I have a class A permit which means I can legaly carry a concealed firearm where it is permitted by law . Like most here I carry items [ on me , in my vehicle or in some sort of bag ] every day , just in case " it " happens . But I do not ccw every day . I think the odds of being a victim of a violent crime are equal to or greater than any other thing we might prep for . It sometimes bothers me that I don't include this , IMO , very important survival / self defence TOOL in my edc . But there are so many restrictions on where you can carry . I worry about the gun " printing " or someone bumping into me and feeling the gun or bending over and revealing some small portion of the gun . In this very gun unfriendly state , MA. , I don't want my right to own firearms to be taken away because some idiot somehow discovers I'm ccw and freaks out . I don't keep any sort of firearm in my vehicle either . If the vehicle were ever stolen , I wouldn't care about losing the firearm that much . I worry more about having to tell the police that a firearm was in the vehicle which might cause them to take away all my firearms . Am I worryiing about it too much ? Am I being rediculous ? I'd like to know what other people who live in MA. think .

I think you (or I) should only carry when we feel comfortable doing so. You're right, it is a big responsibility, and should not be taken lightly.

I often worry about the printing issue. The one thing to think about though, is that people who don't own guns probably don't anticipate others carrying, so they wouldn't look for or observe printing. I was out trick or treating once when my daughter was little. I saw another father who had the butt of a handgun sticking out of his pocket. I thought, cool, another neighbor who carries. Then I noticed his son's cowboy costume and realized the gun was his toy. That made me think that if another non gun owner saw it, they would probably immediately have thought it was a toy.

As far as keeping a gun in your vehicle, that's an equally tough decision. I keep a locking pistol case in my truck so I can secure my gun when I go to a school or courthouse or such. I still worry about any of my guns being in the truck when I have to leave it.

I know people who carry "no matter what" and I know others who rarely, if ever, do. Do what's right for you.

You have a MA CCW.......wow.......they are not easy to get. No you are not thinking too much. I use to live NYC (enough said regarding CCW or even owning). You do need to use caution. The decision to CCW is personal and along with the ownership/ccw right is an even greater responsibility. As a certified instructor I say....The day you stop worrying about those things is the day you should surrender it....because that is when you will get careless. Keep up the thinking. Caryy when you feel the need to...and be safe.

Ditto to the above replies. As a former deputy sheriff in Tennessee I will add the following. As for worring about what police will think or say reguarding you carring- don't worry. The majority of street cops(the ones not looking for political advancement, the ones you would most likely encounter) are almost all in favor of legal carry by civilians. If I ran into someone with a ccw I knew that person had no serious criminal history, mental illness, and was also a logical enough thinker to realize that ultimately their safety was in their own hands.

I don't either -- too cumbersome and bulky. I'd rather use the space for tools or water; stuff that I know I'm really going to use.

TRO

I've had to face the stark reality that I cannot always remain armed like I would prefer. First Baghdad, then new York, and now Australia. Kinda tough living knowing you are at the mercy of folks who have absolutely no concern for your welfare. Still, that's life nowadays.

no one should ever have to use or need a gun......



<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />love not war

but societys weird these days.

Yes, Supermark, you're right; no one should "have to use or need a gun".
Unfortunately, occasions arise when there is no alternative.

"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action."

hope for the best,
prepare for the worst

If you are allowed to carry a firearm
and you can deal with the risk and
responsibility, why not?

I just believe in following one rule:
only draw it when you are prepared to use it.

Good opening post, well thought of!!

In some of these restrictive areas, (NYC) it is easier to hire armed security than to get a ccw permit for yourself to carry a firearm. This is because our society values money more than life. Armed security people will guard your bank, factory, etc. but you cannot get a ccw permit to protect yourself.