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Are You Really Ready?

6K views 55 replies 22 participants last post by  raven818 
#1 ·
#3 ·
I know you are! So am I!
 
#4 ·
I'm still working on my wife on getting her comfortable with me carrying when i get home at night. I've made progress from my handgun staying in my safe to next to the bed loaded but in a lock box. I don't have my CCW yet so I'm working on her letting me strap my .38 on when I'm home and just relaxing around the house. I really don't like the fact my shotgun is locked up in the safe and my handgun is locked up next to my bed. They're both ready to go but unlocking one or the other can be deadly in an emergency.
 
#5 ·
Keep working on her. Try to get some videos that show husband, and wife, working together for mutual safety in the home. See if she will watch them with you. Try to convince her that we, and only we, are responsible for our own safety.
 
#13 ·
Yes I need more range time with her. I taught her to shoot but she is still under the impression a loaded gun can just go off without anyone ever touching the trigger. I have a lot of work to do.
Please don't let her vote.
I kid, I kid, :)
But, I swear 75% of congress thinks this.
 
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#8 ·
My ex is disabled so she carries her firearm and phone in waist carrier at all times.She did get very upset with me years ago when I explained all the dogs are there to buy time.I think if someone tried to hurt one of the dogs,she would shoot them on general principle.Yeah,I know I said EX,but I could divorce her,but not stop taking care of her.
 
#15 ·
I know that we are all mentally ready to shoot if needs be. But I'm talking more along the lines of are we physically prepared enough. Have we had the training we need to be effective? Muscle memory. Can we perform under pressure? If you think you can, how do you know you can?
 
#17 ·
You are very welcome. Glad to hear your wife watched with you. Our wives, and children, if old enough, are very important to the formula.
 
#27 ·
You're not alone Alaska. The wife & I moved nearly 2 yrs. ago , mainly due to increased crime in & around the neighborhood. We had many break-ins in our waterfront community where doors were kicked in, cars were broken into & the area away from the water became unsafe with homeless people and beggars at every large intersection. Even my fishing gear was repeatedly stolen from my boat while it was on my lift at my boat dock. We moved from a large water-front home in FL. to a small town in central FL. where we don't have mail delivery but use a P.O. Box at the nearby post office. We live in a small church owned retirement community on a fresh-water lake. There is only one way in & out & it is video monitored & well -lighted 24-7. We have a neighborhood watch of sorts. We drive 20 miles to the nearest city to shop, usually on the weekend. We try to go in groups so we aren't walking in parking lots alone or at night. The county sheriff knows about our park & makes several drive-thru's during the over-nite hours. Nearly every able-bodied resident carries & we have a range set up on some vacant farm land where we target shoot as well as a nearby public indoor range. I have never felt safer in all my 72 yrs. We could probably leave our house & car unlocked, which many do, & not worry. My wife originally had a real problem with giving up conveniences of living in a large city but now would never even think of living any where else. Sorry to say, its what the world is coming to.
I have had one aggressive pan-handler try to hustle me at a gas station in the city, but I put my hand on my gun & told him I carried no cash & he left muttering.
We really have little or no protection from aggressive beggars but I do feel Florida's Stand Your Ground law & a hand out of sight sends a powerful message. When the snowbirds go home, the place is like a ghost-town, or as we like to say, paradise!
 
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#29 ·
Body language is the final thing they look at sizing you up. I address the. Directly I. A firm tone, I have two bucks and that is all. They have all walked away muttering so far. If I have my 5 year old with me, I will employ some of the tactics I. The video. After all, she is not capable of protecting herself . What's would happen if they overcome me and she is with them. No, there I have an honorable duty to protect an innocent child.

Also, the CCW instructor, the state cop, stated that drawn I. Ready position is MUCH different than pointing a gun at someone. Pointing a gun could potentially get you an assault charge if doing so was based on fear alone instead of jeopardy, imminence and ability issues. But drawn and ready position is much more justifiable in the proper circumstance.
 
#30 ·
If I see someone coming towards me in a threatening manner, I usually pull my coat or shirt up and make sure they see me put my hand on my gun while saying stop in a loud forceful manner. I have never had one keep on coming.

When I see someone that does not look quite right I always make eye contact and make sure they know I am going to do my best to be ready for anything.
 
