CCW permit holder ?

[dcarr1971]

The right to carry concealed is not supposed to be used because someone was leering at your girl or told you to park somewhere else.
If you feel your action would be different if you were carrying then you shouldn't carry.

+1

...On the other hand, you probably wouldn't have said anything if you had your piece - if I had been armed the other week, would I have behaved any differently? Honestly, I don't know. I doubt it.

From what I remember of that post, sounds like you ultimately did the right thing...walk away...

Just remember guys, if you draw first in confrontations like those described above, you're the one who's escalating the situation and you're the one who is going to catch the heat when it's all over. On the other end of things, if the other guy draws first he has the drop on you (ask me how I know)...if he really has bad intentions and any idea what he's doing, then you're in trouble (or dead) before your gun ever clears the holster...

I carried for years as part of what I did for a living. It was officially frowned upon and would have resulted in huge legal issues (both personal and professionsal) if I'd ever had to use my sidearm. Having to always be aware of the legal implications taught me how to handle nasty confrontations without resorting to the gun. Don't let a CCW change how you act, unless the added responsibility makes you act smarter.

I carried (and ocassionally still do) because sometimes there comes a point where 'legal' doesn't matter anymore, a situation deteriorates to the point where 'it's him or you', and that 3-7 minutes it takes for the police to show up is an eternity.

 

[ptschram]

The right to carry concealed is not supposed to be used because someone was leering at your girl or told you to park somewhere else.
If you feel your action would be different if you were carrying then you shouldn't carry.

Curiously, I'm far more likely to avoid confrontation if I'm armed.

One only needs a firearm if they don't know the name of the person threatening them with grievous bodily harm, or the LEOs aren't immediately available.

Most of my carrying is a political statement, in the vast majority of situations, my lifestyle will not place me in situations where I will encounter a problem-with one exception, liquor stores. Cash-based business by and large, common target for thieves.

 

[ptschram]

Just remember guys, if you draw first in confrontations like those described above, you're the one who's escalating the situation and you're the one who is going to catch the heat when it's all over.

I've often wondered how it would be handled if one were to call 911 and state that one had a miscreant at gunpoint and would the LEOs come get the miscreant.

When I caught the guy stealing scrap iron, the cops were surprisingly cool about my being armed and ultimately told me that where my old shop was, if I was gonna be there alone at night, I should be armed.

 

[varova87]

The right to carry concealed is not supposed to be used because someone was leering at your girl or told you to park somewhere else.
If you feel your action would be different if you were carrying then you shouldn't carry.

I agree with the first sentence. I disagree with the second. I think I too was mis-understood.

I said what I said because I was not armed. I did not, nor ever would use my "right to carry" as a reason to initiate a confrontation.

My action would have been different if I was carrying - I would have kept my mouth shut. How is that negative?

 

[varova87]

From what I remember of that post, sounds like you ultimately did the right thing...walk away...

Err, ultimately, I did. But not after I got my word in:victory:

Just remember guys, if you draw first in confrontations like those described above, you're the one who's escalating the situation and you're the one who is going to catch the heat when it's all over.

The ONLY time I would draw is if I felt the life of myself or someone close to me was in immediate danger. Drawing in my situation above is an absolute joke.

Don't let a CCW change how you act, unless the added responsibility makes you act smarter.

This was my previous illustration. Had I been carrying, my actions would have been smarter. I would have ignored the bastard and went on about my business.

 

[dcarr1971]

I've often wondered how it would be handled if one were to call 911 and state that one had a miscreant at gunpoint and would the LEOs come get the miscreant...

They've told me that it would depend on the situation, but guys with guns involved in what they viewed as a civil altercation make LEO's unhappy (or worse yet, nervous). In my case, things had to be pretty bad before I'd call 911... When necessary though, I always made sure that my sidearm was secured, or otherwise not readily apparent whenever the police arrived. I didn't want a LEO to mistakenly thinking that I was a threat to them or that I was brandishing a weapon.

Generally, my expectation was always that they would disarm everyone in any situation like that, and (at best) that would have just ended up slowing me down...

 

[rovercanus]

My point is you should not act differently in those situation whether you are carrying or not.
I have difficulty believing anyone is going to be less confrontational while they are carrying then if they are not. If you are going to dictate your reactions on whether you are armed or not, maybe you shouldn't be armed.
Think about it. This guy is looking at my girl, I'm going to get offended and say something as opposed to, this guy is looking at my girl, I'm armed so I won't do anything.
It's bullshit.
If you can't walk away from a potential situation unarmed, you won't walk away from it armed.

