I carry because, sadly, there are people who try to hurt/kill others. I want to know I am doing the best I can to protect myself and my precious family. I never liked guns and I'm one of those people who wishes they just didn't exist at all, but since they do... I'd rather have one than not...
The one and only thing of importance to remember is Common Sense. As long as you keep a sound mind a fell for the situation and are positive what is happening is a threat on someone's life. A case in point, as I was talking to a Maricopa County Deputy he was telling me there was an incident of an undercover deputy was making an arrest on a perpetrator with gun drawn and the perpetrator has his weapon drawn as well. A newly CCW holder was chomping at the bit more less to show he was carrying a concealed weapon, the only problem was he had no idea of the situation at hand. Luckily for this young man that back-up arrived just as he pulled his firearm out and the back-up of about 9 squad cars pulled in and arrested the perpetrator and put the young man in cuffs until all was sorted out. From the time this started til the end was a matter of maybe 2 minutes, two minutes that this young man could have been shot, had a Sheriff's Deputy Shot, or the perpetrator shot. So before jumping into a unknown situation use Common Sense.
You can protect a unknown third party, there is no law that says you cannot as long as you feel that the third party is fearing for his life. Just make sure that no innocent people are between you and the third party, that what you see is actually what you think you see. If the Perpetrator has his back to you does he have a gun, knife, bomb, etc., this is the first thing that needs to be clarified. If you personally know the third party by name just say hey John how are things going and if he give something other than his regular answer this could be an indicator. Depending on the products being sold at your local cigar shop walk up and ask for assistance if the perpetrator tells you to get lost this may be the time to assess the situation in how you can help, the first thing is for you to go outside keep both in view calling 911 explain to them what is happening, and if you really want them there in a hurry just tell you have a gun and are going back in to attempt to defuse the situation, I can almost guarantee you will have half the police department there in a matter of a minute or less. Now I would not suggest this to people who just received their permit with no training. Just about all my friends who carry are ex-military, DoD, detectives, and other agencies I will not discuss.
The one time I would consider to act upon a situation without any thought in mind is of a break in to your home and even this has rules depending on the state you reside in I can only speak for Arizona. I have what is call a 7 meter firearm the distance from my chair to the front door. Even with top security of my home it would take them a few minutes to break in, but that is beside the point as I have no idea who or how many. My 7 meter gun is a 9 mm Witness and a 12 gauge Mossberg Model 80, do you know the most fearing sound that will scare the hell right out of you? When they do finally break in and you Rack that 12 ga shot gun then they know you mean business. My my shot id=s a No 9 Bird Shot, Second is 01BK, third is a 00Bk and 4th is a 000BK followed with two more 000BK. If needed which I doubt in my 9 mm with Hi Cap 18 round Plus 1 of Hornaby 9 mm Critical Duty, they may cost a little more, but it is your family and your live. DO NOT Worry about call 911 as I'm sure someone has already made the call.
