me family. This however does not preclude reliance on law enforcement when prudent.
riddleofsteel
New member
i started carrying a borrowed .45 1911 in my car right out of high school. that was back in 1974. i wore out the glovebox latch on my old Ford taking it in and out for it to ride on the seat. eventually i cut the flap off of an old army holster and crammed it down in the crack of the bench seat and covered it with a tape box. never had to use it but it was fun to shoot at dumps, signs and such.
later i started carrying a stag handled Colt Python 2" in an gator skin holster. i got it in a trade. i shot it extensively and it was my first true carry gun. it was a right hand holster so i carried it in the SOB posistion as i was a lefty. i pulled it twice, both in 1978. the first time that was all it took to defuse the situation. the second time it took two shots but luckyly no one was hurt before it was all over. the rear hood of my old ford was the only victim. one Sunday a friend offered me more money than the gun was really worth and the gun and holster was gone. always regreted that.
the next day i bought a S&W 681 police trade in that was slick as snot on glass. i bought my first left hand holster. it was a Banchi thumb brake type belt holster. that plus a 4" 681 with Pachymer grips was a BEAR to conceal. there was no CCW law in N.C. then and i had to be very careful.
within a month i bought a S&W 4006 in the new caliber .40 S&W. i bought a Kramer vertical belt scabbard for it and that started a long relationship with that holster maker. however as soon as the next summer came i sold the 681 and bought a Star Firestar in .40 S&W. i carried it in a fanny pack or in its own Kramer belt scabbard. that was the start of my carry of compact pistols. since then i have carried A75 Astras, Sig 229's, AMT DAO .400 Corbons, S&W Airweights .38 specials and lately a K40 Kahr and a MK40 Kahr. holster of choice today is the Kramer belt scabbards or Kramer pocket holster if the gun is small enough.
my conclusion is that it is hard to spend to much on a pistol or holster. but it is all to easy to spend to little. also i carry because i enjoy being armed. it is not a talisman against evil , it is a tool to help in resolving situations that may go wronng if you are not armed.
i know of two situations in which i would have shot or killed if i was not armed and several others in which the fact i was armed stopped a bad situation from turning nasty. also there was a young woman that might have been raped or worse if i had not intervened. the fact i was armed tilted the balance of power in my favor saving me and her from injury and putting her assalant to flight.
------------------
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the outcome of the vote.
Let he that hath no sword sell his garment and buy one. Luke 22-36
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. Song of Solomon 3-8
The man that can keep his head and aims carefully when the situation has gone bad and lead is flying usually wins the fight.
[This message has been edited by riddleofsteel (edited September 24, 2000).]
later i started carrying a stag handled Colt Python 2" in an gator skin holster. i got it in a trade. i shot it extensively and it was my first true carry gun. it was a right hand holster so i carried it in the SOB posistion as i was a lefty. i pulled it twice, both in 1978. the first time that was all it took to defuse the situation. the second time it took two shots but luckyly no one was hurt before it was all over. the rear hood of my old ford was the only victim. one Sunday a friend offered me more money than the gun was really worth and the gun and holster was gone. always regreted that.
the next day i bought a S&W 681 police trade in that was slick as snot on glass. i bought my first left hand holster. it was a Banchi thumb brake type belt holster. that plus a 4" 681 with Pachymer grips was a BEAR to conceal. there was no CCW law in N.C. then and i had to be very careful.
within a month i bought a S&W 4006 in the new caliber .40 S&W. i bought a Kramer vertical belt scabbard for it and that started a long relationship with that holster maker. however as soon as the next summer came i sold the 681 and bought a Star Firestar in .40 S&W. i carried it in a fanny pack or in its own Kramer belt scabbard. that was the start of my carry of compact pistols. since then i have carried A75 Astras, Sig 229's, AMT DAO .400 Corbons, S&W Airweights .38 specials and lately a K40 Kahr and a MK40 Kahr. holster of choice today is the Kramer belt scabbards or Kramer pocket holster if the gun is small enough.
my conclusion is that it is hard to spend to much on a pistol or holster. but it is all to easy to spend to little. also i carry because i enjoy being armed. it is not a talisman against evil , it is a tool to help in resolving situations that may go wronng if you are not armed.
i know of two situations in which i would have shot or killed if i was not armed and several others in which the fact i was armed stopped a bad situation from turning nasty. also there was a young woman that might have been raped or worse if i had not intervened. the fact i was armed tilted the balance of power in my favor saving me and her from injury and putting her assalant to flight.
