# Are you armed and what do you carry? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 17, 2011, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015 "2011-03-17T13:24:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/41 "2011-03-17T18:03:50Z")
> [@shamblesmaybe](#): > > 30,000 gun deaths, god knows how many people crippled, but people say they feel safer with guns? Crazy society! From [Answers.com](http://Answers.com) - “There were nearly 6,420,000 auto accidents in the United States in 2005. The financial cost of these crashes is more than 230 Billion dollars. 2.9 million people were injured and 42,636 people killed. About 115 people die every day in vehicle crashes in the United States – one death every 13 minutes.” But people still insist they just “must” drive a car. Now that is a crazy society! Guns on the other hand make perfect sense when you consider things like this: (news report from near me) > **[Pittsburgh PA News, Weather and Sports - WTAE-TV Pittsburgh Action News 4](https://www.wtae.com/)** > > Stay in the know with the latest Pittsburgh news, weather and sports. Catch all of the day’s top stories and more from the team at WTAE Pittsburgh Action News 4. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/42 "2011-03-17T18:51:58Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I chose the penultimate option with the caveat that I consider my brain not my hands to be my weapon of choice. > > That’s right, people, telekinesis. Mind bullets. I can kill a yak from 200 yards away. (Changes mind, puts down yak and backs away slowly) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/43 "2011-03-17T18:59:33Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > (Changes mind, puts down yak and backs away slowly) Good idea. Because if the mind bullets don’t work I’d go to my back-up weapon: squirrelly wrath. ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/44 "2011-03-17T19:04:49Z")
Springfield XD-9, here. Hardly ever carry a weapon anymore. I was armed at all times working at a gas station on the graveyard shift, though. Had to draw once, luckily didn’t have to fire. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/45 "2011-03-17T19:22:38Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > From [Answers.com](http://Answers.com) - “There were nearly 6,420,000 auto accidents in the United States in 2005. The financial cost of these crashes is more than 230 Billion dollars. 2.9 million people were injured and 42,636 people killed. About 115 people die every day in vehicle crashes in the United States – one death every 13 minutes.” > > But people still insist they just “must” drive a car. Now that is a crazy society! > > Guns on the other hand make perfect sense when you consider things like this: > (news report from near me) > [Pittsburgh PA News, Weather and Sports - WTAE-TV Pittsburgh Action News 4](http://www.wtae.com/news/26159569/detail.html) [Moderator Note]The pro-gun/anti-gun debate is off topic-take it to Great Debates.[/Moderator Note] ---
**Author:** ![Soliloquy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@Soliloquy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soliloquy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/46 "2011-03-17T21:02:17Z")
I’m curious how many other females go armed… At work: Sig P229 .40 cal Pepper spray Baton (wooden, not expandable) Streamlight flashlight Pocket knife Remington 870 shotgun Off duty: Springfield XD .40 Subcompact Pocket knife ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/47 "2011-03-17T21:02:43Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > It doesn’t stop the violence, it just changes the direction. Pacifism is the only way to stop violence. Skammer lay there like a slug! It was his only defense! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/48 "2011-03-17T21:15:56Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > “A gentleman always carries a penknife.” I carry a [very small Kershaw](http://www.kershaw-knives.net/Kershaw-Ken-Onion-Scallion-KS1620.htm) folding knife just because it comes in so handy on a daily basis. It’s one-hand opening, and I suppose it could be used as a weapon in a pinch, but I wouldn’t want to bet my life on it. That’s a pretty knife. I usually have a my [Spyderco](http://www.knivesplus.com/spyderco-salt-sp-c88pbk.html) (H-1 Salt, if you’re interested), which I like partly because of it’s magical anti-rust properties. Someday soon I should be getting a [machete prybar widget (m.a.k.-1)](http://www.crkt.com/McGowan-MAK-1-Multiple-Access-Knife) based on [thread=599733]this thread about machete prybar widgets[/thread], but it’s more for emergencies than for self-defense. And of course, my spouse is a trained killer, so there’s that. On the other hand, this thread is making me glad that I live in Canada, where I’m only likely go get shot if I go in the woods during moose season. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/49 "2011-03-17T21:36:41Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Skammer lay there like a slug! It was his only defense! [Moderator Warning]Infraction for ignoring moderator instructions.[/Moderator Warning] ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/50 "2011-03-17T23:31:25Z")
> [@Soliloquy](#): > > I’m curious how many other females go armed… > > At work: > Sig P229 .40 cal > Pepper spray > Baton (wooden, not expandable) > Streamlight flashlight > Pocket knife > Remington 870 shotgun World’s toughest realty office. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/51 "2011-03-18T00:15:06Z")
