Are you paranoid if you carry your gun everywhere with you?

2016-04-29T19:59:52-04:00

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 8:00 PM

2016-04-29T20:00:49-04:00

One question: are you paranoid if you carry drivers insurance whatever you drive?

Just being prudent I say.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 29 at 2016 8:03 PM

2016-04-29T20:03:04-04:00

It's a tool.

Are you paranoid if you keep a spare tire in your car?

Are you paranoid if you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen? Or fire alarms in your house?

What about a knife or a leatherman in your pocket? What about a credit card for emergency purchases?

It's just a different tool for a different kind of emergency.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Apr 29 at 2016 8:16 PM

2016-04-29T20:16:36-04:00

I just figure I would prefer to have a gun and pray I don't need it than not have a gun and pray that I don't need it....

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 29 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-04-29T20:19:19-04:00

I would say so, I've never felt the need for one. I've walked thru the Worst Parts of SE DC, Red Light Districts all over the world. Done Security Work in some Crappy parts of KC. I should preface this with I'm 6'4", I was 6'5" and 200 lbs, People usually give me a wide birth and assume the worst about me (Except my Grandchildren they know I'm an easy Touch). The only place that I've worked and lived where a Firearm was common and yeah even there I was known to have one on me occasionally was in West Virginia but it's more of a Cultural thing there.

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 29 at 2016 8:23 PM

2016-04-29T20:23:36-04:00

I call it prudence.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 29 at 2016 8:43 PM

2016-04-29T20:43:12-04:00

Not at all...

Response by SSG Jeremy Kohlwes made Apr 29 at 2016 8:46 PM

2016-04-29T20:46:23-04:00

Yes, you are also paranoid if you keep a fire extinguisher around. Or install smoke detectors. Check references for your kid's babysitter. Have a first aid kit in your POV.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Apr 29 at 2016 8:53 PM

2016-04-29T20:53:40-04:00

Thanks for this question. It's always fun. And important.
First, I've always been a thin, short, shrimpy guy with glasses. I'm obviously an easy target for muggers or drunks. I've had plenty of interesting incidents. 1. Stomped unconscious in Tennessee by three guys, one with a pistol. I found them the next day and put them in jail. 2. Robbed by Filipinos who simply surrounded me on a busy street and patted me down while one displayed a knife. Finding nothing, they went away. 3. Atlanta, midnight, got off the tube at the wrong stop and was immediately 'greeted' by two guys. I shouted at them and they backed off.
When I think hard on how these incidents actually went down, and then think "what if I had a gun" the scenario always ends up with someone dead, and the odds are fair that I'd be the one dead.
There have been plenty of lesser confrontations. But once you pull a piece, it escalates and never gets better.
I carried on three occasions. 1. Martial Law on Guam after a supertyphoon, I know now it was silly to carry. 2. Desert Shield in Germany, when intel said terrorists would be kidnapping GIs in Europe. That never occurred. 3. Texas, when a neighbor was burglarized, all the men came to "help" the cop. I'm sure now he didn't appreciate that. The next week, another neighbor was burglarized--they took all his guns! That's what a gun is--a target for bad guys to get.
Finally, I was ordered once to go from Clark to Subic during the People's Revolution. My friend in OSI said the roads were crawling with communists. IF I had a gun, I would have driven and taken my chances. As it was, I looked around some more and found a friend with a helicopter who took me. Having a gun would have led to a hasty decision.
So my experience is: with gun, there's escalation and death; without gun, you make healthier decisions.

Response by Alan K. made Apr 29 at 2016 9:21 PM

2016-04-29T21:21:11-04:00

Gee, i hope not....I carry a pair of 1911's

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 9:26 PM

2016-04-29T21:26:49-04:00

no.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 29 at 2016 9:41 PM

2016-04-29T21:41:07-04:00

Are you paranoid if you have car insurance every day?
Are you paranoid if you have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen every day?

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Apr 29 at 2016 9:42 PM

2016-04-29T21:42:51-04:00

Personally, I do not carry. But nothing wrong with being prudent.

