Did becoming a CCW holder change your attitude?

11461 Views 111 Replies 52 Participants Last post by Tackleberry1, Jun 19, 2013

Cattledog

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2012

A few months ago my friend and I, we'll call him Jay, were talking about what it meant to be a CCW holder and he brought up an interesting point about his attitude towards conflict now that he carries. Jay's a pretty big guy. Like the kind you'd instinctively avoid pissing off cause he looks to be good at breaking faces.

As it happens, he also has a short tolerance for stupid people, loud mouths or anyone in general that deserves a good face-breaking. However, he confided in me that since he began carrying, his impulse to confront people has nearly gone away. He mentioned that he fears escalation could lead to him drawing his firearm and being good people, he doesn’t want to kill anyone.

Not having his particular issues with conflict, I countered that my biggest fear would be having my firearm taken from me should I get into a physical confrontation, so I'd be even more inclined to avoid one.

We've all heard “an armed society is a polite society” and that's great as a philosophical argument, but does anyone else have a specific insight into how their attitude changed since they began to carry?

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towboater

· #2 · Dec 21, 2012 (Edited)

Nope. Not at all.

Although its good that it changed your friend.

willfully armed

· #3 · Dec 21, 2012

If an individual cannot maintain cordiality and calm nerves, they have no reason to carry a gun.

Bob Wright

· #4 · Dec 21, 2012

No, my attitude didn't change. I was never quick tempered nor impulsive.

What did change though, was that we, my wife, my sister, and I, did go to more remote places in our birdwatching expeditions, where we would not have gone before. Not reckless, you understand, but less fearful.

Bob Wright

mountainskytop

· #5 · Dec 21, 2012

Being a CHP holder for past two years has made me very much more conscious and intuitive regarding my surroundings. It takes awhile(months really) to get comfortable with the fact you are carrying a deadly weapon and trying to decipher the possible dreadful scenarios when you may have to actually draw and use it!

Chainfire

· #6 · Dec 21, 2012

I gave up most of my bad habits years ago, so there weren't many lifestyle changes to make for carrying. I prepared myself as well as possible by seriously studying the carry laws in my State, so I am confident that I know when the gun should stay on my hip. While I do have a quick temper, I learned to master it long ago. You have to work at it to get me really riled.

The only thing that has changed with me is the clothes I wear in the Summer. Living in the tropical climate of North Florida, you have to dress lightly, so to cover, I wear ugly shirts. Big prints to mask the profile of my pistol. (It makes me look like a Yankee tourist, but that blends in well in Florida)

JimRau

· #7 · Dec 21, 2012

This one of the interesting things I have noted both as a LEO who have known MANY LEO's who found themselves carrying a gun off duty and there have been several hundred people I have instructed in Armed Self Defense. Most have said they too have noted a they had a different attitude to conflict.
I think this comes from two 'places'!!!

As you touched on above, people do not want a minor conflict to escalate into a lethal incident so they are less apt to escalate it.
BUT I think this is based more a gain in self confidence than fear. When you are armed you are both conscious and subconsciously aware you have the ability to handle almost any situation when it comes to defending yourself and others so it is much easier to 'walk away' from minor incidents and not feel threatened as quickly.
Just an observation!

LaiePoi

· #8 · Dec 21, 2012

Cattledog said:
A few months ago my friend and I, we'll call him Jay, were talking about what it meant to be a CCW holder and he brought up an interesting point about his attitude towards conflict now that he carries. Jay's a pretty big guy. Like the kind you'd instinctively avoid pissing off cause he looks to be good at breaking faces.

As it happens, he also has a short tolerance for stupid people, loud mouths or anyone in general that deserves a good face-breaking. However, he confided in me that since he began carrying, his impulse to confront people has nearly gone away. He mentioned that he fears escalation could lead to him drawing his firearm and being good people, he doesnt want to kill anyone.

Not having his particular issues with conflict, I countered that my biggest fear would be having my firearm taken from me should I get into a physical confrontation, so I'd be even more inclined to avoid one.

We've all heard an armed society is a polite society and that's great as a philosophical argument, but does anyone else have a specific insight into how their attitude changed since they began to carry?

I noticed that ever since I had mine I've been a lot more aware and careful about getting into any kind of conflict that could possibly escalate to domestic violence because I don't want to put my ccw permit in jeopardy. I guess it made me feel like having to be more responsible because the permit requires a responsible citizen. So basically yeah I've been avoid confrontation because of it...not that I was a "hot head" to begin with.

rpmranch

· #9 · Dec 21, 2012

After 22 years in the Corps and growing up in Idaho hunting anything that was legal not much. One thing that did get my attention is the average distance that an attack can come from. That is a wake up call for sure....

stoneam2006

· #10 · Dec 21, 2012

Good topic I just got my ccw yesterday and will be new to it. Thanks for insight

mountainskytop

· #11 · Dec 21, 2012

There was a time when LEO'S were REQUIRED to be armed while off duty! What happened?

HOSSFLY

· #12 · Dec 21, 2012

Nope---------

Cattledog

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 21, 2012

Thanks for the input guys. And well said on the point of confidence as a conflict diffuser, Jim. I have noticed that. Especially, since Ive trained with my carry sidearm more.

JimRau

· #14 · Dec 23, 2012

mountainskytop said:
There was a time when LEO'S were REQUIRED to be armed while off duty! What happened?

In a word 'progressives'! We were required to be armed until 1985 when they hired a progressive chief from California. He did not think was a good thing because it made 'guns' mandatory and thought it would be better to relieve the department of liability and put it back on those officers who wish to carry a 'gun' off duty.

CJohn364

· #15 · Dec 23, 2012

It did seem to make be a bit more situationally aware of my surroundings so as to avoid possible escalation unless I have no other options.

JonM

· #16 · Dec 23, 2012

firearms have always been tools to me. no different than having a set of craftsmen wrenches on hand.

ive carried guns for as long as i can remember. i also dont go out of my way to be a douchebag and insert myself into situations i have no business in like that idiot in florida that made a stink a while back.

ive had oppurtunity to call the police and in general i then go about my business after reporting what i saw and giving the police my contact info. its not the job of a civilian to be a police officer.

25-5

· #17 · Dec 23, 2012

I agree that escalation is probably the most important point here. Also, I will not drink any alcohol while I carry. Even before my carry days, anything involving firearms did not invlove a bottle of beer. The liabilities are too great. Impedes performance and increases liability.

rhyno13

· #18 · Dec 23, 2012

Nope. Good training and a level head have always been strong points for me.

bigrock44

· #19 · Dec 24, 2012

I totally understand where your friend is coming from. Although my attitude did not change when I started carrying regularly. I do make it a point of being very aware of my surroundings.

John_Deer

· #20 · Dec 24, 2012

Yes, I became more careful with a firearm. I don't want to lose my permit.

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