Who owns guns and you carry?

[BrandiR]

Going to preface this post by saying I'm not here to troll, talk bad about your right to carry, or any of that. For whatever record, I do believe people have the right to carry if they decide they want to. I am just here to gain a better personal understanding of your decisions.


What does this mean? Do you feel there are times you need a gun but don't have one? Have you or anyone you have ever known ever had a need for a firearm at your hip? Can you describe the situation if it's not too personal?

I guess I would extend this question to everyone here who carries regularly. Though it is statistically insignificant the amount of times a violent break-in happens to an otherwise law abiding citizen while they are home, I can understand why people keep them for home protection. I can definitely understand why people keep them for sport.

They say you shouldn't pull a gun on someone unless you plan to use it. I'm not formally asking this question because I'm sure you will all say there would be no hesitation, but would you really shoot someone down if they weren't going to take your life? The follow up question is this: do you find yourself in situations where a complete stranger would make a decision to take your life? I've lived in poor neighborhoods before in the US and in more dangerous countries and can say it is going to be a hard sell if you tell me you live in a bad neighborhood and that's why you think someone will kill you on the street. The biggest risk you have is losing your wallet and having to call the bank to cancel your cards.

Again, not coming here to stir things up, etc, and none of you have to reply / I don't want to fully derail your thread. If anyone feels compelled to address this stuff in a calm, logical, and reasonable manor citing real knowledge I would be very interested in the response.

Actually, I used to carry at all times and then one day I asked myself pretty much these same questions. Of course, when I asked them of myself they weren't nearly as articulate

It had been suggested several times by friends/family that I get a cc and learn to shoot because I spend a lot of time alone, I'm not very big, and I'm pretty trusting and friendly. I always said that I would never do it because I know myself well enough to know that I wouldn't shoot someone under any circumstances, I'd rather be a victim as sad as that sounds. Then the jewelry store I work at was robbed in a particularly disgusting way and my opinion changed. I suddenly became sure that I could shoot someone if I "needed" to because the world is better off without certain people anyway. So I got a cc, learned to shoot, and started carrying every day.

I gradually started carrying less and less because my gun was too heavy to cart around all the time and when I practiced at the range it seemed to jam fairly frequently, so I kept it in my car instead of on my person. One day my boyfriend asked me why I hadn't been carrying it with me and suggested that we buy me a new one if that one was a problem. At that point, the thought of carrying a gun all the time again kind of bothered me. I'm not sure why. I just asked myself to try to think of a couple of real life scenarios where there was a real chance that it would save me. I couldn't come up with one. If someone grabs me on the street, what are the odds that I'm going to be able to get it out and fire (especially in the midst of an unexpected struggle)? If I'm at a light and someone tries to steal my car, am I going to shoot them? No way, I'm going to give them my car. I'm not saying you should, just that that's how I am.

Really, the only legitimate scenario I could come up with where I may "need" a firearm and am confident that I could get to it, and am confident that I would use it would be in the case of someone coming into my home with intent of causing me great harm/death. So I don't carry anymore, but I do have two hand guns in separate rooms of my house where I could get to one regardless of which end of the house I'm on.

I'm not opposed to people carrying guns if they want to. Personally, I take the "right" to take another person's life VERY seriously and I'm just not sure I could handle having to make that decision, especially in a split second. So in my case, I'm probably further ahead to just not carry a gun.

If I eventually think of a logical reason that I should carry, then I will.

[BrandiR]

Ride with a cop for the day.

Rob is WAY better at context clues than Mike!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Meh...if we used the death penalty more often maybe there wouldnt be so many criminals...../stirringthepot

How about just speed up death row.................. I'm tired of paying for the walking dead and my dead-beat dad

It is statistical FACT that your children's safety is compromised by your decision to keep guns under their roof. Next time you buy them a Happy Meal with a gun in the car, don't ask yourself which one might be bad for your kid, ask yourself which one is worse.

