I am perplexed

Ok, so about a month ago my neighbors ex husband was over and we got to talking about carrying concealed. He said he wanted to do the class so he could get a permit,so I offered to do a personal class for free. He emailed me a couple days ago saying he wanted to wait because his teenage son was coming home and he didn't trust him around guns. Jump forward to today; he stops bye asking if I got the email and I said yes, he said it was cool I offered but he doesn't want to carry "everywhere" he goes. "You understand that right man", he said. No I don't understand that at all but that is your choice, I respond. What he said next is what I am perplexed about: Well I am not looking for trouble with carrying and all. Something to that effect; he was insinuating that if you carry, your looking for trouble. I was cooking dinner so didn't really have time to explain it all to him that; CCW permitted people who carry are not "trouble makers" but I wonder were did he get such a thought. I mean do you guys carry because your looking for trouble?

Freaking trouble makers!! Your all making me look bad here......... [ROFL1]

Every person I know who carries including myself does everything possible to avoid trouble. The absolute last thing I want to do is address a human target with my firearm unless I have no other choice.

I'm with you on this one. I carry everywhere I'm allowed to & I do everything I can to avoid trouble when carrying. I will walk away from any situation that I feel could escalate. It's a responsibility I believe most on here take seriously. As for your neighbor, to each his own. It's a personal choice. Still don't get it.

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Originally Posted by MED

Every person I know who carries including myself does everything possible to avoid trouble. The absolute last thing I want to do is address a human target with my firearm unless I have no other choice.

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Originally Posted by sroz

I'm with you on this one. I carry everywhere I'm allowed to & I do everything I can to avoid trouble when carrying. I will walk away from any situation that I feel could escalate. It's a responsibility I believe most on here take seriously. As for your neighbor, to each his own. It's a personal choice. Still don't get it.

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Exactly- I avoid trouble like the plaque!! Shit, to tell the truth- Shit goes down, son and I are in defense mode running the hell away from trouble......... My 1st priority is his(my son) safety, so I avoid trouble as much as possible. I told him(my neighbors ex husband) it was "his choice", but law abiding CCW carriers are "not looking for trouble".

The point of carrying is to be prepared for all of the possibilities, all of the time.

Never understood the PT CCW mentality.


Sent from my Otterbox Defended Tactical iPhone using High Capacity "Clips".

That is how the media portrays CC so I can see how someone would get that understanding. But, blood is not running in the streets so I guess they were wrong. Before you do the class for him, find out of he really believes that (in which case why would he want a permit?) or is just misinformed.

You're a good man for offering. Sounds like he's comfortable being a sheep, hoping guys like you are nearby...

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Originally Posted by Mazin

The point of carrying is to be prepared for all of the possibilities, all of the time.

Never understood the PT CCW mentality.

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Neither could I. How is it good at one time and bad at another?

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Originally Posted by Fentonite

You're a good man for offering. Sounds like he's comfortable being a sheep, hoping guys like you are nearby...

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You know, funny you say that! He said; "We need more people like you and my Marine friend round." I thought; what makes you think I am going to go run to your defense??? I mean; my priority is to my son and I. If I can, than I will, but, I sure in the heck am not going to go run to save your ass when I gave you an opportunity to train, so you could - "DO IT YOURSELF!"

Flame me if you like but like I said; My son is 1st and then me... What good am I to my son if I am gone? FYI- son is 10 y.o, I am a single father...

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Originally Posted by blacklabel

Neither could I. How is it good at one time and bad at another?

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Part of carrying is; having the right mind set. PT carry IMO is not the right mind set. But that is my $.02

The difference is in people wanting to do for themselves vs people who want everything handed to them. I think we are out numbered fellas!


Sent from my Otterbox Defended Tactical iPhone using High Capacity "Clips".

I think this neighbor just wanted to "be cool" in your opinion of him. He wanted your acceptance of him. He doesn't have the nads to be strong enough to stand up for himself or his family at all times because of his expression of not wanting to carry "everywhere". I know when I got my CCW permit, I was ecstatic in that I knew then I could protect my wife and myself at all times in public. He was just rtying to be cool in "your" eyes. He must admire your status as a CCW holder, but doesn't want the responsibility. Just the "cool" factor of it.

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Originally Posted by 10mm-man

You know, funny you say that! He said; "We need more people like you and my Marine friend round." I thought; what makes you think I am going to go run to your defense??? I mean; my priority is to my son and I. If I can, than I will, but, I sure in the heck am not going to go run to save your ass when I gave you an opportunity to train, so you could - "DO IT YOURSELF!"

Flame me if you like but like I said; My son is 1st and then me... What good am I to my son if I am gone? FYI- son is 10 y.o, I am a single father...

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Um i cannot assist neighbors and friends, until my family is taken care of. Sorry.

When they say "well i'm not sure i want to ccw 24/7" it's Hey No problem, Like anything it's your choice, BUT Imagine that 1 time and OOPS you Choose not to CCW.
Perhaps you should put a 4 Sale sign on his lawn. Mysteriously removed form someone else house, of course.

