What else should I carry?

[edprof]

Okay, we have the legally concealed handguns for the confrontations that look like they could take our lives or seriously injure us to the point of incapacitation--that's the nature of concealed carry. But what about those situations that are physically confrontive, but don't look like they may go all the way? What do you see as a "ladder of drastics" before finally having to use the gun, assuming that the confrontation doesn't begin "maxed"? After all, taking a life is serious unless we are very sure that we are about to either get a real "whuppin'" or get killed, and it is likely that there will be an investigation later. What do you carry, or recommend to carry, along with a sidearm?

[jmathis84]

A can of good pepper spray. In Ga we can carry just about any weapon on our permit. I know of many guys I talk to who carry Pepper spray,Knife,Firearm,and a good light with a bright strobe.Any of those would give you ample chance to either halt the situation of get away.I forgot I personally carry my revolver,2 reloads, knife and had a bright led flashlight.

[Retired LTC, USAR]

I only carry my firearm. All I have to say is that what you believe is a less-than-lethal situation carry go south very quickly. Are you going to have the time to decide which "L-T-L" item you want to use?? Just remenber, dead en tell no tales!!

[38-44HD45]

I didn't vote in the poll, because it doesn't include my option: pistol, backup pistol or revolver, spare mags/ammo, couple of knives and a SureFire E2E light. I only carry pepper spray when I'm somewhere I'm prohibited from carrying my gun(s). Carrying "less lethal" items like ASP batons, blackjacks, etc. is prohibited here, and our permits are CHLs, not CWLs.

I carried pepper spray in addition to my guns for about 14 years, then I got thinking about it and discussing it with some of my friends and other experts over on a private forum, and quit carrying it, since I'm not a peace officer, and would only feasibly be using pepper spray to enable me to get away, not to subdue anyone and place him in custody.

Here are some thoughts, to use as you see fit, or to ignore:

You've had to shoot someone, and are asked (by police or grand jury/prosecutor), "Could you have avoided having to shoot X by spraying him with your OC?" Now that Texas is a "no duty to retreat" state, what you've done by carrying OC is put yourself back in the position of having a possible alternative you'd be better off without.

Have you checked on the effects OC has on you? Around here, it is windy more often than not. If I had to spray someone when outdoors, odds are I'd wind up getting some OC on me or up my nose or both. I've sprayed myself to see what it does, and have discovered that I am EXTREMELY sensitive to it. If I had to spray someone, and he happened to be one of the few folks who are unfazed by OC, I received splashback and needed to shoot, I'd be up a creek, with my eyes shut tight, my throat closed up, slinging snot and coughing my head off. When I carried OC, I was perpetually worried about such an event. Besides, if I'm close enough to someone to spray him with OC, I've let him get too close, and his taking it from me is a legitimate concern. Then I most likely would have to shoot him, since he now has the ability to blind and disarm me.

The function of pepper spray for a non-LEO is to allow him to get away from the threat. I'm 56 years old, have an operated neck, a bad lower back and hip, am arthritic and can't run very fast anymore. If I have to run, I need a head start, and that doesn't dovetail well with getting close enough to a threat to hit it with pepper spray.

There are other considerations, but one I consider quite important is that, particularly under Texas law, the line between an encounter that would justify my use of OC and one justifying deadly force is quite fine, and it is pretty hard for me to come up with a scenario where OC use would be fine, but shooting wouldn't, so I think I'm better off without pepper spray in my pocket than with it, as long as I can carry a gun. Others disagree, and make good arguments for carrying OC. As I said, I did for about 14 years.

[mikerault]

I carry my gun, maybe a BUG a lockback knife and a small flashlight (of course the flashlight has a taser built in).

The light/taser is the first line for just annoyances
The gun is the second line should things come to the deadly part of the situation.
The knife is in case I am some how disarmed of the gun and BUG...

I don't plan on using the knife much.

[ogilvyspecial]

For me it's a good tactical Flashlight w/Strobe function, but then I've been a flashlight freak for over 30 years now, same for knives. Years ago my friends quit asking me if I had my knife with me and switched over to, "let me use your knife." My Schrade "Uncle Henry" has been a constant companion of mine for decades...........

