Concealed Carry, simple question

[CT_Shooter]

I admit to being sheltered from the civil violence that clearly exists in other parts of the country and even within my own state. I've been lucky. I lead a simple life in a small New England town and have done so for all of my seventy years on this earth. Armed assault is virtually non existent where I live and is certainly nothing that I've ever experienced. Nor do I know anyone who has experienced anything like it, which makes me wonder why so many people find it necessary to carry a gun for self defense. I have a permit to carry a concealed gun in CT because it's required here in order to purchase or transport a handgun, but I have never and likely never will carry one for self defense because I can't imagine a scenario where it would be necessary.

OK. So, like I said, I'm sheltered. That being the case, I have a simple question. Has anyone here who carries ever participated in a civilian shootout or personally knows anyone that has? I'd love to hear about it. Thanks.

[Oldbrass]

This is a very politically charged topic.Wife and I carry because it's the only thing the thieving vagrant junkies (sorry, I meant homeless that suffer from addiction) understand, and we live on the I-5 corridor the meth and heroin pipeline of the planet. There's a shooting in this area daily.I've presented the glock twice never fired. The liberal cesspool of Seattle is just north of here and the gangs are spreading out, our governor King Insley keeps inviting MS-13 (undocumented democrats) We're looking at relocating..

[Grunt67]

CT, since I don't live in your area, or world, so I can't relate to. not understanding why people find it necessary to go armed for self defense.
In many areas of the country, it has become unsafe to walk the streets at anytime of the day or nite. Likewise, the same exists for being in a vehicle, still or moving.
This is on the local & national news daily.
Giving example after example would take too much time, and they are numerous.
Suffice to say it is a necessary evil, if you will. It's not going away.
Stay safe up there brother, I envy you.

[markiver54]

The world/country is VERY unstable right now.
I would rather not feel the need to carry these days...however, I do. A lot depends on where you live, and/or, where you're headed.
Kinda like some other things in life; do I spend thousands on a home generator that I may never need, but be thankful if the need arises?
No victim ever thought they were going to be one....too late!
I'm not gonna be too late!!!

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

I'm in the same boat as CT_Shooter. I do live in a good area, but so far all through the years, I've never once said "I wish I had a gun on me".

There was a time or two traveling out of state where I wish I had one in the glove box, and there was another time where I had to meet a guy interested in something I was selling, who I decided not to trust. I brought my shotgun, but he never showed up anyway, lol.

But I'm leaving it up to fate. If I ever experience a time where I wish I had one, maybe I will change my mind. Until then, I'm just going to carry on as normal.

If I ever did decide, there are a couple of things I would not like about it though. One, is I don't like being bulked up. I'm not even one for wearing a tool belt, lol. The other is places where they are forbidden. As time goes on, more and more places have "no guns allowed".

[markiver54]

Sad, for those who feel the need to carry...and... for those who feel nobody needs to.
I ...as a DM, Do not consider this political. Just personal preference. I'm ok either way.

[RanchRoper]

I would never be without one if it was legal here.

[dave77]

I carry pretty regularly now, have never needed it and hope I never do but I go by the quote " It's better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it."

[fortyshooter]

Now days doesn't matter much where you live. We live in a small city of 18,000 that used to be very quiet but in the last couple years shootings have been going on. Several years ago while I was in my backyard I heard sirens and cars coming fast down the street behind me. Some bad guy being chased by the police drove right up and thru a neighbors driveway and yard. Cop stops behind him and the guy gets out shooting!
I yelled to my wife to stay inside and get low. I had my Glock 23 on me at the time. Cop returned fire hitting suspect.

Early this year couple gangs got together right up the road at the Waffle House at 2 AM and had a big shootout with 100+ rounds fired !
Another shooting 1/2 mile up the road in an apartment complex with one shot dead.

Then in another county near me but in the very well to do area of quiet and 500,000 dollar homes two 13 yr. old girls were walking towards their nice neighborhood school when a 14 yr. old boy just shot one of the girls to death! This really shook up the area and they did catch him and will be tried as an adult.
YES I do carry everywhere allowed in state of Va, even when going to the store or just when we walk the neighborhood. Just a part of my life now.
Hope I never have to use it ! You could be judged as innocent for protecting your life and somebody else BUT could be sued by the attacker or his/her family....lots of trouble! Lot's of things have to flash thru your mind before taking one shot like what innocent people might be around/behind the bad guy who doesn't care about anything.
Better to have and not need and get range time as often as possible with gun you carry.

[Travlin]

I am almost 73 and when I take my brisk morning walk that last about 30 minutes I always have my Austrian friend with me, Herr Glock.

