EDC Lesson

[GaryS]

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.

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.

 

[ExcitableBoy]

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.

 

[zogger]

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.

 

[GaryS]

I see how you got your forum name.

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.

 

[Mister X]

If YOU perceive something as a threat, then it is a threat, is it not?

Not in the eyes of the law.

 

[joe44va]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean he wasn't out to get you. Good move.

 

[eahicks]

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

 

[ExcitableBoy]

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.

 

[ExcitableBoy]

I see how you got your forum name.

Ahhh... assumptions, and personal ones at that!

I just LOVE the Forum psychologists.

AR BT KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

 

[InsideWaist]

If YOU perceive something as a threat, then it is a threat, is it not?

Not in the eyes of the law.

Unfortunately, (a jury of) your peers will decide if it was a threat or not.

 

[Whitwabit]

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 !!

 

[Kiwi cop]

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.

 

[ExcitableBoy]

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.

 

[InsideWaist]

Unfortunately, (a jury of) your peers will decide if it was a threat or not.

...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.

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.

 

[mnshutterbug]

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...

 

[Muss Muggins]

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 . . .

 

[mnshutterbug]

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.

 

[ExcitableBoy]

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

Beam me up, Scotty!!!

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I see how you got your forum name.

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.

 

[ExcitableBoy]

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.