Why Carry A Gun?

[Thunder71]

I got this in an email from a good friend, wanted to pass it along.

PEOPLE ASK WHY?
Why Carry a Gun?

My old grandpa said to me 'Son, there comes a time in every man's life when he stops bustin' knuckles and starts bustin' caps and
Usually it's when he becomes too old to take an butt whoopin.'

I don't carry a gun to kill people.
I carry a gun to keep from being killed.

I don't carry a gun to scare people.
I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.

I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid.
I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I'm evil.
I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I hate the government.
I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.

I don't carry a gun because I'm angry.
I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone.
I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy.
I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.

I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man.
I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.

I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate.
I carry a gun
because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.

I don't carry a gun because I love it.
I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.

Police protection is an oxymoron.
Free citizens must protect themselves.
Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.

Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an butt whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant).

[melissa5]

Because you can't carry a cop.

[knkali]

The fear of a butt whoop'n isnt why I carry. If I knew that could be the worst of it, I probably would not carry. However, I understand the op's post and what you are trying to get across.

[JimBianchi]

Because when seconds count, the police are just minutes away.

[knkali]

Because you can't carry a cop.

Perfect!

[jmurch]

Melissa, Have you ever shot with cops? I'd rather carry a gun.

[O'Dell]

I'm with you jmurch. My son has been a cop for years, used to be the training officer at the police range, and I can still out shoot him and his Glocks with my SIG's and HK's.

[Just One Shot]

Because it's my right!!!!!!!

[Bill K]

Because it just might save you or someone you love from serious injury or death?

[jocko]

I'm with you jmurch. My son has been a cop for years, used to be the training officer at the police range, and I can still out shoot him and his Glocks with my SIG's and HK's.

my little home town of 4500+ we have about 7 officers and they get paiid "newsboy" salary. They have no spare money to shoot, the Dept, has no money for range time for its men. Once they get out of our State Police Training academy, which is the best of the best, all training goes down hill and the longer they are on the force the further down hill they tend to get to. I've seen it and so have u. they get out of academys and they are gun ho, perfectly fit, neatly dressed, training for good health etc, and then 5 years later, they look like the good year blimp. totally out of shape. the nature of the beast.

I can't hit jack **** but I think I can hold my best with any of our officers with my G19...

heh O"dell did u see where we lost another Moto GP racer today. marco Simoncellia from Italy was killed on the second lap today in Malaysia. they cancelled the race. NOt been a good week for the racing world. \Yhoung man wa sony 24 and was a real up coming hONDA RIDER. A shame, seen him race at Indy the last 4 years. He was certainly coming up in the world. Dead atr age 24.

[steve666]

Why I Carry a Gun
OPENING NOTE: If you find yourself in a fair fight... your tactics suck!

