My Carry Routine

[.308 Norma]

I carry everywhere, but generally won't bring a firearm into a medical facility, if I'm the patient. Too complicated, in a nutshell.

Yeppers, "Too complicated" is also how I feel about bringing a firearm into a medical facility. However, one of the "medical facilities" I've been visiting lately is the VA clinic. That place has a guard at the door that actually asks me if I'm carrying a knife or gun, and I'm not about to jeopardize my VA healthcare benefits by lying. That would be both dumb and irresponsible.

 

[Kleanbore]

There are places in which we may not or should not carry firearms, and there are alternatives to that.

I have come to believe that pepper spray should not be regarded ad an alternative, but as a supplement.

 

[GJeffB]

Evening All, I've been gone for a while, In my best Jack Nicholson, "I'm baaack."
Now, as to some of the discussion. No, never been a fan of changes in my every day carry/load out/etc, I'm a pretty simple guy with the same stuff always, and a pretty simple action plan:
1. Color code awareness
2. Command voice instruction to be explained below
3. Pepper spray (gel preferred) to be explained below
4. Same sidearm, same carry method, same ammo, same la da da de da, every day

2a. Pretty simple, even for parking lot beggars. "Get Back! Do not approach me!" Let's be simple/serious: if someone, no matter how psycho screamed that at you, would you continue to approach their space? Of course not, you're normal
3a. Pepper spray: I'm really not so concerned about effectiveness. If I have to deploy after 2a, that's pretty clear the perceived threat is real.
4. If 1, 2, and 3 fail it's fairly certain it has escalated (see 1) to personal deadly defense. I'm taking drawing and taking cover (running around my vehicle, barriers, etc. You know the drill)

Thought process is the theory of escalation:
I was looking around and found the skel (approaching/rushing/whatever)
I shouted at him/her/they/them to stop/stay away/ (my favorite) DON'T APPROACH ME
The object continued, making me consider their objective was not normal, so I sprayed
That did not deter the attack and I feared life or harm.

*Obviously* the escalation changes with circumstances. The point is *escalation* as a defense. If (1) occurs with a weapon and/or obvious bad intent escalate to (4)

If this does not fit into the title subject, disregard

-jb, a simple(ton) guy?
edited for spelling
good to be back ...

 

[shafter]

Evening All, I've been gone for a while, In my best Jack Nicholson, "I'm baaack."
Now, as to some of the discussion. No, never been a fan of changes in my every day carry/load out/etc, I'm a pretty simple guy with the same stuff always, and a pretty simple action plan:
1. Color code awareness
2. Command voice instruction to be explained below
3. Pepper spray (gel preferred) to be explained below
4. Same sidearm, same carry method, same ammo, same la da da de da, every day

2a. Pretty simple, even for parking lot beggars. "Get Back! Do not approach me!" Let's be simple/serious: if someone, no matter how psycho screamed that at you, would you continue to approach their space? Of course not, you're normal
3a. Pepper spray: I'm really not so concerned about effectiveness. If I have to deploy after 2a, that's pretty clear the perceived threat is real.
4. If 1, 2, and 3 fail it's fairly certain it has escalated (see 1) to personal deadly defense. I'm taking drawing and taking cover (running around my vehicle, barriers, etc. You know the drill)

Thought process is the theory of escalation:
I was looking around and found the skel (approaching/rushing/whatever)
I shouted at him/her/they/them to stop/stay away/ (my favorite) DON'T APPROACH ME
The object continued, making me consider their objective was not normal, so I sprayed
That did not deter the attack and I feared life or harm.

*Obviously* the escalation changes with circumstances. The point is *escalation* as a defense. If (1) occurs with a weapon and/or obvious bad intent escalate to (4)

If this does not fit into the title subject, disregard

-jb, a simple(ton) guy?
edited for spelling
good to be back ...

We have no right to not be approached in public spaces regardless of whether or not you instruct them to stay back. Whether or not you are justified in using a particular degree or force on someone who approaches you will depend on their demeanor and perceived intent and how well you can articulate that.

