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[Later Alligator]

yes, WA state

I do not carry as I'm not a US citizen and cannot own a gun. I did have my restricted/non-restricted gun license in Canada, however carrying was not allowed (laws are much different)

 

[Havoc2049]

yes, WA state

I do not carry as I'm not a US citizen and cannot own a gun. I did have my restricted/non-restricted gun license in Canada, however carrying was not allowed (laws are much different)

Time to join Team USA for the win.

 

[Jonirenicus]

yes but that is deemed illegal in most places.

That's actually the opposite of truth! 45 of 50 states allow open carry in some or all capacities

 

[Later Alligator]

Time to join Team USA for the win.

well, i live here

while i would like to have dual citzenship at some point, it is quite the process. and my 2nd daughter is American, first one in our family

 

[sol_bad]

I can't for the life of me why anyone would want to conceal carry a gun. It boggles my mind.

Someone mentioned a sexual assault for his gf on the last page, as horrible as that is, how long has it been since then? If your gf was going to be raped while you are there, chances are you are going to get knocked the fuck out before you even have a chance to get your gun. I mean you guys are carrying these weapons around 365 days of the year and how many altercations have you been in? How many life threatening situations have you been in? You are adding to the potential danger of the situation.

If you honestly ask me, if you walk around with a gun every single day and have never had an altercation, or one altercation in 20+ years of existence, you should seriously have your mental state checked. It's not healthy to think you could be attacked any day and any time now.

 

[MetalAlien]

I can't for the life of me why anyone would want to conceal carry a gun. It boggles my mind.

Someone mentioned a sexual assault for his gf on the last page, as horrible as that is, how long has it been since then? If your gf was going to be raped while you are there, chances are you are going to get knocked the fuck out before you even have a chance to get your gun. I mean you guys are carrying these weapons around 365 days of the year and how many altercations have you been in? How many life threatening situations have you been in? You are adding to the potential danger of the situation.

If you honestly ask me, if you walk around with a gun every single day and have never had an altercation, or one altercation in 20+ years of existence, you should seriously have your mental state checked. It's not healthy to think you could be attacked any day and any time now.

"God made men, but Sam Colt made them equal."

 

[brap]

I can't for the life of me why anyone would want to come into a thread just to bitch. It boggles my mind.

 

[highrider]

I find it so strange that people just casually walk around willy-nilly carrying a lethal weapon on them like it's no big deal.

Sincerely,
An Australian.

America is pretty violent. Depends where you live obviously but you’re unlikely to feel safe all the time. Some people also run businesses and act as their own personal security carrying deposits. Most people who carry I think would rather rely on themselves than the executive branch, but it’s good you have that kind of faith in your government, although I would do that at your own peril.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

I can't for the life of me why anyone would want to conceal carry a gun. It boggles my mind.

Someone mentioned a sexual assault for his gf on the last page, as horrible as that is, how long has it been since then? If your gf was going to be raped while you are there, chances are you are going to get knocked the fuck out before you even have a chance to get your gun. I mean you guys are carrying these weapons around 365 days of the year and how many altercations have you been in? How many life threatening situations have you been in? You are adding to the potential danger of the situation.

If you honestly ask me, if you walk around with a gun every single day and have never had an altercation, or one altercation in 20+ years of existence, you should seriously have your mental state checked. It's not healthy to think you could be attacked any day and any time now.

I don't own a gun but there was once a black man who threatened to kill me simply because I was white, fat and wore glasses. Obviously I didn't respond to him but what if he had decided to pull out a knife or gun and used it? Better to be safe than sorry. Especially in America.

 

[triplestation]

I find it so strange that people just casually walk around willy-nilly carrying a lethal weapon on them like it's no big deal.

Sincerely,
An Australian.

i'm with you

i just cant go out needing to be "battle ready" at all times and i don't want to low key anticipate shit going down in the back of my head

that's a straight up life style change

sincerely,
an american

 

[brap]

I don't own a gun but there was once a black man who threatened to kill me simply because I was white, fat and wore glasses. Obviously I didn't respond to him but what if he had decided to pull out a knife or gun and used it? Better to be safe than sorry. Especially in America.

glad your thicc ass is safe

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

Around thots never relax

 

[RiccochetJ]

yes, WA state

I do not carry as I'm not a US citizen and cannot own a gun. I did have my restricted/non-restricted gun license in Canada, however carrying was not allowed (laws are much different)

Interesting. Federally, if you're a permanent resident (green card), you're allowed to purchase a firearm. However, it appears that WA is the only or one of very few states where it's illegal for non-citizens to own a firearm. Most other states have no restrictions while others have restrictions specifically with regards to concealed carry when it comes to permanent residents.