------------------
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the outcome of the vote.
Let he that hath no sword sell his garment and buy one. Luke 22-36
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. Song of Solomon 3-8
The man that can keep his head and aims carefully when the situation has gone bad and lead is flying usually wins the fight.
[This message has been edited by riddleofsteel (edited September 24, 2000).]
12-15 years ago, can't really remember for sure. My home state, Washington, has a had shall issue law for quite a while. I got the permit because it was my right, but soon found I enjoyed carrying. It comforts me. Now I also have an Oregon permit since I live across the Columbia from Portland.
Sport, thanks for your story about the "big easy." My wife thought I was nuts for carrying illegally when we were there in January, but I didn't think so.
My state doesn't allow carry, but I started in the mid 1980's when drug dealers started setting up shop in my neighborhood and their clientele needed quick cash. After moving, I still carry, depending upon how I'm dressed (greasy from working in the garage or dress shirt) or which car I'm driving (the good one or the one without the muffler). Can't afford
$1500 to get an illegal CCW dismissed.
Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
My state doesn't allow carry, but I started in the mid 1980's when drug dealers started setting up shop in my neighborhood and their clientele needed quick cash. After moving, I still carry, depending upon how I'm dressed (greasy from working in the garage or dress shirt) or which car I'm driving (the good one or the one without the muffler). Can't afford
$1500 to get an illegal CCW dismissed.
Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
Been carrying for about 9 years....I've always liked the idea of being able to defend myself and family no matter where I go...Two incidents influenced my decision...Two Rats murdered a young SSgt from Keesler AFB at an ATM...She was married and had two children (this affected me deeply)...Also, I sometime like to night fish on the piers here on the Miss Gulf Coast...If gremlins catch you on the end of a pier, ther is no place to run...
I started carrying in 1995. I had just ETS'd from Ft Hood, and had bought a Phoenix HP-22 while I was down there. When I hit the ground in Indiana, I thought it would be a good idea to get my permit.
I like the idea of being able to defend my family and myself against the BG's of the world.
------------------
"Any world that I'm welcome to.....Is better than the one I come from"
I like the idea of being able to defend my family and myself against the BG's of the world.
------------------
"Any world that I'm welcome to.....Is better than the one I come from"
ellsworthtoohey
New member
I started carrying on June 19, 1984. That was the day I bought my first handgun, on my 21st birthday.
I was caught carrying legally in 1988 by two Arkansas State Troopers. It was legal in Arkansas to carry while traveling. I was also caught carrying illegaly in 1990 by a city police officer in Oklahoma. At the time in Oklahoma citizens were not legally permitted to carry weapons unless hunting or target shooting. The officer warned me that the practice was illegal, unloaded my gun and checked the serial number to ensure that the gun was not stolen. He then sent me and my gun on our merry way with a warning that I could go to jail if caught carrying a concealed firearm.
In April 1996, I became legal for the first time when I recieved my first CCW. Two and a half years later I had an auto accident in which the other driver was at fault. I showed my driver's liscense and CCW to the responding officer as I am required to do by state law. The officer requested that I not shoot him and showed absolutely no interest in examining my gun. He finished his reports, called for a wrecker to clean up the mess, and then sent me on my not so merry way; not so merry since I was going to have to deal with an insurance company.
I was caught carrying legally in 1988 by two Arkansas State Troopers. It was legal in Arkansas to carry while traveling. I was also caught carrying illegaly in 1990 by a city police officer in Oklahoma. At the time in Oklahoma citizens were not legally permitted to carry weapons unless hunting or target shooting. The officer warned me that the practice was illegal, unloaded my gun and checked the serial number to ensure that the gun was not stolen. He then sent me and my gun on our merry way with a warning that I could go to jail if caught carrying a concealed firearm.
