Thanks I am in Maryland and have my CCW but with the new restrictions here in Maryland it makes it almost impossible to to carry with out breaking the law now.
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Good evening
Thanks for this opportunity. My name is Rafael and my mom bore me at the Womack Army Hospital in Fayetteville, NC when dad was in the 82nd Airborne (if that don’t make you American, I don’t know what else does). I’m from Chicago, now living in NW Indiana. I’m old enough to remember watching the NASA moon missions, when disco became cool and then demolished, when the internet didn’t exist and when I had a great big head of hair before my time in the Navy corrected my grooming.
I served for 3 years, did two deployments on an aircraft carrier and carried a 1911 when transporting classified material and keys during my radioman days. I was called to the ministry by God in 1983, graduated from college in preparation for pastoral work and now I am a bivocational minister. I’ve pioneered an outreach to aid victims of cultism and have helped create an HBO Max documentary on a very nasty cultic movement with members who pray for my demise. My angels walk perimeter and in faith, I laugh at their malice, even as I now CC. The final decision to take up arms was not because of them, however: it was when a horrific family tragedy involving my stepdaughter and her brutalization by a so-called “man” she lived with almost cost her life. He gets out of jail in a couple years. We will be ready if he decides to visit us again. So will she.
I serve a congregation with the church’s senior pastor and I’m fully onboard with the regrettable need to arm myself to defend myself and my church and I help lead our security team. Several of us carry and all of us ache when we hear of an assault on a faith community anywhere. My granddaughter is among the several children who we get to our children’s ministry and our little flock is a good group of down to earth people who love God, our neighbors and all humanity. The first century Christians who gave their lives as martyrs didn’t enjoy the freedom we now have and I will give my life to defend any of my flock or any one who may be threatened. I do preach, teach and minister regularly there and am thankful for that opportunity.
I have always supported gun rights, but do not closely follow the gun culture many of us here embrace. But the Westwood church tragedy in 1999 was for me a real wake up call and I knew I would some day need to carry. The churches I attended then had many who did. I’m now one of them.
I look forward to reading, lurking and posting when I can. My new 1911 is a Tizas and my wife will be getting a 9mm soon, we hope. It was gratifying and yet sobering to feel it come to life at the range today. I will do what I must to protect my people and I rely on the Holy Ghost using common sense to let me know when to lock and load. The picture below is where I fellowship and where if need be, I will indeed do what I must, as I pray, aim small and miss small. My profile pic was when I started shooting again with a friend at a club in Tennessee who loaned me his 10mm and let me set off a couple clips. I hadn’t shot in at least 17 years and I was quite happy I was able to target as I did.
Thanks for listening. I’d love to hear from other church security volunteers. Thanks.
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Welcome, thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself, great opener.
Thank you for your service 
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Greetings & welcome, James!
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Good day, Sir, welcome to the community.
Thank you so very much for your service!
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Welcome
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Greetings, all! Austin here! I’m BRAND NEW to gun ownership. Interested in all things concealed carry and self-defense for my family and me, whether at home or out and about. I am glad to have the opportunity to join such a group that will help me get trained and back me up legally if I do end up having to use my firearm in self-defense. All advice is welcome as I want to do this the right way.
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Welcome to the forums Austin!
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Greetings and welcome to the community, Austin!
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Welcome and thank you for the introduction 
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Good to be part of USCCA.
I am a retired combat vet from the Army as well as former police officer, so it goes that I have extensive training and experience. I joined to continue my education and training; I feel when it comes to weapons that there is never enough information and training. My primary reason for joining is the self-defense insurance. I live in a very liberal state and know should I ever have to employ my weapon I will get arrested and they will try to prosecute me for something, no matter the evidence.
I have been training my wife on the weapons we have; she has no training and almost no experience, so I also signed her up as my spouse. Should she ever decide to carry concealed, she would also need the insurance. And no, I wouldn’t let her carry unless I felt fully comfortable in her abilities, so we have a long way to go. Also no, my wife isn’t told what to do or not do by me, but she values what I say.
I have also found the training I’ve done so far, qualification 1, to be a refreshing reminder on the basics. Unfortunately, I live “off grid” and far away from what most would consider “civilization.” Getting to certified instructors to finish any classes/courses in-person is not logistically possible. Finishing up the qualification or any other in-person class requirements will be very hard to accomplish.
Thank you for having me and I look forward to this journey of education and coverage I truly hope to never need.
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Greetings, David. Thank you for your service and welcome to the community!
Take care & be well
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Thank you for your service and taking the time to introduce yourself.
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Thanks
I have been a member only since december.but I have always been a protector of my love one .I always wondered what would happen if I had to use deadly force one day to protect them to me and who would protect me .Then I found uscc. So now I know .My favorite gun I can’t say because I love any gun that shots well and feels good in my hands.I do have a question on ByrnaMy wife is a convicted felon and would like to check one out do you know about this gun.
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Sportsman’s Warehouse recently had events promoting it. You might want to check out a branch near you.
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There are quite a few threads about it.
Hth
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The Byrna is not quite as accurate as claimed. There is also a moderately high failure rate on the pellets (failure to explode on contact). Check out the YELP and Google reviews.
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Heya folks, I am a former Marine, ex correctional officer, a current first responder ( 911 telecommunicator ). My favorite gun is either the Mk-19 or the good ole’ .50 cal. For civilian use i prefer my S&W .40 caliber over everything else. unfortunately I don’t get the opportunity to get out and do any practical training. I became interested in self defense since mass shootings have become what they are.
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Greetings & welcome to the community, Clayton!
Thank you ever so much for your service!!
Take care & be well
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who’s Clayton?
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