Why to carry Concealed, I have toyed with that thought for a long time. A very basic reason is because it is written in our consititution the right to bear arms. I have read what our founding fathers have written about an armed society, and agreed with what they said. But still, I haven't felt the need to carry concealed.
Not until I have had those situtations happen to me, things I considered happen to "Other People"
A couple of years ago while at home, well it was an apartment, we lived in the garden level, it was during the mid morning hours, I had just finished doing work on my car, and came in the living room, my wife was in the bedroom cleaning up, when she came to me, looking very pale, and scared, and told me someone was breaking in to the bedroom....I had a gun, but it was in the bedroom closet, and locked, also being what I thought a good responsable person with weapons does, my ammo was not in the same place as the weapon... So that was useless.
So I grabbed a tire iron which I had because I rotated the tires on my car...I grabbed that, and whacked the guy in the knee, since he was still trying to get in.
the get let out a scream, and got out.
I called the Police, and waited with my wife as the arrived, about 30 mins. later, they got the report from us, tried to get finger prints but nothing was available.
they even brought a Dog, and the dog, traced the person to his apartment, But when he was questioned, he denied everything, and his friends acted as wittnesses saying he was there the whole time.
Without solid evidence they could not arrest him.
So this left us pretty scared and feared retaliation, so we moved out ASAP.
I also worked on a person in the Hospital who was shot by Gang members. This kid was not killed, but seriously injured, and we had to do more surgery on him. We were advised that the gang members were looking for the kid and wanted to finish the job, along with going after those who were treating him. So this freaked me out a lot.
I started worring more about what could happen to me, and or my family.
So around then I decided to get my CCW, and a Handgun that I could carry.
While waiting for my CCW to come through, I had a couple of Gunshot victims that I had to care for.
One lady at home answered a knock on the door, when she opened the door, the BG shot her in the face, it didn't kill her, but it did a number on her face.
When later questioned, she stated she didn't know those people, she had no history of run ins with the law...She was just a lady by herself.
Another guy, who answered his door, only to realize the intention of the people knocking was not good, he shut the door, while trying to lock it he was shot a few time through the door....He survived.
A few weeks ago, I was coming home from work it was kinda late, I realized I needed gas, so I stopped at the local gas station, Generally I am pretty careful about where and when I stop for gas, I knew it was late, but I figured the neighborhood was ok.
While filling up, I noticed two guys circling my truck, both guys were fairly big guys, about young 20's, looking all gansta like..
I noticed this right away...I found it odd the would walk around the truck, looking in the windows on the passenger doors, walking back around me...then stopping in front of me about 25 ft or so, one guy maked as if he is going in to the store, he enters, then comes out the other door, at this time, the guy who was outside still, makes his way closer, and the other guy flanks me...All of this was taking place rather quickly, In less time it takes to put 15 gallons of gas in the truck.. these guys cased me, and started to make a move.
It was at this time, I went from concealed carry to Open Carry...
I made it no secert at this time I was armed.
Being a Little guy, with a full size 45....must have looked like a Cannon to them, becuase once he saw it, his eyes got huge, then he backed off, signaling to his friend to move away.
I was pretty wired after that, my heart was racing, like I just got a shot of adrenaline...
I have no doubt... That my carring is prevented me from being a statistic.
Now I carry every where I go...I figure it will be some crap luck, I will relax once, and not carry, and it will be a time where I wished I did.