In April 1996, I became legal for the first time when I recieved my first CCW. Two and a half years later I had an auto accident in which the other driver was at fault. I showed my driver's liscense and CCW to the responding officer as I am required to do by state law. The officer requested that I not shoot him and showed absolutely no interest in examining my gun. He finished his reports, called for a wrecker to clean up the mess, and then sent me on my not so merry way; not so merry since I was going to have to deal with an insurance company.
About three years ago.
If anyone is familiar with Portsmouth, VA, then I need explain no more.
I have been doing a lot more open carry of late, and find that I like it a lot. Most folks look at my gun, assume I am a cop or else I wouldn't even have it on, and then just carry on. It's sort of becoming an experiment in sociology for me as I go!
Moving to Colorado in three weeks. Will probably get my carry permit once I get there, and I may not as well. I'm sort of hard-headed about stuff like that.
If anyone is familiar with Portsmouth, VA, then I need explain no more.
I have been doing a lot more open carry of late, and find that I like it a lot. Most folks look at my gun, assume I am a cop or else I wouldn't even have it on, and then just carry on. It's sort of becoming an experiment in sociology for me as I go!
Moving to Colorado in three weeks. Will probably get my carry permit once I get there, and I may not as well. I'm sort of hard-headed about stuff like that.
I started carrying for business reasons. My S&W 442 goes w/me everywhere. I kinda feel naked w/out it, as it's just like my cell phone. I don't notice it when I have it, but feel really awkward when I *don't* have it.
I've only had to draw once. I was at a business thingy in Los Angeles. A party was going on downstairs in a condo. I was leaving to go home, but out of courtesy I went to the party for a few hours. I didn't drink as I knew I was carrying and also was in for a long drive home.
Later that night a girl collapsed in the party and some guy came out of nowhere, picked her up and carried her to the bathroom where he and her were locked inside.
I asked her friends if they knew him and they did not, so I forced myself into the bathroom where I found her unconscious in the bathtub and him standing on top of her w/pants down. He also had these very odd martial arts things on both arms. They had metal strips on the sides and came up to completely cover his hands. A blow from those would have seriously hurt.
Needless to say, I drew my weapon and ordered him out of the tub. At first he put up his fists as if to fight but after looking down my barrel sunk in, he lowered his arms and ran past me. (One thing I really like about a revolver is that besides looking down the barrel, he can also see five hollowpints pointing his way). I didn't try and stop him as she was my primary concern and more people were in the bathroom at this point. Went over to her, called paramedics.
Cops didn't really care that I had drawn my weapon or even let him run for that matter. Nobody else stopped him, I think they were in shock/disbelief at what they were seeing.
As it turns out, he had slipped "GHB" in her drink. She is fine. To this day she doesn't have a clue that I had a gun pointed at some guy on top of her. I don't think she knows I existed and I don't know/care who she was.
[This message has been edited by BarrySDCA (edited September 24, 2000).]
I've only had to draw once. I was at a business thingy in Los Angeles. A party was going on downstairs in a condo. I was leaving to go home, but out of courtesy I went to the party for a few hours. I didn't drink as I knew I was carrying and also was in for a long drive home.
Later that night a girl collapsed in the party and some guy came out of nowhere, picked her up and carried her to the bathroom where he and her were locked inside.
I asked her friends if they knew him and they did not, so I forced myself into the bathroom where I found her unconscious in the bathtub and him standing on top of her w/pants down. He also had these very odd martial arts things on both arms. They had metal strips on the sides and came up to completely cover his hands. A blow from those would have seriously hurt.
Needless to say, I drew my weapon and ordered him out of the tub. At first he put up his fists as if to fight but after looking down my barrel sunk in, he lowered his arms and ran past me. (One thing I really like about a revolver is that besides looking down the barrel, he can also see five hollowpints pointing his way). I didn't try and stop him as she was my primary concern and more people were in the bathroom at this point. Went over to her, called paramedics.
Cops didn't really care that I had drawn my weapon or even let him run for that matter. Nobody else stopped him, I think they were in shock/disbelief at what they were seeing.