Heh, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole there! It appears that some lawyers think that the WA law is unconstitutional.

 

[sol_bad]

Say you do have to draw your gun to protect yourself? What are the rules of self defence in America? Will you end up in jail for 10+ years?

How do you decide when to escalate to your gun? You don't know if the assailant has a weapon or not, do you wait until you see it first or draw your gun first without knowing?
What happens if you shoot and kill someone that is unarmed?
What if you accidentally turn off safety and kill someone that started to back away?

There are so many questions and so many things that can go wrong during a confrontation.

 

[daveonezero]

That's actually the opposite of truth! 45 of 50 states allow open carry in some or all capacities

They allow it but most cities and properties are gun free and wouldn’t be too keen on the open carry.

 

[SpartanN92]

Say you do have to draw your gun to protect yourself? What are the rules of self defence in America? Will you end up in jail for 10+ years?

How do you decide when to escalate to your gun? You don't know if the assailant has a weapon or not, do you wait until you see it first or draw your gun first without knowing?
What happens if you shoot and kill someone that is unarmed?
What if you accidentally turn off safety and kill someone that started to back away?

There are so many questions and so many things that can go wrong during a confrontation.

It’s on a state by state basis in regards to specifics but in general if you feel your life is in genuine danger then you are allowed to respond with lethal force. A court will of course examine the circumstances but legitimate cases of lethal force in self defense are almost never prosecuted.
I understand that you think we are crazy, but I refuse to allow my safety or my families safety to be dictated by others. If just one person in El Paso had a weapon then maybe things would have ended differently.
I pray that I never have to use my firearm one day but if I do have to use lethal force then I’ll put it this way; better him than me.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

Say you do have to draw your gun to protect yourself? What are the rules of self defence in America? Will you end up in jail for 10+ years?

How do you decide when to escalate to your gun? You don't know if the assailant has a weapon or not, do you wait until you see it first or draw your gun first without knowing?
What happens if you shoot and kill someone that is unarmed?
What if you accidentally turn off safety and kill someone that started to back away?

There are so many questions and so many things that can go wrong during a confrontation.

A guy breaks into your home
A guy tries to mug you with a knife/gun
A group of guys try to beat you up because they feel like it

All justifies you using your weapon to defend yourself.

 

[sevoro]

I carry a huge concealed dick in Australia, not sure if allowed to in the US.

On a serious note, shouldn't guns be only owned by responsible people who pass an intense background check? Forgive me if this is an exaggeration, but isn't it like super easy to get a gun? If someone can educate me please do, I also realise it may vary state by state.

 

[appaws]

Another Kentucky boy here. I sometimes carry my Springfield XD45, especially if it’s cool enough for a jacket. But if it’s hot or I’m lazy I just throw the s&w snubby in a simple pocket holster.

I want the wife to buy me a Kimber revolver for my birthday later this month.

 

[appaws]

I carry a huge concealed dick in Australia, not sure if allowed to in the US.

On a serious note, shouldn't guns be only owned by responsible people who pass an intense background check? Forgive me if this is an exaggeration, but isn't it like super easy to get a gun? If someone can educate me please do, I also realise it may vary state by state.

Yep, it depends on the state. But it should be easy for a non-felon to get a gun. The government should not have a monopoly on armed force, that is tyranny.

 

[Jonirenicus]

All free people should be able to arm themselves.

If someone is unfit to arm themselves, they should not be free.

 

[Falcs]

but it’s good you have that kind of faith in your government, although I would do that at your own peril.

This is another thing about Americans that I don't get.

Oh noes, the big bad government is gonna get me!

Yes, I trust the government. I trust them to not put me or my family or the rest of the general population in danger, or to hold us hostage, or attack us, or anything like that because why the bloody hell would they??
I also trust them to continue to make shit decisions, and to tax the ever living hell out of me each year.

What exactly would the government have to do that would make the general population of American feel the need to take up arms against them?

I really want to know this. I mean aside from trying to ban you from having guns.
Please educate me.

Edit: Just want to point out, if I lived in the US, I too would own a gun. But only because everyone else does. But I sure wouldn't carry it around. It'd be just in case someone tried to break into my house with their own gun.

 

[spandexmonkey]

I also recommend anyone curious to add Baltimore, Detroit, Memphis, St. Louis, Chicago, etc local news to your regular feeds. Just check it daily over the next 6 months. Some of us in those cities joke about avoiding local news just for our mental health.