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#31 ·
I was looking for a way out before I ever went into the building. And I'll still be looking for a way out when I come out of the building. I don't want to shoot at anyone, and I don't want them shooting at me. Make eye contact, start moving away from them. Once they realize that you've made them, they generally go look for less observant prey. I'll give them a Chick Track, if I'm in my car. But they will not get a single dollar off me!
 
#32 ·
One of the lessons of life I have learned is the concept of 'ready'.

Remember this thought, mantra if you will: "Ready can be rather overwhelming; but ready or not, it is time!"

Today was the first really nice day we've had for some time. I went to the range. Other folks had the same idea. At one point, I had my hearing protection on and was putting my stuff back in the various boxes and bags to go home. The guy at the next table - properly and safely downrange - cranked off a round from his rather short (legal short, but short) barreled .308 rifle. Hot Dang! I nearly evacuated. (If not the area, at least my major intestine.)

Which brought me to remember that would probably be the first indicator of a deadly assault.

Once I get my gun in my hands, the muscle memory and many years of training would engage. It is that 'transition' state I need to overcome. Or at least survive.
 
#33 ·
I have a solution that may work for others - carry an old cell phone and 'use' it when needed. I did service work at night in a large metro area (Denver), and have been accosted many times in the wee hours at really dangerous locations. Usually approached while outside in a dark lot while at the back of the truck. Merely 'talking' with my associate while checking supplies was enough. I am prepared and well able to take care of myself, and on at least four occasions that I can remember I successfully employed further discouragement.
 
#34 ·
Maybe its time to get a small lightweight 9mm semi auto, or .38 spl Airweight revolver and keep it in a jacket pocket... If you go code yellow you can just keep your hand on it in your pocket... If it gets to the point your life is threatened.. a small hole in your jacket pocket is a small price to pay to stay alive.. Not to mention, You'll keep that jacket for years after I bet... ;)
 
#37 ·
Yes, I agree that when you can walk away, that is the best approach. However, it is simply amazing how fast these creeps can close the distance even when it is your practice to walk away.

One time I yelled no and stop and the punk just kept coming.mfortunately. My truck was closer to me than him and I simply drove off with him trying to block my exit.

As elegant as just walk away sounds, there are times that is not possible.
 
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#38 ·
Yes, I agree that when you can walk away, that is the best approach. However, it is simply amazing how fast these creeps can close the distance even when it is your practice to walk away.

One time I yelled no and stop and the punk just kept coming.mfortunately. My truck was closer to me than him and I simply drove off with him trying to block my exit.

As elegant as just walk away sounds, there are times that is not possible.
Oh absolutely. The other side of just walk away is that you force the other party's hand when you're still at enough range to change the outcome. As others have posted. Folks that mean you no harm don't change course to intercept you. If they still come after you, at least you found out their intentions a little sooner than if you hadn't attempted to walk away.
 
#40 ·
Trust me, neither one of us will really be ready if it ever happens to us. If I felt truly ready I'd probably be carrying a full auto rifle, many 30 round magazines, a few hand grenades, body armor, and carrying it all in a Sherman tank. Then, and only then, I might feel ready!:D
 
#42 ·
The biggest issue in many ways is That fine line between brandishing and lawfully showing your weapon which fortunately I have never been at that point to date. The definitions of brandishing are quite different from state to state.

The state cop who taught the law section a couple of weeks ago at the Idaho enhanced class used his own encounter as an apexample. Two men 70 feet away exit a car and say, do you have any change? At that distance, even showing a gun for someone asking for change is not appropriate. At that point, they re just asking for change. They continued approaching rapidly to about 30 feet. He told them to stop, they didn't. At twenty feet, they started to split in a flanking maneuver. That is when he pulled his weapon and said stop one more time. As they kept advancing, he then Yelled police and aimed at them. Only then did they stop, turn around and drive away. Once again, this is a big trooper they did this to but he was out of uniform.

The entire brandishing issue is an area that is a bit of a nebulous issue. Many states hold you not allowing even showing the weapon until all the elements of self defense are present. Other states are not that strict.
 
#43 ·
Am I really ready?

I'm as ready as i've made myself I supose. I've taken more classes, both hands on drills and classroom than probably 99% of the LEO's in the County I live in. That sure don't make me a John Rambo, anything can happen. Overall i'd like to think i'm ready to defend myself without being over confident.
 
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