> [@Soliloquy](#): > > I’m curious how many other females go armed… > > At work: > Sig P229 .40 cal > Pepper spray > Baton (wooden, not expandable) > Streamlight flashlight > Pocket knife > Remington 870 shotgun > Off duty: > Springfield XD .40 Subcompact > Pocket knife My wife starts her job every morning at 5.30. The neighborhood between here and there is not the best. Her carry weapon is a vintage Browning HiPower 9mm. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/52 "2011-03-18T00:44:38Z")
9mm Walther P99 I could easily get a CC license but haven’t felt the need since it’s a bit of a hassle carrying it around. The responsibility of carrying it and being prepared to properly use it makes me more paranoid than without it. There are very rare occasions when I bring it along if I have to go into an iffy neighborhood at night (where I’m already paranoid) but generally I feel more comfortable without it. At home though, it’s kept loaded and ready to pity the fool. There’s never any kids in my house, so I don’t have to worry about that. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/53 "2011-03-18T00:46:30Z")
I would totally carry a small handgun if I could do it legally. I’m considering getting a long gun for home since I’m on my way to becoming an “older” single woman living alone and that’s all anyone is allowed to have (legally) here. In my bag, which I always have (I explain to people it’s like what you might have in the glovebox, but since I don’t have a car…) when I leave the house: I have 2 cans of Mace, one is a pepper spray/tear gas combo and the second one is a pepper gel that adheres to the face/eyes/whatever you hit while spraying. I also have a mean-looking 3-inch thumb knife (1/2 inch over legal) that I have “shown” to two people. Apparently it’s a big surprise when a 40 year old fat lady pulls a knife. I’ve had my hand inside my bag and holding a pepper canister while on the train a few times. Haven’t had to use it yet. I know a few women who have been mugged, and I don’t plan to have myself added to the list. I know that’s not rational, but I know myself well enough to know that I won’t just be able to hand over whatever they want. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/54 "2011-03-18T02:57:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [Moderator Warning]Infraction for ignoring moderator instructions.[/Moderator Warning] Really? I’m unclear how a funny aside from popular children’s movie ingores anything you’ve ever directed towards me, if indeed you ever have. It’s a joke, not a debate or political statement. Lighten up, Francis. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/55 "2011-03-18T02:59:25Z")
I’ve never felt the need to carry anything like that. My SO did carry a pepper spray for a few months but quit doing that years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/56 "2011-03-18T03:48:16Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > My wife starts her job every morning at 5.30. The neighborhood between here and there is not the best. Her carry weapon is a vintage Browning HiPower 9mm. I was assuming Soliloquy is actually a police officer. The equipment she describes would be standard police issue. ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/57 "2011-03-18T04:20:33Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Something else, because according to this poll pacifism seems to be the same thing as cowardice. > [@Skammer](#): > > It doesn’t stop the violence, it just changes the direction. Pacifism is the only way to stop violence. I’m always a little confused by statements like this. Or perhaps more curious as to what you actually believe. I have a couple of questions I’d love to get your opinions on. 1. So you think violence used for self defense is wrong? 2. If you were the victim of violent crime would you call the police? Is it ok for them to use violence? And I would consider forcibly imprisoning someone violence. 3. If someone was genuinely threatening your life, and I shot them, would you be mad at me? > [@Czarcasm](#): > > [Moderator Warning]Infraction for ignoring moderator instructions.[/Moderator Warning] While I’ve got your attention Czarcasm, I’m afraid I don’t get what ducati did. He didn’t bring up the gun debate. ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/58 "2011-03-18T04:22:43Z")
> [@Soliloquy](#): > > I’m curious how many other females go armed… My mom and my sister both carry pistols. Legally of course. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/59 "2011-03-18T04:45:54Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Skammer lay there like a slug! It was his only defense! I’m guessing this was meant as a mildly humourous [quote from the movie “A Christmas Story”] ([A Christmas Story (1983) - Quotes - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/quotes)) rather than a serious comment on any existing gun debate, in which case the proper response is “Oh yeah? You’ll shoot your eye out!” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015/60 "2011-03-18T05:08:22Z")
XD 9 for formal wear (stainless slide, very pretty), XD 45 for everyday trampin’ around and the XD 40M for “special events” (also stainless slide with custom goodies) Where I live, its easier to “open carry” than jump thru all the hoops to get the CCW license. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-armed-and-what-do-you-carry/575015.md?page=4)