When to be a CWP "hero" and when to check your ego

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StainlessSteel215

Moderator
I'll admit when I first got my carry permit here in PA....I was much younger (23 and I'm 30 now) and a little itchy to carry it certain places because I simulated how cool the "hero" scenario would be. Thwarting a robbery in a convenience store or slowing a Columbine style massacre in a shootout.

But as others have posted on here...the laws are not very forgiving no matter if it was deemed self defense or not.....and you would have to live the rest of your life (possibly in prison) wondering if it was worth taking a life, possibly wounding a bystander, over $500 in a cash register that insurance would have repaid.

Thats the thought process of a more seasoned responsible gun owner. Ive learned that you might very well have to drop your ego in a certain situation, despite having a loaded pistol in your possession. Sometimes its just smart to let it happen as long as nobody's life is in immediate danger. Nowadays, I am more focused on simply protecting my own neck....and obviously my family and friends.

In my opinion thats the only catch-22 to states having loose concealed carry laws.....any nutjob looking to start trouble can escalate a simple situation such as road rage, etc. At that point, the "responsible" gun owner has just become the criminal.

I frequently simulate certain situations in my mind where I would try to de-escalate a situation first and do everything in my power to avoid drawing my pistol....and contemplating how far I would allow a simple fist fight situation where I wouldnt be tempted to pull it out. Carrying guns is certainly a lifestyle commitment and I think its wise to have these questions circling in our minds, so that we arent completely caught off guard in a situation and make a bad mistake.
 
Actually what drives me crazy...

Knew a guy once that went the range every week. Carried a compact.. carried a subcompact, and then a backup knife.. Was always talking about getting ready and trained for the "event".

He died of a heart attack. He focused on a bunch of what ifs and never focused on the most important thing. His health.

Some people here post about running away if at all possible. I wonder how many can actually run.. Does anyone here NOT take their health more seriousuly then the amount of firepower they carry?
 
Actually what drives me crazy...

Knew a guy once that went the range every week. Carried a compact.. carried a subcompact, and then a backup knife.. Was always talking about getting ready and trained for the "event".

He died of a heart attack. He focused on a bunch of what ifs and never focused on the most important thing. His health.

Some people here post about running away if at all possible. I wonder how many can actually run.. Does anyone here NOT take their health more seriousuly then the amount of firepower they carry?
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I quoted this in its entirety because it bears repeating.

I've lost about 45 pounds this year and made drastic diet changes. My blood pressure has dropped heavily. I did it because I realized after 5 out of 7 years of college, half a decade of sitting in a classroom had wrecked my body. I realized how absurd it was to carry an extra magazine for my LCP without even controlling my calories.
 
Be aware of your surroundings !
Avoid confrontations .Yes running or walking away is fine .
Often the best thing you can do is be a good witness.
If and when someones life is in immediate danger then you may act.

Instead of spending your money on more guns , spend it on getting the best training you can find !! You'll be amazed at what you don't know !
 
Those are very insightful posts guys. Health is certainly #1 and should be at all times. Ive begun running again in my neighborhood and light weight training on my weights in the garage.

I agree Ive seen some pretty insane posts about stockpiles and building an arsenal....and insanely detailed defense plans and I wonder how many of those folks can do a single sit-up or pull-up.

I thank you for helping me focus on health and fitness again, now excuse me while I load up my daily pill box for next week ;)
 
and contemplating how far I would allow a simple fist fight situation where I wouldn't be tempted to pull it out.
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You don't. Either you are the victim or you are a fellow combatant willingly engaged in fisticuffs. I, personally, do not feel that I should have to get the tar knocked out of me because my attacker is "unarmed"

Be aware of your surroundings !
Avoid confrontations .Yes running or walking away is fine .
Often the best thing you can do is be a good witness.
If and when someones life is in immediate danger then you may act.
Click to expand...

This is how I generally carry on while armed. Aware of surroundings, but not hyper-vigilant. If attacked for whatever reason, I will try to get away. If I cannot, I will defend myself by whatever means I have at my disposal that will keep me alive and let me go home. I am long past the age (at 28;)) and maturity level where barfights would even be a passing thought. I will fight for my life, spilled drinks can be replaced

Per your example regarding the defense of a $500 till - no way would I engage to stop a simple grab for money. If that was all the guy wanted, let the police handle it and give a good description. If the situation becomes violent and my or another's life, safety, and ability to breathe without machinery is threatened, well, that may be a different story.
 
