Carry Responsibly

[mmckee1952]

Carry Responsibly
by Jim Wilson
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For most citizens the decision to start carrying a defensive handgun can be a life-changing event. At the outset, the concern is all about learning the law and learning enough about defensive shooting to qualify for the license. However, as time goes by, the average citizen begins to realize that this decision will cause major changes in his life and in his lifestyle. In most cases this is all for the good. The armed citizen must be conscious of his responsibilities 24/7. Here are a few areas to consider that may require you to alter your approach to the issue of carrying a defensive handgun.
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1) Learn to avoid conflict whenever possible.
This not only means getting away from suspicious people; it also means avoiding serious conflict of any kind with friends and neighbors, as well as strangers. Better yet, take a course or do some reading about ways and techniques to de-escalate conflict. Using your head may mean that you don't have to use your gun.
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2) The fact that you carry a concealed handgun should never be the topic of idle conversation.
Most other people have no need to know that you are armed. The fact that you might confide in a good friend doesn't prevent them from sharing that information with others. One person tells another and pretty soon the word gets back to the other one's sorry nephew who now begins planning the burglary of your house. In addition, if your anti-gun associates and co-workers don't know that you carry it can't affect the way you are treated socially and at work. In the end, if you are the subject of a criminal attack, it is not to your benefit if the crooks already expect you to be armed. Your armed response to their attack should be a total surprise to them because it can likely give you the winning edge.
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3) Take a realistic look at your use of alcohol.
Carrying guns into bars, or while intoxicated, is just a really good way to end up in jail. You must keep in mind that lawyers don't do magic. In the real world, if you have done something stupid, you are probably going to have to pay for it and the best lawyer in the world may not be able to get you off scot free. As one old sheriff used to say, “If you think you need to carry your gun into a bar, maybe you ought to change where you do your drinking.”
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4) Get professional training.
Seeking professional defensive training ought to be an equal part of the concealed-carry package. What you got in your short concealed-carry class, assuming that your state even requires one, was just the tip of the iceberg. You wouldn't just buy an airplane and start teaching yourself to fly it, would you? Far too many people claim that they would take defensive courses but they are just too expensive. Sorry, I don't buy that. A week at a good defensive school doesn't cost nearly as much as most people spend on a week's vacation and the end benefits are a good deal greater. Besides, if you like to shoot then a defensive shooting school can be one of the best and most fun vacations that you have taken in your life.
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I believe that the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution gives us the inalienable right to be armed for our own protection. And I sure don't think that we need a bunch of laws interfering with that right. But it puts the burden upon us to act responsibly.
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Read More: http://www.americanrifleman.org/article ... sponsibly/
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My Thoughts:
Sheriff Jim Wilson reminds us that if you legally carry a defensive handgun you must be conscious of your responsibilities at all times, and might even have to alter your lifestyle a bit.

[Swampman]

Couldn't agree more.

[Ironbear]

3) Take a realistic look at your use of alcohol.
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I would go so far as to say, stay away from people, places, and locales where a lot of drinking is taking place; and restrict your own drinking; and your likelihood of trouble finding you decreases dramatically.

[SHMIV]

I do my drinking at home. I don't get much pleasure from the bars, these days.

The biggest point was to avoid conflict; I do that regardless of whether or not I'm armed. No sense in inviting trouble.

I'm not concerned about who knows whether or not I'm armed. That's actually a rather silly concern, if you are the type to debate gun laws. If you are advocating for gun rights, the person listening to you will likely assume you to be armed, even if you choose not to tell them.

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[trailrunner]

I'm not concerned about who knows whether or not I'm armed. That's actually a rather silly concern, if you are the type to debate gun laws. If you are advocating for gun rights, the person listening to you will likely assume you to be armed, even if you choose not to tell them.

I think that advice was for people who think they are cool because they are carrying, and like to show off their gun to strangers.

