[Clutch Cargo]

Armed criminals do not carry based upon "social" occasion and neither do I.

[eracer]

Originally Posted by SFla27

Very soon after they all got into the house (and shut the door), those guys were at the front door trying to get in. After knocking and trying to get someone inside to open the door, at least one of those guys began shooting through the door. My friend was hit, twice I believe.

Well...damn!

I have to keep reminding myself that vigilance is just as important as the ammo I carry in my gun.

The most likely reason for having a concealed weapon is to defend oneself against a two-legged predator. They tend to ambush hunt, and use the element of surprise to their advantage. Training to spot potential trouble and react to it when needed is something I need to do more of.

I do fall into the trap of thinking that my gun protects me, when the reality is that my gun is tool, not a talisman.

Thanks for posting your friend's unfortunate incident. It can serve as lesson for all of us.

[Snowsport]

Originally Posted by eracer

Which are the least likely situations in which you'll need to carry.

Except maybe in grizzly country., and then my pocket pistol won't do me much good.

really?

[beatcop]

The one time I thought about it at length...family xmas party, I didn't. A delinquent youth got upset and tried to find a handgun to use at the other houselhold...talk about a bad situation. Spouse and I left while kid was rumaging in his parents room for the colt mustang. Merry bleeping Christmas....have not been there or spoken in 8 years.

Lesson is: Don't invite stupid into your life. I had clues the kid was a mutant, but still went...for the "family".

[Snowsport]

Originally Posted by beatcop

Lesson is: Don't invite stupid into your life. I had clues the kid was a mutant, but still went...for the "family".

Agreed. This and situational awareness go a long way.

[ChicagoZman]

Anytime I'm in or out of the house except in bed (on the dresser), in the shower (on the bathroom counter) or in the People's Republic of Illinois (unloaded and cased in the trunk of the car).

[jamaicanj]

Originally Posted by eracer

Everywhere it's legal to do so.

Agreed

[jpa]

Originally Posted by Bruce M

I have been going to places where it wasn't even a question of whether I might need a gun but that a gun was going to be in my hand(s) as I get out of the car for more than three decades now.

I agree that if it is not mandated one should not go to places where one thinks one might need a gun. In a social setting or for that matter if I elect to go out somewhere for dinner by myself, I have no complete control over who else may enter a business after I am there. However there is a substantial difference in the potential quality of people one may run into in places to which the public is invited and in private homes with people who choose their friends wisely.

There are no guarantees you won't need that gun anywhere you go. That is the point I'm making. If you have to anticipate needing a gun when you go somewhere, why in the world would you go there? I think we're on the same page with that when you say you wouldn't go to a family gathering if you thought you needed to bring your gun. My concern isn't with the family event itself or being around friends/family, but what about traveling to get there? I'm a firm believer in having a gun and never needing it. I can't predict what's going to happen when I go somewhere, so I prefer to be prepared.

I've also found that when you start making decisions as to when you need your gun, you start making excuses why you won't need it. Then it becomes a slippery slope and you start carrying less and less. I don't want to start down that path until I get to the point where I don't carry more than I carry.

[MadMonkey]

I carry everywhere, and my family knows that I do. They also know that if they request that I remove my gun or leave it at home, I'm leaving or not showing up in the first place. I try not to compromise. Luckily my family is level-headed enough that all of them are okay with firearms and most have their own.

I also ask permission to OC (when I'm OWB and wearing a cover garment like a jacket in cold weather) at friend's houses and haven't been turned down yet... the majority of my friends are gun-friendly though.

I don't carry based on the "likelihood" of needing a gun. You never know, and it's just about impossible to guess when you'll need one unless your only travel is between a secure bunker and a gang hideout.

[John Rambo]

Originally Posted by IndianaMatt

So say you are invited to a family dinner, a dinner at your boss' place, or lunch with friends that aren't really close. Do you carry?

Always. If the people are uncomfortable with guns where I'm going I'll try to minimize the risk of them noticing when hugging me or looking at me sitting down by carrying a pocket pistol instead of IWB, but its always there.

[Bruce M]

Originally Posted by jpa

..., but what about traveling to get there? .
....

I'd be armed if I had to travel to get there. But not when I go inside.

[xmanhockey7]

Hell yes. Carried concealed last night at my gfs house with her family for dinner.

[frizz]

Originally Posted by steveksux

Sure, even if you don't need it at the party you need to get to the party. Bad stuff happens everywhere and anywhere anymore. You just never know. But you'll probably never need it, so if it makes you feel uncomfortable, leave it at home, you'll probably be just fine either way.