First of all, keeping in, or getting back in decent shape should be a priority for anyone who wants to stick around a while, whether they fear a confrontation, or Medical Murphy throws you a health curveball. Im the first to admit getting back into good shape is easier said then done, since I have been trying to quit smoking for the last year, it is harder to do then to say.

Others have gave you valuable insight already, but if I may I want to bring up something I hope you will take to heart...

StainlessSteel215 said:
When to be a CWP "hero"
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Dont get me wrong, Im not trying to pick on you. I know you mentioned in your original post that you have become wiser as you have become older. To me a person trying to set out to be a "hero" is going to get in the middle of any situation trying to attain that desired status, even if the situation does not warrant interference. It also generally doesnt turn out as they planned either.

The best advice I can give, as others have already said is:

Walk or run away if possible.

Dont get dragged in to an verbal altercation that may escalate.

If possible, try to avoid situations where there is a higher chance of something happening if possible.

Be aware of your surroundings, but not be ole "Jumpy Jimmy" that wants to draw on everything.

If needed, be a good witness, instead of part of the problem.

If possible, keep a cell phone handy, and if needed/possible if something happens, notify law enforcement, and if the dispatcher asks, give them detailed descriptions, but do not put yourself in danger to do so, and also pursuing someone is generally not wise either.

Know your abilities, and try to improve them, but also keep that in mind in the rare chance Heaven forbid that you do have to defend yourself.

Simulating certain scenarios are good, but why not step out of the box for a minute. Too many people want to practice the firearms side, but neglect other things. Why not simulate being a good witness, by imagining a person, or one on TV even, and then writing down a description. If your in a use of force situation, and the suspect runs off, one of the first questions asked is??? What did the person look like, and most either dont know or have a vague discription.

I also suggest people take a communications class, like verbal judo, etc, and start using it in life. It helps not only in confrontations, but will also improve communications between you and others in life when there is a misunderstanding.

Last, but not least, understand what the law says about self defense in your area, and remember it.

Also, there is a common link to the majority of the advice above, and it is remove yourself from, or avoid a confrontation if safely possible.
 
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Great post Fishing and agreed 100%.
The title of this thread isnt accurate to my current thought process as a carrying gun owner....just using loose language to invite people to come in and weigh in with their experience.

If you re-read my full first post, you will see that although I came into gun possession maybe a bit immature, I am WORLDS apart from that mentality now. Its just a little scary that current laws ALLOW people like that who arent responsible to legally carry. Who knows what sort of damage those people who go out LOOKING for trouble are capable of....

Ill just keep the golden rule in mind which is to be observant to my surroundings at all times, and escape from any situation that I can safely.
 
Thanks StainlessSteel215,

I did go back and re-read your post, and actually read it a few times before I replied at first trying to make sure I understood. Im glad you have become more matured over time, and its something to be thankful for as well. Forgive me if I didnt convey that previously.

All the best, and enjoy the day!
 
Its just a little scary that current laws ALLOW people like that who arent responsible to legally carry.
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That's a slippery slope you're standing on with that statement. Who is to determine what someone might do or how responsible people are? What are the criteria? In some places the process of owning firearms and/or getting a CCW already costs enough that it could be considered prohibitively expensive for those with low income, how do you deal with the added costs of determining someone's worthiness to carry? If someone isn't responsible enough in your eyes to legally carry, what would indicate they're responsible enough to own a firearm in the first place? Irresponsible people don't always follow the law, what's to stop them from carrying illegally?

See where that goes?
 
I hear ya Sig believe me...there is no perfect answer and I absolutely understand that. We just have to be hopeful that every person who drops off that permit to be signed by the local sheriff has good intentions!
 
I suggest that besides thinking about it - one takes classes with significant scenario and FOF segments. That channels your thinking about being a hero.
 
Heros often fail.

People who want to be heros often get people around them killed as well.

I am very aware of my surroundings when I carry. Also very aware of my limitations.
 
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Great posts, I'm a new concealed carry permit holder (23 years old) and have also had many of the same thoughts on "being a hero." Now that I'm getting ready to carry I'm beginning to realize truly how much responsibility and self restraint it takes.

Someone had made a comment about the $500 in the register not being worth spending the rest of your life in jail. I agree, and I think for me carrying now, using your cw should be in a situation where lives are truly in danger.
 
Glad to see your eyes are FAR more open than mine were at 23 Budha (when I also got my carry permit). And I'm the one who made the $500 register comment....its not worth spending years in prison, possibly harming others or yourself over such a thing. Be smart and be safe....
 
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