[MarcSpaz]

I saw a great example of what I would consider "over doing it". Lady in Kohls with matching semi-auto pistols on her sholders, an MP5 slung on her chest, and more than a couple extra magazines.

Last I checked, the siege on Sarajevo ended in 92... And it was in Sarajevo, not Woodbridge.

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[j1mmyd]

I saw a great example of what I would consider "over doing it". Lady in Kohls with matching semi-auto pistols on her sholders, an MP5 slung on her chest,

Tell me more about THAT! I mean her MP5; not her chest.

[Reverenddel]

The problem with the alcohol issue is that Virginia technically doesn't have "bars" it has "restaurants that sell alcohol."

Craziest system in the world. You go to New Orleans, it's a freakin' BAR. NYC? Bar. D.C.? Bar.
Sure they may have the occasional food items for snacking.

But Virginia takes it to a different level.

ABC got tired of being fussed at for busting people drinking water, and such. Now they're focusing on restaurants not selling the "proper percentages".

Ridiculous. Antiquated. Flat out stupid. Tax the liquor. Close the agency. Tip your waitress, try the veal.

[MarcSpaz]

I saw a great example of what I would consider "over doing it". Lady in Kohls with matching semi-auto pistols on her sholders, an MP5 slung on her chest,

Tell me more about THAT! I mean her MP5; not her chest.

LOL. It was a scary black gun... I was too scared to look closely.

[Mav]

Dido, this post and that article are must reads..

[mamabearCali]

It is very true that your decisions change when you carry. A hot temper cools really fast when you realize lethal force could be in play.

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[CCFan]

It is very true that your decisions change when you carry. A hot temper cools really fast when you realize lethal force could be in play.

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I'll second that about hot tempers cooling. I've run into so many instances where things that could have easily riled me up in my younger years simply made me laugh and shake my head...

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[MarcSpaz]

Same here. My wife was actually pretty scared when I first started to CC. Before, I would be fine regardless of how stupid you got; but once in awhile, I switch in my brain would throw and then with zero warning I would just demolish whoever or whatever was source of my aggravation. My whole attitude changed once I strapped on that gun.

Got to say though, I play FPS games and get pretty worked up some times. My wife still says "don't shoot my tv!" LOL

[Viper21]

Same here. My wife was actually pretty scared when I first started to CC. Before, I would be fine regardless of how stupid you got; but once in awhile, I switch in my brain would throw and then with zero warning I would just demolish whoever or whatever was source of my aggravation. My whole attitude changed once I strapped on that gun.

Got to say though, I play FPS games and get pretty worked up some times. My wife still says "don't shoot my tv!" LOL

Same here Marc. Had a situation about a year ago that I firmly believe would've ended physically before I carried daily. Was a poor customer service situation with a small appliance company who were definitely screwing me over. Figured they must be used to it because, they were very aggressive in their refusal to refund my money. It's a long story but, I had intuition going into the confrontation that it could get ugly, & prepared myself mentally for it. I refused to escalate the situation. Which would've happened in the flick of a switch, had I not been carrying. In a weird kind of way.... the fact that I was strapped, actually prevented a fight. My fuse would've blown normally but, in my mind my weapon prevented it from escalating without anyone else having any knowledge of it. In the end, I got screwed out of $300. Could've been much uglier...

Also... been playing FPS's for over a decade myself....

[MarcSpaz]

I guess its good that we talk about these things. It helps to know you are not alone and others feel and think the same way.

[SHMIV]

Interesting that your firearm possessions keep your tempers in check, as opposed to encouraging shooting folks.

I was recently having a discussion with a British citizen who was visiting some friends of mine. She was convinced that anger would cause a gun owner to shoot the first person that annoyed him. Her husband actually did understand the concept of personal responsibility, and I was able to swing him over to the pro-gun camp almost immediately. She, though, was thoroughly indoctrinated with anti-gun propoganda.

Incidentally, I too, have found my temper to remain stable when carrying.

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