Why Do We Carry?
A Real-World Perspective on Concealed Carry and the American Mindset
As the Marketing Manager at MK-Tek Holsters, I’ve had countless conversations with American gun owners from every walk of life—veterans, parents, first responders, business owners, and everyday patriots. And when it comes down to the simple question, “Why do we carry a handgun?”, the answer always comes back to one word: freedom. A second word would be: security.
We carry because it’s our God-given right. We carry because the world doesn’t hand out second chances. And we carry because when seconds count, the police are minutes away. Let’s take a real-world look at why concealed carry isn’t just an option—it’s a responsibility.
1. The Second Amendment: A Right That Requires No Explanation
The Second Amendment doesn’t come with an asterisk. It doesn’t say “unless it makes someone uncomfortable” or “unless you live in a blue state.” It says, plainly:
“…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
We carry because we can. And more importantly—because we must. At a time when crime is surging in cities across the country and politicians are doing more to protect criminals than victims, concealed carry is the last line of defense for law-abiding Americans.
In 2023, over 21.7 million Americans held concealed carry permits. Countless millions of other concealed carry users in free states that have Constitutional Carry. That’s not a fringe movement. That’s a growing majority of Americans who understand the world for what it is, not what the media pretends it to be.
Source: Crime Prevention Research Center
2. Defensive Gun Use Happens More Than They Want You to Believe
You won’t see it on CNN, but the fact is this: good guys with guns save lives—every single day.
Depending on the source, defensive gun use (DGU) in America ranges from 80,000 to over 1.8 million times per year. That’s not speculation. That’s the hard truth.
- The CDC reviewed studies that found DGU occurs between 500,000 and 3 million times a year.
- The 1995 Kleck & Gertz study, still one of the most referenced, put the number at 2.5 million.
Source: CDC Report via Reason.com
Here’s the point: Americans defend themselves with firearms far more often than most people realize.
We’re not talking about vigilantes or wannabe action heroes. These are moms at gas stations, truckers on the road, and dads protecting their homes from break-ins. I have heard from many individuals who have experienced first hand the reality of needing a handgun. Some have bought their first handgun after just such an encounter.
And when the moment comes, the only thing that matters is readiness.
3. Real People. Real Situations. Real Outcomes.
Look beyond the headlines, and you’ll find stories of armed citizens stopping mass shootings, preventing assaults, and protecting families. Like the man in Indiana who ended a mall shooting with his concealed carry pistol, saving countless lives. He acted decisively—just 15 seconds after the threat began.
Or the Georgia woman who shot an intruder in her home while on the phone with 911. Or the concealed carrier who stopped a stabbing in a Texas Walmart parking lot.
The media often ignores these stories because they don’t fit the anti-gun narrative. But at MK-Tek, we see them. We read them. And we design every IWB and OWB holster with that exact moment in mind.
Whether it’s our Glock holsters, Sig holsters, or custom builds, we build them for the American people who don’t wait for permission to defend what matters most.
4. Carrying Isn’t Just a Right—It’s a Lifestyle
Every concealed carrier knows this truth: if you’re going to carry, you better do it right.
It starts with the right holster. A real concealed carry holster—secure, comfortable, low-profile, and built to retain your firearm under pressure. That’s why thousands of gun owners trust MK-Tek for their IWB holster and everyday carry holster needs. Why Do We Carry a Handgun?
But gear is only part of it.
Carrying responsibly means:
Knowing your state’s laws
Practicing regularly at the range
Understanding your firearm’s mechanics and limitations
Using Threadlocker (like Blue Loctite) on your holster screws to keep everything tight and in place (read why here)
We don’t carry out of fear—we carry out of discipline. We’re ready, not reckless. The best handgun is the one you have with you.
5. Why Do You Carry a handgun? Because No One’s Coming to Save You
Let’s be blunt. When something bad happens, you are your own first responder. Seconds matter. We don’t carry because we expect danger—we carry because we’ve accepted that danger exists. And we’ve made the decision that we will not be victims.
We carry:
Because our wives, husbands, and children are worth protecting.
Because law-abiding citizens shouldn’t have to beg for permission to defend themselves.
Because evil exists, and the only thing that stops it is strength.
This isn’t about paranoia. It’s about preparation.
Final Thoughts: We Carry Because It’s American
Why Do We Carry a Handgun, is more than a choice—it’s a commitment. To yourself, your family and to your freedom.
At MK-Tek Holsters, we take that commitment seriously. We design and build every holster for concealed carry users who demand performance without compromise. Whether you’re carrying a Glock 48, a P365, or a full-size duty pistol, we have the holster that’s built for your fight.
Explore our products, learn from our blog, and join a community of Americans who carry not just because they can—but because they should.
Stay trained. Stay ready. Stay free.
If you’re not carrying yet, ask yourself this: If not now—when?
