To Carry or Not To Carry

[junk_yard]

I have a concealed weapons permit... no big deal... and I do own several hand guns and enjoy shooting at my local range on a regular basis. Recently I have been considering carrying a concealed 9mm S & W Shield just because I can. Any thoughts from all you gun nuts out there? Pros or Cons? Does anyone dislike the Shield? and if so, why?

 

[Not Normal]

I'm curious to know why you sought out and got the conceal and carry permit?

 

[greentractor]

Not sure his reason, I got mine, even though I don't even own a handgun just to have, and because I figured it would only get harder to get in the future. Probably will never use it, as rifles/shotguns is all I own and have interest in, but at some point in time they will quit letting you apply for concealed

 

[Liar]

You can also carry around a small hamster, a jar of marmite and a Playstation 3 controller.

"Because I can" is a pretty silly reason to do things.

 

[Que]

Not sure his reason, I got mine, even though I don't even own a handgun just to have, and because I figured it would only get harder to get in the future. Probably will never use it, as rifles/shotguns is all I own and have interest in, but at some point in time they will quit letting you apply for concealed

Except in my state where they used to require one but have since quit making you apply for concealed.

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This is a complex question. It depends on you, it depends on your environment and it depends on when.

There is a difference, too, between carrying on you and carrying it around. In actual carry you have to think about getting a rig of some kind, becoming comfortable with it, and learning to draw and shoot safely so as to not emasculate yourself. Which would defeat the point, no?

If you have a permit, and you have a secure vault attached in your vehicle you might do that.

You have to run through all the possibilities in your head and think about your temperament as well. When armed you cannot get into any physical confrontation at all, unless and until it's appropriate to kill someone. you can't go to the ground with someone and have a pistol within reach.

Additionally, when would you be willing to take someones life? Would you only be willing to do so from a moment of last resort? If you walked in on an armed robbery would you be willing to shoot? Could you live with that, or not?

Could you live with being proximate to an incident and hesitating? The what ifs if you chose to withdraw as opposed to intervene?

Are you ready to be second guessed by a prosecutor, a jury, your neighbors, your family, and the liberals on the board here if it makes the papers?

Can you live with it? Would it keep you up nights.

Until you have thought about those things... and any other scenario you can think of... for a good long while, I wouldn't

Keep in mind pulling out the gun to get someone to back off is not an option. You pull it with intent to kill or you leave it concealed. You don't want a brandishing charge after he ditches the knife or club and claims he never even said boo to you.

Most of that is less of a concern in your own home.

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If you do carry, I'd skip it and leave it in the truck most of the time unless I perceived a heightened risk for some reason. Even then, what is making you think that, is it valid? If it is, can you not just withdraw? Go somewhere else, come back another time?

I travel some lonely roads. Often after I pass a car I won't see another for a half hour or so. Rest-stops, often I am the only one. I'll grab forty winks at times. If a situation doesn't feel right I am not hanging around because I am armed, I'm getting on to the next rest-stop, pulling into a small town, or whatever.

I travel low key. Older modest car, older truck. I make an unlikely carjack victim. I'm alert. I also avoid (mostly) being in sketchy areas at the highest risk times.

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The gun is fine. Probably a good to better than good choice for carry. I think it operates like a sig P226. In your case you don't likely want to carry a round in the chamber, so you have to rack it anyway. If you do carry a round (not advised) , hammer down, your first pull is double action the next rounds are single action, semi-auto.

Compact, lightweight concealable..

Serious gun nuts don't like the 9 because poor stopping power but in most cases a guy that didn't know you brought the gun to the gun fight, (or gun and knife fight) is going to be deterred with 4-5 rounds. .40 cal or .45acp is better but not as concealable, and not as many rounds as you're double stack.

 

[greentractor]

You can also carry around a small hamster, a jar of marmite and a Playstation 3 controller.

"Because I can" is a pretty silly reason to do things.

Not really, I got the license "because I can" however I don't use it, I don't even own a handgun, but if circumstances did change I kept that option open, not real sure what part of that has you bent outta shape

 

[dolf]

Not really, I got the license "because I can" however I don't use it, I don't even own a handgun, but if circumstances did change I kept that option open, not real sure what part of that has you bent outta shape

I think he was replying to the OP, who wanted to carry a gun around 'because I can', rather than you having a piece of paper that says you're allowed to.

 

[greentractor]

Got ya, my mistake

 

[Liar]

Not really, I got the license "because I can" however I don't use it, I don't even own a handgun, but if circumstances did change I kept that option open, not real sure what part of that has you bent outta shape

None at all. Having the option to do things is always a positive. I'm all in favor 8f the right to own and carry weapons. Doesn't mean I can't question those who do it willy-nilly. You seem to base your desicion to carry, or not to, on if it's neccesary. Sounds like good, mature resoning to me.

 

[greeneyedvirgin]

I too have my CHL. I drive the interstate a lot and you never know who is out there. I went on a road trip to Vegas, spotted a Nevada State Officer and informed him I was carrying and before I could say anything else, he said, "good for you."

A gun is for protection and I was taught the proper way to use the gun, by a retired Marine mind you. And I was also taught that if you pull it out, you better intend on using it and when you shoot, you shoot to kill. If my life is threatened or anyone of my family members, I will use deadly force.

I also have a rifle. I don't "display" that in my truck with a gun rack, it has its case and I only take it out when I go target shooting at the local range.

The only ones that know I carry are my family and the police in town, and the officers are happy that I do because they know I will only use it if my life is in danger.

We have the right to bear arms, and the only way anyone is going to get my guns is when they pry them out of my cold, dead fingers.