As it turns out, he had slipped "GHB" in her drink. She is fine. To this day she doesn't have a clue that I had a gun pointed at some guy on top of her. I don't think she knows I existed and I don't know/care who she was.
[This message has been edited by BarrySDCA (edited September 24, 2000).]
LiquidTension
New member
I haven't started carrying yet since I'm only 20, but I will get my CWP as soon after my birthday as I can. I have only been in one situation where I would have drawn, and that was when my gf and I were attacked by a bat-swinging thug. Having nothing at my disposal save a Spyderco Delica, I felt very helpless. As I said before, I will obtain my CWP as soon after my birthday as possible and will have it with me everywhere it is legal to carry, especially at work (a small family-owned restaurant that deals only in cash that is in a so-so part of town).
jdthaddeus
New member
Like some people here, I have many stories to tell....and most have been told before, so you get the abbreviated Reader's Digest version.
I have always been a serious shooter, but never carried much up until several years ago (I started shooting and collecting very young).
Several years ago I was out with friends driving to a girlfriend’s house when we turned a corner and saw a young man run out of a car and into someone's front yard and start beating people with a baseball bat. My buddy stopped the car so we could have a look at this crazy scene. After the young large psycho beat a few people with the bat and worked his way out into the street, we tried to run him over with our car, but he dodged us on two passes. He got into his partner’s car and they sped off. We followed to get the license plate. I wrote the plate number on my hand. This was a high speed pursuit through a neigborhood, not all that bright but we were really trying to do our civil duty. And, I had, since I got the number. They turned a corner, and we followed, just about to break off pursuit (to go call the Police and report his license plate number) when they did a skid-out in the middle of the road and blocked our path. If you think this sounds like a movie scene, it felt like it too, and it gets worse. They skidded out in front of us and we had nowhere to go, so my buddy puts our car in reverse...and THE CAR STALLED!!! The word "F*CK!" came out of our mouths right about then, and the bad guy got out of his car with said bat and charged us. His partner (who was driving) also had a gun. We were trapped in the car. (I no longer mock the movies with scenes like this because I lived it: the car is stalled and won't start, and the bad guy is charging up to you with a weapon.) Keeping the story short, the whacko beat my friend into the pavement and my friend was never the same. I took some blows myself, and my martial arts saved me. They were arrested and are surely out of jail by now. Police said the bat wielder was on PCP and LSD. I didn’t have my gun that time. I would have shot him...many times...had I had the gun, and possibly have saved my friends and I serious permanent injuries. I am certain that we saved many people's lives or well-being with our actions, but I am also certain that my friends would have sustained far less permanent injuries had I had my gun and been able to stop him faster.
I decided to never be without my gun from that moment on. It was a very helpless feeling being against a large drugged psycho with a bat. That guy was like the Terminator to me right then, his eyes were wild and his body was a machine, impervious to pain and bent on my destruction. Trust me, it is no fun facing someone drugged out like that, with a bat, intent on caving your head in. You have to experience it to understand what that is like, I cannot put it into words.
The biggest thing I remember about that night is how FAST it happened! You have to be prepared, NOW, for something like that to happen. (And, this was actually a rather slow progressing event compared to others). In two minutes time I went from having fun with my friends, to getting my body beaten by a bat in the hands of a murderous psycho. These things happen very very fast.
The next time (and last time) I ever went to that neighborhood, I met up with an enemy of my friend. I had nothing to do with this personal feud, but I was there and that was enough. This enemy had a gang of 12 with him. I had two friends with me, one of which ran off and left the remaining two of us to fend for ourselves (he is no longer a friend). My remaining friend who was the target of the trouble was very anti gun at the time. (He asked previously why I carried a gun in the car, and stated that "handguns should be outlawed"). Anyway, to make a long story short, we made an escape back to my car, jumped in, and the gang surrounded our car. They started beating on it, and one started attacking me through the door as I tried to start the car. Suddenly I see the muzzle of my Glock across my nose, pointing out my door, and hear someone in a Police Officer sounding voice yell "Get the f*ck away from the car!". It was my anti gun friend! He had grabbed my gun, stuck it in the perps face, and the perp went ass over teakettle backwards to escape. I took off and we were safe. My friend is no longer anti gun. End of story (abbreviated version).