Actually that fact only holds true in households where a firearm is hidden from children in an unsecure location and the child finds it.
I do not see a reason why you shouldn't show your children firearm safety and take them to the range or hunting with you.

Here is where civilians carrying firearms around town can get dicey. Law enforcement are trained in progression of force. Firing a weapon being the last possible step. Joe blow down the street see's a guy running off with his neighbors tv and shoots him in the back. Joe blow is going to jail.

Crook running away could be let go or chased down depending on the situation but not a life threatening situation. Crook within 10 feet or so could be viewed either way. Crook with hands in pants or pockets is DRT (dead right there).
Texas laws allow me to protect me, my family, my property and now even my neighbors with deadly force if needed.

Everyone like to say there is due process and civilians should be judge but no one wants to pay for all the deadbeats in prison. I for one am tired of being a victim of everyone else's criminals. That is a whole different debate though.

[KMG]

If someone was to rob me I would not hesitate to shoot them. There is no guarantee that the robber will not hurt or kill you if you fully cooperate. I would like to make sure they never get the chance to harm me or anybody else ever again. I carry a pocket pistol next to my wallet so it appears I'm giving it up, but surprise.

Get your facts straight Lang. I clearly used the word ROB in my original comment. You twisted it to pickpocket like a five cent attorney. So good day to you.

[KMG]

Correction- it was Texas so the guy walked.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/t/story?id...261806%2Cd.b2I

He walked because he did nothing wrong. In Texas you have the right to use force, including deadly force, to protect your property and your neighbors. I would take Joe Horn as a neighbor any day. I love Texas!


I have worked way to hard to have nice things to have a jobless low life come and take them. Burglars and robbers have made the decision to commit crimes that could get them killed or sent to prison. Its their choice they made. Why is the responsibility be placed on the victim for choosing not to be a victim.

Your stats are also rubbish. So 90+% are non violent. Just because an actual physical injury was not sustained does not mean trauma was not experienced. Meeting victims that have only had a gun or knife pulled on them has taught me this. So the weapon was not used on them, the situation still leaves a mark on the persons soul. Many people experience PTSD after becoming a victim.

I can attest that having knives, razors, clubs, and guns pulled on you is not something everybody can deal with. I have been through all of those and was even hit by a car once by a fleeing suspect. No Lang I did not shoot or kill him, I chased him down and put him in jail. Going through these things has given me a better understanding of what a victim feels that many can not understand until they too become a victim.


Rob, this was not directed at you. I only wanted to reference the link you added.

[Rob]

He walked because he did nothing wrong. In Texas you have the right to use force, including deadly force, to protect your property and your neighbors. I would take Joe Horn as a neighbor any day. I love Texas!.

While yes you have every right to defend yourself, this does not fall under that category. The police dispatcher told him not to pursue and no stolen property is worth shooting someone over. This old man decided to ignore those orders and shot them in the back while fleeing, he was in no danger what so ever. Yes they are scum bags, and should be put in jail for a while but not killed. That is a huge problem in Texas, shoot first think later. That type of thinking will lead to innocent people killed.

Ps- Just so we are clear I'm for people being able to own and carry, as I own myself. Just in this particular instance, I think it was a bad shot.

[KMG]

Dispatchers are civilians. They are told to say things that keep the area they work for out of trouble. They give the P.C. responses and can not order anybody to do anything.

I realize you are pro gun. Was not trying to say you weren't.


I just know how little these low lifes value your and my life so I value theirs the same.

[Rob]

Dispatchers are civilians.

Most of the time, then again sometimes it's an officer getting some sweet OT

[barbie.dragon]

Well when I turn 21 im definitely getting a handgun. But no cc for me. My county will probably not give me one. I think theres 3 people with a cc permit lol.

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[KMG]

Most of the time, then again sometimes it's an officer getting some sweet OT

Neither the city or the county does that near Houston, and I don't know of anybody that does. Maybe some really small departmens. Its not like Super Troopers, great movie. I know I wouldn't want to do it, its hard work.