I personally carry because I am dying to act out a scene from one of the many action movies I've seen. I want to dash and dive behind cover while well placed bottles, lamps and other easily shattered items explode around me. I carry because I want to look like a badass when I walk through the smoke after the shoot-out is over...

Actually, no.

I carry because I love people. I love strangers. I love happy people going about their business serving lattes or hustling to an important meeting without giving me a second glance. I genuinely love these people that I see every single day as I move through life. I don't necessarily care about their issues or their problems. Those things would require a personal relationship between us in order for me to begin to care about them. But it doesn't matter. I like seeing them as they are: happy and carefree.

I see people happily going about their business on a day to day basis completely oblivious to the fact that at any moment, a person not falling into the class of people I just described can do something absolutely horrible to the people I care about. I know that in a 99% perfect life, there is a 1% possibility of someone doing something incredibly awful. I know that life isn't perfect despite how hard we try to make it be so.

Perhaps this view-point means that I'm paranoid. Perhaps I have endured an experience personally somewhere within my history that has made me unable to fully enjoy an ignorant bliss of my own. That's fine. I'm okay with it and my loss is the gain of everyone else around me.

I carry because I want to live regardless of the life-threatening circumstances I might find myself within. And going even further, I want to preserve the life of everyone around me that brings me joy - whether they are friend, family, or a complete stranger.

Your neighbor may not be up to the task. He may have never experienced a moment in life where his ability to carry on with his own joyful existence was no longer within his own control and was instead, within the hands of someone who didn't give two-shits about him. You can't blame a guy for not understanding something he has never experienced.

So long as your neighbor is appreciative of you and your values, I wouldn't give a second thought about it. We can't all be brain surgeons -

And we can't all be expected to take the fight to the worthless degenerate trash that wish to do us harm when the moment arises.

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Originally Posted by jhood001

I personally carry because I am dying to act out a scene from one of the many action movies I've seen. I want to dash and dive behind cover while well placed bottles, lamps and other easily shattered items explode around me. I carry because I want to look like a badass when I walk through the smoke after the shoot-out is over...

Actually, no.

I carry because I love people. I love strangers. I love happy people going about their business serving lattes or hustling to an important meeting without giving me a second glance. I genuinely love these people that I see every single day as I move through life. I don't necessarily care about their issues or their problems. Those things would require a personal relationship between us in order for me to begin to care about them. But it doesn't matter. I like seeing them as they are: happy and carefree.

I see people happily going about their business on a day to day basis completely oblivious to the fact that at any moment, a person not falling into the class of people I just described can do something absolutely horrible to the people I care about. I know that in a 99% perfect life, there is a 1% possibility of someone doing something incredibly awful. I know that life isn't perfect despite how hard we try to make it be so.

Perhaps this view-point means that I'm paranoid. Perhaps I have endured an experience personally somewhere within my history that has made me unable to fully enjoy an ignorant bliss of my own. That's fine. I'm okay with it and my loss is the gain of everyone else around me.

I carry because I want to live regardless of the life-threatening circumstances I might find myself within. And going even further, I want to preserve the life of everyone around me that brings me joy - whether they are friend, family, or a complete stranger.

Your neighbor may not be up to the task. He may have never experienced a moment in life where his ability to carry on with his own joyful existence was no longer within his own control and was instead, within the hands of someone who didn't give two-shits about him. You can't blame a guy for not understanding something he has never experienced.

So long as your neighbor is appreciative of you and your values, I wouldn't give a second thought about it. We can't all be brain surgeons -

And we can't all be expected to take the fight to the worthless degenerate trash that wish to do us harm when the moment arises.

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When I say this, I am really not trying to be a smart ass; I almost shed a tear! Well said..... [Beer]

I don't carry all the time... Having the tactical padding I do, it makes it hard to find a comfortable way to carry. And by comfortable I mean without having to readjust shit every ten seconds.

Wow!!! JHood001 you have said and verbalized what most likely most of us feel, at least I hope so. You have summed up so eloquently what I probably could not have. But when I read this, I know this is why I appreciate being able to carry concealed. I found myself saying/thinking, "Exactly" in agreement/alignment with what you are saying. Enough of the love fest(in a hetero way of course). Thanks for saying this.

Some people just aren't up for it.. No big deal.

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Originally Posted by def90

Some people just aren't up for it.. No big deal.

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No , no, your missing why I am perplexed! I am perplexed that he thinks; "those who carry are looking for trouble". Not the fact that he don't want to- that's his choice and unlike a lib, I respect his right.

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Originally Posted by 10mm-man

Exactly- I avoid trouble like the plaque!!

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You must have phenomenal dental hygiene.

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Originally Posted by Blockhead

You must have phenomenal dental hygiene.

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ooops! lol

I changed my entire mindset when I started carrying years ago. I used to have a hell of a road rage problem, got into more fights than was healthy, and enjoyed looking for trouble. Thank God I had enough shreds of common sense back then to realize the responsibility I was taking on by carrying a deadly weapon. I can honestly say that carrying full time has made me a better person. Before I react with temper, I play out all of the possible escalating scenarios in my mind and realize that a flash of temper could have life-altering consequences. This has made me a better driver, taught me a great deal of patience, and probably kept me out of a lot of trouble I would have sought out otherwise.