Response by SFC Alfredo Garcia made Apr 29 at 2016 10:41 PM

2016-04-29T22:41:29-04:00

I do feel paranoid when I forget my wallet. If I forget my boom-stick, I am like 'ah-shucks'. No worries as if I don't have it on me it is secured. How about my phone? Somewhere in between my pew-pew and my wallet. Point is, I know where I am going, what my business is, and what the hidden dangers (if any) are. I have never had to use mine and hope that never changes. Best to avoid escalating anything. De-escalate or simply leave. If forced, use your training to only protect and defend. That is not paranoia, that is valuing life: Yours and theirs. I do believe there are those who may be paranoid as there are no absolutes. Keep your wits and understand your environment.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 11:21 PM

2016-04-29T23:21:08-04:00

Personal defense is important these days. And with the constant threat to military people being verbalized by the extremist we need to stay prepared to defend not only our self but our families.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 11:24 PM

2016-04-29T23:24:01-04:00

Not necessarily, it depends on why you carry your gun everywhere. If it's because every day you expect to be swarmed by terrorists... your paranoid. If it's because you realize there is a good chance that at some point during your life you may need a firearm and want to have it ready just in case, then no... you are just fine.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 11:32 PM

2016-04-29T23:32:04-04:00

Nope not paranoid at all.
Now if I'm carrying, and have one in glove box, pepper spray in door pouch, tactical shotgun under back seat am I paranoid? I don't think so just prepared for the Zombies....

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Apr 30 at 2016 12:32 AM

2016-04-30T00:32:06-04:00

Choice 3: Because I can. A right unexercised will be a right denied.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 30 at 2016 9:14 AM

2016-04-30T09:14:18-04:00

What do I have to be paranoid about? I have a gun!

Response by SPC Nicholas Cureton made Apr 30 at 2016 10:52 AM

2016-04-30T10:52:13-04:00

No. I am still ready and able to defend myself and my family and all the liberals hiding behind me. Lol

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Apr 30 at 2016 1:06 PM

2016-04-30T13:06:32-04:00

It depends upon where you live and where you go.

Response by SPC Bryan Guzman-Piedra made Apr 30 at 2016 3:46 PM

2016-04-30T15:46:44-04:00

Carrying a weapon does not make one paranoid. This is planet Earth. Populated by being barely removed from the savage monkeys we evolved from. The Gazelle have horns, tigers have teeth and claws, people have brains and the means to create the weapons that suit their needs. Guns are but a tool, one of many, used in defense of oneself and others.

People have a false sense of security. Cops are minutes away when shit goes down in seconds. The security cameras aren't there to protect you. Locks are only there to buy time, and the bystander effect doesn't work.

Response by SGT Jimmy Carpenter made Apr 30 at 2016 8:29 PM

2016-04-30T20:29:06-04:00

When I first started carrying I was nervous (not paranoid) that people would know I was carrying or that I was "printing". Now it's second nature to me and like my wallet, I don't leave home without it.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made May 2 at 2016 10:19 AM

2016-05-02T10:19:22-04:00

I don't think this is an odd question. I carry all the time, as well as my Wife and Daughter. they both have stated that they felt,,,,different, when they carry. My question to them was "different as in scared, paranoid, superior,,how?" They both responded "cognitive of the fact that they were carrying and a bit more aware of their surroundings." Both are trained well, both very responsible and both very caring. I told them that they should always be aware of their surroundings and always cognitive of the hardware. I have been armed, off and on, since I was 18, I feel a little naked without the hardware, but not predominantly, for my protection. It's more a feeling that I have forgotten something like my wallet, watch or pocket knife. It comes down to training, familiarity and confidence in both. Neither my Wife or Daughter have near the experience I have, nor do I wish that on them. I like the fact that they both have confidence in themselves and feel comfortable asking me, what some would think is an odd question. It shows they are thinking.

Response by SPC James Dollins made May 2 at 2016 3:22 PM

2016-05-02T15:22:16-04:00

When I first started carrying yes.. I always thought people could see it no matter what I did. Now, I'm more comfortable w/ it.

Response by PO3 David Fries made May 2 at 2016 4:03 PM

2016-05-02T16:03:46-04:00

It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you. Just saying.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 2 at 2016 9:01 PM

2016-05-02T21:01:26-04:00

When I lived CONUS, I carried a .45 auto in my pickup all the time - it was cocked and locked, no good any other way. This was back in the '70s, '80s - a much different time. I never felt paranoid or threatened. Here in Denmark, I can't hardly carry a pocket knife with out thread of jail.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 5:29 PM

2016-05-24T17:29:10-04:00

I wouldn't say that I am paranoid. It is much like being in a combat zone, for example. We have our weapons assigned to us and typically loaded and ready to fire if needed. Most of us have the self discipline to know when and where we need to use them, if necessary. We all walk around with a weapon of some type and it is part of the norm.