Defining Moment(s) that led to your decision to CCW - Page 28

DScottHewitt · 10-20-2009, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patronus

I want to briefly describe two incidents that led me to the decision to carry a firearm for self-defense. And if YOU had a defining moment--or numerous ones--that led to your CCW decision, then I think it would be interesting to read about them.

My story isn't very exciting, but I do hope you'll share your "defining moment(s)" with your GT compadres.

Brief Background
I grew up in a family that only occasionally hunted. My dad had a .22LR rifle and a bolt-action .30-06 for deer. As for "incidents," I'd witnessed a few road-rage episodes and the like, but no weapons were ever involved and no deadly threats--perhaps one possible threat of serious bodily harm at age 15 (road rage, again).

Defining Moment
It was around October of 2002. My wife and I were working on starting a family, and my mind was occupied by the responsibilities of a husband and future father. One morning, I was listening to a local radio talk show -- Salt Lake City area (Bob Lonsberry - visit www.lonsberry.com) -- and Bob was talking about CCW (he's a CCW'er and a vocal advocate for it), and he urged his audience to read a column he'd written regarding CCW entitled "This is Why I Carry a Gun." (He wrote two versions--one version for a general audience and another version for Guns & Ammo.)

I read both articles, and it was as if lightning had struck me. Paternal instinct? Maybe so.

The Decision
Long story short, from late 2002 till early 2003 I did a huge crash course in firearms (handguns mostly) and CCW--via the Internet, books, magazines, friends, etc. I'd handled Glocks in the gun shops and took a particular liking to the Glock 19, but budget constraints forced me to settle for a Kel-Tec P-11, which I eventually purchased in early summer of 2004 and could legally carry concealed one month later, UT permit in hand.

Like I said, not that exciting.

I hope you'll chime in and tell us about your Defining Moment(s).

I finally dropped a pair. Felt the FAMILIAL AND SOCIAL obligation to be a SHEEPDOG. Was not really a defining moment. Just grew up and decided to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

GlockRock19 · 10-22-2009, 21:55

I started seriously thinking about getting a HG & CPL a year ago.

I live in a small town where there is almost no serious crimes.
Last year we got to read about a nice guy (NG) coming out of a Chinese restaurant with carry-out. Before he can shut his car door all the way, a young perp in his late teens yanks it open. He proceeds to stick a gun in his face yelling the N-word, give me your wallet, N-word give me your phone N, N, N, , etc. Thankfully the NG was not shot. The perp and his two accomplices were arrested.

However,

the growing trend is to shoot people anyway even after they give up what the perps want.

This has been happening a lot in S. E. Mich with carjackings.

I'm polite and respectful to everyone. If I make a mistake in traffic (rare), I wave in an apologetic manner. I can talk my way out of a lot of potentially bad things before they even go south. Also, I avoid a lot of bad places/people by default. Too bad that's not good enough anymore. I'm not going to live in fear like a sheep and be a victim.

I've been carrying a nice knife for work and PP, but that is not enough and I'm not Italian so...
Several months of saving up $, Joining the NRA & MCRGO, learning all of the carry laws and trying several models at the gun range multiple times. I took the CPL class paid all the fees and now I'm waiting for the CPL to arrive to get my HG. In the meantime I discovered GSSF so I can save on a G19.

Dogguy · 10-23-2009, 14:32

Sorry. Ignore this post.

I was interrupted in the process, hit the "Save" button and tried to back out but I couldn't erase the unfinished comment since my "message was too short".

Sometimes (most times!) I really hate computers!

XelderX · 10-23-2009, 23:13

My defining moment...

It got cold one day and I put a jacket on which covered the gun.

Defender77 · 10-23-2009, 23:35

No defining moments for me, I just want to be there and be able to do something if "that day" ever comes.

I guess it's the sheepdog blood in me.

beforeobamabans · 10-24-2009, 04:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by XelderX

My defining moment...

It got cold one day and I put a jacket on which covered the gun.

GREAT POST!!!

Wizz · 11-01-2009, 20:04

Because it allows me to do mag dumps behind the local Wally World.

Magnolia · 11-16-2009, 13:12

Since I was about four years old my father beat me until I was bloody. I never knew when it was coming because it was based on his 'mood' not on any behavior on my part. One night he ripped my shirt off of me and started punching me in the face. I was 12 years old and about 100 pounds. He was 6 foot 3 inches and about 225 pounds. He was screaming crazy stuff and I was afraid that this time I would die. I grabbed his loaded 30-30 and put it in his face and told him that if he touched me again I was going to kill him. He never touched me again. Lesson. Guns save lives.

pizza_pablo · 11-16-2009, 16:27

Fall 2008: Obama had a head of steam.
Fall 2008: Became an NRA Life member to help the "fight".
Fall 2008-09: Got mad and inspired reading "America's 1st Freedom".
Fall 2009: finally got around to learning the criteria and process of obtaining a "Concealed Pistol License" in the state of Washington.
I should be receiving it this week, for self defense but mainly because
ITS MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT!

