The simplest answer is always, but is it? Should you really carry a gun all the time, everywhere? And that’s a “depends” answer.
First, as a default, I carry a gun (or guns) everywhere. Why? For my self defense. I have people and family ask me, “are you really going to need that at the gym?” My answer is, “I hope not.” Since my family knows and trusts me, I can get away with that, but to others it sounds sarcastic. I drive a truck professionally right now to make a living. I always wear my seat belt. Do I ever want the need of my seat belt? No, I really don’t ever want to use it. So if someone asks me about carrying a gun, it’s a safety device that I carry everywhere. Try equating it to a seat belt or door locks. No, I never want to have a need for either, but it would be nice to have my seat belt on if I get into a major car accident.
Since my default is carrying a gun all the time, is there a time when I don’t and you shouldn’t? First legal disclaimer: I don’t officially ever break the law and I think you should officially follow all Federal, State, and local laws. So if you were going someplace like a post office (against federal law to even have one in most post office parking lots) you should consider leaving the gun at home. I say everything as consider. You should weigh your options and take your chance with all the given information. For example: In Colorado, right now, there is a lot of cash moving around because of the legalization of marijuana but no bank will take the cash or even do the credit card processing. So every dollar spent is in cash. The owners don’t have a lot of places to put it. One report said that one owner is leaving the shop with $50,000 plus a day. And the news media is reporting it all. That means every dirt bag (recidivist criminal) knows there is a lot of money moving around. If I was one of those guys carrying tens of thousands of dollars cash everyday and everyone knows it, I’d carry multiple guns and worry about the legal ramifications if it was illegal later.
You probably shouldn’t carry a gun when you are going to get on an airplane and have to go through security. I know there have been lots of people that have accidentally gotten through security and where there is a will there is a way to get through security with things. I used to carry a knife to many places that was legal but they asked you not to (like concerts and amusement parks) where they would use a metal detecting wand and search everyone. I had no trouble beating all those in a multitude of ways. I’ve even beaten walking through metal detectors with knives. So if I can do it with a knife, I can do it with a gun (no I’m not going to put in print how to do it). I just suggest that you don’t carry through the airport, but it’s up to you.
There are times that I absolutely do not carry a gun, and highly suggest (even say you shouldn’t) carry one too. When I go partying/drinking I put the guns away. I plan ahead so I can do these events. If I’m out with friends and the party starts and drinks are flowing, if I’m armed, I don’t drink. If I’m going to a friend’s house for a BBQ and going to stay the night (which happens and is a blast), I will plan ahead. The gun is still with me. When I get to the party I take off the gun and put it in a locked case in the car and lock the car. Since normally I’m on a private ranch leaving it in the car isn’t an issue. I wouldn’t suggest leaving your gun in the car while you go in the bar for a drink (plan ahead).
My entire point with this article is asking you to think ahead. Analyze what you are doing and where you are going and decide ahead of time what you will do with your self defense gun. Because I have a plan is one of the reasons my family and friends (even the ones that aren’t gun people) accept that I carry a gun all the time. Make the conscious decision whether or not you will carry your gun to certain places. When you start your day, as part of your planning, decide if you are going to carry your gun or what you are going to do with it. This will keep you out of trouble.
Stay Safe,
Ben
Hmmm,….
Me, trained up tactical shooter. Also, a certified handgun instructor. Also, someone who has been the victim of an armed robbery at gunpoint, a mugging, and an attempted armed robbery at gunpoint, where I outdrew and shot the robber.
My two cents,… Well, maybe for you carrying all the time, and virtually everywhere is OK. As you may imagine, I’ve known dozens of folks who conceal carry everyday. In I.D.P.A. alone I met dozens, and dozens. I also know many retired Police Officers who carry every day. Then there are the many folks I know carry everyday, who can just about put most shots on the paper, standing still, taking careful aim, if no one distracts them, and who seem to view their carry firearm as some sort of lucky rabbits foot that will magically save them in a life or death situation.
I know that you make it a point of saying that concealed carry is a personal decision, but, I just don’t think that I would have written this article. I kind of take each person I encounter around the concealed carry issue individually. In some cases, I feel safer when someone who has “skills and judgment” is concealed carrying around me. I know that in a crisis, the bad guys would be in for a nasty surprise, and a real bad day. With other folks, I worry about all the bad things that could happen with them concealed carrying around me. Truth is that the vast majority of folks who concealed carry do not have, or seek to get any sort of sophisticated training. I’m always amazed that lots more bad things don’t happen. I have to say that I credit this more to luck, than anything else.
Why more bad things don’t happen with untrained people, I have no idea why it doesn’t. Law Enforcement has been horrible at this lately (especially in NY) but has a relatively low percentage of things going wrong when the make the right decision to shoot. I think the decision making process is just as important as the actual skills. This article was written to get people thinking about all the ramifications of carrying or not carrying a gun for self defense. I really want to get people thinking ahead of time what they can do, because I suspect that your real-world experience tells you that once it starts it too late to generally come up with a plan and work through it.
Thanks for your input and all your comments are welcome. Thanks for reading and I hope I’m bringing something to the table for you with your experience level.