EDC(Every Day Carry) is a hot topic on many internet forums and discussion groups. Many approach EDC like a science weighing the pros and cons of each and every item. While there are many items discussed that should be carried I will not be found without my pistol. At this moment my EDC pistol is a Taurus PT-111 G2 9mm. That can change from time to time depending upon weather and where I’m going and what I’m doing. What is constant is my EDC must involve a pistol.
5 Reasons Why My EDC Must Include a Pistol
You Just Never Know – The news is full of stories where someone finds themselves “in the wrong place at the wrong time”. Often these situations turn out very bad for the innocent. Evil people exist in this world and yes – even in your neighborhood. I carry my pistol as I may cross paths with this evil.
Bad Guys Have Guns – While I may have practiced martial arts for years and carry a pocket knife the reality is many bad guys carry guns. Knife to a gun fight? I’ll pass. I need to be as prepared as possible to meet the threat and eliminate it.
I Am The True First Responder – No disrespect to law enforcement, fire, and EMS when an emergency happens around me or involving me I am the first responder. When there is a fender-bender and some irate, steroid infused gang-banger heads my way determined to pound me into next week waiting for the police to arrive may not be prudent.
Deterrence – While I would never promote showing a gun around(and in my State could get me in big trouble) just having the gun could de-escalate a situation. A violent crowd seeing my pistol could overwhelm me – if any of them are willing to get shot in the process. Hopefully, they would choose to move along and let me be. That goes for an individual as well. The last thing I want is to have to pull the trigger.
Non-Human Threats – A few years ago I was working in my garden. My youngest was about 8 at the time. My neighbor opened his back door and his dog came running out and went after Christopher. I saw it all happen in a blur but still had the awareness to reach for my gun…..which was in the cabinet inside the house. All I could do was run to his aid. The dog chased my son down and did not attack him but it could have been quite different.
The reason why I must carry a gun as part of my EDC goes well beyond “it’s my right” and the 2nd Amendment.
Why do you carry? Please share……
Rourke
The Prepared Bloggers are at it again!
Everyday carry, or EDC for short, refers to items that are carried on a regular basis to help you deal with the normal everyday needs of modern western society and possible emergency situations.
Some of the most common EDC items are knives, flashlights, multitools, wallets, smartphones, notebooks, and pens. Because people are different, the type and quantity of items will vary widely. If you have far to travel for work or have young children, your EDC could be huge!
But, even if you’re just setting out for a walk around the neighborhood, taking your essential items with you in a pair of cargo pants with large pockets, may be all you need to be prepared.
Follow the links to see what a few of the Prepared Bloggers always carry in their EDC. Would you feel safer with these items close at hand?
Shelle at PreparednessMama always carries cash, find out why and how much she recommends.
John at 1776 Patriot USA tell us the 5 reasons he thinks his pistol is the essential item to have.
LeAnn at Homestead Dreamer won’t be caught without her handy water filter.
Justin at Sheep Dog Man has suggestions for the best flashlights to carry every day.
Bernie at Apartment Prepper always carries two knives with her, find out what she recommends.
Nettie at Preppers Survive has a cool way to carry duct tape that you can duplicate.
Todd at Ed That Matters tells us about the one item you’ll always go back for…your cell phone
Erica at Living Life in Rural Iowa knows how important her whistle can be when you want to be safe.
Todd at Survival Sherpa always carries 3 essential fire starters wherever he goes.
Angela at Food Storage and Survival loves her Mini MultiTool, it’s gotten her out of a few scrapes!
Just a plain old backpack:
http://store.pantacusa.com/pdg-armored-slingshot.html
With a Glock 41 in it.
PB
I think you pretty much summed up why I carry a pistol.
I carry a firearm for the same reason I have home, auto, and health insurance policy. I don’t ever want to make a claim against that policy, but if I need to, I am able to. Our state is currently trying to get legislation passed to allow anyone over the age of 18 to obtain a CCP. I believe that if you are required to register for the draft, and potentially have to go to war for our country, you should be able to defend yourself. I also believe that an armed society is a polite society.
I always have my S&W 357 with me and a back up .380. You never know.
True, JBernDrApt – you do never know.
Unfortunately, I work for one of those liberal-minded snowflake corporations that feels the need to protect us from ourselves to the point that scissors are banned, boxcutters must be those Swedish t-shaped things that won’t slice butter, we have to wear cut-resistant gloves when carrying paper products to the dumpster, and weapons of any sort are banned from the property, including in our vehicles. Violation would mean immediate dismissal and no second chances. Essentially, we’re sitting ducks. During my off-time, however, I carry for all the reasons that Roarke stated above.
I understand SingleMom. You have to do what you have to do. Survival in modern times usually means getting and keeping a job. Understand completely.
Like a fire extinguisher .. You never need a gun unless you need it really bad. The outcome without it can be catastrophic. How to employ it, is a question of maturity and practice. Every situation is different. Lots of rules .. Don’t have it if you won’t use it.
Yeah it can get you in trouble.. to use inappropriately. And corps have rules.
States such as TN, by law allow you to keep in the vehicle on corp parking lots. And corps can deny them in buildings. Whether you do or don’t obey “ALL” the rules is up to you of course. Tried by 12 or carried by 6 to borrow a trite phrase. If you do it right and don’t talk about it .. who’s gonna know unless you need it .. then .. do you care at that point? I am advocating disobedience… at least .. yeah .. cna’t be helped.
GG58
As a teacher, I can’t carry in the school. I do have improvised defensive tools on me and in my classroom which blend in and are legal.
I went running one morning a while back without my pocket pistol and encountered the same thing you did with your son… only I was the target. I defused it with the first dead limb I found on the ground. I never go out without running or walking with the wife without some fire power.
Enjoyed the write up, John!
~Todd
Appreciate the comment SS. Good idea on the alternative weapons and means to defend yourself.