10 Things You Learn by Carrying a Gun Every Day

[Guy B. Meredith]

CZ223 has it nailed.

Can't make assumptions. The lady could have been the assailant given the number of recent instances of women committing mass murder of their children and other good things.

Comments on other items.

Those incidents where a CHL could have, should have, would have... Just about every video I see of a CHL responding they fail to shoot from cover. Instead they chase the perp and trade shots with bystanders scattering and running. Need more than a gun, need a strategy that keeps CHL and by standers safe.

Personally, I do not care to experience pointless martyrdom. The plan is to take cover and take time to place all shots where they count. I think one CHL had this realization in a recent mall incident. That and the fact that handgun against the assailant's long gun makes the odds of martyrdom rise exponentially.

I also carry to improve the odds that a perp will run into an armed person. Guess the best of all worlds is that a perp walks into a mall or other place and finds that a majority of the potential victims are armed and firing from cover leaving him the only man standing to be a target.

 

[Warp]

Random thought: A dash-cam is a good idea. I've had one for over a year. I consider it a very good CYA investment.

 

[Warp]

CZ223 has it nailed.

Can't make assumptions. The lady could have been the assailant given the number of recent instances of women committing mass murder of their children and other good things.

Comments on other items.

Those incidents where a CHL could have, should have, would have... Just about every video I see of a CHL responding they fail to shoot from cover. Instead they chase the perp and trade shots with bystanders scattering and running. Need more than a gun, need a strategy that keeps CHL and by standers safe.

That strategy may mean NOT shooting from cover.

How about the older guy with a semi auto in his pocket in Florida I believe it was? Two perps trying to rob the place, armed (one only had a bat I think though). He fires on the suspects while walking toward them in the open.

But if you watch the video, you see a panicked women who does her best to run directly into his line of fire while he is firing, however, since he was walking forward he is able to step in front of her instead of her stepping in front of him.

It may not be the most safe for the carrier, but closing the distance reduces area between the carrier and the threat where a random/bystander can get in the way (in this case the threats more or less looked to have a wall and doors behind them, not occupied space, and IIRC, the carrier started out basically against a wall so hopefully nobody would move to be directly behind him)

 

[Thermactor]

Random thought: A dash-cam is a good idea. I've had one for over a year. I consider it a very good CYA investment.

I want to get a dashcam just for the opportunity to shout choice words in Russian if I get into a wreck. That stuff is YouTube gold!

 

[Old Dog]

I just noted this comment back in post #45:

My impression/understanding is that criminals illegally carrying guns/carrying stolen guns is generally done on a limited basis only when deemed necessary, such as when planning to imminently engage in activity where the plan includes using said firearm, or where having to use it is a very real possibility. Not really an all day every day kind of thing.

No disrespect intended, but I think your impression is incorrect. I've encountered more than a few who've stated they're always packing, including gang members. I will never again give too much credit to criminals (you'd think someone who knew he had warrants out for him would make sure all the lights on his car were in working order, that he didn't have drugs in the car -- to include a still smoking roach -- and didn't have a gun stuck in his pants).

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

"10 Things You Learn by Carrying a Gun Every Day:

Some rather fascinating divergences from the OPs posting on the above article.

It might be worth noting in all the ongoing discussions that the title alludes to "10 Things You Learn", not "THE 10 Things You Learn". The implication is that there are more to be learned than just the ten cited.

Consider them a starting point, if you want.

 

[george burns]

You just never know, once my best friend and I were driving along, and happened upon a man beating the crap out of a woman in the street, "you can guess the rest", I said Pete, leave them alone, it's going to come back and bite us", sure enough, after pulling the guy off and separating them, "there were no cell phones back then", they both started screaming at my friend for interfering in "their business". They were married and apparently did this, almost nightly, after drinking. We just drove away, as the lovebirds reunited with blood flowing from every orifice.
You can't tell sometimes who the bad guy is, or if there even is a bad guy.

