Curious about carrying

Self-Defense Concealed Carry
22

I see the concept of carry every day (which I do) as a way to ensure that I keep current on my firearm and self defense skills and cognizant of the world around me. In truth, most likely, based on where I live and my personal lifestyle, I figure my odds of being victimized by criminals is about the same as being struck by lightning. But I will be ready if it happens.

I sometimes marvel at how much fear and paranoia I see on these topic boards. For some people, who live in awful places, it’s justified. For others, it’s delusion.

Honestly? One of the reasons I carry is I enjoy shooting and I am good at it. I find it relaxing. I have been carrying long enough that I hardly notice I’m doing it anymore. Hardly.

Everyday carry isn’t for everyone, nor should it be. It’s a decision that you need to come to on your own. Honest personal reflection over time will lead you to a good decision that’s right for you.

I applaud you for taking the time to realistically consider what’s best for you!

Stay safe and alive out there.

[Edit: P.S. Safety is paramount. Safety is everything. Never neglect safety and never forget that handling and owning a firearm is a grave responsibility.]

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25

Sorry you took offense to “delusional.” Maybe for you, it was a poor choice of words on my part. From my perspective, it was not.

Last year there were 19,000 victims of gun violence, making 2020 the most violent year of the past 20. Even with those “dire” statistics, an American citizen faced a one-six-thousandths of one-percent chance of being in a situation that would unquestionably justify use of your EDC. True, that’s less than the chance of getting struck by lightning, and I’ll own up to that, but I wouldn’t bank on those odds with a lottery ticket of funding my retirement…

On the other hand, during that same “violent” year, 675,000 Americans died of heart disease, 590,000 succumbed to cancer, 328,000 died of COVID, 156,000 died from strokes, and 97,000 expired due to diabetes.

Quite simply put, to me, and in my opinion, it is delusional and paranoid to believe that thugs and scofflaws are going to be the thing that ultimately sends you to your grave. Please feel free to disagree. That’s your choice.

Living in Code Yellow means paying attention to the real threats out there. Sadly, I see the majority of Americans cavalierly embracing without a second thought the real killers—fatty foods, soda pop, long commutes, driver inattention, inadequate exercise, high stress, etc.

Pay attention to your EDC for sure, but don’t forget about cardio, getting quality sleep and eating a sensible diet. Obsessing about those latter three things, statistically speaking, will go a lot farther toward adding more years to your life than obsessing over carrying every day will—again, in my opinion. But, as Americans, the choices you make are ultimately up to you.

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27

I can only imagine being one of those people and telling myself, “it couldn’t possibly happen to me.”

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I can’t imagine that. That’s why I carry. But being a crime victim isn’t what keeps me up at night…

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29

In your opinion. You’re welcome to it.

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30

FWIW, I was actually the intended victim of a violent crime once. The perpetrator chose poorly and paid dearly for his mistake. I did not have to use a weapon. Empty hands, training, and physical and mental superiority were more than adequate to end the encounter. Like I said to another guy here, being the victim of a violent crime is not something that keeps me up at night.

I can’t help but wonder how many times you have been the victim of violent crime since you seem to be peculiarly worried about it? Or is it simply a matter of conveying a sense of imminent danger to people because it’s good for your business?

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31

Happy anniversary @Enzo_T

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32

Good food for thought, appreciate different points which challenge and make us think more.

When it comes to statistics which are compelling, I might want to look at how many sources are calculating the same result and how credible they really are, such as “Americans citizen faced a one-six-thousandths of one-percent chance of being in a situation that would unquestionably justify use of your EDC”. Exactly who was measured? Where are they from? Devil in the details? All the stats in the world, but we only have one life.

Even if I found a credible source reading that statistic, I wouldn’t want to diminish or downplay “carrying”. I imagine some might be overly fearful or over do it, but I’m guessing those who do are not the majority of carriers. Maybe I missed something, I admit I didn’t read all the posts in this thread friends. I think if the pages of this “Community” are mainly about self-defense and firearms, it could come off as paranoia, but personally, I’ve never gotten that impression. I do see a lot of politics and religion - too much for my own taste, but that’s just me.

In certain areas in the U.S., and certain times of the day, I believe those percentages of violent attacks are higher. I should look it up, but when I’ve lived in those higher risk areas, been a victim, and have seen more (it changes you forever). It’s like a condom, rather have one and not need it, than need it and not have one. I sure feel a lot better “carrying” (both). Safety first.

Applaud you though for highlighting the health education, right on and easy to believe (it makes sense)! Peace.

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35

I guess 400 words counts as not falling for the bait?

What was it that Queen Gertrude said in Hamlet?

Cheers to you, too, sir!

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36

Thanks for a sober, non-emotional response.

Simply put, 19,000 victims of gun violence for 332 million American citizens. No, I didn’t roll everything in the kitchen sink in there because I don’t believe a firearm is the answer to everything in the kitchen sink.

