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Retired carry curiosity ?????

6K views 77 replies 64 participants last post by  db404 
#1 ·
OK !!
You carried on a regular basis.
Perhaps on an irregular basis.
Now your retired.
No longer exposed to the possibilities that Dodge City can throw at you, on a daily basis, at any given time.
Anything can happen, at any time as we all know, but when your lifestyle goes from "Dodge City' to Flip Flops, Beach and Golf, I'm guessing the carry routine takes a back seat or seizes entirely.
Obviously this isn't directed to the retiree that stays in Dodge City to the bitter end.
But !! When the most dangerous thing in your new life is the mailman cutting across your lawn..........??
 
#31 ·
Got 9 and change before I can retire. Plan on moving out of liberal communist utopia I mean New York once I retire. I will carry though everyday no matter where I am. Maybe end up in a gun friendly state and get a cool bbq gun rig for special occasions.
 
#34 ·
Gun friendly like Florida ??
When you enter the state they give you a bag of Oranges, and a carry permit.
Reading the overwhelming responses it appears I've been more than a little lax regarding carry habits.
I think the Florida heat, combined with the concealment issues do to the light/limited clothing and discomfort, combined with the lack of a percieved threat etc..... Contributed to the decision to carry only on occasion.
Your points are well taken and apparently it's time to re-think it.
Thanks
 
#33 ·
When working daily I carried any time I was outside our home . Built houses for a living , small 3 man crew so always had tool pouches on handguns was smaller when at work . Always had a larger mostly single stack for after work .

I'm retired now , and not many of the body parts work as well as the once did including the speed of mag changes so I carry a double stacks now for a few extra rounds . Ether a 12+1 9mm or 13+1 40 both with higher capacity back up mags . After 29 years of concealed carry when ever I'm out side I still have a handgun on me concealed .

Moved away from the beachs and sold the golf clubs years ago so I'm not a flip flop or golf course kind of guy but since were still out and about regularly we keep up the shooting drills and being able to shoot at home helps .
 
#36 ·
I retired after 33 years working as a Deputy Sheriff in a county that goes from rural where I choose to live to suburban bordering right on the north side of Marion County where Indianapolis is located. Had a black thug from Indy assassinate an elderly man in his own driveway while checking his mail last fall. No reason for the shooting here in an upscale suburban small town. The same black thug had also been randomly firing rounds into IPD sub stations prior to killing this innocent 80 year old retired man.
I carried a Colt Gunsite Pistol on the job, so I simply chose a lighter, smaller 1911 to carry daily now. My Colt Defender goes with me everywhere I go.
 
#73 ·
You and I are in the same boat. I'm just outside of Indy now, in New Pal.

Worked for IPD from "76 to 80", then retired from the Post Office after 33 years.

I took one of the cheap plastic holsters that comes with a new Springfield, and attached to the frame of my tractor, right between my legs, so I always have something even when I'm cutting grass.
 
#37 ·
If you worry too much on what could happen you become a prepper, otherwise, it is best to selectively carry. If you feel that where you are going to may be an issue, then carry. I have never carried in a biker bar, ordering a diet coke when I was President of a Legion Riders group and never felt a need to. But in a mall I feel more obligated too be packing.
 
#39 ·
I'm also retired and always carry. Even at home I'll have a .380 or J frame in my pocket. When out and about, I'll have a Shield in either 9 or 45 or a CZ PCR 9mm. At home I maintain a loaded M4 carbine and several pump shotguns with buckshot in the their tubes. I have an older but large home, and I'm too old to run hither looking for a long gun. Hence, I keep several around. No kids of course. Less I sound like I'm walking around cocked and ready to shoot, let me say that I would if I had to but if and only if I had to.
 
#44 ·
I live in the mountains of Colorado, on the western side of the Rockies with less crime and people than in Denver and Boulder and sometimes don't carry. But after reading through this thread, have reminded myself to carry EVERYWHERE. Sometimes you become lax or complacent living in a smaller mountain town. Gotta go grab the G19 as I'm headed to the gym.
 
#45 ·
We had a saying for scubadiving "when you stop learning you become complacent and die"

I carry when in the house. if its not on me its within arms reach. A knock on the door or a strange car pulling in the drive way is always met with a gun. If we are out back there are 2 large dogs in the house. Always have a few 30rd ar mags loaded and ready.

Liberals call it paranoia I call it refusing to be a victim.
 
#46 ·
I am the son of a competitive shooter, now a retired teacher @70 years of age. During my working career in ATLANTA, I only carried when needing to go dangerous places. I've always been good at avoiding trouble, in the process I have been pushed around by others, but know what kind of trouble I could have been in - had I chosen to pull a gun instead of walking away. IMO opinion, Atlanta got to be a pretty unpleasant place to live, & just going shopping got ugly to often. I kept a pistol in my vehicle 24-7. After I retired we "Got out of Dodge".
I recommend country living, unless you would miss the hubbub of city life. Recently while choosing an ideal locale, I read up on the Demographics of every place I considered & found some surprising statistics: Small population areas with 80% or more Conservatives, 75% or more Christians, & under 20% any minority - HAD THE LOWEST CRIME RATES. Honest - Look it up. We are now in the process of moving out of Florida - to HOT,EXPENSIVE, + to many sorry people. We have checked out our new destination, & are satisfied it will be as safer than most places, but I still will retain my CCL.
+++1 on having a DOG as friend & helper.
 
