When we’re young, a lot of us feel indestructible. That changes as we build our families and homes. We realize how much we have to lose.
From what I hear, as we age we want to be able to defend our families and our important time. (From what I hear because I refuse to age. 
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I did not feel the need to carry, until I got older and had health issues. Also, it is a crazier world than back in my wild and wooly days. I had an incident occur, when I realized I have about 5 Seconds of run and about 30 seconds of fight, so I need an equalizer.
With age comes comfortability.
As I get older, I carry better and am more comfortable carrying more.
For example, for practice, I went out to see a friend tonight, just a 40 minute drive. Most I’ve really only carried is 2, a semi and a revolver.
This time I carried 4, G2C and P95 and 2 revolvers, 2 spare mags for each of the semi, wore a low profile plate carrier with 10x12 Class 3 hard armor under my shirt, and went to visit my friend.
Only thing that was hard was the narrow seats in my Geo Metro, between the IWB holster at the 5 o’clock position, OWB 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock for 2 spare mags, cell phone belt clip at 10 o’clock, 2 more mags 8-9 o’clock, mini revolver pocket holster, and snub nose ankle holster.
The longer I carry, the more comfortable I am at carrying more and confident about keeping it all concealed…
My friend, first thing he noticed was the vest, even though mostly concealed, he also wears a vest, but for work, I supply him with his plates… When it came to him trying to determine what I was actually carrying, he could not tell… Best he could do was guess based on what he knows of me…
If this was a year or more ago, I would have been far to nervous carrying so many at one time let alone also having extra mags on hand…
The less physically capable I become with age the more likely I’d be willing to shoot in lawful self defense rather than trying to bull my way through.
You also reach a point where you have very little left to lose the closer you are to the expected natural end of your life.
We actually are living in a safer time today in the US than most people living today have ever seen.
Violent crime rates peaked around 1997 and have fallen steadily since so that today they are at their lowest since the early to mid sixties.
It only seems like we’re living in a more dangerous country because of the 24/7 news cycle and the desire of the anti gun media to maximize coverage of every crime involving the unlawful use of a gun while burying to the greatest extent possible any story in which a good guy with a gun prevails or intercedes on behalf of others.
I do not have accurate national statistics, so I base my lifestyle around what is happening where I live, in a suburb of a major city. I moved to this suburb 14 years ago because we could see a decline in the urban neighborhood in which we lived. That old neighborhood is now crime- ridden, and I am no longer as physically capable as I was. The suburb is safe, for now, because of quality law enforcement, and diligent neighbors. Across the freeway a half mile away is the large city. The formerly affluent area close by is now 50+ years old, and the city is more than 500 officers short, and the criminals are taking advantage. Since my age makes me look like easy pickings, I have to be better prepared in the same location, than I was 20 years ago.
I live in a growing community, with that comes unfortunately more crime. There is a rise in theft here. Eventually, these will start to become violent encounters. Most of the thefts are due to drug abuse. I want to be prepared for the worse hoping the worse never happens.
I’m an old man. Well, not that old, but old. I’m old enough to move more slowly than I used to, be more careful when I get into or out of my car (physical awareness and situational awareness), yet I have better judgment than I used to. I have been carrying long enough to be comfortable with it, though I am always aware that I am carrying. I have a close friend of close to 30 years with whom I can discuss the events of the day, share concealed carry stories, and generally get less grumpy about being older. We shared our favorite photos of our wives the last time we saw each other. I’ve been married for almost 34 years, plenty long enough to see more than a few ups and downs. All of that time has given me a clear perspective on who I am protecting and why, when I carry. That’s every day and almost every time I am on the car.
Unfortunately that’s been the case with most big cities over the last forty years or so and it’s called “urban decay”.
Some of the cities are solving that with “Gentrification” which basically prices the criminal class out and pushes them into the small towns and suburbs while drawing the “monied” and more civilized back to the city centers. NYC is probably the prototype for that model.
Still something like 90% of the crime in the US comes from the 100 most populous zip codes.
@WildRose. That’s exactly what Mayor Richard M Daley who is the son of Power broker The Late Richard J Daley did in Chicago, IL. The poor souls, alcoholics, the downtrodden, also emptied out a whole lot of places like skid-row, Taylor street; And like Cabrini Green Projects, Robert Taylor Projects and had “Bids” (Wink-Wink) put out to build Half Million to Million Dollar Condos and Town Homes Then put many of criminal and displaced people out to some of the suburbs so there it is Charles the cycle of life.
Aging does change the math for all of us. Legally, disparity of force, becomes more of a factor as we age. I confess to not being the athlete I was in college and high school. I compensate by diligent situational awareness and the carrying of a weapon should it be needed. I am still pretty quick on my feet but when I go to a track and attempt to jog reality sets in. I tried to view my reflection in the mirror this morning but some old man won’t get out of the way to see myself, LOL!
That’s the truth right there 
And like you. I have had to change tactics. The run-fu isn’t working anymore, so I’m improving my gun-fu.
I didn’t see it, but I guess my adult kids did 
One of them bought a “Groupon” so we could take our FL CWP class together. It was the bare minimum training required, so not a great class, but we both got our carry permits 
When I was younger my first line of defenses was my speed. I could our run trouble. Now I’m almost 70, my knees need surgery and I can’t react as fast as I used to. So carrying is more a safety necessity than option. My number 1 priority is avoidance but I know that I am a prime target. Head on a swivel and a good bluff are very important. I walk tall, with a mission attitude and alert.
I avoid crowds and confined places. Hard to do. Church is one of my big bugaboos. The floor plan is a killing field. Malls are a no no. Public restrooms are a very short stay. Resturants always feel like trap. My side arm is a real comfort to me.
When I was younger, I hardly ever carried. Other than knives, a roll of coins, maybe a couple of collapsible batons. I thought I was twice my quick and three times my heavy. I had guns I just didn’t think I needed them.
I didn’t really start seriously carrying until my body started to fail. Then it hit me I wasn’t that guy anymore but now I had my wife and this amazing little girl to take care of and physically speaking I needed to be smarter and use tools and training to make up for my physical infirmities.
I still didn’t EDC, but my home was not a place you wanted to pick. Then 12/19/18 happened and I got real serious, real danged quick.
I can walk away from things that I couldn’t before. I came to realize words were just words. That I didn’t have to make everything a do or die stand. Most importantly, I realized I just didn’t care what anyone, except for my wife and daughter, thought of me.
The last one was to start what iffing things and being prepared. I started planning for worst case scenarios and practicing them. So I guess, I grew up.
I am changing everyday as I have aged - I grew up in nyc / took martial arts as a form of defense - only criminals and law enforcement carried - I am a lot older / slower / wiser - I have quickly evolved from owning a gun as a hobby to Confident protector .
My eyes Dawn. My damn vision is slowly going. God bless red dot tech. I can still run but a fast walker could keep up. 