As far as how often... I am NEVER out of immediate arms-length reach of a gun anymore. If I carry to guard against that 1% chance we all hope never happens, then I feel I should be armed 100% of the time.

I carry everywhere. Sometimes more than 1 gun. Always have a knife too. Now I can carry a knife on the plane!

I carry, not because I am looking for trouble, but because trouble is looking for me.
When trouble finds me, I wont have time to run to the car and get ready, I have to be ready right then.

I can't always carry, which is about the only reason I do not carry all the time. Though, I do always have my knife with me, for what that is worth.

My brother had the "bad ass" conversation with me when he found out I was getting my CCW, though he has had one in Indiana for over a decade. I knew he was looking out for me and being the big brother but I wanted to smack him. I carry to be able to defend my family, myself, and others. It is a responsibility, but I can see how folks get the "looking for trouble" misconception.

The reality is you are not looking for trouble, but you are ready for it. By being prepared for an unknown bad situation, too many people perceive that as "looking." It is similar to having a bug out bag or having winter survival supplies in your car, you are hoping you don't need them, but you have them just in case.

Not everyone should carry. There are people with the wrong attitude and/or understanding of what it means to carry. Clearing leather (or Kydex) is a last resort move and should be avoided if at all possible.

Someone that thinks carrying is looking for trouble is the type of mentality we do NOT need.

I am Clint Eastwood, and sometimes Chuck Norris. Trouble finds me.

Well CCW holders shouldn't be carrying at all. After all, you're all a bunch of criminals. (last shot at the end)
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingne...ats-dont?IADID

Parker is a POS and shitty "journalist". This is not his first gun-grabber article.

10mm-man, I know this exact mentality... My father has it. Since I got my CCW first, then my brother followed a few months later, he sees us walking around with a gun on our person as a bad thing. He sees it the same way this guy does, that we're looking for trouble, and since we're armed we are more likely to be in the middle of a troubling situation. What he doesn't understand (and I've invited him to get more into pistol shooting and even offered to give him a free CCW class for Father's Day) is the CCW mentality. We avoid trouble, but are prepared for the need if/when it ever arises- Keyword is italicized. I liken it to the age old motto "A gun is like a condom, I'd rather have one and not need it, than need it and not have one." He fails to realize that preparation and seeking out trouble are two different things. The only time I don't carry is a) when I'm drinking (which isn't very often anymore), or b) at a location where I'm not allowed (these days mostly the VA). I never go looking for trouble, but I am comfortable in the fact that if trouble does somehow come my way, I'll be ready to handle it. [Beer]

Trouble doesnt need to find me, it pretty much knows where I am 24/7.

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Originally Posted by sniper7

I carry everywhere. Sometimes more than 1 gun. Always have a knife too. Now I can carry a knife on the plane!

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Which means I can leave that motherf*cking defense snake at home, finally.

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Originally Posted by dwalker460

Trouble doesnt need to find me, it pretty much knows where I am 24/7.

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So said Martin Riggs... My favorite line by him. [Beer]

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Originally Posted by mtnhack

Well CCW holders shouldn't be carrying at all. After all, you're all a bunch of criminals. (last shot at the end)
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingne...ats-dont?IADID

Parker is a POS and shitty "journalist". This is not his first gun-grabber article.

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He quoted a professor at CU whose PhD is in poetry. Man, they just keep bringing in these experts, don't they?

When I was in uniform, I carried because I was looking for trouble. Given the same patrol areas, it usually wasn't too hard to find. [Coffee]

No one should be forced to carry. Outside of work, I carry because I choose to.

I don't go wandering around looking for darkness but I always carry a flashlight. Darkness happens. I'm afraid of the dark and a flashlight will help me find someone who can be brave with me until the light returns. [Flower]

Be safe.

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Originally Posted by losttrail

Not everyone should carry. There are people with the wrong attitude and/or understanding of what it means to carry. Clearing leather (or Kydex) is a last resort move and should be avoided if at all possible.

Someone that thinks carrying is looking for trouble is the type of mentality we do NOT need.

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I wrote him an email; explaining that you have to have the "right mindset" and thinking because you carry, "your looking for trouble" is the wrong mindset. Told we need to work on his mindset 1st, then we will discuss moving forward, when he is ready.

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Originally Posted by MED

Every person I know who carries including myself does everything possible to avoid trouble. The absolute last thing I want to do is address a human target with my firearm unless I have no other choice.

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^^^ This.

Funny you mention it- I have pretty much stopped drinking since I started carrying.

+1 for not wanting to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's what I try to do anyway. Sucks I can't go walking at 3am anymore though :)

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Originally Posted by stevew

Sucks I can't go walking at 3am anymore though :)

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You live in Castle Rock, yes you can..........

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Originally Posted by 10mm-man

You live in Castle Rock, yes you can..........

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Not without tripping over ten cops with too much time on their hands. Not a prospect I relish. We have more cops per citizen than anywhere I've ever lived...