1. The first rule of a gunfight is: HAVE A GUN
2. The two next most important rules in a gunfight are: always cheat and always win.
3. In a gunfight there is no such thing as overkill.
4. Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.
5. I carry a gun ‘cause a cop is too heavy.
6. OK, so a cop can walk, but then you have to carry donuts to keep him close by.
7. When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.
8. An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity.
9. Beware the man who only has one gun. HE PROBABLY KNOWS HOW TO USE IT!!!
10. You have the rest of your life to solve your problems. How long you live depends on how well you do it.
11. The sword is never the killer, it is a mere tool in the killers hand.
12. Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft!
13. The purpose of fighting is to win.
14. Because I can't throw a rock 1325 fps.
15. I don't want my dying words to be "Damn, I wish I had my gun.”
16. I would rather have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it.
17. In case I need to shoot something… or someone.
18. ‘Cuz a gun ain't got no legs...
19. Because you never know when one of us is going to come up lame and need to be put down!
20. You know... because of the killer clowns.
21. Have you ever tried to skin a LIVE cat?
22. "Don't look like I can count on you to remember yours."
23. "I can hammer nails with this but I can't aim a hammer for squat."
24. "Gun, I’ve got a gun... how the heck did that get there?"
25. Because grenades cause too much collateral damage.
26. "I'm too old to run and these are my good pants."
27. "Ever tried beating people to death with a cop? I'm waaaaaay to old for all that."
28. "It's a lot easier to kick idiots after you've shot them a couple times."
29. "When I get tired of stupid questions people pay a lot more attention than they do with out the gun."
30. "Because I'm too lazy to throw the bullets myself."
31. "Because my dogs collar only lets him get 25 feet from the house..."
32. It a conversation starter, see it's working already.
33. All Americans carry guns, may I see your ID?
34. My tank is in the shop.
35. I think a better question is "Where is your gun?"
36. Don't worry! There's no water in it.
37. Because there is NO way I'm stuffing a cop into these pants!
38. My old grandpa said to me son, there comes a time in every man’s life when he stops busting knuckles and starts busting caps and usually it's when he becomes too old to take an ass whooping!
39. Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whooping!
40. No one who was ever in a firefight has ever complained of having TOO MUCH ammunition.
41. Keep shooting. Weigh them down with lead. Ammunition is cheap, life isn’t.
42. Police Protection is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves. Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.
43. Because I refuse to be a victim and I'm too lazy to push daisies.
44. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm. "Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?" "NO Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my rifle."
45. A reporter did a human interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him, "Why do you carry a .45?"
The Ranger responded with, "Because they don't make a. .46."
46. Because baseball bats are uncivilized, swords are messy, and people look at you funny when you carry either one to Wal-Mart.
47. Because pointing my finger & yelling "bang… bang" is not very effective!!!
48. I kept tripping over my sword.
49. I carry so that bad things will happen to bad people.
50. The muzzle of a gun pretty much says, “Go Away” in every language.
51. Because it won’t carry me.
52. For the same reasons I have fire extinguishers and wear my seatbelt.
53. People tell me I should have seat belts, air bags, motorcycle helmets, fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, locks on my doors so I figure, what the heck, a gun couldn't hurt either.
54. When did Noah build the Ark? That’s right, before it rained.
55. Doesn't everyone carry a gun?
56. I don't carry a gun to kill people; I carry a gun to keep from being killed.
57. I don't carry a gun to scare people; I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.
58. I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid; I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.
59. I don't carry a gun because I'm evil; I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.
60. I don't carry a gun because I hate the government; I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.
61. I don't carry a gun because I'm angry, I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.
62. I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone; I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.
63. I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy; I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.
64. I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man, I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.
65. I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate; I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.
66. I don't carry a gun because I love it; I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.
67. Police Protection is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves. Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.

PARTING NOTE: An unloaded gun is just a club!

[Bkahrfull]

Because ulimately; it's your responsibility to protect yourself! Do not rely on others.

[JimC]

Melissa, Have you ever shot with cops? I'd rather carry a gun.

I'm a retired LEO and 65 years old. I can still clean the target on the yearly HR 218 qual COF and I'm normally right up there at the top of the group.
Don't think all cops shoot like some that you may have encountered, I know a lot of retired guys as well as active that are excellent marksman.

[Bawanna]

I'm a retired LEO and 65 years old. I can still clean the target on the yearly HR 218 qual COF and I'm normally right up there at the top of the group.
Don't think all cops shoot like some that you may have encountered, I know a lot of retired guys as well as active that are excellent marksman.

I can attest to this as well. One of our best shooters consistently is our female Deputy Chief too. So don't assume a female cop isn't a shooter either. She usually out shoots the instructors.

Course there are also those that barely make the qual too so we got em all.

I saw uniformed officer at the gunshow I went to yesterday who carried a 1911 (unknown flavor) and had 4 mags on his duty belt. He was very polite and well mannered but he exuded an aura that left little doubt that if he needed that gun he could use it. Didn't know the man, but he made me proud, like that means anything to him but it did none the less.

[patgwashere]

because my shotgun is to big to fit in my pocket or waistband

[jmurch]

My daughter has a bumper sticker:

"I carry a pistol because my rifle wont fit in my purse."

[Popeye]

Cause I can't carry a cop.

[muggsy]

Some of the best shooter and worst shooters that I've encountered have worn a badge. The problem is that there is seldom an officer around when you need one. I always have a gun at my side.

[Cyterio]

I think in a lot of circumstances, people unfairly judge law enforcement. Just like any other profession, there are those who are at the top of their class, and those at the bottom, that's just nature. I don't think that I would rank the ability for an officer to punch out a 1 inch hole at 15 yrds my top priority when hiring one. They have many other qualities that I would deem just as important, if not more important. I think that all law enforcement is required to qualify once or twice a year anyways, not saying that its the most stringent of tests, but from what I've read, it is more than adequate. In my opinion, they may not be the fastest draw, or the best crack-shot, but I think most are good enough.

[Bawanna]

Exactly. There are certainly a bunch of other qualities far more important than shooting ability. Good judgement being perhaps #1. Course good shooting can be the difference between having to dress up in class A uniforms for a funeral and a barbecue with the family after work.

Just like you say they all qualify at least once a year and hopefully they are good enough.