[Yoda]

I decided to carry after coming on an accident at two in the morning. A couple of gang bangers were racing when one lost control on an off ramp his car fliped and one of them was ejected. The car rolled right over the top of him severing his leg. I got out to see if I could help and his friend pulled a knife and told me to leave him alone so I called 911 to see if i could get them some assistance. after the police put the non-injured one in an ambulance and drove him to nearby hospitol.
After I decided to get my permit and am petitioning my place of work to change their rules on carrying I am hoping that it changes. I dont think i would have used a weapon in that situation but it would have made me feel alot better if the threat continued to get worse.

 

[ammosargeant]

When i was in Iraq as a squad leader it was my duty to protect my soldiers. Now that i am out of the service and have a family things are different but i still feel its my duty to protect my family. Being overseas i think raises your awareness of what is around you and how things can go bad instantly. Here at home it is not that dangerous but bad things can still happen fast and you have to be ready and that is why i carry all the time.

 

[heavykevy]

I had known several people who had gotten their permits, but I didn't really think it was very relevant to me except to ease in transportation of my firearm to and from the range. Then one day there was a story on the news about a woman who was attacked and raped in front of her children in a gas station bathroom. For some reason that horrible story made me realize that I could become a victim at any time and any place. Within a few weeks I heard that a class was being held in my area so I signed up. I still have not been able to get my wife on board with her getting a permit, but she is softening to the idea.

 

[Slyguy]

I had known several people who had gotten their permits, but I didn't really think it was very relevant to me except to ease in transportation of my firearm to and from the range. Then one day there was a story on the news about a woman who was attacked and raped in front of her children in a gas station bathroom. For some reason that horrible story made me realize that I could become a victim at any time and any place. Within a few weeks I heard that a class was being held in my area so I signed up. I still have not been able to get my wife on board with her getting a permit, but she is softening to the idea.

+1 here. It started with ease of use to and from the range, but quickly evolved into much more than that. Salt Lake is changing, and although I hope that I will NEVER have to use deadly force in any situation, I will not cower and wait to be the victim.

 

[xmirage2kx]

Long story short: I got it for work, and carry for safety.

 

[Hunter]

I carry because:
I value my families life and mine.
I can and should.
I feel I have a moral obligation to carry.
I don't want to be a helpless victim begging for mercy from the merciless.
I'm not going down without a fight.
Some people take what I do personally and wouln't hesitate about going after my family.
The reality is there are people out there who want to make it thru life by victimizing other people.

 

[the wall]

When I get my CFP, I will carry because there are too many people out there who have decided for one reason or another that the only person who matters is themself and therefore they need to try and make everyone else victims. After seeing events such as Trolley Square, Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois, and the countless other little stories that don't make the headlines and sometimes not even the news, I have decided that I need to be proactive in defending myself and my loved ones. I feel the world in general is becoming a more scary place everyday and people need to be more proactive in defending themselves and their families.

 

[divegeek]

I carry because society is safer when plenty of calm, law-abiding citizens are armed, and I don't think there are enough people stepping up to that responsibility right now.

I don't do it so much for self-defense, although I wouldn't hesitate to defend my family or even total strangers should the need arise, and I really hope I never have reason to draw it. I guess the simplest explanation is that I do it to be a statistic, in the hope that the mere existence of myself and people like me will deter violent crime, making our state and country a better place to live.

That's only the main reason, but it's enough on its own.

 

[Guest]

because I can

From being battered and assaulted by a grown man at 10 ten years old on trafficked street in broad daylight, Seeing a man pull a knife on my father, to the time I spent in law enforcement, it just seems like a good idea. I spent most of my adult life armed now I feel naked without it.

 

[coprtoppe]

#6 - A 'use it or lose it' philosophy to our rights.
#5 - A chance to proselytize regarding the 2nd.
#4 - Yet another reason to buy more gear. 8)
#3 - Accepted the facts regarding the predators in society.
#2 - A particular incident in a parking garage regarding my wife and the prospect of defending against a couple thugs armed only with a Chevy Blazer and a heavy duty tripod.
#1 - Fulfilling my personal obligation to protect my family and myself.

Tony

 

[benjy]

I have a few reasons I purchased my xd which naturally led me to the desire to carry...

1- I go camping a lot, and I view almost like another tool in the toolbox.
2- This article http://www.ksl.com/?sid=1343598&nid=148 kind of made me realize that you really have to prepare for the worst.
3- I read the police reports from trolley square. Reading about people begging for their life right before it was taken made me feel my family is vulnerable. I don't want to have to beg for my life

 

[Guest]

I carry because I am entitled.

 

[Becky]

I'm getting my CFP mostly because I think it's important to exercise my right to do so.

But I also refuse to have the "it won't happen to me" mentality. Therefore I intend to be as prepared as possible in any given situation.

 

[GSP]

I carry because society is safer when plenty of calm, law-abiding citizens are armed, and I don't think there are enough people stepping up to that responsibility right now.

I don't do it so much for self-defense, although I wouldn't hesitate to defend my family or even total strangers should the need arise, and I really hope I never have reason to draw it. I guess the simplest explanation is that I do it to be a statistic, in the hope that the mere existence of myself and people like me will deter violent crime, making our state and country a better place to live.

That's only the main reason, but it's enough on its own.

+1

 

[titanium27]

Long story short I was jumped by two gang members in Salt Lake that left me with a blown eye socket 4 breaks and 14 fractures around my eye. This all happened with my wife and her friend standing next to me, thank god there were people that stopped it or who knows what might have happend. I now have 2 titanium plates and 7 screws to remind me why I carry.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

Long story short I was jumped by two gang members in Salt Lake that left me with a blown eye socket 4 breaks and 14 fractures around my eye. This all happened with my wife and her friend standing next to me, thank god there were people that stopped it or who knows what might have happend. I now have 2 titanium plates and 7 screws to remind me why I carry.

Yikes!! How long after that was it before you decided to carry?

 

[GeneticsDave]

2 titanium plates and 7 screws

Now I understand your user name. Wow, what a scary story.

 

[whiptrackercracker]

WEll first off I am a gimp. I can't run very well which means I can get separated from the pack easy. Therefore, darwin says I need counter with more skill. I cannot run away from the shootin as Rosie says I should be able to do. All I can do is try to hide or confront. I grew up learning martial arts and other self defense skills to try to always be able to stand up to those who think, the weak looking one is lunchmeat. Naturally as one who is from Idaho, home of guns, the transition into CCW seemed natural.

However, an overseas visit to China ultimately firmed my reasoning. I got separated from my group at about 2am in Beijing. It was the only time we could get out of duties to see the city. Long story short I had a group of thugs surrounding me with knifes. They did not bother me as I think I stood ground well enough and I got lucky. Nothing happened, thank goodness, but it drilled home the point that I'd rather keep the threat at a distance and be able to counter any threat. AKA don't get separated from a group while unarmed overseas, and try to avoid late night romps. Yeah yeah I know I tell everyone else not to be so stupid and I do it myself.

I still tend to fall back to rules of force and use vocal or if need be physical means with an encounter. However, the minute its life threatening the gun has already come out.

 

[mom of 3 angels]

Because I have a right to carry and an obligation to protect those I love.

 

[aashooter]

Because I have . . . an obligation . . .

That's the key. How can you ask/expect others to put their lives on the line to protect you and yours if you are not willing to take simple precautions to protect yourself?