Why Exactly Do You Not Carry Illegally?

[PsychGuy274]

First thing's first: This is purely and academic question. You all know as well as I do that you shouldn't break the law.

So this is something that I've been thinking about for quite some time. I've asked a few fellow shooters and most do not have a definitive answer: Why exactly do you not illegally carry a concealed weapon.

We have a general consensus here that 1) guns are not evil, 2) more guns = less crime, 3) our intention would be to carry for self-defense purposes, 4) we don't like the state telling us whether or not we are allowed to defend ourselves.

Knowing this it seems like it would be logical to just go ahead and carry anyways, but there's something holding us back. For me personally, I don't know what's stopping me from illegal CCW exactly; I just know that I don't do it.

Vote in the poll and discuss your selections.

Edit: How do I edit the poll?

[Cali-Shooter]

Jail time, if not very long, is manageable.

Fines are essentially nothing.

Permanent loss to RTKBA, is the big kicker. <---- This is what's keeping me from carrying "illegally," according to the State's Unconstitutional law.

[anthonyca]

If you have a good job or one with any kind of back ground checks an arrest for carriying a gun would most likley shot you down. I say arrest and not even a conviction because many people think they are one in the same.

We all know these laws do NOTHING to prevent crime. They should just outlaw murder and we will be ok.

[jdberger]

Jail. Gotta provide for the family.

[negolien]

hum

My vote is for all of the above. Even if you get a good shoot you're probably gonna lose your right to own a firearm for the rest of your life. You probaby are going to prison especially if you're in say New York State amongst some otheres... It's a purely no win situation that Pepper Spray WILL solve long enough for you to make your escape imho.

[Cyc Wid It]

Goodbye any decent jobs for the rest of your life, ability to vote, RKBA, etc.

[RP1911]

Too much to lose.

[Yugo]

I dont because I still want to beable to own one-just like negolien said if you get a hit your azzed out. Until we have constitutional carry im not doing it.

[dirtykoala]

i dont carry because i have a phone and i can dial 911 if there is an immediate threat to my life.

[Merc1138]

I don't want to lose my job, I don't want something on my record for employers in the future to automatically disregard me, I don't want to spend a bunch of time and money getting my record cleaned up, I don't want to lose any possibility of getting a permit if it ever becomes possible in my county, I don't want a huge bill to pay off(fine)...

[DannyInSoCal]

LUCC is fine with me until LTC hits OC -

Until then it's not worth the arrest record / misdemeanor / felony if used...

[DannyInSoCal]

Goodbye any decent jobs for the rest of your life, ability to vote, RKBA, etc.

Concealed carry of a legally owned sidearm without a permit is a misdemeanor - Not a felony....

[Sam]

A conviction for carrying without a permit looks pretty bad on a LTC application.

[Cyc Wid It]

OK so you can still vote...

[FNH5-7]

Loss of the RKBA is the biggest one in my book.