Carry Responsibly

[opsspec1991]

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: American Rifleman | Carry Responsibly
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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.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Carry Responsibly
by Jim Wilson
.
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.
.
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.

I read this a lot, I'm glad I never was the type of person to get in fights, escalate situations, etc before I started carrying. Transitioning to carrying was much easier without the bad habits all ready ingrained.

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.

If your goal is to conceal, then achieve that goal, but don't do it in the guise of unsubstantiated bs.. Deterrence is absolutely a benefit, it's surprising the crook before he picks a victim, not after he picks a victim. I'll take the benefit of the crook picking a concealed carrier 70+% of the time.

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.”

If I want to drink a beer or glass of wine with my family dinner out, I won't give up my families defense. I'd much rather pay to fight a court system, then pay for my families funeral.

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.

Maybe if you don't have a family, the expenses may be close. But taking a family of four, if they are even of age, to a defensive three day course is way out of the average persons budget.

It is our responsibility, to take care of our own family. Spending $4000 on a three day defensive course, instead of a week on experiences outside of the firearms world, isn't what would help my family, financially or otherwise.

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.

Yup.

Sent from my D6616 using USA Carry mobile app

 

[GoodDog]

For most citizens the decision to start carrying a defensive handgun can be a life-changing event.

My life changed when someone tried to enter my house while I was home. The decision to carry was just a logical extension of this event.

1) Learn to avoid conflict whenever possible.

Learned to do that when I went unarmed. Good advice either way.

2) The fact that you carry a concealed handgun should never be the topic of idle conversation.

This one I am struggling with. Not the idle conversation part, but how deep to conceal. OC is very common where I am. I am OK with concealed carry, but recognize the deterrent value of OC. I asked a local sheriff, and he prefers citizens carry concealed; soccer moms calling to report someone with a gun are a waste of his time.

I'm leaning towards a shooter's vest. I don't care if fellow shooters recognize it for what it is. And if a BG recognizes what it is, then that's the same as OC. But I have no desire to mess up some soccer moms day.

3) Take a realistic look at your use of alcohol.

I don't drink and drive. My dad did, and it cost him. I know others who also paid the price. If I going to go out and drink, it means leaving the gun at home. It already meant leaving the car at home. It already meant cab fare or a designated driver. It could also mean a designated shooter, but then reflect on bullet #1 above. I only skimmed the penalties for combining alcohol with a firearm, penalties for combining alcohol with a vehicle are severe enough.

4) Get professional training.

No budget for a multi day program, but I do plan on some paid 1-on-1 time with the instructor from my class. Please don't take this as bragging, but I was the only 100% in the safety class range. But I did it by taking my sweet time shooting. Speed can come with practice, but technique will come from coaching. I think coaching will produce faster results, and might be effectively free compared to the amount of ammo I would buy to learn by myself.

I believe that the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution gives us the inalienable right to be armed for our own protection.

This is worthy of extensive commentary, but in short I'll go with a quote I heard in some government committee: "It isn't about ducks."

Thanks for posting the article!

 

[Jewishredneck01]

Good information!

Sent from my SCH-I605 using USA Carry mobile app

 

[XD40scinNC]

1) Learn to avoid conflict whenever possible.

Nothing new here, no life style or behavior change at all. The person this should apply to probably shouldn't be granted a carry permit, because they are a hot head.

2) The fact that you carry a concealed handgun should never be the topic of idle conversation.

Around strangers, true... but I have mentioned it to people I know but would not classify as friends, and typically find that either they also carry, or want to, and have lots of questions about getting a permit. I have been amazed at how little people know about carry laws, and even gun ownership, and were utterly stunned that OC is perfectly legal.
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3) Take a realistic look at your use of alcohol.

Agreed, but I enjoy a craft beer frequently. However when we go to our favorite brewery's once or twice a week, we leave the guns at home.
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4) Get professional training.

I would venture that a huge majority of people that carry, do not get professional training, and I wonder if it really has much impact in the outcome in actual self-defense use of a gun, whether shots were fired or not. Perhaps if you are in a high threat job or business, say a jewelry store owner, carry large amounts of cash for your business, etc.
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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.

We do need some controls, just like we need rules of the road for driving. We remove a drivers license from people that demonstrate they do not have the maturity or control to not be a hazard to others.

Whether we are driving a 5,000 pound vehicle at 60 MPH or carrying a gun, we are in control of something with the ability to change or end lives for both ourselves and others, we have a responsibility. Laws are in place as a check or deterrent to the irresponsible use of either.

And truthfully, I know people that I am glad that they don't carry, even though they could probably get a permit, i.e. no record, no mental health issues on their record, etc.

 

[Tea Man]

1. I always do whether I carry or not. In the parking lot If I observe someone hanging around and show suspicious behaviors I leave and come back later. Same with convenience stores where I've seen with frequent occasions. Observation is key no matter where you are.

2. It's nobody's business whether I carry or not.

3. I don't drink and do drugs. Since you don't know when a situation turns around you need a clear head. That includes in your home and work.

4. I didn't get professional training but had plenty of practice and got instructions online.

5. I'm adding this and that is to know your weapon and the safeties involved. Also getting a pocket 9mm (for example) and load it with +P+ is not a good idea. Know your ammo too.

 

[Omahaoutdoors]

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.

This is one of the biggest problems I see people having. The mindset that "I have a gun so I don't care" happens too often. A gun should always be a last resort, so it's up to the carrier to make sure he de-escalates as much as possible.