Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > Concealed Carry & Self Defense
o

Notices

Concealed Carry & Self Defense All aspects of Concealed and Open Carry, Home and Self Defense.


Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #101  
Old 09-03-2017, 06:04 PM
GaryS's Avatar
GaryS GaryS is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Republic of Texas
Posts: 11,345
Likes: 9,368
Liked 17,263 Times in 6,632 Posts
Default

There is a difference between being willing to use a firearm for self defense and drawing willy nilly because someone spoke to you. It goes back to evaluating the situation and determining a threat level.

Which is something you may want to research a bit, as Wisconsin has a duty to retreat outside of one's home.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
So, you would take the chance that nothing would happen in the same situation? That is just plain disregard for personal safety. If you carry, why? Sorry, if someone came at you, and being that close, you could have a knife in your ribs or on the ground being stomped before you could draw and fire.

A gun concealed on your body is not a magic talisman against danger. You must have the mentality and mind-set to be willing to use it.

Worry about the "what ifs" will reward you with a small piece of real estate garnished with a lovely granite stone.
__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

Last edited by GaryS; 09-03-2017 at 06:09 PM.
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #102  
Old 09-04-2017, 12:57 PM
ExcitableBoy's Avatar
ExcitableBoy ExcitableBoy is offline
US Veteran
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 816
Likes: 1,123
Liked 1,549 Times in 556 Posts
Default

Who said anything about "willy nilly"? If YOU perceive something as a threat, then it is a threat, is it not?

Wife, kids, etc. there with you in a threat situation... and you seriously think that you can gather them all up and run?

C'mon, get serious. If you don't care that much for your own safety, then I guess I don't either.

Best of luck.
  #103  
Old 09-04-2017, 01:26 PM
zogger's Avatar
zogger zogger is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 733
Likes: 28
Liked 23 Times in 6 Posts
Default

A point made a few times in the comments is that if you are not willing to use a gun in self defense, then don't carry one.

We discussed this in the 1st CC class I attended. The instructors made this point really clear to us. Don't carry if you will not use it.
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #104  
Old 09-04-2017, 01:55 PM
GaryS's Avatar
GaryS GaryS is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Republic of Texas
Posts: 11,345
Likes: 9,368
Liked 17,263 Times in 6,632 Posts
Default

I see how you got your forum name.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
Who said anything about "willy nilly"? If YOU perceive something as a threat, then it is a threat, is it not?

Wife, kids, etc. there with you in a threat situation... and you seriously think that you can gather them all up and run?

C'mon, get serious. If you don't care that much for your own safety, then I guess I don't either.

Best of luck.
__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.
  #105  
Old 09-04-2017, 02:26 PM
Mister X Mister X is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 414
Liked 2,249 Times in 1,032 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
If YOU perceive something as a threat, then it is a threat, is it not?
Not in the eyes of the law.
  #106  
Old 09-04-2017, 03:02 PM
joe44va's Avatar
joe44va joe44va is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Central VA
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 3,774
Liked 4,332 Times in 1,548 Posts
Default

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean he wasn't out to get you. Good move.
__________________
Foster Positivity.
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #107  
Old 09-04-2017, 03:10 PM
eahicks eahicks is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 330
Likes: 72
Liked 258 Times in 130 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Squarebutt View Post
One habit I've picked up over the years is to use any nearby glass or shiny surface as a mirror to watch my 6, and sometime my 5 and 7. You can keep an eye on your surroundings and decide on your next move without obviously turning and looking over your shoulder constantly.


And... most stations have those round fisheye mirrors strategically placed, for the attendant's sake. Keep your eye on those too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  #108  
Old 09-04-2017, 11:06 PM
ExcitableBoy's Avatar
ExcitableBoy ExcitableBoy is offline
US Veteran
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 816
Likes: 1,123
Liked 1,549 Times in 556 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister X View Post
Not in the eyes of the law.
At the risk of a ding, there seems to be a pronounced lack of confidence in your own judgement in self-defense matters.

Carrying a lawyer on my back all the time would be a bit much of a strain for me.
  #109  
Old 09-04-2017, 11:18 PM
ExcitableBoy's Avatar
ExcitableBoy ExcitableBoy is offline
US Veteran
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 816
Likes: 1,123
Liked 1,549 Times in 556 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryS View Post
I see how you got your forum name.
Ahhh... assumptions, and personal ones at that!

I just LOVE the Forum psychologists.