That is the difference between having a gun and not. In the first case, people were severely injured by a madman. In the second, the victims (us) got to escape unscathed, by wielding a gun.
I have had multiple situations since. One time, I slipped and did not have my gun when I got off work at 2 am and needed gas (I could not carry a gun at work). I got mugged. That was ugly. I chastised myself for letting myself slip and have since always carried a weapon even when my work says I can't, I leave it in the car. Another time, I was carjacked, but was armed and ended it immediately upon me pulling my weapon. Another time four youths tried to stab my friend and I and we drew our guns on them and they took off. The story of my life has been: when I slipped and didn’t have my gun, I got victimized. When I was on my toes and carried a weapon, I stopped crimes. The answer is obvious to me.
The far majority of the time, having a gun (and the criminal sensing it), or just drawing a gun, was ample enough to stop a crime (there are other stories where drawing the gun was not enough... but that is enough stories for now).
Guns in the hands of citizens are an excellent means of deterring crime, I am living proof.
Ps- Yes, I know, I have bad karma. Let's just say that I relate real well to FUD's and LAsur5r's stories on all these forums
. I know that some may think that "unlucky" people go looking for trouble or look like victims, but I am just the kind of person that can be walking down the street in the middle of the day in a nice neighborhood and the only carload of gangbangers in the whole 30 mile radius will somehow find me out of the crowd. Some people just have worse luck than others, in regards to these things. Other people, who have good luck in these areas cannot believe nor understand where I am coming from. My friends have had to see it firsthand to understand just how bad my luck is, in running across bad events.
Most people in America are not victims of violent crime even once in their life. I do my very best to avoid risky situations and bad areas, but my poor luck seems to single me out. My friends are amazed at how they can live in a neighborhood for years and have no problems, and I swing by and suddenly four guys try to rob us and stab us in their front yard. I am a big dude too, and carry myself with some confidence from years of training but I am not arrogant at all (aka, I don’t look like a victim and I don't look for trouble), but I sure have bad luck.
My Glock is my good luck charm.
One thing I have learned in my misfortune is that these things happen FAST (I repeat...). You will be casually enjoying your day when literaly seconds later you will be defending your life. These criminals are predators, and they stalk victims like game. They choose the time and place, and they make the ambush fast, like a cheetah from the treeline.
You have to be ready at all times or you will not be ready at all.
Sorry for the long post.
[This message has been edited by jdthaddeus (edited September 25, 2000).]
I have always been a serious shooter, but never carried much up until several years ago (I started shooting and collecting very young).
Several years ago I was out with friends driving to a girlfriend’s house when we turned a corner and saw a young man run out of a car and into someone's front yard and start beating people with a baseball bat. My buddy stopped the car so we could have a look at this crazy scene. After the young large psycho beat a few people with the bat and worked his way out into the street, we tried to run him over with our car, but he dodged us on two passes. He got into his partner’s car and they sped off. We followed to get the license plate. I wrote the plate number on my hand. This was a high speed pursuit through a neigborhood, not all that bright but we were really trying to do our civil duty. And, I had, since I got the number. They turned a corner, and we followed, just about to break off pursuit (to go call the Police and report his license plate number) when they did a skid-out in the middle of the road and blocked our path. If you think this sounds like a movie scene, it felt like it too, and it gets worse. They skidded out in front of us and we had nowhere to go, so my buddy puts our car in reverse...and THE CAR STALLED!!! The word "F*CK!" came out of our mouths right about then, and the bad guy got out of his car with said bat and charged us. His partner (who was driving) also had a gun. We were trapped in the car. (I no longer mock the movies with scenes like this because I lived it: the car is stalled and won't start, and the bad guy is charging up to you with a weapon.) Keeping the story short, the whacko beat my friend into the pavement and my friend was never the same. I took some blows myself, and my martial arts saved me. They were arrested and are surely out of jail by now. Police said the bat wielder was on PCP and LSD. I didn’t have my gun that time. I would have shot him...many times...had I had the gun, and possibly have saved my friends and I serious permanent injuries. I am certain that we saved many people's lives or well-being with our actions, but I am also certain that my friends would have sustained far less permanent injuries had I had my gun and been able to stop him faster.
