Posted on 07/01/2021 3:30:10 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
Some folks associate violent crime with certain parts of town. And, it could be that they think that if they just stay out of certain bars and pool halls that the chance of a violent encounter doesn’t exist. Clearly, they are not watching and reading the same news reports that I am.
Yes, there are certain locations and events that we just simply avoid if we have any sense at all. But it is also important to realize that violent attacks can occur anywhere at any time. That includes our nice neighborhoods, the little convenience store down on the corner or even our own homes. And we have found that our churches, movie theaters and sporting events are not completely immune, either.
It is not the obvious situations and locations that are the real danger, because we can simply avoid those. What will get you are the surprise events. Those of us who have had to deal with dangerous encounters know that they can occur at any time or place and with relatively little warning. Those are the real problems, and those are the reason that we carry a defensive firearm.
I have a friend who was given a double-action revolver for personal defense. I’m not sure he ever shot it. But, wanting to be with the in-crowd, he sold that and bought a polymer-frame, double-stack semi-automatic. He has probably never shot it, either, and he certainly hasn’t ever gotten any defensive training. The gun stays under the seat of his car or in the bottom of his bag while traveling. You can imagine how much help he will be to himself, or anyone else, should he one day be confronted with a violent attack.
Not being able to predict when violence will visit us is the reason for the defensive handgun. If we absolutely knew that we were going to have to face trouble, we’d either go the other way or arm ourselves with a rifle or shotgun. But the handgun is not a magic wand. If you don’t have it on you and know how to use it, it is absolutely useless.
Years ago, Col. Jeff Cooper said, “If you are reading this and can’t put your hand on your defensive firearm, all of your training is wasted.” I think that about covers it.
Carrying a weapon is a burden. It’s a heavy piece of metal and plastic that is cumbersome and uncomfortable, esp. on hot Florida summer days. It is, however, a burden I’ll bear if it means I have a chance to protect myself and my family against a psycho or opportunist.
True. U never know...and i live in a safe, peaceful well-armed neighborhood. (no i don’t carry all the time).
https://www.wnd.com/2014/01/detroit-police-chief-to-citizens-arm-yourselves/
James Craig is a good Mayor. No BLM burning down Detroit.
OOPS sorry...Chief of Police...where’s muh coffee. : )
I’ve had a CCW here in Texas since the early 90’s and carried a weapon ever since. We now have LTC’s which have made summer time carry much easier. It’s a rare time you won’t find me with a weapon concealed or carried open. Should you see me at that time be assured there’s a weapon close by. The LTC mad a big difference by giving the option of open carry. I’m in West Texas and it’s almost impossible to carry a full or mid sized weapon concealed during the summer. I always carry in the same place (right hip) and I always carry the same pistol. Texas going to open carry will save lives, the last thing I want is something between me and my weapon.
Kind of difficult when most employers ban it in the office.
Unless they have metal detectors and guards searching employees.
How would they know.
Well, that's my challenge. I'm a contractor for a gov't agency, and once you pass checkpoint at the entrance, personal weapons are forbidden, even if they're secured in the car. Once I got my LTC, I asked one of the agency policeman whether I'm allowed to take my gun off and secure it in the car after I park. He said no; he told me that even the agency police force are forbidden to have their personal weapons in their cars.
If I get on a contract where I'm in a SCIF outside of a checkpoint, then I can just put my gun in my car safe and go to work. But for the time being I'm checkpoint-bound and have to leave my gun at home M-F.
Once I get home Friday nights, though...
“”Carrying a weapon is a burden. It’s a heavy piece of metal and plastic that is cumbersome and uncomfortable, esp. on hot Florida summer days. “”
That’s the reason I just carry on my right hip and call it good. I carry a SIG 239 daily and it’s about as big a pistol as I want to mess with. I’ve got a SIG 365 which is quite a bit smaller and one of the few pistols one can comfortably carry in cargo style pants or shorts. I rarely wear either so it mainly stays in my desk at the office. Were I to carry a 365 I’d most likely carry a SIG 365 XL and just go ahead and carry open.
If Florida ever gets on the constitutional carry bandwagon, I’ll consider changing it up every so often. I also need to invest in a new carry weapon. I’ve been hauling around a Springfield XD40 subcom for years, and while I love .40 caliber for what it is, I feel like 9mm is a better compromise.
Come Sept. 1, this is going to happen for a lot more folks. Texas gets Constitutional Carry. Quite a few folks will be hanging a nice compact piece of iron ready to protect themselves and others.
I just read all the replies...
Obviously all male.
I am in Texas, and CHL for over 20 years.
When I get asked why I carry such big purses. I reply “So I have room for an extra magazine.”
Normally I get a strange look, but sometimes a wink. It is Texas.
Only difficult if you have metal detectors and people searching your goods.
I live in Florida and know what your talking about. I used to keep one in my car but then became scared someone would break in and steal it. When I first got my concealed I carried everywhere. Would make up a reason to go somewhere so I could carry. Then would slowly forget it. We have a ton of guns at work. I used to think I need to get a new gun to revitalize my want to carry. Just a excuse to buy a gun. Florida is not as bad as other states at least not in our area. But it only takes once. I need to stay frosty.
I do not, however, have control nor advance knowledge of who comes into my neighborhood.
Bad guys have learned how to drive and who knows?
Why do I carry a gun?
Because I’m too old to fight and too fat to run!
I did a test last summer to see how long it would take me to fetch my rifle and ammunition (stored in different locations) and load the rifle, so that it could be used to defend my home and family. Two minutes and thirteen seconds. I would be dead if it was a real emergency. My rifle is now stored loaded in an easily accessible location.
You have to do that. I carry even when I'm home. And there's always a round in the chamber.
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