[beaverislander]

I live in a tourist area for 10 weeks every summer......as soon as they get off the airplane or ferry most drink heavily and continuously, common sense goes out the window. My wife and I were threatened 18 years ago by idiots that rented a lake property near us and I have carried everyday since then, it's part of getting dressed in the morning, its part of me. The only exception was going on a couple of cruises and when flying but it's in checked baggage and available when I get off. I have never pulled it out on a human but have dispatched several deer that were hit by a car and badly wounded. When I go to an area that I believe could be more dangerous I may pick a different firearm, but when I put my pants on a gun goes on too. I am happy and feel secure, I wouldn't have it any other way.

[GunnyGene]

Yes on both counts, and in/around several cities/towns across the country.

[Centaur]

I became a police officer in 1970, and retired in 1998. I was in 3 gunfights during that time. I also saw on several occasions where civilians defended themselves successfully against armed criminals. I will always carry, because there is no “safe place”, as long as there are bad people in the world. I bet the victims in the recent mass shootings thought that they were safe. If a civilian in those situations would have been armed, the outcome could have had a better ending. Just my 2 cents.

[fortyshooter]

and the shots keep coming....last night in our area! https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/tw ... HkmP4EkIgM

[beaverislander]

and the shots keep coming....last night in our area! https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/tw ... HkmP4EkIgM

That's just sick.

[cooperhawk]

I am armed 24/7/365.
I don't like it but it seems the logical thing to do these days.
I hope I never have to either display or even use it. Never!
Carol is a Lawyer and she practices out of our home with an office and conference room in our house.
There are times when, let's just say some unsavory folks, try to hire her. She is also a permit holder.
She has told these folks on occasion that her husband is around, armed, and protective of her.
That has so far sufficed.
We live 30 miles south of Minneapolis and our little community of bedroom suburbs have drug problems.
Although we live five miles from the town, this stuff spills out to the rural areas. There are murders quite often in our county.
Our drive winds half a mile through a heavily wooded area and I keep it bladed so it looks almost like a road.
I have found people in our drive drinking and doing drugs, and when I tell them to leave they tell me it's
a public road and they can do as they like. Then I nicely explain to them that it is not. So far they have left quietly.
Add to that the rural meth labs that spring up around here with the druggies stealing Anhydrous from the farmers and
we have some really bad bad folks around.
I'm 80. I survived combat in VN and I am not willing to die by some stupid criminals in my own home.

[BigAl52]

CT to answer the questions you asked. No I have never been involved in gunfire. Also I dont know anyone that has been. But I live in a rural area. Until a few years ago there was empty fields behind my backyard fence. Now there is 4 unit apartment buildings. One of them has 9 bullet holes in it. I have a permit and I carry 24/7. I have guns in the house in certain places loaded and ready. My mind is always thinking about the Boy Scout days. Always be prepared.

[Hatchdog]

When I leave the community I live in I am armed. Period. Always. No exception.

I would hate to be in situation where suppose a mass shooting was to happen and not be in a position to perhaps intervene. Not that I would relish going up against a rifle with just a little handgun but I would hope I would be able to do something.

To answer the original question no,I never have had to present my handgun in a self defense situation and for that I’m thankful.

[cooperhawk]

Here's the thing. Our state is quite blue and they would just love to see a permit holder commit a crime. Hasn't happened.
If it did they would use it to try and rescind the right to CC. They salivate for it.
It's a right to CC, not a law that you must. If you do not wish to, don't, but the criminal element does not know who is
and who isn't, and because of that they are more careful in their actions. It creates a more polite society.
I even carry in church. There have been several attacks on churches. No one in our church knows I am a CC.
No one, but I'll bet I'm not the only one.
The only place I do not carry is on Federal Property, where it is against federal law, or in a court house where it is
forbidden. I obey all laws. If you carry in a establishment that has a "No Guns" sign, all they can do is ask you to leave,
and if you refuse they can summon the law, and it is a misdemeanor, but if you carry concealed, how would they know.

[GunnyGene]

You're not quite correct about Federal Property, at least as far as concerns military installations. There is no Fed. Law that prohibit it. Only a DoD Directive which leaves it up to the installation Commanding officer. And some of the larger bases allow hunting on the base in specified areas. Our local AFB for example opens up for dove season to cut down on the chances of a bird strike during take off or landing. Of course they only allow shotguns and dove shot during that dawn to dusk few days. Other bases I've been stationed at allow deer, rabbit, etc. hunting. And if you live in married quarters you can normally keep your personal firearms in your quarters. Single guys will usually have to store them in the base armory. This is all common practice and there are some differences between bases. Some do allow active, reserve and retired to carry a personal sidearm concealed (usually with some limits for certain buildings or areas) on base with a "carry permit" issued by the base Commander or his designee.

Of course, if you're a civilian you can't get on base anyway without a visitor pass or other ID issued by the base for delivery services or other contracted services.

Other Federal property (USPS, Federal Park Service, etc.) has similar rules that are under the control of the Department, Agency, etc.

DoDD 5210.56

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Docu ... UCEw%3d%3d