I decided to never be without my gun from that moment on. It was a very helpless feeling being against a large drugged psycho with a bat. That guy was like the Terminator to me right then, his eyes were wild and his body was a machine, impervious to pain and bent on my destruction. Trust me, it is no fun facing someone drugged out like that, with a bat, intent on caving your head in. You have to experience it to understand what that is like, I cannot put it into words.
The biggest thing I remember about that night is how FAST it happened! You have to be prepared, NOW, for something like that to happen. (And, this was actually a rather slow progressing event compared to others). In two minutes time I went from having fun with my friends, to getting my body beaten by a bat in the hands of a murderous psycho. These things happen very very fast.
The next time (and last time) I ever went to that neighborhood, I met up with an enemy of my friend. I had nothing to do with this personal feud, but I was there and that was enough. This enemy had a gang of 12 with him. I had two friends with me, one of which ran off and left the remaining two of us to fend for ourselves (he is no longer a friend). My remaining friend who was the target of the trouble was very anti gun at the time. (He asked previously why I carried a gun in the car, and stated that "handguns should be outlawed"). Anyway, to make a long story short, we made an escape back to my car, jumped in, and the gang surrounded our car. They started beating on it, and one started attacking me through the door as I tried to start the car. Suddenly I see the muzzle of my Glock across my nose, pointing out my door, and hear someone in a Police Officer sounding voice yell "Get the f*ck away from the car!". It was my anti gun friend! He had grabbed my gun, stuck it in the perps face, and the perp went ass over teakettle backwards to escape. I took off and we were safe. My friend is no longer anti gun. End of story (abbreviated version).
That is the difference between having a gun and not. In the first case, people were severely injured by a madman. In the second, the victims (us) got to escape unscathed, by wielding a gun.
I have had multiple situations since. One time, I slipped and did not have my gun when I got off work at 2 am and needed gas (I could not carry a gun at work). I got mugged. That was ugly. I chastised myself for letting myself slip and have since always carried a weapon even when my work says I can't, I leave it in the car. Another time, I was carjacked, but was armed and ended it immediately upon me pulling my weapon. Another time four youths tried to stab my friend and I and we drew our guns on them and they took off. The story of my life has been: when I slipped and didn’t have my gun, I got victimized. When I was on my toes and carried a weapon, I stopped crimes. The answer is obvious to me.
The far majority of the time, having a gun (and the criminal sensing it), or just drawing a gun, was ample enough to stop a crime (there are other stories where drawing the gun was not enough... but that is enough stories for now).
Guns in the hands of citizens are an excellent means of deterring crime, I am living proof.
Ps- Yes, I know, I have bad karma. Let's just say that I relate real well to FUD's and LAsur5r's stories on all these forums
. I know that some may think that "unlucky" people go looking for trouble or look like victims, but I am just the kind of person that can be walking down the street in the middle of the day in a nice neighborhood and the only carload of gangbangers in the whole 30 mile radius will somehow find me out of the crowd. Some people just have worse luck than others, in regards to these things. Other people, who have good luck in these areas cannot believe nor understand where I am coming from. My friends have had to see it firsthand to understand just how bad my luck is, in running across bad events.Most people in America are not victims of violent crime even once in their life. I do my very best to avoid risky situations and bad areas, but my poor luck seems to single me out. My friends are amazed at how they can live in a neighborhood for years and have no problems, and I swing by and suddenly four guys try to rob us and stab us in their front yard. I am a big dude too, and carry myself with some confidence from years of training but I am not arrogant at all (aka, I don’t look like a victim and I don't look for trouble), but I sure have bad luck.
My Glock is my good luck charm.
One thing I have learned in my misfortune is that these things happen FAST (I repeat...). You will be casually enjoying your day when literaly seconds later you will be defending your life. These criminals are predators, and they stalk victims like game. They choose the time and place, and they make the ambush fast, like a cheetah from the treeline.
