I obtained my first CWP back in the mid ‘90s in Mississippi. This was during the early stage of the Brady Bill, so at the time I wanted the permit more for purchasing a firearm than carrying one, as Mississippi allowed CWP holders to forego NICS check. In fact, there were only a few occasions when I actually carried a handgun on my person that didn’t involve hunting or horseback riding.

I spent years being allowed to carry a handgun, but almost never doing so. But to be honest, at that point of my life it was probably better that I didn’t carry. I was in my mid 20s, single and still a little immature in many ways—hitting too many bars and drinking way too many barley pops.

It wasn’t until I was living in South Carolina that I decided to start carrying on a daily basis. And no, I didn’t have a close call that made me rethink my carrying practices. I had simple grown up and made a conscious decision that there are bad people in this world, and there needs to be others with the means and wherewithal to stand up to them. I knew I had the wherewithal, so I only needed the means. And since I believe in bringing agun to a knife fight, there was only one option open for my needs.

Of course, this decision meant I had to make some changes in parts if my life, such as how I dressed, where I could go and even where I ate, but that is for later. For now, why did you decide to carry concealed?