 

[Anchorite]

Evening All, I've been gone for a while, In my best Jack Nicholson, "I'm baaack."
Now, as to some of the discussion. No, never been a fan of changes in my every day carry/load out/etc, I'm a pretty simple guy with the same stuff always, and a pretty simple action plan:
1. Color code awareness
2. Command voice instruction to be explained below
3. Pepper spray (gel preferred) to be explained below
4. Same sidearm, same carry method, same ammo, same la da da de da, every day

2a. Pretty simple, even for parking lot beggars. "Get Back! Do not approach me!" Let's be simple/serious: if someone, no matter how psycho screamed that at you, would you continue to approach their space? Of course not, you're normal
3a. Pepper spray: I'm really not so concerned about effectiveness. If I have to deploy after 2a, that's pretty clear the perceived threat is real.
4. If 1, 2, and 3 fail it's fairly certain it has escalated (see 1) to personal deadly defense. I'm taking drawing and taking cover (running around my vehicle, barriers, etc. You know the drill)

Thought process is the theory of escalation:
I was looking around and found the skel (approaching/rushing/whatever)
I shouted at him/her/they/them to stop/stay away/ (my favorite) DON'T APPROACH ME
The object continued, making me consider their objective was not normal, so I sprayed
That did not deter the attack and I feared life or harm.

*Obviously* the escalation changes with circumstances. The point is *escalation* as a defense. If (1) occurs with a weapon and/or obvious bad intent escalate to (4)

If this does not fit into the title subject, disregard

-jb, a simple(ton) guy?
edited for spelling
good to be back ...

Sounds like a pretty solid OODA loop ya got there. Good deal.

 

[hutch51]

An old, retired Alabama State Trooper once told me that spray was ineffective against dogs. He was deployed on what became the ABI swat team. He said they found cheap water pistols with a 50/50 mix of ammonia and water to be more effective. I’ve never really thought about that.

Ammonia and water works. Aggressive dogs on my walks, one application seemed to erase their interest in me.
A hard punch up side the snoot works too but that's a little close for comfort - special circumstances.

 

[dh1633pm]

@Kleanbore, I never question what one carries or doesn't carry. Like everything else in life, we are responsible for our own security. I think your good to go regardless. Well covered for FAFO. Thanks for sharing. I carry a trusty pocket knife. Think the same way about my cell phone. Always carry when I am going to and from my farm mostly because firearms and ammo are in the truck. P227 in the desk drawer beside me as I work from home.

Do I practice hitting things with my phone? Never. Stabbing with my knife? No, but I have used it in restaurants who don't give out sharp utensils to cut and not stab. Do I practice with the P227, nope. Practice is boring. Do I shoot it a lot. Boy do I. Its my favorite. Fits and points nicely.

“Permissible” be damned. Carry on.

?

 

[fastbolt]

I certainly don't see anything irrelevant with posting one's thoughts regarding strategies, tactics and training in a sub forum devoted to such thoughts.

The bottom line is that although this is an online firearm enthusiast forum, when it comes right down to it, a gun is rarely the 'answer' to most of life's problems and emergencies. Having invested some thought and preparation in having and using tools and force not involving the use of a gun is prudent.

Personally, I get MUCH more practical use out of the lights and pocket knives I commonly carry than any concealed retirement weapon. Not having a light source or at least 1 pocket knife (I commonly carry 2-3) on my person makes me feel as though I'm unprepared to deal with a lot of everyday tasks and situations. (If you've never been deep inside a building that loses power at high noon, especially one without a lot of windows, you're in for a surprise the first time it happens. )

Yes, a stout pen/pencil can potentially serve other exigent uses. It may be fun to collect 'tactical pens' as a hobby (I have several), but they tend to 'look' odd - or even menacing - to the average person. Beware having something on you, the appearance of which might offer an unwanted image of an 'attitude' that may not serve you in good stead in some circumstances. A nicely proportioned and stout plastic or metal-bodied pen/pencil can still be utilized in a defensive manner. Especially in the right hands.

As a younger martial artist I was taught to practice with chopsticks, pens & pencils, and it was explained to me that there was a reason - other than needing eating utensils - that some men could be seen carrying a pair of chopsticks in their back pockets in SF's Chinatown. Naturally, chopsticks with pointy tips might be a little more effective than squared, blunt-tipped chopsticks. Nowadays you can buy metal chopsticks, as well as nifty plastic ones. Naturally, carrying anything that may be deployed as a deadly weapon requires some knowledge of how the laws are written and enforced in any particular state.

 

[The Night Rider]

2a. Pretty simple, even for parking lot beggars. "Get Back! Do not approach me!" Let's be simple/serious: if someone, no matter how psycho screamed that at you, would you continue to approach their space? Of course not, you're normal

This is ridiculous. I dealt with "parking lot Beggars" for a living for 15 years.