You have to be ready at all times or you will not be ready at all.
Sorry for the long post.
[This message has been edited by jdthaddeus (edited September 25, 2000).]
I started carrying a concealed weapon (off duty) the day I graduated from the academy (Dec 7, 1973). After playing with 2" 38s and various 380s I settled on the Lightweight Commander as my off duty, concealed carry, plaincloths weapon. Wore out three of them and decided to try Glocks. Don't like them but respect them and haven't even begun to wear one out, though I'm trying.
Words of wisdom (which I pass on to every CCW class I teach and that's over 600 people since 1994). If you don't carry a gun all the time you probably won't have one with you when you need it. BECAUSE you don't know when you are going to need it!
------------------
Dave T
PCSD Ret
AMBUSCADE
Arizona CCW and Renewal Classes
Tactical Self -defense training.
ambush@theriver.com
Words of wisdom (which I pass on to every CCW class I teach and that's over 600 people since 1994). If you don't carry a gun all the time you probably won't have one with you when you need it. BECAUSE you don't know when you are going to need it!
------------------
Dave T
PCSD Ret
AMBUSCADE
Arizona CCW and Renewal Classes
Tactical Self -defense training.
ambush@theriver.com
I had the bad luck of moving from the USSR to NY-->IL-->MN-->MN Metro...no legal carry possible in practice. Makes me feel very good, just like home (barf!)
I'd carry for the same reasons why European nobles carried: to mark their status as free persons. Personally, I think that a G21 or a 1911 in the open and a smaller backup concealed would make for a fine picture. Anyone in Minnesota coming to the Rally in October?
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Oleg "peacemonger" Volk
http://www.a-human-right.com
http://www.olegvolk.net
I'd carry for the same reasons why European nobles carried: to mark their status as free persons. Personally, I think that a G21 or a 1911 in the open and a smaller backup concealed would make for a fine picture. Anyone in Minnesota coming to the Rally in October?
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Oleg "peacemonger" Volk
http://www.a-human-right.com
http://www.olegvolk.net
Since 8/6/1998. (legally anyway).
I carry because it's my right, and my responsibility to everyone who doesn't feel comfortable carrying themselves.
Live in GA, and AL doesn't honor our CCW's. Went to Birmingham, AL in June of this year for my wife's graduation. My parents stayed in a hotel, my wife and I stayed with friends. Mid afternoon, broad daylight, a woman starts screaming outside the motel. A man is beating the CRAP out of her. She falls to the ground, and he begins to kick her violently. My mom was DOWNSTAIRS, in her van BY HERSELF, SCARED TO DEATH while Dad was upstairs procrastinating as usual. Dad finally hears the noise, runs outside and yells at the man to stop. The man continues to beat this lady while dad (60 years old, 260 pounds) has to run down the 4 flights of stairs to try and help. Other people come outside from the ground floor, and the man runs off. The woman is badly beaten, unconscious, and an ambulance is called.
My point? What if others weren't there? What if the man came at my 65 year old mother? What if Dad (who was carrying a Taurus 605 .357) had to shoot the guy before he killed the lady or my Mom? If this had happened in GA, I'm sure Dad would have yelled while pointing the .357 from the 4th floor, and that may have caused the man to stop kicking her sooner. But because he was in Alabama, he chose to keep the revolver pocketed until he ABSOLUTELY had no other choice than to protect himself or my mother. Because of the fear of prosecution, the poor woman had to get kicked a few more times.
I carry because it's my right, and my responsibility to everyone who doesn't feel comfortable carrying themselves.
Live in GA, and AL doesn't honor our CCW's. Went to Birmingham, AL in June of this year for my wife's graduation. My parents stayed in a hotel, my wife and I stayed with friends. Mid afternoon, broad daylight, a woman starts screaming outside the motel. A man is beating the CRAP out of her. She falls to the ground, and he begins to kick her violently. My mom was DOWNSTAIRS, in her van BY HERSELF, SCARED TO DEATH while Dad was upstairs procrastinating as usual. Dad finally hears the noise, runs outside and yells at the man to stop. The man continues to beat this lady while dad (60 years old, 260 pounds) has to run down the 4 flights of stairs to try and help. Other people come outside from the ground floor, and the man runs off. The woman is badly beaten, unconscious, and an ambulance is called.
