Aging and knowing when to stop carrying

[Backpacker]

It may be too soon, but I am going to err on the side of caution. I have been a shooter since I was 6 years old. Dad took me to the grandparents farm with a pistol and I was hooked. Over the years I have hunted, competed in matches, became an instructor and range officer. But here I am nearing 60 years old and I am doubting my instincts and reaction time. Short term memory is a problem now. I have been to the range recently and I am still hitting the target as expected. It is time for me to part with the carry gun. The shot gun will remain by the night stand as the last resort in an home invasion. It may be too soon, but I am going to err on the side of caution. What might you do if you come to this point?

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

take a class and develop new skills surrounding your current circumstance. Your mind is obviously still sharp. Dont sell yourself short.

 

[17 squirrel]

My dad is 81 +- he has carried his entire adult life.
He has Parkinson's..
He stopped carrying around when he was 78 or 79 years old, he made a joke about it when asked, he said with the shake's he has he was afraid that in a hurry, he might just as easily pull out Duke instead of Rosco.. And with that he said Duke would be Assault with a Dead Weapon....

 

[eldirector]

My great-aunt still carries in her mid-80's. 38 snubbie in her purse or pocket. Same place it has been for 60 years.

I'm more worried about temperament than actual age. Someone I am close to has been counseled to keep his put away. His fuse has gotten too short with age. We figure, by the time he remembers where he put it, he will have cooled down. Not worried about him hurting anyone, but we imagine him pulling the "get off my lawn" trick and taking it too far.

 

[Backpacker]

All my life I have been pretty sharp and aware of what is going on around me and such. In the last year or so, I think I am losing that edge. I work alone hand building ukuleles. I use power tools and sharp hand tools. Always thinking about being careful not to create an accident. Yet, I found I sometimes forget an important step in the process or just have a brain fart where I wonder ""what was I about to do".

 

[Joniki]

Make an appointment with a doctor and get a physical. You are too young to be feeling this way.

 

[indiucky]

My step grandad Mannon "Tex" Nix, former Marine and Deputy Sheriff just passed away at age 91...As we were keeping the vigil around him and things started looking like the end my cousin grabbed Tex's old Smith and Wesson M&P service revolver with the fake stag grips...Ian unloaded it and placed it in Tex's hand...He gripped it and had it on his chest as he passed with a smile......

He had left that gun to me but in a rare moment of unselfishness I told him to leave it for Ian as he is trying to get on a police department...Ian has it and his old break away cross draw holster...

BBI has been in the shop and has seen the pic of Tex with an ax murderer he captured at a line cabin in West Texas...He has a Stetson, the Smith, and a pair of chaps on leaning against a bar celebrating his capture for the local paper...

He carried until the day he died...Marine until the end....

 

[halfmileharry]

Make an appointment with a doctor and get a physical. You are too young to be feeling this way.

Best post in the thread so far. Agreen.

 

[halfmileharry]

My step grandad Mannon "Tex" Nix, former Marine and Deputy Sheriff just passed away at age 91...As we were keeping the vigil around him and things started looking like the end my cousin grabbed Tex's old Smith and Wesson M&P service revolver with the fake stag grips...Ian unloaded it and placed it in Tex's hand...He gripped it and had it on his chest as he passed with a smile......

He had left that gun to me but in a rare moment of unselfishness I told him to leave it for Ian as he is trying to get on a police department...Ian has it and his old break away cross draw holster...

BBI has been in the shop and has seen the pic of Tex with an ax murderer he captured at a line cabin in the high country of New Mexico...He has a Stetson, the Smith, and a pair of chaps on leaning against a bar celebrating his capture for the local paper...

He carried until the day he died...Marine until the end....

Semper Fi. Lots of love there.

 

[PGRChaplain]

GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!!!!!!!! (Screaming) I'm 66 and until I got rid of some Prescription Meds I couldn't remember yesterday. Get a second opinion on any Meds that inhibit memory function. A lot of things will do this that we're not aware of, and some Doctors won't admit the Meds do that. Get checked out and Carry On!

 

[Mark 1911]

I am 59. I may not be as fast as I used to be but I'm not ready to check out just yet. I don't see that every defensive situation requires that you be fast, but will require your best judgement. Carrying doesn't mean you have to draw, but does provide another option. Carry until the day you die.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

Hard situation brother, do what you think is right. I respect you for being honest with yourself and thinking critically about the situation. We all age differently and some of us lose the abilities necessary to responsibly carry and use some tools.

 

[Leadeye]

My step grandad Mannon "Tex" Nix, former Marine and Deputy Sheriff just passed away at age 91...As we were keeping the vigil around him and things started looking like the end my cousin grabbed Tex's old Smith and Wesson M&P service revolver with the fake stag grips...Ian unloaded it and placed it in Tex's hand...He gripped it and had it on his chest as he passed with a smile......

He had left that gun to me but in a rare moment of unselfishness I told him to leave it for Ian as he is trying to get on a police department...Ian has it and his old break away cross draw holster...

BBI has been in the shop and has seen the pic of Tex with an ax murderer he captured at a line cabin in West Texas...He has a Stetson, the Smith, and a pair of chaps on leaning against a bar celebrating his capture for the local paper...

He carried until the day he died...Marine until the end....

The Norse believed that holding a sword as you passed was a guaranteed trip to Valhalla.

 

[Backpacker]

Make an appointment with a doctor and get a physical. You are too young to be feeling this way.

My rheumatologist said my meds were not the problem. He suggested short term memory loss is part of aging. I am not keen on doctors and their methods of treating symptoms rather than actual problems.

 

[Dirtebiker]

All my life I have been pretty sharp and aware of what is going on around me and such. In the last year or so, I think I am losing that edge. I work alone hand building ukuleles. I use power tools and sharp hand tools. Always thinking about being careful not to create an accident. Yet, I found I sometimes forget an important step in the process or just have a brain fart where I wonder ""what was I about to do".

Man , I have "brain farts" and have for years. I'm 54 and don't anticipate giving up my every day carry for a hell of a long time.
60 definitely is NOT old. Of course YMMV!

 

[Sailor]

Make an appointment with a doctor and get a physical. You are too young to be feeling this way.

This, totally.

 

[Ghost Dog]

Keep your memory sharp by reading and doing puzzles as well as exercise if you can.

 

[sharpetop]

I just turned 60 last month and will not stop carrying. However, I sure have been re-thinking the snub nose revolver vs. semi-auto. I still hit what I'm aiming at pretty well with a semi, but the simplicity of a revolver is appealing.

 

[DWS]

My dad. An avid hunter, shooter, NRA life and endowment member as well as the west side state rep. Staunch supporter of the 2nd A and over all bad ass patriot. Carried everyday. After a inititial fight with brain cancer, left the his rig siting out down stairs around the grand kids. When he realized what he had done - told mom to lock it up. 67 years old...

A sad day and was clearly the crystal ball indicating the end was closer than we thought...

 

[Spear Dane]

My rheumatologist said my meds were not the problem. He suggested short term memory loss is part of aging. I am not keen on doctors and their methods of treating symptoms rather than actual problems.

I would humbly suggest that a joint doctor is not the best person to see about what is basically a potential neurological issue. I applaud and admire your questioning and willingness to give up EDC....BUT go see a neurologist first and get a good workup done. THEN make your decision knowing you do so with the best information available to you.