Alternatives to carrying a concealed firearm?

[The Unknown User]

I'm curious what you guys would recommend as an alternative to carrying a concealed firearm.

It's not that I'm against firearms; it's that I'm still not 100% sure if I want to carry the responsibility of owning, carrying, and maintaining a firearm.

The only thing I can think would fit the bill would be a good flashlight, seeing as most of the time when I'm vulnerable is at night, and a quick flash of an 80 lumen flashlight should temporarily blind an adversary long enough for me to run as fast as I can.

So what ideas do you guys have?

Also, what would you guys recommend for a flashlight? (I've asked the same question in another thread, so I know I'm asking it again. I'd just like some more input, is all.)

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I'm going to out on a limb here and suggest pepper spray. Unless you are adverse to the responsibility of owning pepper spray. (See post #34)

 

[Autolycus]

You may blind them and you may not. Once you do you better hope that they are not as quick as you are.

 

[average_shooter]

...a quick flash of an 80 lumen flashlight should temporarily blind an adversary long enough for me to run as fast as I can.

Unless they catch you off-guard and push you to the ground first. Or any of a number of other things that would disallow a "running as fast as I can" defense strategy.

I'd say a good flashlight is a good start, but have something a little stronger to back it up. Pepper spray, or a baton, have something else. Please.

 

[Gunbabe]

Just my thoughts

I think if you are "unsure" of carrying then you aren't ready. Will you be able to handle it if a situation arrives one day that you have to use it? You can't stand there and think do I or don't I. Good luck.

 

[jungleroy]

Sometimes it is not just one violent aggressor coming at you.
How is your Kung-fu styling? Rich enough for armed guards to follow you around?
Everything in life has it's own risks, If you can legally carry a firearm, I would recommend it.
Just my two cents, don't spend it all in one place.

 

[mnrivrat]

First is situation awareness - avoiding is by far better than most alternatives.

If you can - pepper spray would I believe be much more effective than a flashlight. Don't skimp on the pepper spray if that is what you end up with - buy a good quality unit.

A personal alarm is also not a bad idea - when the pin is pulled the noise is much like the car alarms and they are cheap enough.

 

[chris in va]

Oh jeez.

Try to ignore the negative posts on here. IMO not everyone is capable of carrying a firearm. It's a HUGE responsibility and not to be taken lightly.

Whenever I go to NJ, MD or NY, I always take pepper spray. Not having any sort of hand to hand combat training, it's the best I can do.

Someday I wish they'd just come out with a weapon that renders the target INOP for an hour or more. Drops them like a rock. Multiple targets too. But in the meantime, we are grudgingly left with projectiles that may/may not stop a threat.

 

[eliphalet]

It's not that I'm against firearms; it's that I'm still not 100% sure if I want to carry the responsibility of owning, carrying, and maintaining a firearm.

Wow, and just a day or two ago we were discussing back ground checks with one another? I really don't know what to say, gosh, you have me speechless once again.

 

[Fisherman_48768]

The flashlight is a good idea if you intend to see what your going to shoot at, at the same time it MIGHT blinds your adversary it will also blind you unless you close your eyes real tight. I learned long ago to not take a knife to a gun fight, same thought applies to flashlights and then I wouldn't take a flashlight to a knife fight either. Don't depend on a flashlight for anything except lighting up a dark area your opponent may have a bigger flashlight and know how to use it.

 

[Hazel]

There is absolutey no alternative to carrying a firearm, but I do sort of (thought perhaps not entirely) understand your concerns and will try my best to help some.

A flashlight would pretty much be useless, and I would not recommend carrying only that. Pepper spray might be a good idea, but I hear that there are some people on whom it has no effect, though I haven't done any fact-checking, so I may be wrong. Theoretically, you could carry a knife, but in order to use it effectively, you need to be really, really well-trained with it (more so than with firearms), and most states prohibit the concealed carrying of knives over a certain length anyways (usually four inches or so). A stun gun could be a pretty good option; I don't really know much about them, so no "but"s on that one from me.

Beyond those, I don't think I have any more suggestions (late at night, ugh). Like I said, there is absolutely no replacement for carrying a firearm, and I think that you should just suck it up and take the responsibility that comes with it. Know that you have a reason and a right to own and carry a gun, and know that you are safer for doing so.

I hope this helps a little... I'm trying to go beyond empty ridicule here.

 

[yesit'sloaded]

A taser would be good other than the fact that in many places they are as restricted as firearms. Not too good against multiple attackers and may kill an obese drug addict with a heart condition.

 

[Green Lantern]

+1,000 for situational awareness.

Pepper spray maybe, but WITH the flashlight, not in place of it.

Maybe get training in the 'Kubotan" and get something like a Surefire ED2 'executive defender' flashlight. If your state allows you to conceal a baton (mine don't ) get some training for it, maybe?

If you're carrying either of those OR even a gun, do hope that there's only ONE of them.

Jorg, jeepmor, and others - "Lighten up." The fact that the OP is here at all and asking this question puts him lightyears ahead of most 'sheeple' in my book. Owning and carrying a firearm IS a big responsibility. To say nothing of actually using it and ending the life of another human being if the need ever arises!

It's not a choice to be made lightly.

 

[Hazel]

^^ There's the "but."

 

[Claude Clay]

...carry a policeman---or a gorilla (no they are not interchangable) in MA try & borrow kennedy's car, its killed more people than most of our guns anyways.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

If you aren't ready for the responsibility of carrying a firearm, don't. There are no real alternatives, but options include a good walking stick (I prefer blackthorn.), an ASP baton (illegal in many jurisdictions), and pepper spray (look at the new Kimber system).

