</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by EClayton08:
<strong>Might I ask as not a gun owner or the age of legally owning a gun, what is the point of carrying it around? I mean, its not like you go around shooting things, is it just for protection or looks or what? Seems to be a little more extra weight to carry around.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Well, I think it's an individual thing. The laws in AZ are pretty liberal about carrying. I have also had a CCW since it's inception here.

Directly, it is for protection. My wife carries as well. It's not a macho thing (for me anyhow), just a strong sense of self-preservation. I try very hard to downplay the fact that I carry and whenever possible I try to maintain concealment. Both the wife and I have had long conversations about the dreaded "what if" and we both hope to hell that it never happens.

Another factor is the number of law enforcement officers in my family (mother, brother, sister, 2 uncles). All too often we have heard stories regarding a situation where a well placed shot would save the life of a loved one. Of course, it is a double edged sword.

I personally feel that the folks who carry to be a bad ass are a bigger threat to my safety than an armed criminal...

Mike