Where do robberies happen? Often, on your way to your car. They don't want to pull a gun to get your Bert's Chili while you are eating in the Waffle House. They wait in the parking lot and try to surprise you there.

As for a social event at someone's home, robbing people while they're walking to or from a house is an increasingly popular thug activity.

[frizz]

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

I don't carry based on the "likelihood" of needing a gun. You never know, and it's just about impossible to guess when you'll need one unless your only travel is between a secure bunker and a gang hideout.

While this depends on the type of area you are in, I would bet that the probability of needing a gun during any given stroll to or from your car is a lot less likely than having a car wreck during any given car trip.

I think I read that the probability of wrecking when you drive from point A to point B (city to city, or home to grocery store/work/barber) is something like 1/20,000 or so. Very low odds. So low that it is practically zero when you drive a mile to get some milk and cereal; needing a gun on a particular walk is much low, but still, practically zero.

Still, I wear my seatbelt EVERYTIME, no matter how short the trip.

[poodleplumber]

I have met all legal requirements to carry a concealed handgun. There is no provision in the law that I need anyone else's permission, nor do I have to inform anyone that I am carrying, and it will remain well concealed unless it is needed in the direst of emergencies. That kind of settles it for me.

As far as not needing it based on the company I keep, one can never be entirely certain that one is completely in charge of what company one will actually keep. The homes of friends are reasonably secure, but not more secure than mine, and I obviously have handguns available there.

[NEOH212]

Always.

I'm always armed where I'm legally permitted to be. I also avoid all the places that I'm not permitted to be armed unless I have no choice.

[Pwhfirefighter]

I carry everywhere except work(city policy) and the 4 places state law says I can't: LEO offices, jail/detention facilities, courtrooms with court in session, and places of nuisance. Fed property is a given. Other than that, I conceal carry. That's the point of conceal carry, no one knows.

[Tank44]

Absolutely! Concealed means concealed.

[Clutch Cargo]

Originally Posted by Pwhfirefighter

I carry everywhere except work(city policy) and the 4 places state law says I can't: LEO offices, jail/detention facilities, courtrooms with court in session, and places of nuisance. Fed property is a given. Other than that, I conceal carry. That's the point of conceal carry, no one knows.

It's cool when you retire and are no longer under employee rules about carrying at your former workplace.

[PhotoFeller]

Never for social occasions. Would if I thought it might be needed, but my friends and business associates just don't pose a risk.

[Gallium]

Originally Posted by PhotoFeller

Never for social occasions. Would if I thought it might be needed, but my friends and business associates just don't pose a risk.

Hopefully none of your friends or associates ever goes thru an ugly separation and the spouse decides to go nutso at one of those gatherings.

There was a video on here of a couple of guys at a social gathering where they were robbed by someone from the outside.

And while I agree with you that I don't expect trouble at social gatherings from my friends and business associates, I also don't suspend my life/health/umbrella/auto insurance when I go on their property, nor do I choose to not wear my seat belt when I am in their vehicles.

Crazy analogy yes. Hopefully you get that very small nugget of a point...

[vafish]

Originally Posted by IndianaMatt

So say you are invited to a family dinner, a dinner at your boss' place, or lunch with friends that aren't really close. Do you carry?

Of course, why wouldn't I?



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[magiaaron]

I carry all the time. The only times I'm not carrying are when I'm naked. And even then, it's within reach.

-magiaaron

[PhotoFeller]

Originally Posted by Gallium

Hopefully none of your friends or associates ever goes thru an ugly separation and the spouse decides to go nutso at one of those gatherings.

There was a video on here of a couple of guys at a social gathering where they were robbed by someone from the outside.

And while I agree with you that I don't expect trouble at social gatherings from my friends and business associates, I also don't suspend my life/health/umbrella/auto insurance when I go on their property, nor do I choose to not wear my seat belt when I am in their vehicles.

Crazy analogy yes. Hopefully you get that very small nugget of a point...

I understand your point of view, and don't quarrel with it. I just don't allow the fear (concern, possibility, or whatever one might call the probability of attack) to burden my daily outlook on life, unless I plan to be in unfamiliar surroundings.

My family has been raised and moved on. I usually travel solo, even doing day-to-day errands. I live and travel in a very low crime area. Our friends, family and colleagues are stable, predictable and reliable; none of these folks carry, as far as I know. Thus, I believe my chance of being attacked is too low to warrant concern; if something terrible goes down because I'm not prepared, my bad.

I'm not being cavalier. In my case, I believe my behavior is perfectly realistic.

[B.Reid]

Heck, I was armed during my wedding vows and reception.