A question or two for those who carry firearms on them when riding

[UtahPete]

Yes, let's cut to the chase. I'm not 'trolling', I'm asking why people carry guns with them when ryding.

So far, nobody has stated what I think is the real reason; they like guns and feel better carrying, as is their right. And I'm perfectly okay with that.

I just don't think it's for 'protection', as many claim. Because that seems irrational or fearful and I don't think most ryders who carry are either.

I sure hope I'm right!

[UtahPete]

Have you ever been in a church? Walmart? Gas stations? They all have cases of mass shootings. Is not about where you go, is about where criminals target innocent people.

I don't believe that point of view is based on any rational analysis of the statistics.

Why not just say you like guns and the comfort you get from carrying one? I get it - I'm fascinated by them also.

But, I don't have any expectation of ever being in a situation where I will have need of a firearm for protection. That's the discussion I think we're having here.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yes, let's cut to the chase. I'm not 'trolling', I'm asking why people carry guns with them when ryding.

So far, nobody has stated what I think is the real reason; they like guns and feel better carrying, as is their right. And I'm perfectly okay with that.

I just don't think it's for 'protection', as many claim. Because that would be irrational or insecure and I don't think those who carry are either.

I sure hope I'm right!

Dear Pete .... I was in active Law Enforcement for 35 years ..... I still have my two NYPD pistols ( a service and an off-duty model ) and a .22 cal. target pistol. The only medals or service awards that ever mattered was the ones I got for Marksmanship. I haven't fired any of them for at least a decade. I do carry when I think it's appropriate for me ..... un-fortunately this is becoming more frequent, the world in general is becoming more & more hostile. My motto is and has been " I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 " ( carried refers to the coffin ) ..... JMHO ..... Mike

[UtahPete]

Dear Pete .... I was in active Law Enforcement for 35 years ..... I still have my two NYPD pistols ( a service and an off-duty model ) and a .22 cal. target pistol. The only medals or service awards that ever mattered was the ones I got for Marksmanship. I haven't fired any of them for at least a decade. I do carry when I think it's appropriate for me ..... un-fortunately this is becoming more frequent, the world in general is becoming more & more hostile. My motto is and has been " I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 " ( carried refers to the coffin ) ..... JMHO ..... Mike

Thank you for your service, Mike.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thank you for your service, Mike.

.............Mike

[Saluda]

So far, the responses seem to indicate that those who do carry while riding have no rational reason for doing so. No personal threatening experiences where a carried weapon was a factor in ensuring a favorable outcome for the rider, it seems.

I see no reason to justify what we do to you. That said we do at times.

[UtahPete]

I see no reason to justify what we do to you. That said we do at times.

I agree. I don't understand why people think that's what I've been saying, because it's not. I'm not judging AT ALL. I'm just asking why people carry.

It's a lot like a discussion we've had in the past about wearing ATGATT on a Spyder when, except for the helmet, ATGATT is designed to minimize injury from events that are extremely common with 2-wheelers, but extremely unlikely and rare on Spyders.

It's just another anomaly in riders' behavior I'd like to understand better.

[RULINGCHAOS]

Sadly, people will shoot you for your shoes in some places. So yes.

[SLICE]

Yes, let's cut to the chase. I'm not 'trolling', I'm asking why people carry guns with them when ryding.
!

Post #9, I answered your question as to why I carry. If I had not been armed my Harley would have been gone.

To top it off I was at Americade in Lake George New York. Lesson learned never go to a Honda event.

Yes I was carrying in a 2 A hating state.

[ES44AC]

I'd rather have my gun and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I choose not to be a willing victim.

Don't put yourself in a bad situation and leave the situation if possible, but at least be able to defend yourself when the other options aren't available.