#49 ·
I stick a gun in my pocket if I I walk down the drive way and get my mail. If I am watching TV I take off my holster and hang it on the bedpost. If I am not wearing it I keep it within easy reach.
 
#50 ·
I was medically forced into retirement about 10 years ago. I have bad knee, hip and major back problems and 2 rotator cuffs that were torn. Not much of a fight left in this old dog but 45acp gives me some of the bite back. I just have to practice often to keep my muscle memory going.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
#51 ·
I read somewhere that most crimes take place within ten miles of the victim's residence. In other words, if it happens to you it may occur in a grocery store or when you're out jogging. Don't assume it only happens when you're in a bad part of town. My wife was once attacked by two very ferocious dogs right in our front lawn and barely made it back in the house in time. A next-door neighbor came out with his gun and somehow managed to scare them off without shooting them. The next morning the same dogs threatened the elementary kids waiting for the school bus and the police were called. So yes, if you adopt an armed lifestyle you should always be carrying, even in your house (my Kahr .380 is in my pocket at all times when I am wearing clothes). You simply don't know when you're going to be surprised by a threat coming out of nowhere.
 
#52 ·
Just because I retired doesn't mean the bad guys did too. All the other arguments as well - don't want to become a victim; an assault could happen anytime, anywhere. As my fellow retired former Army Ranger and 30+ year Customs Inspector says: "Feces Occurs."

I carry everywhere, maintain my LEOSA Qualifications annually as required in Texas. The only exception to carrying everywhere is when I go into Brooke Army Medical Center or one of their off-site clinics - long story short - I participated in an "active shooter situation." I always leave my pistol in my car when at BAMC; but don't take my holster off. One day, there for an appointment, someone (probably the receptionist) saw my holster and called security claiming there was a man with a gun in the clinic. When I was called back for my appointment, there were 3 uniformed security officers there to greet me! I was asked if I was carrying a firearm. I said no and lifted up my shirt so they could see the empty holster and my badge. I showed them my ID and told them that I never enter the hospital with my gun - that it is locked away in my vehicle. They were quite professional about it and as soon as they were done they left me to my appointment. I spoke with one of the officers as I was leaving the hospital; thanked them for their professionalism; and was told that he and one of the other officers would prefer if retired LEOS could carry their guns into the hospital, and act as a force multiplier in the event of a real active shooter situation.

All the local police (San Antonio) and Sheriff's Deputies (Bexar County) appreciate knowing there are retired LEOS who still maintain their quals and carry. When I tell them "I got your back" and will stop and offer assistance if they need help are very grateful to know that people are willing to assist them.
 
#54 ·
In Florida over 27 years. The wife and I carry every day of the year. The only place we don't is at the Hard Rock casino we have to leave the guns in the car can't drive thru Tampa without a gun:) We lived in N.Y. retired to Florida. Had our apartment broken into also our car in N.Y. my tools robed on the job we know the score :). At night all the lights are on outside the house my nightstand my Glock 43 the wife her Ruger LCRX. What a way to live 2017 it's sad time for old timers.
 
#55 ·
I never leave the house without at least a J-Frame in my pocket. Going into the city, I carry a SIG with 16 rounds.

I've been retired for 27 years and the older I get the more I need a gun. I like to think I'm just as tough as I was 40 years ago but in reality I'm not.
 
#59 ·
As a supervisor of an investigation unit I was honored with being tasked to read every police report that our 100 + agency produced (I am temporarily back out on the street). Just our way of doing things. I networked regularly with a multitude of agencies in our Midwest metro gathering of humans.

The number one fastest rising crimes were daytime burglaries in upper to middle class neighborhoods. Many people were retired and minding their own business on a daily basis. The doorbell would ring several times and someone would pound loudly on the door. Then the power would go dead as the mutts outside took off the power meter to defeat the alarm system and cut all the internet cables (get a cell phone backup to your alarm system if you do not have one).

Then the back door or a patio glass was shattered and in would come two or three mutts with a van or truck outside to borrow your life accumulations!

Many retired or stay home sick people came face to face with these creeps. Usually the cowards ran away. Sometimes they did not.

The next time you consider leaving your weapon out of reach because nothing happens in your safe neighborhood, put yourself in the above situation. Maybe you stayed home with an ill child or loved one, and one of the creeps has two strikes and is facing life if you recall his face? Do you think he will trade your life for the chance of his freedom from incarceration? In a heartbeat!

My advice is carry everywhere and have a plan in your home if you are unfortunate enough to have the situation I described above happen to you. Of course it is worth every penny you paid for it!!
 
#61 ·
As long as there are predators out there, two and four legged kind, I will carry. I do find myself carrying my Glock 19 more than my j frame. I guess a little paranoia could be a good thing the way things seem to be going.
 
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