 

[Ballah06]

That's right, but I wonder in how many of those situations is the use of deadly force justified? I think I'm blessed in the sense that I see having a loaded gun strapped to my hip is a big responsibility. I think because I see it that way, I'm constantly wanting to be more prepared before I carry daily. Unrelated story:

My fiancee and I were stopped at a gas station two nights ago, it was around 9:30PM, and a guy with two of his buddies (all late-40s) kept staring at her and making comments. He and I made eye contact several times, but it didn't stop him from finally making a crude comment out loud to her. I took a few steps towards him and asked him if I could help him with anything. He said "fine looking piece of work you got there". I told him she was young enough to be his daughter and to wait till he got in the truck to whip it out and maybe his buddies could help. He got pissed, but got in the truck.

My gun wasn't on me, and if it were, I would not have said anything. My mouth doesn't have a filter, and I need to find one before I carry on a regular basis:ack:

I totally agree with you that carrying a firearm is a big responsibility and as I stated earlier, by no means should such a "tool" be regarded as the first and foremost answer to an issue or a confrontation. One in possession of a firearm should try to avoid conflict as opposed to going to look for one. Despite the fact that each round has a lawyer attached to it, it is good to have an option of deadly force if it is a choice of life and death. The situation you ve mentioned above definitely would not warrant an introduction of a firearm, nevertheless even an announcement that you may have one on you. If someone plans on using deadly force, why announce it? If things get that bad and it is absolutely necessary, then that is the case.

 

[thequickervicar]

A week ago two guys were caught shoplifting from the grocery store that I frequent. The security guard stopped them in the parking lot where he was pistol-whipped, then shot in the gut & head. He survived. They were stealing: Gillette razors. Not the straight kind for cutting drugs but the new Fuzion ProGlide. They shot a guy for $20. This incident put me over the edge. I need to know that I can defend myself if a situation like that ever happened in my presence. And all indications are that it could, considering that 3 more incidents like this occurred within 3 miles of my home recently.

Having said that, I don't own a gun...yet. I want to educate myself on the legal aspects of carrying and the proper techniques for gun usage & ownership before I ever decide to carry. An ignorant-but-legal gun owner is not doing themselves nor society any favors.

 

[DiscoJen]

I've often wondered how it would be handled if one were to call 911 and state that one had a miscreant at gunpoint and would the LEOs come get the miscreant.

I had no problems at all with it. The PoPo showed up and put his bleeding, naked ass in the cruiser and hauled him off. That'll teach him to run naked through my bouganvillea vine. Friggin strung out junkie. I think the funniest part, in retrospect, is that I actually told the guy that if he moved I was gonna "cap his ass." Like I was some kind of gangsta.:ack:

 

[mbrummal]

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[varova87]

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go ahead and print that out, laminate it, and stick it your wallet for your ccw. let us know how it goes.

 

[mbrummal]

go ahead and print that out, laminate it, and stick it your wallet for your ccw. let us know how it goes.

It probably wouldn't go very well. I posted that mostly as a joke.

 

[kennith]

Firearms, to me, are force equalizers.

There is a difference between equalization of force and escalation of force.

I have a collection. It is full of interesting and worthless firearms. I do not use them, except for the occasional bit of entertainment. Most people have never fired some of the things I have, and other collectors never would. I keep no common stock of ammunition for these.

I also have a group of serious equipment, stored elsewhere, locked away. They are maintained almost ritually, and they are stored with thousands of rounds of specialized ammunition, as well as associated gear. If I pick up one of those, one of three things is going to happen:

A: I'm going to maintain it so it can be fired later.

B: I'm going to conceal it, so it can be fired somewhere else, without any fuss along the way.

C: I'm going to fire it.

Notice the common theme. These are my force equalizers. I can only do so much in this world full of firearms without them. If I have something to do or somewhere to go that's important enough to risk being entirely outclassed without a firearm, they are there for me. I train constantly with what I am capable of using, and I know my limitations.

The permit to carry was of little importance to me. I do what I will. Being former military, my record is already on file. My prints, my history, and my DNA are stocked away for Uncle Sam. There was nothing for me to fear so far as going on record with the permit, and my friend wouldn't shut up until I let him practice his class on me.

It's nice to be able to buy something on a whim, though, without prior preparation. That's the only benefit I give a shit about.

I've used firearms, but I consider it a waste of perfectly good lead to bother with muggers and such.

Things that go bang draw more attention. You don't need a firearm to keep yourself safe, but it is your RIGHT to carry one. If you wish to exercise that right, train up, legalize yourself, and do so freely in a country whose very founding principals expect that you would use that freedom.

A firearm doesn't change who you are, and it should never increase your level of aggression. It is not a toy, nor is it a device designed to make you feel tough or allow you to go places and do things that you would not otherwise attempt, unless that is your job or you are placed in a position where the force laid against you is greater than your equal.

It is a machine designed to augment your ability to kill another human.

Never forget that.

Cheers,

Kennith