Texas Pastor Publicly Totes AR-15, Aims to Bring Attention to Open Carry Laws

[bwaites]

Cory:

A guy or gal makes their decisions based on their own perceptions. I surely won't get in their way but I may question their decision. In this case, none of these gun owners think someone is going to enter their Starbucks and blast people. It is as likely to happen in Seattle as a asteroid hitting the same Starbucks. And the chances that any of these guys may witness a act where they would be authorized deadly force -- while going to or coming from that Starbucks -- is just as remote.

I don't go into the world thinking everything is a threat to me or my loved ones, so I carry when I perceive a chance exists where I may have to defend myself. Besides, carrying a 1911 around really sucks. It is heavy, hard to conceal, digs into my side, destroys clothing, and requires effort to safeguard it when dealing with places that do not allow firearms.

I take it you don't have a Concealed Carry Permit or Alabama doesn't allow for concealed carry?

LR1955

Yes, but there are other options besides a 1911. I used to carry a 1911, but switched to a smaller framed semiauto in .40 and have been very happy with it. It shoots well, and I can wear it all day and forget I even have it on.

I have experienced 2 incidents where I might have been forced to draw a firearm if I had not been aware enough of my surroundings. Both occurred while leaving big retail outlets.

I recognized something wasn't right about 2 steps into the parking lot, and quickly backtracked into the store. I then had the store call their security people, who listened to my story and quickly called police. Both incidents resulted in arrests of people who were wanted on multiple warrants. I didn't recognize them, but I recognized something was wrong. I'm a firm believer that the best gunfight is the one you never have, and where no harm comes to you.

And you are, of course, correct in the fact that most of us will never encounter that situation where we have to use deadly force. The VAST majority of cops retire without ever having to do so, but they all carry guns!

I carry anytime I am escorting my wife, daughters, or grandchildren, because getting them out of harms way is much more difficult than simply taking care of myself. If I'm with my sons and son-in-laws, none of us necessarily is carrying, (though at least one usually is), because with that group I feel that there is little risk of a confrontation of any type. A group of fit appearing young men who carry themselves with confidence discourages most gang banger wannabes. I recognize that won't protect us from the crazy guy spraying bullets from his AK, but a pistol generally won't either, just ask the cops responding to the LA bank robbery!

I carry because I promised myself a long time ago that I wasn't going to be the guy that watched someone in his family become a victim because it was inconvenient to carry.