As for a flashlight, the SureFire G2 Nitrolon is an excellent choice. Go with the 120 lumens bulb. Another is the SureFire G3 Nitrolon. It comes with a 105 lumens bulb with a 200 lumens as an option.

ECS

 

[The Unknown User]

Ah, I love the implication that I'm one of the antis. Had you even bothered to read my post, you would have realized I'm not. It really is a shame that you have just shy of 1500 posts, yet can't even respond constructively to a simple question.

I'd hate to see what you would do if a situation arose that would require you to think critically.

Wow, and just a day or two ago we were discussing back ground checks with one another? I really don't know what to say, gosh, you have me speechless once again.

You failed to even arrive at a point. You're basically trying to imply that my opinion is somehow less valid than yours because you don't agree with my personal belief on another topic. I'm honestly sorry to know that you weren't able to respond constructively to the questions I asked, and then pass judgment on me. Clearly, you're in the position to know what's best for me.

I would recommend you grow up.

Travel with a wife or child, then you only have to run faster than them.

Wow, that was really helpful. Not only did you answer both of the questions posed in the original post, you made a really funny joke!

Average_shooter, Gunbabe, mnrivrat, chris in va, fisherman, hazel, yesit'sloaded, elm creek smith, and Green Lantern, thank you for the constructive, helpful posts.

I want to apologize for posting a help thread here. I should have known better than to expect people to actually be helpful. For those of you who were rude: you really ought to be ashamed. I'm willing to bet I'm much younger than most of you, and I'm more mature than you. It really is a shame that some, if not all of you, consider yourselves pro-gun when you act the way you do.

 

[cnorman18]

Come on now, guys

Every firearms expert I've ever heard of has said that if you're not sure you're willing to use a gun, you DEFINITELY shouldn't carry one (or, usually, even own one). Being unwilling to use a gun makes it much more likely that you'll be disarmed and have the weapon used against you.

Whether or not to carry is about as serious as decisions get. If we believe that we should have the freedom to carry, then we must also believe in the freedom NOT to. If a man (or woman) isn't ready for that responsibility, it's both wiser and more mature to look for alternatives than to decide to carry because others call him a sheep or an ostrich if he doesn't. That kind of "unarmed people are all weenies" attitude is exactly what the antis expect of us.

If we expect respect for our point of view, we should extend that same respect to others. It's not like he's saying YOU shouldn't carry (a lack of respect for THAT I could understand); he's not even saying that he never will. Just that at this point, he's not ready. What's wrong with that? Do those who choose NOT to go armed have no right to self-defense? That seems an odd position for any of us to take.

The man asked a serious question, and he deserves a serious answer, not insults.

Sometimes, it may not even be a matter of choice. In my own case, I'm ready, equipped, and can afford it, but I'm not able to dedicate the time to take a CHL class. I won't carry without a permit (though I do have my weapon with me in the car, since it's legal in Texas now), so I've had to find alternatives too.

I have Fox 5.3 pepper spray on me at ALL times, and a Spyderco Civilian as a single-purpose defense knife (if I need a knife for casual use, I also carry a Case folder). I'd be happier with my pistol, but we do what we have to do.

You can't fault a man for taking this decision seriously--and you have no right to dump on him for not (or not yet) making the same decision as you.

It's a fine and noble thing to be a soldier--but I don't sneer at those who never served, either.

 

[Fisherman_48768]

Rob87;Keep posting, asking and filtering out the BS. Somewhere under the pile of horse chit there must be a horse. The trick is knowing when you find it.

 

[Wheeler44]

Sheesh, If every one that doesn't carry every minute of every day is a sheeple (ooohhh I hate that word) then count me in Baaa Baaaa.

Rob87, congrats on knowing yourself and not feeling that you have to do something that you are uncomfortable with for some reason.

I am sure that this suggestion will draw the scorn of some but;
a. don't frequent high crime areas, especially after dark.
b. carry yourself with dignity, head up, don't slouch, don't be afraid to make eye contact.
c. don't be adversarial, instead be nice and accept that everyone has a right to their opinion.
d. practice sprinting while yelling as loud as you can.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Carry you Cold Steel voyager and hope for the best. 2nd choice a Bible. Show BG the part about no killing. or stealing.

 

[The-Fly]

I am rather saddened at the negative comments the OP is receiving. If he's not ready for the HUGE responsibility of caring a gun, then +1 to him for realizing it and looking for the next best option. My suggestion, a small bright flashlight (one of the surelights is a good bet) and some fox labs OC.

 

[eliphalet]

You failed to even arrive at a point

My mistake, I guess. I just assumed that if someone didn't know enough about something to even "know" if they wanted to "own" one or not, they would not be in very good position to argue whether or not a law concerning such product was a good idea or not. Again MY mistake sir.

 

[The Unknown User]

My mistake, I guess. I just assumed that if someone didn't know enough about something to even "know" if they wanted to "own" one or not, they would not be in very good position to argue whether or not a law concerning such product was a good idea or not. Again MY mistake sir.

It's not that I "don't know enough;" it's that I've done the research into the topic, and wasn't sure if it was the right decision for me.

I know what the laws are in my state regarding carrying a concealed weapon. I've got a date, time, and place lined up for the CHL class, and am still learning more about the laws in my state, and when it's okay and not okay to draw and use a licensed concealed weapon.

Knowing all of that doesn't imply that I will carry; it just means I'm in an informed position to make the choice to do so (or not).

 

[86thecat]

Get some training in self defense- the down and dirty quick course at a martial arts center then carry pepper spray along with your new skills. Carrying a firearm is a huge responsibility and as they say "if you have to ask you're not ready". Firearms training before concealed carry is a very good idea.