As a highly trained firearms instructor in several disciplines, I get asked this question a lot. I’m going to answer this on what my wife told me a few months ago.

Something happened where a panic was caused inside in a well-known big box retailer. According to my sources, people were screaming. Was there an active shooter and were there sounds that resembled gunshots? Depends on who you ask. My wife was put in a situation where she did not know if there was an actual shooter, and she was focusing on trying to find a safe location. She didn’t have her firearm despite her constant training and ability to carry a firearm. She was at work and her employer forbids employees having a firearm during business hours and we never leave a firearm in a car, ever. More on my thoughts in the last paragraph.

If something were to have happened my wife could not have protected herself as well as anyone around her. No knife, no firearm, nothing. The woman I love the most was put in a potentially dangerous situation. My wife could have been killed or seriously injured.

This is the reason why we own and carry guns. It’s the lifestyle we live. Not because we want to hurt someone, but because the unexpected can happen. I know there are people who, given a chance, can hurt us, however, we’ll never give them an opportunity EVER AGAIN. 

I conceal carry to keep myself as well as the people I love safe. I carry a gun so hopefully if put in a situation I can go home at the end of the day. I carry to protect myself, loved ones and community. I’m legally able to, I’m responsible, I'm a reasonable person, I have a plan, and I’ve trained heavily for years with firearms. (key here training and trained)