Paladin: You were supposed to push when I lifted!
Melissa Griffin: I'm sorry. But I have to talk to you.
Paladin: Talk? Talk?
Melissa Griffin: About that. (looks at his gun)
Paladin: Well, what about it?
Melissa Griffin: I'm against it.
Paladin: So am I.
Melissa Griffin: I'm serious!
Paladin: So am I.
Melissa Griffin: You seem like a gentleman. Why would you have to carry a gun?
Paladin: Because in the world around us, there are a number of men who are not gentlemen.
Reason 1 - Self-defense and defense of my loved ones - or other innocent person who I see in trouble.
Reason 2 - It's time to stand up for our heritage as Americans before we lose it!
Some additional detail on Reason 1 - I don't want to spend 2 weeks in the hospital again recovering from broken nose, orbit (cheek bone) and severed facial nerves inflicted by sap gloves and chains by some drunk outlaw bikers who were pissed at me because I missed taking one of their bikes out with my car by about 2 inches when they ran a red light in front of me. That was in May, 1985. The bikers followed my car as I drove to a buddy's house. Didn't think they would actually assault me, but they did. One of them came up from behind me as I was walking from the car to the house. I saw his shadow in the streetlight and turned to confront him, he was already swinging the chain at the back of my head, I got it in the face. I dropped to my knees from the shock as he punching me in the face with sap gloves, all I could do was mutter f -u after every punch. Lucky for me my best friend heard the racket outside his front door. He came out with his dad's 45 auto and put it to the head of the guy now kneeling over me as I was slipping out of consiousness. I remember the guy jumping off me with his hands up as my buddy backed him away. The guy kept saying, "take it easy man, relax". My buddy said, "I am very relaxed, just get the f out of here". If not for my friend and his dad's Colt, they would have killed me, I would have not been here today. Things would have turned out much differently that night if I was armed. I got a permit to carry as soon as I got out of the hospital.
Since then have never drawn in self-defense, but have shown it once as a deterrent in the same neighborhood only 1 block away.
Believe it or not I let my permit expire when I moved out of there in 1999. I re-applied in 2009 after I got married. My friend from the above story was in my wedding party. Intend to carry for the rest of my days.
I have only gotten this a question from strangers a hand full of time. Most poeple either don't notice or I dress or carry myself in a way that if it is seen there is not really a concern. Anways, its goes something like this:
Stranger: Excuse me, I was wondering why you carry a gun?
Me: For YOUR protection. (I make sure to emphasize the word your)
Stranger: Normally pauses and tries to figure out what I mean and does not know what to say. I wait a few seconds after the confused look and follow up
Me: I hope that you decide to carry one too eventually so you can protect me and your loved ones if we are ever in need.
At this point it goes two ways: They walk away at least open to thinking about it or they all ready have and more or less are looking for advice on how to go about getting a LTCH, Carry Advice, and one lady once expressed she was concerned people would think less of her for carrying a "weapon."
I like this approach because it is initially confusing and the confusion seems to result in logical thought rather than triggering emotional "guns are bad" response. Once you see the wheels going in the brain it is nice to phrase things in a hopeful passive positive nature instead of just saying "You SHOULD carry too" as this raises their guard became you are telling them to do something and then triggers their emotional response.
This is just my personal experience and the approach that works for me.
Great Response... thanks... glad you have the opportunity to carry...
I also find it amazing how mr. Tough Guy, Biker Bully or other A** suddenly wants the person to "take it easy" when THEY could be on the receiving end... Thanks for that story... and glad you were ok
Who was it that commented "I run security for a very important family."? Referring to his own, of course. I thought that was a great response!
I've been asked only a couple of times. I answer "to shoot people". You can almost hear the mental gears clashing and grinding. It doesn't fit the weltanshauung that's been programmed into them, but frankly, that's why I have it. If they deserve further explanation, they'll get it.
Because you never know when the wife will catch the crazies and need to be put down. They all eventually do im afraid.
True story
I carry a gun so I can go places by myself that I wouldn't go alone if I weren't armed. For me it's the bike trails out in the country.