PSA - A couple things to think about when carrying concealed

[BrokenolMarine]

I know there are a number of us that carry a little friend (Or Two) when we are out and about. I recently read an article that reminded me about a few things that I always shared in the CCW classes I taught civilians and the things I would share with the Officers in the academy. I may have shared them here, or not. Memory isn't what it used to be, but it never hurts to touch on these things again... Might help someone out some day.

First - knowing that you carry, you need to make sure your loved ones KNOW their part in the day to day activities. What they should or should not do when you are out together. Their actions could have dramatic effect on the way an event will play out. A couple examples:

In an armed robbery in a diner, as they sat quietly hands on the table as instructed, a young wife said to her off duty police officer husband as the duo was robbing the customers in the diner, "You are a cop and have a gun, do something." One of the robbers turned and shot him in the chest.

I told ALL my family members, or anyone I travel with that KNOW I'm carrying, that they are never to mention that fact to anyone. There are often people that spend a whole day with Tina and I that never know we are carrying. The kids knew to never brag to their friends that daddy always carries. They don't know who the friends would tell or who their parents might tell. We also reinforced that they didn't discuss or talk about the contents of the home. I explained that they might trust their best friend, but when information is shared, we don't know where it goes from there.

Secondly - I told them that IF I had to ever take action in a situation when they were around, it might draw negative attention to me. Violence of some sort. Not necessarily shooting, but physical violence of some nature. If they saw that this might happen, or I signaled them; quietly move away from me to a safer location. I would reinforce this lesson now and then when riding with the kids in the car, to insure they understood. I made it clear to them that my plan would be to observe if they were with me and be a good witness.

One evening, we stopped for milk and eggs at a rural country store and I noticed a lone male in a zipped up hoody acting a bit strange at the counter. The girls and I were at the back of the store at the refrigerated cases picking up the milk and I paused there to watch the situation. I looked down, the girls were gone. They had moved to the far aisle, at the end cap and were concealed from the man at the counter behind that end cap, four aisles from me. I stayed, discretely watching the man with the clerk. In a couple minutes he took his items and receipt and left the store. I nodded to the girls and they went down their aisle, I went down mine, and we joined at the counter. The clerk looked a bit shaken.

"Thanks," he said, "That guy gave me the creeps."

"I was watching your back."

"I saw that." He knew who I was, had seen me come through the store at the wee hours after an evening shift in uniform several times.

"Have a good night."

I asked the girls in the car why they went over to the end cap.

"We saw you watching and your whole attitude changed. We thought it was a good idea."

Gee, guess they do listen. If you have to use your firearm to defend the family, or use physical force, you don't want them clinging to your legs as you try to move and position yourself to react. We discussed "Safe Locations" in various situations. They did exactly what I told them to do in the 7-11 scenario.

[BrokenolMarine]

Note that the kids grew up to be more aware of their surrounding as adults than most of their peers, as I would constantly point out things as we drove places in the car to make them SEE the world around them rather than bury their heads. Made them safer in their adult world. It became a game, they would try and see the interesting things first... and point them out to me.

[Centaur]

Good advice. Too many folks have little to no situational awareness, and are sheep ready for the slaughter. My wife, having been married to a (now retired) cop for so many years, is very aware of her surroundings.
I’m not a fan of open carry for the reasons mentioned above; I don’t want anyone to know whether I’m heeled or not. YMMV.

[daytime dave]

Thanks for sharing that important information with us. That was a good example story too.

[fortyshooter]

All good points to know!

[clovishound]

The Pup and I have discussed scenarios, and what each of us should do.

Of course, no plan survives the first contact and all that. Still to have no plan is to plan for failure from the start.

Wow, two bad platitudes in one sentence.

[Cofisher]

Thanks Marine. I appreciate the thought and education.

[BrokenolMarine]

When I was teaching, both to recruits and civilians, I tried to offer real world examples to go along with the important portions of the lessons as I had found that they worked best. Whenever possible, I used examples from my experiences, or those from real world people I actually knew. BUT, I was careful to use truthful examples in all situations and not exaggerate. Get caught in that trap just once and credibility goes out the window.

[fortyshooter]

Yesterday at around 2:30 afternoon in our relatively "safe" small city a woman was robbed at knife point in a small shopping center parking lot in front of a store. You never know when or where such incident will occur. Like Marine says be aware! Carry the handgun you can draw and shoot the best.