It's been my experience that if you start yelling at them and they start yelling right back at you. All that does is escalate the situation.

Somebody mentioned that you don't have a right not to be approached in public and that's quite true. But even as a uniform security guard with the authority to act as the agent of the property owner and trespass people off site, I still never got a good result from yelling at people.

When I ran into somebody on property who wasn't supposed to be there. I asked thrm to leave and I told them that if they didn't leave immediately I was required to call the police.

If they did anything but leave immediately I got out my phone and I started calling the cops.

Now that I'm retired if somebody approaches me in a parking lot I just tell them "I can't help you bro." and keep moving.

It has yet to fail to work

 

[Eutycus]

I sometimes use a cane even when I really don't have to. A cane can be a pretty good defensive weapon.I'm not talking about the flimsy drug store variety. Mine is a homemade 2" oak walking stick. In Ireland they are called Sheleighlys and some are more like a club when filled with lead shot. Some states have laws about hitting a senior citizen. It goes from a misdemeanor to a felony if the victim is an "older" person.
.

 

[Kleanbore]

It may be fun to collect 'tactical pens' as a hobby (I have several), but they tend to 'look' odd - or even menacing - to the average person. Beware having something on you, the appearance of which might offer an unwanted image of an 'attitude' that may not serve you in good stead in some circumstances. A nicely proportioned and stout plastic or metal-bodied pen/pencil can still be utilized in a defensive manner.

Excellent thinking.

I have quit carrying my tactical pen when I am permitted to carry a firearm.

 

[Jeff White]

Yes, a stout pen/pencil can potentially serve other exigent uses. It may be fun to collect 'tactical pens' as a hobby (I have several), but they tend to 'look' odd - or even menacing - to the average person.

Yes, some of them look like they were made in the prop department for a B grade spy thriller. I carry one of these from LA Police Gear:

Inexpensive, durable and looks like an ordinary ink pen. Edited to add; It also writes well.

 

[Eutycus]

I sometimes use a cane even when I really don't have to. A cane can be a pretty good defensive weapon.I'm not talking about the flimsy drug store variety. Mine is a homemade 2" oak walking stick. In Ireland they are called Sheleighlys and some are more like a club when filled with lead shot. Some states have laws about hitting a senior citizen. It goes from a misdemeanor to a felony if the victim is an "older" person.
.

Let's face it , some of these young thugs are not the brightest. It may look perfectly normal to them and to the General Public see an old man with a cane.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

This is ridiculous. I dealt with "parking lot Beggars" for a living for 15 years.

It's been my experience that if you start yelling at them and they start yelling right back at you. All that does is escalate the situation.

A hard ass approach almost always elicits a hard ass response. I've seen it many times.

 

[The Night Rider]

This may just be me but part of my routine is "A place for everything and everything in its place."

My flashlight is always in my left hand pocket. My OC spray is always in my left hand pocket. My gun is either on my right hip or in my fanny pack at the gym. It's never in my pocket. It's never in a Shoulder Holster.

One of the benefits of doing it this way is that I "forget" where I'm carrying my gun and walk into the VA with an illegally carried firearm.

I mean I don't know if forgetting would ever actually be an issue but why risk it?

 

[The Night Rider]

A hard ass approach almost always elicits a hard ass response. I've seen it many times.

In that world you can't let somebody punk you. You almost have to push back.

I very rarely raise my voice to homeless people or beggars. A polite "No thank you" goes a long way towards de-escalating the situation.

 

[shafter]

In that world you can't let somebody punk you. You almost have to push back.

I very rarely raise my voice to homeless people or beggars. A polite "No thank you" goes a long way towards de-escalating the situation.

It's a principle as old as the Bible; a soft answer turns away wrath.

I've seen it work time and time again on the job. As long as one is physically capable of backing up their soft answer with appropriate defensive force, the firm but gentle reply is the smart reply and the results are almost always deescalation.

Always be ready though, some people simply want trouble.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I agree that a light and a knife are the EC things I use the most. I do CCW where appropriate and legal, of course. But in 30+ years of having a permit there's only been a couple of instances where I thought I might need to draw (although I never did) while I use a light or a knife multiples times every day.

 

[Elkins45]

Yes, some of them look like they were made in the prop department for a B grade spy thriller. I carry one of these from LA Police Gear:
View attachment 1209357
Inexpensive, durable and looks like an ordinary ink pen. Edited to add; It also writes well.

Milwaukee tools inkzall. Polymer body, not tactical looking at all, just try to break one. Costs like $3