Eekamouse01 · 11-18-2009, 05:58

Military brat – 1983, RAF decided to launch multiple suicide assaults against US military stationed in (W) Germany. One of three was shot and killed in the concertina wire, after breaching the dog run and outside perimeter fence with two others. Second of the three was inside the perimeter when he too was shot and killed. Third terrorist hugged himself to the housing unit where a general lived and detonated himself, taking out a good portion of the corner of the building. Luckily, neither the officer nor his family were home when this occurred. That same year, while living off-the-economy, local motor scooter/motorcycle members were warring with the group from the next town and multiple semi- and fully-automatic weapons were used between the two groups to minimize the opposing group members. Locals, unaffiliated with the groups/gangs, civilians in the wrong place/wrong time, were also mowed down. Polizei responded, but the dead didn’t talk. People were afraid to walk the streets at night; the Polizei enforced a curfew in town; and teens, like me, had few options on what we could do for entertainment (we got creative but that’s another story). The Wall was still up, the Iron Curtain was a fact, and military and their family members were being kidnapped while going to and coming from work/school. Reagan was in office and the US Military presence was strong in Europe (as compared to now – mere skeleton units in comparison to the ‘80’s). We would be downtown in Kaiserslautern when people, Turks, Germans, Americans, Israelis, etc..., would start arguing and then pull a gun, shots would ring out, and blood would spill. The area was instantly a ‘red-light’ area and any US personnel, military or dependants, caught in the area, were severely rebuked…I learned to blend with the locals and speak their language with an accent.

Fast-forward to 1987-88 in the northern area of The People’s Republik of Kalifornia: I lived half a block from where I worked, and the neighborhood had gone from okay to ghetto, with the influx of crack (a new drug at that time) as well as coke, hash, pot and the assorted myriad of hallucinogenics, uppers and downers. Working 2300-0700 at 7-11, I got to meet the locals up close and personal. To make a longer story shorter, I was subpoenaed 13-times in 12-months to testify against people charged with petty theft to attempted armed robbery (amazing things happen when you realize someone is pointing an empty revolver in your face saying he is going to kill you). After being told multiple times, in court, by the accused, “I am going to kill you,” I knew my safe days were numbered. I moved to Santa Cruz, 2-months before the Loma Prieta Earthquake hit, when, in seconds, the historical town was decimated and became a lawless city. People, like my roommate and I, established armed roving guards, protecting our neighbors and us. The police were too busy with crowd and looting control to worry about the local denizens. Margaret, the 86-yo lady across the street was being burgled when we went to check on her. The burglar, armed with a long wicked knife, wet his pants and fled when given the opportunity to vacate the premises…I guess looking down the business end of a Marlin .30-30 might change a person’s demeanor.

From 1996 to 2009, I proudly served in the US Army, in the USA, S. Korea, Germany, Kurdistan and Iraq. I was trained as the unit armorer, and earned my sharpshooter badge in the M16 and expert in grenades and the M9. I have had too many people vow to kill me, and many have tried. I have been in 24 countries and realize this is a very tiny world. One day, someone who does not like me may find me again. I applied for and attained my CCW and carry either a Glock 26 or 17C, daily. I sleep with it, I shower with, I eat with it, I just don’t party with it, because I respect others and have overcome too many obstacles and challenges to throw my life, my security clearance, and my right to bear arms, away for good. <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBret%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="Preview" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBret%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_preview.wmf"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBret%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBret%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style>  </style>I have killed people and had friends die, while defending the rights of the US Citizen and the Constitution. Remember: Freedom is not Free.

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."
Thomas Jefferson

Larry V · 11-21-2009, 08:19

My father was a Cleveland Policeman . We were introduced to guns at an early age. Unfortunately today, Crime from the inner city of Cleveland is spilling over into the suburbs so one has to protect their family!

HighwayStarPP · 11-25-2009, 11:02

paranoia and the great state of florida going to complete ****

hd-chopper · 11-25-2009, 13:46

I was in my mid-twenty's and living right outside New Orleans at the time and carjacking was starting to become a regular occurrance. Suddenly I began to feel vunerable. I fixed that by changing my mind-set and carrying my G23 to defend myself if necessary.