AR BT KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
  #110  
Old 09-05-2017, 01:40 PM
InsideWaist's Avatar
InsideWaist InsideWaist is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 158
Likes: 35
Liked 91 Times in 56 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
If YOU perceive something as a threat, then it is a threat, is it not?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister X View Post
Not in the eyes of the law.
Unfortunately, (a jury of) your peers will decide if it was a threat or not.
__________________
Colt 45 M1911/S&W M&P Shield 9
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #111  
Old 09-06-2017, 12:55 AM
Whitwabit Whitwabit is offline
US Veteran
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 1,351
Liked 2,660 Times in 1,302 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Old cop View Post
I stopped to gas up my car mid afternoon today when I saw a young guy walking across the lot watching me closely. No other cars or people were around (no station attendant in sight) and I kept an eye on his progress as he got closer. While I can't articulate it I believe he was sizing me up. I look like an easy mark, past 70 and handicapped. My 340PD was in my L/F pocket so I slid my hand on it trying to look casual. He gave me a wide berth but kept looking over his shoulder at me and checking to see if anyone else was watching us. Needing both hands to finish I shifted the gun under my shirt, appendix, with my back to him, and got back in the car. He was still looking at me as I drove away. Maybe I'm just a paranoid old retiree and nothing was going to go down, but I was really glad to be carrying. Lesson - If you can legally carry do so all the time, not selectively when you think you might need to.
And the young kid is thinking why is that old man looking at me and watching my every move ..

You may have looked every bit the same as he looked to you !!
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #112  
Old 09-06-2017, 01:14 AM
Kiwi cop's Avatar
Kiwi cop Kiwi cop is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Taranaki, New Zealand
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 4,282
Liked 6,015 Times in 1,304 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mbok View Post
I learned long ago from working around law enforcement that your eyes are probably only second to your firearm as a defensive asset. A hard direct gaze that says "I know who you are and what you are thinking" often sends the only required message to a potential mugger or assailant. Most times that is all that is needed to make the thug reverse gear and go looking for a less aware mark.
Most street thugs are basically cowards. They look for an easy mark to intimidate. If you look them in the eye and don't let their demeanour or "rep" nerve you they will back down.

Around October 2000 I was posted to a small sole charge position in a town of about 800. I soon learnt that my predecessor had been called 'The Owl" by locals because he spent his evening shifts sitting in the darkened station looking out over the main street with a pair of binoculars watching what was taking place outside the towns two bars.

A month or so after I moved in a local young (early 20's) offender with a propensity to violence arrived back in town. I was told my a supervisor in the main town 15 minutes away never to approach him on my own and to make sure I was armed if I had to interact with him at night.

Late one summer evening I got called to the band rotunda which sat on a big traffic island where the state highway intersected with the main road north. There were a number of youths being disorderly, kicking a rugby ball off the milk tankers as they made their was around the roundabout.

As I approached the group I noted that one of them was the young man I had been warned about. As I approached he stood up and "toughed up" squaring his shoulders and standing tall. I pulled out my OC spray and held it openly in my hand while reaching for my radio mic clipped to my collar. All the while I just looked this tough in the eyes. After calling for backup I then dropped my right hand to my Asp button and pulled it out too, holding it by my thigh.

The young "tough" just slouched down again and said nothing as I gave the group marching orders.
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #113  
Old 09-06-2017, 01:58 AM
ExcitableBoy's Avatar
ExcitableBoy ExcitableBoy is offline
US Veteran
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 816
Likes: 1,123
Liked 1,549 Times in 556 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by InsideWaist View Post
Unfortunately, (a jury of) your peers will decide if it was a threat or not.
It appears that the clinically obtuse may be untreatable.

One more attempt: You find yourself in a threat situation. You do not have John Law at your side or a jury of your peers behind you as advisors. Do you trust your own judgement on what actions to take, or do you waffle and make no decision and allow whatever the outcome may be to happen?

If you opt for caution, have your hand on your gun at the ready, and nothing happens, has there been any harm caused by you? If you have dismissed the given situation as not being a genuine threat and it all goes sideways in a hurry, what now?

I will opt for caution every time. Your brain is your most valuable asset; have a plan and think things through beforehand if you get that twitch in the back of your head.

If you don't trust your own judgement you have no business carrying. Likewise, you have no business criticizing those of us who have a heightened sense of situational awareness and rely on our own judgement.