 

[Warp]

You just never know, once my best friend and I were driving along, and happened upon a man beating the crap out of a woman in the street, "you can guess the rest", I said Pete, leave them alone, it's going to come back and bite us", sure enough, after pulling the guy off and separating them, "there were no cell phones back then", they both started screaming at my friend for interfering in "their business". They were married and apparently did this, almost nightly, after drinking. We just drove away, as the lovebirds reunited with blood flowing from every orifice.
You can't tell sometimes who the bad guy is, or if there even is a bad guy.

Whether or not there is a "bad guy" in that situation would make for an interesting discussion, I think.

 

[Deaf Smith]

10 Things You Learn by Carrying a Gun Every Day

"A gun and a smile will get you more than just a smile" Al Capone

"Remember the first rule of gunfighting ... have a gun. Jeff Cooper

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." - Thomas Jefferson

"From his weapons on the open road
no man should step one pace away;
you don't know for certain when you're out on the road
when you might have need of your spear
- Havamal (a viking age collection of common sense)

Yep, pack 'em every day.

Deaf

 

[RustyShackelford]

Don't provoke, don't pursue....

After the Zimmerman/Martin event in Sanford Florida, my city's mayor & PD put out a message to local neighborhood watch groups & residents saying: don't provoke, don't pursue.
This inept SOP didn't last very long & was removed from the city website after about 6mo.
I disagree with the vigalante or cop-wannabe labels if a CCW holder or armed citizen uses lethal force. If you are in a critical incident you shouldn't be risk adverse or concerned over what people(who are not there) say.
If you walk into a crime in progress or witness a violent act, use of deadly force is your proragative. If you are not going to chase anyone or follow a thug then you aren't a "wanna be cop" .

 

[whanson_wi]

"10 Things You Learn by Carrying a Gun Every Day" - the real list...

1. Damned lint gets into everything.

 

[Styx]

"10 Things You Learn by Carrying a Gun Every Day" - the real list...

1. Damned lint gets into everything.

ROFL! I thought I was the only one that has that problem. I don't understand it.

 

[Warp]

That's a pocket carrier's problem, I think. Never really noticed much lint carrying in a holster on my belt.

 

[Styx]

That's a pocket carrier's problem, I think. Never really noticed much lint carrying in a holster on my belt.

I IWB carry, and lent get EVERYWHERE. It was even worse when I carried a hammer fired gun, but it's still a problem with my Shield.

 

[fanchisimo]

Lint only seems to accumulate around the trigger and a little inside the muzzle on my SR9c IWB. Maybe I'm just lucky. Lol.

 

[george burns]

You guys that pocket carry must use a remora type holster. I get little to no lint or dirt on or in my guns using that holster. Once or twice a year the gun needs to be cleaned, and I pocket carry 3 guns. Also if I was at the gym or running, I will spray it with break free, "on a rag" and wipe it down, just to prevent rust. Works like a dream for 5 years I switched over to pocket carry.
You should never carry a gun without some kind of pocket holster. Anything could get stuck in the firing mechanism, barrel etc. like a paperclip or change, toothpicks or anything else you stick In there.

 

[PistolPete45]

I carry revolvers and yes sometimes the grip will poke out my shirt But I do not let it bother me I just put a cell phone next to my holster . let it poke out some ..

 

[lemaymiami]

Having been down more than my share of roads and alleys that ended up in court.... I'd recommend that anyone thinking of a dash cam consider that it's a two edged sword. Yes, it would be nice to have independent witness of any confrontation -but you can be sure if there's the slightest portion of any video that puts you in an awful light -that will be the one you'll get to see on your local TV or cable channel...

 

[Warp]

Having been down more than my share of roads and alleys that ended up in court.... I'd recommend that anyone thinking of a dash cam consider that it's a two edged sword. Yes, it would be nice to have independent witness of any confrontation -but you can be sure if there's the slightest portion of any video that puts you in an awful light -that will be the one you'll get to see on your local TV or cable channel...

The TV/cable channel isn't what will be used in court. If you are worried about what the media/cable will report you should sell all of your firearms and anything else that might be considered a weapon.

I'd rather have hard evidence than not, for everything from a fender bender to a violent attack.

 

[Red Wind]

Yep, pack 'em every day.

Wise words from Deaf Smith. Every day.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

PistolPete45, the handle of my K frame definitely looms large above the belt, but I just fluff my shirt and it looks like I'm mildly unkempt.