 

[daveonezero]

This is a good research video to argue for the 2nd amendment.

 

[iconmaster]

i just cant go out needing to be "battle ready" at all times and i don't want to low key anticipate shit going down in the back of my head

that's a straight up life style change

I'm with you. Some gun owners talk about being in a "condition yellow" at all times. I don't want to always be on the lookout for danger.

I think guns are pretty cool, technologically, but I don't want to orient my life around one. Also, I'm afraid to have one in a house with kids.

I'm not against others owning and carrying them, though.

 

[appaws]

This is another thing about Americans that I don't get.

Oh noes, the big bad government is gonna get me!

Yes, I trust the government. I trust them to not put me or my family or the rest of the general population in danger, or to hold us hostage, or attack us, or anything like that because why the bloody hell would they??
I also trust them to continue to make shit decisions, and to tax the ever living hell out of me each year.

What exactly would the government have to do that would make the general population of American feel the need to take up arms against them?

I really want to know this. I mean aside from trying to ban you from having guns.
Please educate me.

Edit: Just want to point out, if I lived in the US, I too would own a gun. But only because everyone else does. But I sure wouldn't carry it around. It'd be just in case someone tried to break into my house with their own gun.

C’mon man...you only have to look at the the history of the last century to see first world countries turn to repression up to and including the murder of millions.

 

[iconmaster]

What exactly would the government have to do that would make the general population of American feel the need to take up arms against them?

Suspend certain rights. This isn't far-fetched; it's actually happened. Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus, which is the right to not be detained without lawful cause. So that was kind of a big deal (though arguably justifiable in the circumstances.. that's a separate issue).

 

[SurprisedPikachu]

I carry an SD9-VE on my back, sometimes a Glock 42.

 

[Lone Wolf]

I carry a Glock 26 with Glock 19 mags in the winter, and a Glock 43 during the summer months. I carry both appendix.

 

[Havoc2049]

This is another thing about Americans that I don't get.

Oh noes, the big bad government is gonna get me!

Yes, I trust the government. I trust them to not put me or my family or the rest of the general population in danger, or to hold us hostage, or attack us, or anything like that because why the bloody hell would they??
I also trust them to continue to make shit decisions, and to tax the ever living hell out of me each year.

What exactly would the government have to do that would make the general population of American feel the need to take up arms against them?

I really want to know this. I mean aside from trying to ban you from having guns.
Please educate me.

Edit: Just want to point out, if I lived in the US, I too would own a gun. But only because everyone else does. But I sure wouldn't carry it around. It'd be just in case someone tried to break into my house with their own gun.

Threat its citizens like shit. Much like the British Empire treated Americans like shit and Mexico treated Texans and Californians like shit. They got tired of it, so they rose up and fought their oppressors.

 

[highrider]

This is another thing about Americans that I don't get.

Oh noes, the big bad government is gonna get me!

Yes, I trust the government. I trust them to not put me or my family or the rest of the general population in danger, or to hold us hostage, or attack us, or anything like that because why the bloody hell would they??
I also trust them to continue to make shit decisions, and to tax the ever living hell out of me each year.

What exactly would the government have to do that would make the general population of American feel the need to take up arms against them?

I really want to know this. I mean aside from trying to ban you from having guns.
Please educate me.

Edit: Just want to point out, if I lived in the US, I too would own a gun. But only because everyone else does. But I sure wouldn't carry it around. It'd be just in case someone tried to break into my house with their own gun.

Any government can become tyrannical, you need only observe recent history and the world around you. Also societal collapse is a much more real threat imo, you don’t want to be unarmed if that goes down.

 

[n0razi]

Yes

 

[Singular7]

Self-defense is a natural right of all creatures, so yes, and yes. Never actually carry ... but the principle is good.

CZ75

Cold dead hands and all that.

 

[trite]

I only carry my standard issue guns as issued by the Lord God himself.

None of us knows when our time comes and no matter ho hard we try and stop it, death is coming. I'd like to think that if I conceal carried that I and those around me would be safer but the reality is that when violence strikes it usually does so by surprise and I statistically am more likely to shoot someone I love than an actual attacker.

Ironically I also support the 2A and would purchase a firearm if I truly felt it was necessary for my survival. It's just not quite that time for me yet.

Why not get it now so that when you feel you need it, you don’t have to wait?

 

[off duty ninja]

Why not get it now so that when you feel you need it, you don’t have to wait?

It’s a choice I’ve contemplated more than once but I have some personal trepidation about owning a firearm. I feel I’m doing the responsible thing for myself and my family.