A lot of us got old because of it. I plan on having many more birthdays, my friend.
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #114  
Old 09-06-2017, 12:58 PM
InsideWaist's Avatar
InsideWaist InsideWaist is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 158
Likes: 35
Liked 91 Times in 56 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by InsideWaist View Post
Unfortunately, (a jury of) your peers will decide if it was a threat or not.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
...you have no business criticizing those of us who have a heightened sense of situational awareness and rely on our own judgement.
Calm down there, "Francis" (ah...er...excitable boy)!

I haven't criticized anyone. I was just stating fact (jury decides). If you look at that sentence from me, I even prefaced it with "Unfortunately". That should tell you that I don't necessarily agree.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
A lot of us got old because of it. I plan on having many more birthdays, my friend.
I, too, got old being cautious and plan on orbiting the sun quite a few more times, mi amigo.
__________________
Colt 45 M1911/S&W M&P Shield 9
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #115  
Old 09-06-2017, 01:03 PM
mnshutterbug's Avatar
mnshutterbug mnshutterbug is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SW MN
Posts: 152
Likes: 280
Liked 102 Times in 57 Posts
Default

My uncle just turned 95 and still out riding a 4 wheeler on his farm and I'm pretty sure he has never carried in his life. Just sayin...
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #116  
Old 09-06-2017, 01:21 PM
Muss Muggins's Avatar
Muss Muggins Muss Muggins is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bootheel of Missouri
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 6,981
Liked 28,085 Times in 8,897 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
Who said anything about "willy nilly"? If YOU perceive something as a threat, then it is a threat, is it not?
Only if a "reasonable" person in the same situation would make the same decision . . .
__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
  #117  
Old 09-06-2017, 02:45 PM
mnshutterbug's Avatar
mnshutterbug mnshutterbug is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SW MN
Posts: 152
Likes: 280
Liked 102 Times in 57 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
If YOU perceive something as a threat, then it is a threat, is it not?
That is a pretty silly statement. A person with no knowledge of snakes could perceive a garter snake as a threat when encountering one but does that make the garter snake a threat? Of course not. It's totally harmless but it was perceived as something threatening when it wasn't.
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #118  
Old 09-07-2017, 12:32 AM
ExcitableBoy's Avatar
ExcitableBoy ExcitableBoy is offline
US Veteran
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 816
Likes: 1,123
Liked 1,549 Times in 556 Posts
Default

Snakes??? The Tuna Logic is just breathtaking...

Beam me up, Scotty!!!
  #119  
Old 09-07-2017, 08:11 AM
ImprovedModel56Fan ImprovedModel56Fan is offline
US Veteran
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MA
Posts: 7,330
Likes: 7,502
Liked 5,556 Times in 2,547 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryS View Post
I see how you got your forum name.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExcitableBoy View Post
Ahhh... assumptions, and personal ones at that!

I just LOVE the Forum psychologists.

AR BT KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
You can see my forum name.

Some folks might make assumptions about my personal preferences in handguns. The ones who based them on my forum name would be wrong. Probably my favorite S&W revolver is the Improved Model 56, sometimes called a 2" Combat Masterpiece or 2" Model 15.

If someone is mistaken about my preferences, I don't get excited about it. I take responsibility for the fact that I was the one who chose my forum name. I recommend that to everyone, ExcitableBoy.
  #120  
Old 09-07-2017, 11:19 PM
ExcitableBoy's Avatar
ExcitableBoy ExcitableBoy is offline
US Veteran
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 816
Likes: 1,123
Liked 1,549 Times in 556 Posts
Default

As I said... assumptions!

The name and avatar are a tribute to singer/songwriter/musician Warren Zevon, who died tragically of mesothelioma. I don't feel any need to explain further.

I will make one point: It is virtually impossible to defend oneself against those who feel the need to try to make themselves feel superior, in one way or the other, on this forum. I have tried to make a few valid points politely, as have others. And...

I do not bow to assumptions and insinuations, or any other form of attack. To not expect a defense against such is another false assumption on whomever's part. I will stand up for my beliefs and opinions.

OK mods... ding away if you feel the need.
  #121  
Old 09-08-2017, 03:42 AM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson EDC Lesson  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

Remember boys, excitable or laid-back, this isn't a place for personal bickering.
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
Closed Thread

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
I TOOK A SHOOTING LESSON Gulfecho The Lounge 7 06-03-2017 08:02 PM
A sad lesson Doug M. Concealed Carry & Self Defense 38 06-02-2017 11:47 AM
I Need Box Lesson? SW MP15 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 1 11-09-2015 12:40 PM
Lesson learned dakshep1 Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 6 04-17-2013 12:00 PM
NRA History Lesson retarmyaviator The Lounge 0 01-13-2013 12:25 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:55 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)