Why I have a Gun:

[R J]

My old grandpa said to me 'son, there comes a time in every man's life when he stops busting knuckles and starts busting caps and usually it's when he becomes too old to take an ass whoopin'.

I don't carry a gun to kill people.
I carry a gun to keep from being killed.

I don't carry a gun to scare people.
I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.

I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid.
I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I'm evil.
I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I hate the government.
I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.

I don't carry a gun because I'm angry.
I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone.
I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy.
I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.

I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man.
I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.

I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate.
I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.

I don't carry a gun because I love it.
I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.

Police Protection is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves.
Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.

Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.

I've made it to 82 1/2 years old, so it must be working.   

                 

[MacDragon]

That hits the nail right on the head... or the bullet right on the primer...

[IamGCW]

Well said R J.

73
Gil

[RDAbull]

My Dad was a cop in Gary IN.
My Grandfather was County Sherriff of the county I grew up in.
My Great-Grandfather was a Marshall in NW Indiana. 
 
 They saw a lot of crap in their careers.

Under their recommendations I got my carry permit the day I turned 21.
Never needed it, but much better to have something you don't need than
to need something you don't have.

[solo1]

Good post RJ.   I liked the quote from John Farnum plus some of yours.

[Gavin_Sons]

got my permit the day i turned 18. Couldn't buy a pistol or pistol ammo but i did get ahold of a Beretta 92 that i carried. Stupid law here in Indiana lets you get your handgun permit at the age of 18 but you can't buy a handgun or any handgun ammo until your 21. figure that one out.

[solo1]

Yeah, Indiana law is dumb on that.  However, IMO, Indiana is also dumb on issuing concealed weapon permits with no training of any kind. Before everyone gets upset here, I'm a lifetime NRA member and have taught gun and hunter safety for 50 years.

Ohio doesn't recognize our permits because of no required training here.  In fact, there is an instructor in our town right now who is teaching a course for Utah permits which, if the student passes, they will then have a permit that is recognized by Ohio.

I don't believe in any government interference BUT there are people who i've seen with Indiana permits who are downright dangerous in regards to safety!    Just last week a young guy in our area was demonstrating how to play Russian Roulette with a .38 and lost.  In all honesty, I don't know if he had a permit but he probably could've gotten one (if he was in his right mind at the time  )

[old2soon]

When you ACTUALLY need a gun-NOTHING else will do. ALL of the reason for concealed carry is to keep it concealed-til needed. Here in Missouri a C C W class by an accredited instructor is mandatory. A pistol purchase from a DEALER requires an automated feeble eye back round check. They did quite a back round check before issuing my C C W permit here. I do notice the establishments that are "gun free" zones are getting less of my business/money. Good presentation R J.  You being a Marine and a L E O all those years you probably feel nekid WITHOUT a weapon!  RIDE SAFE.

[bigguy]

However, IMO, Indiana is also dumb on issuing concealed weapon permits with no training of any kind.

Yep. That's a hard one for me. My baseline stance is that "shall not infringe." means just exactly that, and for a long time I was for "constitutional carry," or unlicensed carry. But the fight for open carry here in Texas has moderated my stance. And, interestingly, the two folks who have most opened me up to the idea of required licensing are Kory Watkins and C.J. Grisham. (Google these guys if you don't know who the are. Especially Kory.) Listening to these two bozos is the best argument I've ever heard that not everybody should be allowed to be armed.
This thinking is clearly a slippery slope. While almost everybody agrees that there are some people who should not be allowed access to firearms, who gets to make that call? Kory Watkins or Nancy Pelosi?
I have decided that I will actively support licensed open carry, and simply not oppose unlicensed open carry. I don't pretend that this is the ultimate answer, but it's the best stance I can come up with for the present.

[Hoser]

Yeah, Indiana law is dumb on that.  However, IMO, Indiana is also dumb on issuing concealed weapon permits with no training of any kind. Before everyone gets upset here, I'm a lifetime NRA member and have taught gun and hunter safety for 50 years.

Ohio doesn't recognize our permits because of no required training here.  In fact, there is an instructor in our town right now who is teaching a course for Utah permits which, if the student passes, they will then have a permit that is recognized by Ohio.

I don't believe in any government interference BUT there are people who i've seen with Indiana permits who are downright dangerous in regards to safety!    Just last week a young guy in our area was demonstrating how to play Russian Roulette with a .38 and lost.  In all honesty, I don't know if he had a permit but he probably could've gotten one (if he was in his right mind at the time  )

I'm with you Wayne.  Kansas is thinking about that very thing, I prefer the permit system in place.  Seen to many idiots that are a hazard.  Kansas has open carry, the concealed law requires training.  If cost is an issue folks can carry openly. Hopefully they will be competent, Most that carry open that I know are.  Hoser

[solo1]

When I was a councilman I introduced an ordinance that would not allow the firing of a gun inside the city limits except for self defense or defense of others.  I did it because some numb nu** was shooting a 30-06 in his backyard using trees for a back stop! BTW, the trees were part of a woods with a path for ATV's to use.

I had people come from as far as Indianapolis completely po'd because it was spread that I was antigun, me, a Life time NRA member with NRA instructor credentials in four regimens.  At the public comment meeting I explained to them why.  Most got the reason why.

On another note, my son, Mark, with me sitting in, will teach a class on home firearm safety this Saturday, sponsored by the New Haven Police..  He thought that he had x number of people that wanted to take it, and ended up with only four which was consistent with what I've experienced over the years..  Not required, therefore won't take it 'cause I know about gun safety, yeah, right.

This will be the last class that I will help teach.  I can't stand still very long any more (87 year old knees) and you can't teach sitting down.  Secondly, it's been a waste of my time, very few students, and many 'know it all's" new to firearms.

[old2soon]

Missouri is-at this time anyway-an open carry sate. I'd really rather folks didn't know I carry. Missouri State P G R Ride captain told us if we carry on missions keep it concealed. I PRAY I never need to use it and I also PRAY that if I do need to use it I shoot straight and true. RIDE SAFE.