With the way things are going in this country I better decide soon if I want to ensure I can get one.

 

[Jonirenicus]

I just bit the bullet..... so to speak.... and ordered an FNX-45 Tactical since I found one for $836 plus $12 shipping. My FFL charges $25 for a transfer so I'm in under $900 on a gun with a $1300 MSRP

 

[spandexmonkey]

It’s a choice I’ve contemplated more than once but I have some personal trepidation about owning a firearm. I feel I’m doing the responsible thing for myself and my family.

With the way things are going in this country I better decide soon if I want to ensure I can get one.

If you haven't already and they are available in your area, most ranges offer courses on fire arms and ownership. The one the wife and I attended was taught by a police officer and was filled with a good variety of people. He emphasized the discipline and habits you need to form (holding it, storing it, laws, etc). At the very end of it he took us to an isolated range and had everyone fire 5 shots using guns he provided. Very structured, lots of commands (he'd stand with anyone that was nervous), couple women left after hearing it go off. A few people at the end said they had seen enough and decided to avoid guns, we were the opposite and decided we wanted the responsibility.
He also encouraged lots of questions, so it helps remove any gray area.

 

[off duty ninja]

If you haven't already and they are available in your area, most ranges offer courses on fire arms and ownership. The one the wife and I attended was taught by a police officer and was filled with a good variety of people. He emphasized the discipline and habits you need to form (holding it, storing it, laws, etc). At the very end of it he took us to an isolated range and had everyone fire 5 shots using guns he provided. Very structured, lots of commands (he'd stand with anyone that was nervous), couple women left after hearing it go off. A few people at the end said they had seen enough and decided to avoid guns, we were the opposite and decided we wanted the responsibility.
He also encouraged lots of questions, so it helps remove any gray area.

I appreciate the encouragement but I’ve used firearms many times and am trained in firearm safety. I served in the Army for 3 years and have friends that are into guns and own many.

Honestly I’m afraid if I owned a gun I would use it on the wrong person and I just don’t want anything like that to happen.

 

[synchronicity]

This is not intended to belittle those who carry weapons. But for me, I refuse to live in fear, and I'll never own a firearm. Sure I may get killed by a shooter, but I probably would anyway even if I had a weapon, and I know I'm going to die sooner or later anyway. The how and why will be a fun surprise.

From a philosophical standpoint, gun ownership is wrong for me. It's not in harmony with my nature at all. Again, for me, it perpetuates an atmosphere of general distrust, and while you may argue such a feeling is warranted, I think it is also true that expectancy helps to create the environment - collectively and individually.

 

[DrJohnGalt]

Never understood the point of concealed carry. If I was packing heat for self defense I would want people to know. That way it is less likely for people to engage me or others in the area in the first place

Open carry presents a different set of problems. First, if something actually does go down, the criminal would likely take out the biggest threats first (which is usually the people openly carrying weapons). Second, the weapon could be grabbed more easily by a criminal in what could have been a non-lethal confrontation. Third, some people get absolutely freaked out when they even see a gun. Best not to cause a scene or draw attention to yourself ever, but especially when carrying. And fourth, law enforcement (not all, mind) might get the wrong idea, especially in an already tense situation. If they respond to a "shots fired" call and show up and see you with a gun things could go very wrong, even if you weren't involved in the initial incident.

My piece of choice is also the S&W Shield. I see a few others with them. Pretty solid, only thing I've added is a grip extension.

 

[DrJohnGalt]

From a philosophical standpoint, gun ownership is wrong for me. It's not in harmony with my nature at all. Again, for me, it perpetuates an atmosphere of general distrust, and while you may argue such a feeling is warranted, I think it is also true that expectancy helps to create the environment - collectively and individually.

I like what you say in-part here. People that aren't comfortable with weapons should not feel obligated to have them. It could be argued that a gun in the wrong hands doesn't just mean criminals, it also applies to somebody who is untrained, unfamiliar, or just uncomfortable with the weapon. I always get nervous when I see gun newbs treat their piece like a toy or status symbol and not the deadly tool it could be. It's always good to learn handgun etiquette even if you don't plan on carrying regulary. Treat every gun like it is loaded; don't point it at anyone; never put your finger on the trigger until you're ready (physically and mentally) to shoot.

 

[synchronicity]

I like what you say in-part here. People that aren't comfortable with weapons should not feel obligated to have them. It could be argued that a gun in the wrong hands doesn't just mean criminals, it also applies to somebody who is untrained, unfamiliar, or just uncomfortable with the weapon. I always get nervous when I see gun newbs treat their piece like a toy or status symbol and not the deadly tool it could be. It's always good to learn handgun etiquette even if you don't plan on carrying regulary. Treat every gun like it is loaded; don't point it at anyone; never put your finger on the trigger until you're ready (physically and mentally) to shoot.

