How do you answer this question?


DrDavidM

New member
If someone approaches you and ask "why do you think you need to carry a gun" what is your answer? We all need to try to have an intelligent answer to this question. Most likely your answer won't make them pro gun if they are an anti. But, a well phrased answer might make us all look better. My favorite is a simple phrase I saw on another board.
I carry a gun for the same reason I have a fire extinguisher in my house. I hope I never need to use it, but if I do, it will save my love ones and myself.
 

Good one.

The seatbelt theory works well also.

I usually get a crazy look when I use the toilet paper analogy. ( better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.) :D
 
This was my reply

This was my reply to a friend of mine:

"I know the police have a hard job and can not be everywhere all the time. If I'm ever in a life threatening situation I want to have the means to protect myself until the police can get there."
 
...For the same reason that I save for my own retirement, even though I pay the government for Social Security... We all pay the government for law-enforcement, but that doesn't mean they are responsible for our protection.
 
Ever reply back, "And how come you don't"? Don't ever remember being asked why I carry so never had to reply..I sure like the fire extinguisher quip tho!
 
Jc40

I am basically a very honest and up front person,so when i am asked this question i usually resond with"do you read the newspapers or watch the news?"I then explain that i carry one to protect my family,myself,and friends,but hope and pray to god that i never have to use it to take a life in defense of anyone.That usually ends their curiosity>
 
How to convert a lefty

This is part of a running dialogue that I prepare myself for. The thing to remember is that when a person tries to argue against YOU having a firearm, they're actually arguing against THEMSELVES having a firearm. So I always anticipate the perspective of the doubter.

And remember guys, this is about hearts and minds, not shock & awe. Be a diplomat.


Here's how it runs:


Q: Why do you carry a gun?

A: "It seems to me that citizens need guns more than police do. After all, criminals don't choose police as targets - they come after US."

(I realize that sometimes insane criminals DO choose police as targets, but still my point comes across)

Q: But you live in a pretty safe town - isn't carrying a gun paranoid?

A: "I agree that the town is relatively safe. It's not yet so safe that the police go unarmed though, is it?"


Q: Forget about the police. If you live in a safe area, I don't understand why you need a gun. Are you that scared?

A: I've never seen any houses in my neighborhood on fire, and yet I have a fire extinguisher. I don't lose sleep worrying about fire, but I prepare. Does this make me paranoid?


Q: But fire extinguishers aren't dangerous. Your gun could cause a fatal accident.

A: Your automobile is more deadly than a firearm. If you can drive every day without accidentally killing folk, then you can learn to use a firearm safely. I agree that complete idiots probably should abstain from using firearms. You don't look like an idiot to me. I think you could easily learn to handle a firearm safely. In fact, I'd be glad to teach you.


Q: But it's the police's job to protect me. People don't need guns.

A: The police apprehend criminals who have already committed a crime. They don't have the resources to stop crime as it happens. The police won't save you. They WILL write the report afterward.

...and so on.


The key to these conversations is to appeal to emotions other than fear. Above all, avoid statistics! Reliance on logical argument alone will fail, because despite what we'd like to think, opinions are not based on logic. We come to conclusions from deep-seated feeling, and we rationalize our opinions afterwards. It's just how the human brain works.

What emotions work best? For a left-leaning doubter, I like to play on common liberal distrust toward the police, appeal to their own sense of competence (convincing them that they CAN operate a firearm at least as safely as the police), etc etc. I find this to be very effective with the left. For serious lefties, I break out the "right to revolution" aspect of the 2nd amendment.

I'm not sure what sort of arguments are best for convincing anti-gun right wingers. I don't really mix with that crowd much... I wonder what was whispered in Giuliani's ear to make him change his mind? The world may never know.
 
Last edited:
I usually put a scenario on the subject.

Suppose you are in your house and all of a sudden a stranger just walks in with a huge knife. He has intentions of raping and possibly killing your wife and family. What are you going to do. I do not give them a chance to answer. I then tell them what I am going to do to the bad guy.

I then let them know that in that one instance I was able to protect my family. He or his family might be hurt or dead but mine will be safe. When the bad guy See's the gun he will more then likely take off. After the first shot the bad guy will either be bleeding or dead. Most CCW holders will never use their weapon for self defense but for those that do will be the difference of them or their family being harmed or a bad guy gets what he deserves.

At that point you can use the seat belt comparison..

If that does not get their attention then they are a lost cause.
 
I tell people that ask me this question that I carry for the same reason that the police do. Then I add think about it.:D
 
This is part of a running dialogue that I prepare myself for.
I grok this, Ishi. My wife and Friends refer to me as "Scenario Boy" and I've been accused of being able to envision all sides of an argument or position. My Former Spouse once told me, "You think too much!" Imagine that.

Anyway, when I run the scenario of responding the the Nice Policeman's questions about why I shot this or that intruder (remember we're in Иєш Лєяжşєşŧăŋ!), I hear myself responding, "Where were you?" Not going to make any friends, I know, but it may be all I've got.
 
I'm not likely to even try to win an anti... I'm too big of a smart a**! :p

If asked why I carry a gun, I'm likely to quote something I once read:

I'd lean in real close to them, look both ways and wisper "because of the them... (look both ways again) you know, the killer clowns! :eek:
 
For the monsters! danny rollings did things to a relative only an animal would do. I will be able to defend if needed.
 
I've been asked this question a couple times and my only response is...Because It's my Constitutional right to carry a weapon.
 
Geez Ishi what a sage!

If it's a friend of mine that doesn't carry I'll jockingly tell them that it makes me feel like a man. If it's someone I don't know I'll remind them of the casino worker that got brutally beaten at a casino by a bunch of thugs on a robbery and beating rampage throughout the Vegas valley. Casinos are a pretty safe place to be. If you're not familiar with them--they have their own security force (retired military and LEO), cameras everywhere-and I mean everywhere! LVMPD gives high priority to casinos incidents as the casinos are the bread and butter of our entire city. And, there's tons of people all over the place. None of that mattered for this poor guy just doing his job. He will never recovery from his injuries and never be able to get back to the same type of work again. So, that's why I carry!
 
If asked why I carry a gun, I'm likely to quote something I once read:

I'd lean in real close to them, look both ways and wisper "because of the them... (look both ways again) you know, the killer clowns!
Here in NJ we cannot, of course, carry a firearm, but years ago I used to drive trucks, and I did carry a knife...Gerber Mk I. One of the other drivers once asked me why, and I said to him, "D'ja ever try to stab somebody with a spoon?" Along the same lines as the "killer clowns".
 
I simply say, "Because more than likely, the police aren't going to be there to protect me from criminals. Therefore, I choose to put the responsibility for ensuring the safety of myself and my family in my hands."
 
How long can your last in a fight?

The police usually arrive after the crime is committed and they then document what happened. It your responsability to take care of yourself and your family till they arrive. Remember responce time, after they recieved the call can be between 5 and 30 minuates. Most crimes are over well before the police can arrive at the scene.:rolleyes:
 

New Threads

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
49,542
Messages
611,255
Members
74,961
Latest member
Shodan
Back
Top