Article: I carry a handgun because

[bblhd672]

I CARRY A HANDGUN BECAUSE:

* Evil exists and may confront anyone at any time and any place.

* God exists and expects me to protect myself, those I love, and those that can’t protect themselves.

* When God leads me into such situations, as He sometimes has, He expects me to be prepared, and so I am.

* Self-defense is a God-given, natural, unalienable right.

* To fail to protect God’s greatest gift, the gift of life, is inexcusable.

* My life is worth far more to me, those that love me, and to a just society than the lives of vicious criminals and terrorists.

* The lives of the innocent—friend or stranger—are worth far more to me and to a just society than the lives of vicious criminals and terrorists.

* Three times in my life I have raised my right hand and sworn a solemn oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. I have never betrayed those oaths and never will.

* By carrying my handgun, I honor the foresight and wisdom of the Founders in writing the Second Amendment.

Read the rest of the reasons at:
https://statelymcdanielmanor.wordpress. ... ause-2018/

[Pawpaw]

Outstanding!

[oljames3]

"Support and defend" ... I've lost count of how many times I took that oath; enlistment, re-enlistments, promotions, commission. Maybe 10, give or take. Can't even begin to count how many times I administered the oath. Many others here can say the same.

https://www.army.mil/values/oath.html
https://www.army.mil/values/officers.html

And there is still no expiration date on that oath.

[STR8-SHOT]

Because I can’t fit a cop in my pocket.

[Grundy1133]

because the world is getting crazier and crazier by the week..

[mrbc]

Because I am not going to die begging for my life.

[OldCurlyWolf]

"Support and defend" ... I've lost count of how many times I took that oath; enlistment, re-enlistments, promotions, commission. Maybe 10, give or take. Can't even begin to count how many times I administered the oath. Many others here can say the same.

https://www.army.mil/values/oath.html
https://www.army.mil/values/officers.html

And there is still no expiration date on that oath.

I have taken it Twice.
Once for a Marine Corps Officer program (which I didn't complete)
Again for PPD on November 18, 1978.

and like oljames3 said: there is no expiration date.

I carry because I am STILL a sheepdog and the wolves need to know I still have big teeth.

[The Annoyed Man]

See Line #2 of my signature.....

[Oldgringo]

I have a LTC and carry a gun to protect me and mine. If in the course of protecting me and mine I can assist you and yours, I will.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

NIV, John 15:13

There has been a difference of opinion by members here:

1. Some have made the decision to act with armed force only if they their family is threatened.
These people put their own family first, and that's understandable.

2. Some people would use their firearms in defense of innocent strangers, even if the LTC
could escape the situation.

My decision is #2. If I was the only armed person when something goes down, I would try my
utmost to fire with accuracy and immediacy of action. If God wants me to survive the action,
that's good. If I didn't survive the encounter, at least I may have put some lead on some BG.

Besides, my treasures are laid up in heaven.

Hearses don't have roof racks or trailer hitches because you can't take it with you. :-)

SIA

[cirus]

Most places frown on me carrying a AR15 with a full chest rig.

[tking3444]

I know with all my heart that i will defend myself and my family with my life if necessary. The 2nd part, helping someone else, I'm not sure of. In my mind I believe that I would. I dont think that I could live with myself if I "let" someone die or be permanently injured. I guess in the back of my mind I'm worried about ruining my life and my family's life in the case of the legal ramifications.

[cirus]

[Soccerdad1995]

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

NIV, John 15:13

There has been a difference of opinion by members here:

1. Some have made the decision to act with armed force only if they their family is threatened.
These people put their own family first, and that's understandable.

2. Some people would use their firearms in defense of innocent strangers, even if the LTC
could escape the situation.

My decision is #2. If I was the only armed person when something goes down, I would try my
utmost to fire with accuracy and immediacy of action. If God wants me to survive the action,
that's good. If I didn't survive the encounter, at least I may have put some lead on some BG.

Besides, my treasures are laid up in heaven.

Hearses don't have roof racks or trailer hitches because you can't take it with you. :-)

SIA

There is a third option. My primary focus is on protecting my family (your #1). That will take priority. So if my family is present, my first mission is to safely extract them from the situation as quickly as possible. But if they aren't present, or I can quickly get them to a position of complete safety, then I may well use my firearm in defense of innocent strangers (your #2). This assumes that I can accurately identify the good and bad guys, which is not always easy.

I guess my order is family first, innocent strangers second, and myself third.

[ninjabread]

because a rifle may frighten the horses.