Yeah that's a good point. Because of the potential for immediately lethal consequences, caution and proficiency should be the rule. For better or worse, however, there are no regulations that account for general human carelessness. (read: stupidity)

 

[Jonirenicus]

This is not intended to belittle those who carry weapons. But for me, I refuse to live in fear, and I'll never own a firearm. Sure I may get killed by a shooter, but I probably would anyway even if I had a weapon, and I know I'm going to die sooner or later anyway. The how and why will be a fun surprise.

From a philosophical standpoint, gun ownership is wrong for me. It's not in harmony with my nature at all. Again, for me, it perpetuates an atmosphere of general distrust, and while you may argue such a feeling is warranted, I think it is also true that expectancy helps to create the environment - collectively and individually.

Do you eschew a fire extinguisher in your home as well, in your quest to not live in fear?

 

[synchronicity]

Do you eschew a fire extinguisher in your home as well, in your quest to not live in fear?

Do you live in a bomb shelter in your quest to evade death?

 

[Jonirenicus]

Do you live in a bomb shelter in your quest to evade death?

No, but I do have beefed up security measures on my house, security cameras covering the approach up the driveway, cameras in the house pointed at the doors and most vulnerable windows... My wife nixed the window bars I wanted to install, said they're "trashy"

While there have been break-ins and home invasions in my neighborhood in the decade we've lived here, our house has been relatively unbothered (Had a minor incident between purchase and move-in where someone broke in a side door window and stole a few small items we had brought over. That's been corrected in a way that will leave a hurt on anyone who tries it again)


So... do you have a fire extinguisher or not?

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

No, but I do have beefed up security measures on my house, security cameras covering the approach up the driveway, cameras in the house pointed at the doors and most vulnerable windows... My wife nixed the window bars I wanted to install, said they're "trashy"

While there have been break-ins and home invasions in my neighborhood in the decade we've lived here, our house has been relatively unbothered (Had a minor incident between purchase and move-in where someone broke in a side door window and stole a few small items we had brought over. That's been corrected in a way that will leave a hurt on anyone who tries it again)


So... do you have a fire extinguisher or not?

You should install flamethrowers or automatic turrets. It would look cool.

 

[synchronicity]

No, but I do have beefed up security measures on my house, security cameras covering the approach up the driveway, cameras in the house pointed at the doors and most vulnerable windows... My wife nixed the window bars I wanted to install, said they're "trashy"

While there have been break-ins and home invasions in my neighborhood in the decade we've lived here, our house has been relatively unbothered (Had a minor incident between purchase and move-in where someone broke in a side door window and stole a few small items we had brought over. That's been corrected in a way that will leave a hurt on anyone who tries it again)


So... do you have a fire extinguisher or not?

Well actually I don't. I used to have one, but when my wife and I split and I got a new place, I didn't bring our old one or buy a new one.

But even if I did, they are not equivalencies for me. Sure they both represent safety. I get that. But one is a form that is a symbol of fear of our fellow sentient beings and the other is not. Fear of others leads to reasons to fear others very often. That negative energy is not healthy (for society or the individual) in my view. Of course there will be those who are going to harm others regardless, but attempting to protect yourself against all possible violence is impossible, and does more societal harm than good -and by a great margin.

 

[-aftermidnight-]

I've been wanting to buy a machete to keep at home, only cause a female coworker has one but theres so many nice looking machetes, don't know what to get.

 

[Jonirenicus]

Well actually I don't. I used to have one, but when my wife and I split and I got a new place, I didn't bring our old one or buy a new one.

But even if I did, they are not equivalencies for me. Sure they both represent safety. I get that. But one is a form that is a symbol of fear of our fellow sentient beings and the other is not. Fear of others leads to reasons to fear others very often. That negative energy is not healthy (for society or the individual) in my view. Of course there will be those who are going to harm others regardless, but attempting to protect yourself against all possible violence is impossible, and does more societal harm than good -and by a great margin.

You're wrong but okay.

 

[trite]

It’s a choice I’ve contemplated more than once but I have some personal trepidation about owning a firearm. I feel I’m doing the responsible thing for myself and my family.

With the way things are going in this country I better decide soon if I want to ensure I can get one.

You do realize that those gun death statistics usually factor in suicide. Y'know, the statistics about "You will be more likely to shoot someone in your family than a home intruder."