Ak_Shooter1987 · 11-30-2009, 06:10

For me it was just natural I guess. Growing up there was never any hunting but my dad always had a 45 Colt next to the bed and a few rifles from when he was younger. I grew up loving shooting and did so with my dad and brothers as often as possible. Then the day I turned 18 I exercised my right given to me by the brave men and women who have fought and died for my constitutional rights to go buy a 12ga shotgun for home defense. Being a minor though I could not own a pistol so I had to wait another three HORRIBLE years!!! Which I spent learning the self-defense laws and rules of my state and practiced shooting my brothers colt 1911. Then the day came back in March of 2008 I got my first pistol. I live in Alaska and up here there is no requirement for a CCL so I walked out of the store with a holster for my new pistol loaded it when I got in my truck and put that gun in my holster! I have never gone anywhere without my pistol since and have also gone from one pistol to six as of now. Hopefully that number will keep going up.
Since the day I first put my gun in my holster I have had to pull it twice and thankfully never shoot it. Both times the drawing of my gun was enough to make the would be attackers run.

Jonmule · 11-30-2009, 20:28

Better to be judged by a jury of 12 than carried by 6. I live in a rural area and the local Sherriff can't keep up with all of the drug related activities.

tedwhite · 11-30-2009, 21:05

AK Shooter, it's a given that the 1911 will always earn bad guys' respect. Although, so will a snubbie, especially when it's up close and clearly personal.

EAGLESFANPHILA · 12-01-2009, 16:29

My defining moment occurred because more than 1 person was robbed at gun point when I lived in an apartment complex. After the 2nd incident I bought my first Glock, and applied for my carry permit shortly afterwards.

EAGLESFANPHILA · 12-01-2009, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonmule

Better to be judged by a jury of 12 than carried by 6. I live in a rural area and the local Sherriff can't keep up with all of the drug related activities.

I live in West Philadelphia. The city's crime rate speaks for itself. There's definitely enough nuts to go around. I'm not going anywhere without carrying in this city.

KT2002 · 12-01-2009, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlockRock19

However,

the growing trend is to shoot people anyway even after they give up what the perps want.

This has been happening a lot in S. E. Mich with carjackings.

This is the reason that I am prepared to fight for mine and my family's lifes. I live in Knoxville, TN and a few years a young couple was robbed, kidnapped, raped and killed.

I would rather go out shooting then to have this happen to wife, either daughter or myself.

zoics_g32 · 12-02-2009, 17:10

My poor cousin was gone down by a coward in the philippines on a road rage incident - he's lucky he had not pick the right coz.

I started to carry to protect myself from snots like him.

BlutoBlutarsky · 12-11-2009, 16:38

No real defining moment, I was raised around firearms. I was given my first firearm at eight and grew up in the days when half the kids in the school had gunracks and a rifle hanging in their truck in the school parking lot. When I was in college working third shift in south Memphis, on the advice of a local leo, I started carrying as did all the guys I worked with. When the "shall issue" laws came around I got mine to keep things legal. Can't remember not having one with me.

gate500gr · 12-16-2009, 09:56

I was raised around guns. I'd always been interested even though my father wasn't a big hunter but he'd bring out the shotgun or rifle for the occasional rattlesnake out back, 4th of July, New Years etc.

I'm an avid car enthusiast and I work hard for my money so I rewarded myself with a new car. One that most people my age would consider to be "out of my league". So time goes on and one night after i get home from work I find someone snooping around in the backyard near my car. Simply turning on the outside lights scared them away but I'd always wondered if they might come back. This was the first time I'd been in a situation where I might have to defend my property and I began doing research and learned that this whole "right to bear arms" thing is no hoax and applies to any law abiding American.

Uncle Mark · 12-17-2009, 18:28

After the Brady bill, I found out I couldn't pass a background check to purchase firearms because of identity theft. The best way I knew to clear my name was to get a CCW permit. It worked great in AZ because that's all you needed to buy and walk out with firearms. KY was a different story until a couple of years ago.

Six Feet Under · 12-18-2009, 06:39

I decided to carry a long time ago. When I turned 18, I kept a gun in my car everywhere I went as that was all I could legally do. I turn 21 in about 9 months and 3 weeks and when I do I will be carrying everywhere I legally can.

Oh yeah, getting shot made me realize there's no way in hell I ever want to be in a position to fight for my life and not be able to drop that MF dead. For a few days after I got out of the hospital I was leery of the idea of running towards gunfire if necessary, but that feeling went away soon and made me decide more than ever to carry a gun whenever and wherever I legally can.

Rolledup4s · 12-20-2009, 16:07

grown up around guns my whole life. always had a gun handy somewhere. decided to get a CCW when my son was born. Wanted to legally carry anywhere I could take him and protect my family out and about, not just at home.