I have 2 I like to carry... the Springfield XDE 3.3 45 ACP and the RIA 3.1 1911 .45 ACP. The XDE is ready to go with a DA trigger pull and is slightly larger and will carry 7 rounds. The RIA 3.1 typical 1911 style cocked and locked side safety shorter easier to carry and can load 10 or 13 with full mag even though I prefer 9 or 12. I shoot both well.
However I can't forget the little Ruger LCR 357 which can shoot well also with 38 +P loads but only 5.

Yeah I know I spelled Unique wrong that day in a rush!

[clovishound]

I made the switch to the XDe in .45 a couple years ago. I love it.

[BrokenolMarine]

In the heat of the summer here, I carry the Smith 340 scandium revolver. Five Shot 357. In cooler months, my SIG P220 45. She's old, a little worn, scarred, but can still shoot.

[Hatchdog]

My wife used to ask me if I had my gun with me. She would just say do you have your friend along? I have finally convinced her that if we are outside the community we live in (don’t feel the need to be armed if I walk over to my neighbor) I am armed. Period. Every time. Period again.

Last week we along with our neighbors went to downtown Spokane at 6:30 for a comedy show. Not a good part of town and we actually had another neighbor drop us off and pick us up after the show. The parking down there is a magnet from break ins and we didn’t want to leave a car there. Three of the four of us were armed. Thankfully no issues.

Those of you who watch the Gutfield show on Fox will know the comedian. Jimmy Failia. Great show, we laughed out A$$es off.

Back on topic, my wife used to be oblivious of her surroundings. One day we were walking from one store to another and were passed by a guy who looked like a street person who had a large sheath knife exposed. After he passed I asked her if she saw the knife. Nope, not a clue. After a lot of harping on my part and seeing the tragedies on TV these days she has become very aware. She still won’t carry but is happy I do. I just happy she is now really paying attention to her surroundings.

[Oldbrass]

Very good points thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm military trained which is FAR from civilian carry, south Carolina requires a training course that I'm signed up for next . Spoke with one of the instructors ( a sherrifs deputy) said the main take away is learning the laws which he said aren't always what you think.. and what to do and NOT to do if you use your firearm. Having never taken such a class I'm looking forward to it.

[BrokenolMarine]

I could have gotten a waiver here in OK with my military background and previous LE instructor certification, however... I too took the class to get the briefing on the Oklahoma laws and rules. Worth the costs. She also briefed the class on the application process.

One thing she said that I never thought of before, since I was always covered by department attorneys before I retired. Find an attorney familiar with firearms law and criminal defense work, carry their card. You don't want to be going thru the phone book at two a.m. looking for an attorney after you already told your story to six different officers. Nor do you call your brother in law, the real estate closing attorney.

If you are involved in an incident, All you say up front is something like:

I'm shaken from the incident right now and will cooperate fully, but I will need to have my attorney present. As soon as they arrive, we will be happy to speak with you about this in detail.

We called the attorney she recommended, told him what we wanted, and he said he would be happy to have us carry his card. No Charge.

[BrokenolMarine]

Of Course, once you make that call, the meter is running.

[GunnyGene]

I don't have to think about anyone but me anymore. That part of my life ended last year. As for a 'favorite' carry gun, I don't really have a favorite, although I do tend to carry my p365 more than the others, but even that isn't carved in stone. I'm comfortable with all of them.

[BrokenolMarine]

I have a number I'm comfortable with and shoot well. I shoot the SIG the best out of the Carry guns. I won't carry any of the match modified guns, which I obviously shoot better. But, might bite me in court. Yup, comfortable with many, but wouldn't want to be facing a critical shot with my xxx in my hand and wishing I had that extra confidence twenty plus years with the Sig would bestow.

[GFK]

I don't have to think about anyone but me anymore. That part of my life ended last year. As for a 'favorite' carry gun, I don't really have a favorite, although I do tend to carry my p365 more than the others, but even that isn't carved in stone. I'm comfortable with all of them.

Sorry about your loss.

[clovishound]

She's old, a little worn, scarred, but can still shoot.

Sounds a little like me.

[BrokenolMarine]

She's old, a little worn, scarred, but can still shoot.

Sounds a little like me.

Exactly like me...
Old, worn, scarred, had some parts replaced, but we can still put em in the X-ring.
Then we have to rest a while.