Randy, I disagree.
Enough studies have been done that support the exact opposite conclusion you have come to.

My own experiences have shown me that criminals do respect guns, and they will avoid people whom they believe may be armed.
A good example is the dramatically lower rate of sexual assault in a combat zone vs stateside in the military.
Yet sexual assaults of civilian personnel in the combat zone was statistically similar or slightly higher than stateside.

What's the difference? Unlike stateside, the female military personnel were armed.
Unlike stateside, the female civilians were highly unlikely to be armed (since very few civilians in the combat zone are permitted to possess any sort of weapon inside the base).

 Quote: randy allen

I don't know about that Jeffery.
I think you'd be facing alot more horrific scenes as an officer.

I mean think about it. If you're a low life scum, you think, 'I'm going to take that mans/womens money, they my be armed, f*%k it, I'll just off them from the git go. Clean and easy.'
As a police officer you may face more than you bargin for.

These reptiles have no value for the life of anything, they generally will take the path of least resistance. So how do you think they'll respond if they think everyone is armed?

Randy

This can be argued from every different viewpoint imaginable.

If they know you are armed, they will either avoid you, go ahead and try to rob you, or not ask questions and kill you.

If they know you are un-armed, they will either avoid you, go ahead and try to rob you, or not ask questions and kill you.

There are situations where being passive will get you away with your life or get your life taken.

There are situations where being aggressive will get you away with your life or get your life taken.

I believe all of the above statements are true. It's a tough choice. I do carry. If I am ever in a situation where the question of force arises, I pray that instinct and sound judgment will come together and let me choose right. Passive or aggressive action.

I don't want to kill somebody. I want to make it out of that situation that calls for action with my life. I would rather have the option of being passive or aggressive. I just conceal my options.:smile:

I've been asked why I carry.

I just point to my 4 year old son. I owe it to him to come prepared.

Ah, but Alyssa you're talking about a different kind of theft now.
That kind of scum has no use for a dead prize before the fact.

That does rise an interesting question though, what would all the sexual predators do if all the women they would meet could defend themselves. Where would they go? Would they just shrivel up and die?
Hmmph, one could only hope.
Randy

 Quote: randy allen

That does rise an interesting question though, what would all the sexual predators do if all the women they would meet could defend themselves.

What many of them already do:
prey on children.

Don't get me started on that. grrrrrr.
If there's one thing that will get me off for vigilante justice, pedophiles does it.

No mercy, no quarters, no hidding place.
Randy

There will always be prey for predators. Like all predators they prey on the weak and unsuspecting. Layer your protection. Dogs are my first level and for the most part an early warning system. On the same level is situational awayness. Then last would be lethal force. Police do a wonderful job BUT they can`t be every where all the time and can`t just sit in your driveway. Personal safety is an individuals responsibility. I have carried every day for 30 years.
http://www.profire.us/sheepdogs.html
There will always be sheep. They are not an endangered species.

 Quote: randy allen

I mean think about it. If you're a low life scum, you think, 'I'm going to take that mans/womens money, they my be armed, f*%k it, I'll just off them from the git go. Clean and easy.'
As a police officer you may face more than you bargin for.

These reptiles have no value for the life of anything, they generally will take the path of least resistance. So how do you think they'll respond if they think everyone is armed?

Randy:

Due respect, sir, but I think you're wrong.

Muggers go after little old ladies who just cashed a Social Security check. They don't go after cops on payday.

I wonder why that is?

Sorry Jeff,
I wasn't very clear about what I meant by 'facing more than bargained for.'
What was meant was, as a police officer Jeffery would be investigating a murder/homicide instead of a routine questioning of a bruised up mugger victim.

Sorry for the confusion.
Randy

About 10 years ago my company put me on a contract in Phoenix for about a month. I had never been to the city before and was trying to consult my driving directions while I drove through the city trying to find the customer location.

The traffic was very heavy, two lanes in each direction. I had to make several left turns at intersections that didn't have left hand turn lanes. I was totally surprised that the oncoming traffic would stop and let me turn. Everywhere I went in Phoenix, the people were friendly and polite. Not at all what I would expect in, say, Seattle, Tacoma, or Olympia.

When I got to the customer location I sat down with a couple of other people from my company and asked them about it. I asked if everyone in Phoenix was that polite and friendly. They said yes, because everyone is packing. That floored me. Their opinion was that the general assumption in Phoenix was that chances were better than 50/50 that anyone you met would be carrying a firearm. And that was why everyone was so polite and friendly.

They went on to regale me with stories about how bank robberies and street muggings had been broken up and perps captured by everyday people on the streets who were carrying.