The original topic of this thread was from a guy wondering whether he should carry every day. It’s a personal decision based on personal factors and personal opinions. I’m glad he’s giving it careful consideration.

I wish the topic would veer back to his very good question rather than getting bogged down in this sideshow of semantics. But that’s the nature of (anti)social media, isn’t it?

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37

National numbers are one thing but if you look at some hot spots in different states you have a better chance of having to use self defense than not. In my area there is some kind of crime - armed car jacking, purse snatching, shootings, armed robbery, or some kind of violent crime at least 3 to 4 times a week or more within less than a one mile radius. Unless I missed something it depends on the area you live in. I also understand that if you think your safe because you live in a secluded area I hope you are. The police are looking the other way for things like: racing motorcycles and cars all with very loud mufflers up and down the main streets in the same places every night. I asked one of the cops that shoot @ our club when he was going to retire, his answer was “ why it’s easy money cause they don’t want us to do anything anymore “ . Another out of town cop said “ it would be nice to do what we are paid to do but they will not let us “.
As long as your content about your condition I’m happy- happy for you. PS IN THE LAST 7 ± days there has been 2 shootings with one dead ( teenager ) one dead body found, stollen car attempt try ing to run some over a Woman to get away
Shot by the owner of the car, the car jacker had a gun but was unable to return fire. A woman mugged in a parking lot thrown to the ground getting a broken hip.
DID I MISS SOMETHING ???
:us::us::us:

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38

Same here where I live , the shootings are just about daily and getting closer to my area. All you hear is police runs from the time you wake up until you go to bed. I’ve lived here all my life and it’s getting where you get selective as to where you go anymore. Situational awareness is getting to be a must just about every day

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41

I never suggested that. Did you even read, or did you just come here to bully me?

Oh, I guess you just came here to bully me.

Nice try…again…

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42

Again, more projection, Dave. Google it.

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43

I’ll offer this to the discussion—

Currently open carry is illegal in CA outside of hunting season.
Our Sheriff prefers CCW holders to everyday carry, however concealed means concealed
Deputies I know tell me if they see someone with a handgun or even see evidence of a handgun(like ammo) during a traffic stop it throws a whole different light (and not a good light) on the situation.

I don’t know how it is in other states or jurisdictions, but around here if you carry, carry concealed and you’ll likely be OK. The thing is to have confidence in your efforts to conceal.

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44

I think your argument of many people far overestimating their chances of being a victim of a violent crime is valid. And there are many threats that should be receiving equal if not more effort to their prevention. However I believe the 19000 number is a gross misrepresentation of the risks.

I think the last FBI numbers I looked at from a few years ago showed that 250,000 or so people used a firearm to successfully defend themselves in whatever year I was looking at. Some studies think this number is a significant underestimate. That does not include all the people who failed to defend themselves with a firearm and suffered other physical and mental traumas short of death.

I think the average person has an 80% chance of being the victim of a violent crime during their lives? Sure for people in good neighborhoods that number is much lower thanks to the people in bad neighborhoods having a high probability of being a victim multiple times. But the chance is noticeably less than zero for most of us. And not all of us have the physical ability and training to handle bad situations without a firearm which with a little training and practice can give some of the weakest and most vulnerable people at least some chance against the most intimidating thugs.

I have almost been struck by lightning about as many times as I have been seriously threatened with violence. Which is to say several times. I carry as often as I can to protect myself from violence. I would also carry something that would protect from the slight chance of a lightning strikes if such a thing existed. Hearing the bang and seeing the flash of lightning at the same instant and having the electricity travel part way up an arm or leg is a scary thing!

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46

@Dave17 @Enzo_T @Mr.Plastic This comment thread has gotten extremely off-topic and in no way productive to helping a new member of the concealed carry community.

The constant arguing of semantics in this thread helps no one. Please continue to contribute to these posts in constructive ways so that we can help grow our community into a positive environment for all new and experienced gun owners.

While these topics that were brought up can steer to be more emotionally charged, before you reply ask yourself ‘Is this helping the conversations?’

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47

I can relate. I work in a state all week where no one can carry, but can and do carry in my home state on the weekends. While we don’t go anywhere dangerous, we’ve gotten to the age where we look like easy targets and I know I can’t scare them off or fight like I used to. I’m a long time shooter and have carried on and off for just as long.

I moved to weekend EDC about 2 years ago. What prompted me to was seeing punks preying more boldly on people and having less regard for human life than I’d ever seen among civilians. Violent crime that used to occur just in the cities was showing up more and more in rural environs. I’m not worried about me, they can have the $20 in my pocket, my free watch and the company cell phone, but if they aim their aggression at my wife or grand child I’m ventilating their cranium.

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48

So since you can’t carry in the work state do you carry some other protection that would be legal ?

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49

I dated a cop. He suggested a new carry for me. Then I hit a deer, it was still alive. I called the sheriffs office because I wasn’t armed. The deputy was not happy with me.

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