Having recently moved to Florida, I was surprised at how popular and easy concealed handgun carry is in this state. Before i get dismissed as anti-gun, let me state that i am very pro gun and think everyone has the "right" to firearms. Having a pro-gun father, I was shooting all types of weapons since age 10--- i gained some proficiency in skeet shooting, but never was able to hit anything with a handgun. I own several guns so now that this is clear, let me continue-- My question is, is concealed carry on a daily basis due to being afraid? Is it irrational fear that leads to folks packing heat? Certainly, if you live in the ghetto or collect rent or are known to carry large amounts of cash-- perhaps it is reasonable-- but otherwise, I really don't see the rational reason to conceal carry or carry a handgun at all. Furthermore, I think it may be possible that by carrying, you are psychologically somehow attracting trouble-- I know that may seem far out, but there could be something to it. Rather then just keeping a low profile when thugs are lurking around, if you carry, you may be more likely to provoke or attract attention to yourself --- SO, what are the real benefits of carrying other than scaredy cats feeling like a tough guy? surf
I live in Tampa and carry. With the exception of going to the office (where it is not allowed by company policy) I carry everywhere. I am quiet, mind my own business and do not "attract conflict" as you stated simply because I carry my weapon on me. I carry it because I have seen, read about and heard about incidents where a firearm could have saved someone's life, but did not because it was not. Even if the chance is 1 in 1000 that I will encounter that situation, it is worth carrying to make sure the odds are in my favor. Additionally, I would just like to add that carrying is not sufficient. You must train with your firearm. For me, that included heavy and frequent training with firearms from friends I have based here at SOCOM.
I have a number of smoke detectors in my home. Will I likely ever need them? No. I have a few carefully placed carbon monoxide detectors in my home. Will I likely ever need them? No. I have a few fire extinguishers scattered about my home. Will I likely ever need them? No. Crimes that could be prevented or mitigated happen daily in all kinds of neighborhoods, not just ghettos. I see reports regularly and know people who had to deal with unexpected problems. These stories tend to be buried by the MSM as it doesn't forward their gun control meme but they are reported at a number of other sources. Just check with your local law enforcement and you will be shocked by what goes down every day. If you carry it's because you have decided not to be a victim and you want to be able to protect yourself and your loved ones. Simple as that, nothing complicated. It does not attract conflict since with concealed carry no one other than yourself knows. Has nothing to do with being a tough guy and everything to do with being better prepared for something bad that might happen. Is it likely? You would be surprised at the violent crime rates even in good parts of town, they don't get a free pass from the bad guys because, to quote Willie Sutton, that's where the money is. Anyway, it's a choice you make to be prepared, same as when you put up smoke detectors, own fire extinguishers, and buy insurance. "Better to have a gun and not need it, than need a gun and not have it."
When it comes to being prepared for personal safety..., your spouse's safety..., your children's safety There is no second chance Person next to you may be a serial killer..., serial rapist..., serial child molester..., or may be a drug addict looking for for money for his next fix May be someone out for kicks just searching for their next victim May be a gang banger looking to be initiated May be someone who didn't take their meds May be someone having a bad day Could be anyone off their rocker.., for any reason Afraid - not hardly Looking out for my own / my family's safety / well being - damn right RN
Thanks for the ideas. I appreciate the insight, up until now, guns for me were for hunting and sport shooting. But yeah, its better to have one with u and not need it than the opposite. Peace. surf
So for those that carry for situations where they might save a life.. Do you also carry a barrier device to give mouth to mouth CPR? Do you carry an AED to shock those in cardiac arrest? Some form of sugar to rescue diabetic lows? Nasal narcan for narcotic overdoses? What else do you carry to save lives? What else do you carry that is better to have and not need?
Not exactly apples to apples. We don't carry to save other's lives, we carry to save the lives of ourselves and our family. My wife carries an epipen for her allergic reactions, for example. If there was something else I anticipated I or my family might need, I'd carry that too. For people having heart attacks and the like, there is the EMT. The problem with a thug with a gun is that you can't wait around for the police to come save you. You have to act now.
Lots of action heroes around here, eh? If your family was in sufficient danger that you all need to carry, then why assume you'll always and automatically have the upper hand should it come to a spontaneous confrontation? If you were truly concerned about legitimate threat enough to carry to protect your family, then shouldn't you all fit your families with Kevlar vests whenever they go outside? Drawing the line at merely carrying in what you guys apparently believe to be a potentially perpetual case of clear and present danger seems...arbitrary. And what about when your kids go outside without you? Who's protecting them then with a trusty firearm? Looks like a case of locking the front door but leaving the back door wide open. The fact is, it's all about you and your romance with your guns. You speak lovingly about them. You post pictures of them. You speak reverently about them. It is clearly more than just a mere safety tool for you. It's more magical than that. It's like a yellow Lamborghini for a guy with a small dick. I don't remember the last time anyone talked so reverently about a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector or posted pictures of either, even though they're far more likely to save your life and that of your family.
Lots of Canadians chiming in lately, eh? We don't assume we'll have the upper hand when in a confrontation. But carrying a firearm makes it that much more likely. You don't like it. We get it. So don't carry (you can't anyway in Canada). But this is yet another example of Liberals trying to tell others how to live their lives. Piss off, your advice is not wanted. i think I'll go out and buy another pistol today just for this thread.