 

[Que]

I too have my CHL. I drive the interstate a lot and you never know who is out there. I went on a road trip to Vegas, spotted a Nevada State Officer and informed him I was carrying and before I could say anything else, he said, "good for you."

A gun is for protection and I was taught the proper way to use the gun, by a retired Marine mind you. And I was also taught that if you pull it out, you better intend on using it and when you shoot, you shoot to kill. If my life is threatened or anyone of my family members, I will use deadly force.

I also have a rifle. I don't "display" that in my truck with a gun rack, it has its case and I only take it out when I go target shooting at the local range.

The only ones that know I carry are my family and the police in town, and the officers are happy that I do because they know I will only use it if my life is in danger.

We have the right to bear arms, and the only way anyone is going to get my guns is when they pry them out of my cold, dead fingers.

Oh stop.

You are giving my pistol grip a woodie.

 

[Wat_Tyler]

I hate the idea of applying for a carry permit because it looks like I am asking permission and paying a fee to do what I have the right to do.


In actuality, I applied and paid the fee.


In practice, I generally don't carry.


But I can . . . .

 

[cowslinger64]

I'm not anti-gun, and have no problem with people owning guns. I do have a problem with someone wearing them openly in places they shouldn't. I don't wanna sit next to a guy in a restaurant with one, or next to someone in the movies, or Target.. IMO people have no business bringing guns into those places. keep it in your car for protection if you really need it, otherwise IMO it's just a sideshow for the fact that you have a small dick.

 

[Wat_Tyler]

Open carry seems so unnecessary.


Unnecessarily provocative.


Keep it under cover - it makes more sense.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I don't carry, but at the same time, I am not adverse to taking a gun with me or other people carrying.


The only people that I see getting really passionate about the issue are those who want all guns banned and they get right feisty with the name-calling and ascription...

 

[about_average]

I'm not anti-gun, and have no problem with people owning guns. I do have a problem with someone wearing them openly in places they shouldn't. I don't wanna sit next to a guy in a restaurant with one, or next to someone in the movies, or Target.. IMO people have no business bringing guns into those places. keep it in your car for protection if you really need it, otherwise IMO it's just a sideshow for the fact that you have a small dick.

Bad guys don't always wait until someone gets in their car to make their move.

Personally I think open carry is kinda stupid. One, for people like you who get upset when they see someone with a gun. Secondly, if someone is seriously intent on doing harm it makes the open carry person target #1.

As for the OP, Query pretty much covered it. The only thing I'd add is look in to joining your local IDPA to get more skilled. Self defense typically isn't standing still shooting at a stationary target.

 

[Wat_Tyler]

Whutcha skeert of???


I haz mah .45, so . . . purdy much nuthin'.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Maybe he has a flap-holster...

 

[cowslinger64]

I don't carry, but at the same time, I am not adverse to taking a gun with me or other people carrying.


The only people that I see getting really passionate about the issue are those who want all guns banned and they get right feisty with the name-calling and ascription...

Of course you're wrong, yet again.

Not passionate about it to the extent you wanna make it out to be.. I said RIGHT THERE I wasn't anti=gun... wasn't feisty. I will own the small dick comment, not surprised you'd focus on that... you must have one.

Bad guys don't always wait until someone gets in their car to make their move.

Personally I think open carry is kinda stupid. One, for people like you who get upset when they see someone with a gun. Secondly, if someone is seriously intent on doing harm it makes the open carry person target #1.

Why does it have to be me upset? The problem I have is, I do not know that person or what they are capable of, yanno? Too many incidents of situations escalating because someone had a gun. Just a month ago near here an old guy and a guy on the way to pick up his kids at school got into some road rage. The old man stopped at a light, and foolishly the other guy got out of the car and walked up to the car with his hands up to ask what his problem was... bam, right in the face, the old man shoots and kills.

If you feel the need to go into a dangerous area to shop at Target, FIND ANOTHER ONE.


THAT, is my point.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

If you're on ignore, and you know you're on ignore, how can you them mount such an impassioned defense over a comment that could in have no way been aimed in your direction without realizing that it would be indirect proof of my contention?



Some mornings, I actually feel sorry for the fish in the barrel...

Fremdschämen

 

[Amberchgo]

I have a concealed weapons permit... no big deal... and I do own several hand guns and enjoy shooting at my local range on a regular basis. Recently I have been considering carrying a concealed 9mm S & W Shield just because I can. Any thoughts from all you gun nuts out there? Pros or Cons? Does anyone dislike the Shield? and if so, why?

Gun Digest magazine is a better resource when comparing guns to use for CCW. Personally, I like the S&W Bodyguard since one would not have to worry about the safety.

 

[Ishmael]

.45ACP. If you're going to do something, use the right tool.

Ishmael

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Do you feel lucky punk?

 

[cowslinger64]

If you're on ignore, and you know you're on ignore, how can you them mount such an impassioned defense over a comment that could in have no way been aimed in your direction without realizing that it would be indirect proof of my contention?



Some mornings, I actually feel sorry for the fish in the barrel...

Fremdschämen

Impassioned? Where in the world do you get that? The only emotions you ever stir are derision and you make me laugh at your stupidity.

I know you look.. You're a weasel like that.

Don't feel bad for me.. I'm about to make 60 dollars an hour.. Something else you would know nothing about.

You should feel more worry about that woman that has to carry you.

 

[about_average]

Why does it have to be me upset? The problem I have is, I do not know that person or what they are capable of, yanno?

I said "people like....", so that means not just you. You said you get upset when people are carrying in a restaurant or Target. Other people do too.
The thing is, if a person is carrying concealed, and doing it right, with consideration for others (which most concealed carry folks do) you never know they are carrying so you, and others, don't get upset.