[cruisinTX]

I carry everywhere it is legal to do so in Texas and everywhere else. Why? There is one main reason; because, like accidents, you can never predict when and where you might need a firearm to protect yourself or others. There are those who say just call 911 but with current response time in most places, that only allows a bad guy to finish his or her objectives without any resistance. Good guys with guns are more likely to stop carnage quickly than are law enforcement. That's not saying law enforcement is to blame, it's just saying they cannot be everywhere all the time. Hypothetical situation: let's say you are on a multi-day ride and stopped for gas at a convenience store out in the boonies. You finish filling your Spyder and go inside for a drink and a snack at the same moment another person is pulling a gun to rob the store. You have two choices, become a victim along with the store employee or pull your gun and save the employee and yourself. I can only hope I have the courage and skills to do that without anyone getting hurt other than the thief. Of course, it's better to try to talk the crook down without firing a shot, but sometimes that is just not an option. The second option is if you don't have a gun and the thief shoots the employee then realizes you are an eye witness that he needs to terminate to protect himself from being identified. In that case, you are dead right there.


Others may carry for different reasons like to feel like they are a bad ass or just to exercise their 2A rights or just to feel more secure. In the end as some others have stated, "it's better to have a firearm and not need it than to need one and not have it."

[Steve W.]

Thats me.I'm on wanted posters all over the country.

Last I heard, I'm wanted in four states.

I'm not wanted back in the other 46.

.

[UtahPete]

I carry everywhere it is legal to do so in Texas and everywhere else. Why? There is one main reason; because, like accidents, you can never predict when and where you might need a firearm to protect yourself or others....Others may carry for different reasons like to feel like they are a bad ass or just to exercise their 2A rights or just to feel more secure. In the end as some others have stated, "it's better to have a firearm and not need it than to need one and not have it."

I think you nailed it.

[2dogs]

"It's better to have a firearm and not need it than to need one and not have it". And, "It's better to be judged by twelve than to be carried by six".

[UtahPete]

"It's better to have a firearm and not need it than to need one and not have it". And, "It's better to be judged by twelve than to be carried by six".

That seems to be the prevailing opinion, for sure.

[safecracker]

I carry when I snowmobiled and ryding Spyder. Have had to use it to put down a Moose and a deer that was hit and the Moose who got caught on a logging road bridge. She caught her hind leg in the gap between planks, broke her back. So I carry more for putting down animals that are suffering. Law is always too far away to do it. Called them after animal was put out of its pain. Bruce

[UtahPete]

I carry when I snowmobiled and ryding Spyder. Have had to use it to put down a Moose and a deer that was hit and the Moose who got caught on a logging road bridge. She caught her hind leg in the gap between planks, broke her back. So I carry more for putting down animals that are suffering. Law is always too far away to do it. Called them after animal was put out of its pain. Bruce

I can see where a firearm would be useful in the back-country.

[2dogs]

I can see where a firearm would be useful in the back-country.

Out here on the left coast, we have some really idiotic edicts created by some very inept MoPs and enforced by some very aggressive agencies. Even though you may be out in the backcountry you are still under the same jurisdiction as if you were standing in the middle of a mall. So it can be as simple as a state line that determines commonsense from lunacy. Rant over.

[UtahPete]

Out here on the left coast, we have some really idiotic edicts created by some very inept MoPs and enforced by some very aggressive agencies. Even though you may be out in the backcountry you are still under the same jurisdiction as if you were standing in the middle of a mall. So it can be as simple as a state line that determines commonsense from lunacy. Rant over.

MoP? Member of Parliament?

[2dogs]

MoP? Member of Parliament?

Yes Sir red rider, you got that right off. I was trying to be nonpolitical because I've been slapped before for that.

[C. Lee]

Do you really think bad things can't happen to you? Trying to be prepared for bad things is the reason we all make decisions about ourselves and family. You carry insurance, you lock your doors when in a bad area, you have smoke detectors at home and have a fire extinguisher. These are all things we do to protect ourselves, why should carrying a firearm be anything other than a precaution. Chris