Just remember to carry your flashlight opposite of your gun hand to keep that hand (gun) free to do it's thing if called upon. The same rule applies to cell phones and anything else you might have to use or find yourself carrying, like coffee mugs, shopping bags, etc........

[seagill]

I guess it depends on the laws in your state, but I'd much rather have a fixed blade as opposed to a lockback. I was once the victim of a robbery. Two guys hit me so fast that before I realized what was happening, I was flat on my back getting kicked in the head with cowboy boots from both sides. Lived in CA at the time with no ccw permit. If my knife had been a folder, I don't think I could have opened it under the circumstances. Observation is your best defensive weapon. Had I been more aware of my surroundings, I may have avoided the whole mess.

[IkenI]

My favorite old saying is "Walk softly and carry a big stick and a pistol or two". At least that's the way I remember it.

[elundgren]

A good hickory cane can be useful particularly if you are older. They can be used for defense and offense without a lot of training. Of course, if the threat is close enough to use the cane they are about 20 feet too close. Consider it though.

[sgtvilla]

I carry 2 guns. One on my hip and one on my ankle. I wish our society was tolerant enough for me to also carry my carbine on top of all that. But maybe I'm paranoid.

[cshoff]

I always carry my EDC, at least one spare mag, a tactical folder, and in most instances, my 120 lumen light. I find that it's better to be well prepared to use a few tools, rather than poorly prepared to use a host of different tools. The more "gear" you choose to carry, the more specialized training you will need in it's use.

[Lew Archer]

Lots of folks are carrying knives...which is fine, where legal, but don't confuse the knife with "less lethal" alternatives to a firearm.

A knife, from a legal standpoint, is considered a deadly weapon. If you would be legally justified to resort to a knife, you would be legally justified to resort to your firearm, which, obviosuly, is the superior self defense weapon.

A knife, when legally carried, may be a good self defense weapon if a firearm is not available, or as a last ditch back up weapon.

However, I suspect that they are rarely used in this capacity.

I know an awful lot of law enforcement officers, including several who have been in gunfights. I don't know any who have been in a knife fight, or who used a knife in self defense.

That said, I do know of one incident involving a husband and wife who were both off duty officers. They went out for the evening and chose to go unarmed because they knew they would be drinking alcohol. They stopped their car at an ATM...the husband went up to the machine while the wife waited in the car. The husband was attacked by an armed robber. The wife came to his aid, effectively, with a tactical folder she had in her purse. This episode was discussed in the FBI study, Violent Encounters.

Your less lethal alternatives will depend on local law. With training and where legal, OC and an ASP can be useful tools.

A small pocket flashlight, such as made by Surefire, is also important to have on your person. And, if I couldn't have an ASP in the car, I might just keep a Streamlight flashlight handy, like the old 20SLX or Ultra Stinger.

Beyond that, a cell phone, spare ammo for the gun (if you're packing).

If you can, some form of training in defensive tactics--using your "peronal" weapons (hands, feet, etc.) would be beneficial. These techniques should be simple.

Most of all...stay alert...awareness and avoidance is the name of the game, particularly if you are carrying a firearm.

And, if you do get into a fight for your life, your character and determination is perhaps of greatest importance. These were the wise words of John Hanlon, one of the FBI Agents who survived the 1986 Miami gun battle.

[Smith357]

Originally Posted by seagill

Observation is your best defensive weapon. Had I been more aware of my surroundings, I may have avoided the whole mess.

+1

The main thing to carry is your head high and keep you senses sharp. Don't look like a victim, oblivious to your surroundings as you tap out drivel on you crackberry, with your ears full of i-pod.



I carry a small 230 lumen LED pocket torch, a small razor sharp folder, a kubaton on my keyring, a steel barreled pen (makes a dandy neck sticker), and the attitude of a United States Marine. Even if I forget one of my tools I always have the attitude with me and it has served me well for 30 years.