My point? What if others weren't there? What if the man came at my 65 year old mother? What if Dad (who was carrying a Taurus 605 .357) had to shoot the guy before he killed the lady or my Mom? If this had happened in GA, I'm sure Dad would have yelled while pointing the .357 from the 4th floor, and that may have caused the man to stop kicking her sooner. But because he was in Alabama, he chose to keep the revolver pocketed until he ABSOLUTELY had no other choice than to protect himself or my mother. Because of the fear of prosecution, the poor woman had to get kicked a few more times.
I have only been carrying since February of this year. At first, I got my permit with the intention of not using it very often. I figured it would be nice to have it, just in case I ever felt the need to carry. I also figured that if nothing else, it would be good for statistics if just one more law abiding citizen owned a carry permit, so I got mine.
Talking to friends that shoot and lurking on boards like these soon taught me that it would be better to have a gun and not need it than to need one and not have it. I now carry everywhere I go and in my apartment...
Talking to friends that shoot and lurking on boards like these soon taught me that it would be better to have a gun and not need it than to need one and not have it. I now carry everywhere I go and in my apartment...
When I turned 21 I got my carry permit. I was the Treasurer of a local organization and since I carried large sums of money to the bank, I felt the need. I also got it because I could. My first carry gun was a S&W Mod#37 carried inside the waist. Still have the gun and holster and I still carry it from time to time Still looking for the perfect setup 
Happy Shooting
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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
Still looking for the perfect setup Happy Shooting
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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
Those last posts reminded me of an incident I had recently.
A friend who is an ex Marine and his wife went bowling with me and my friends. This gun owning ex-Marine and his wife happened to catch us strapping our guns on under our shirts and the two of them stated "it's not like you are going to get mugged at the bowling alley" with a chuckle.
I replied "well, if I knew when and where I was going to 'get mugged' I would just carry my gun on those days, or avoid the situation alltogether, but since I don't know when it will happen, I carry it always".
They gave me the blankest stare as if I just spouted amazingly profound words of wisdom that made thier brains churn. They had no reply. It is amazing to me that I had to even explain that to them. They really thought that I could somehow predict when and where I would need a gun, and should just carry it on those days (rather than just stay home?).
Ps- I notice a lot of people carry a gun because they transport large sums of money. This seems to be a very acceptable reason and many sheeple will say that is an acceptable reason to carry a gun. But, what if I want to carry a gun to protect my children? Isn't my child more valuable and worthy of protection than a bag of money? Just thinking out loud...
A friend who is an ex Marine and his wife went bowling with me and my friends. This gun owning ex-Marine and his wife happened to catch us strapping our guns on under our shirts and the two of them stated "it's not like you are going to get mugged at the bowling alley" with a chuckle.
I replied "well, if I knew when and where I was going to 'get mugged' I would just carry my gun on those days, or avoid the situation alltogether, but since I don't know when it will happen, I carry it always".
They gave me the blankest stare as if I just spouted amazingly profound words of wisdom that made thier brains churn. They had no reply. It is amazing to me that I had to even explain that to them. They really thought that I could somehow predict when and where I would need a gun, and should just carry it on those days (rather than just stay home?).
Ps- I notice a lot of people carry a gun because they transport large sums of money. This seems to be a very acceptable reason and many sheeple will say that is an acceptable reason to carry a gun. But, what if I want to carry a gun to protect my children? Isn't my child more valuable and worthy of protection than a bag of money? Just thinking out loud...
Red Bull---- Awesome PS to your post.
That was one of the most intelligent statements I have ever heard!!!!
May I use that in discussions I may get into with anti-gunners or part time carrying gun owners?
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"Any world that I'm welcome to.....Is better than the one I come from"
That was one of the most intelligent statements I have ever heard!!!!
May I use that in discussions I may get into with anti-gunners or part time carrying gun owners?
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"Any world that I'm welcome to.....Is better than the one I come from"
- Status