Got freaked out a little today....

[Dimis]

Head on a swivel.... ALWAYS

 

[shockwave]

I spin around to face them, pulling out my CCW sash, yelling in my most commanding voice, "MAINTAIN THE PERIMETER! BACK AWAY NOW!"

Nice work, Jorg.

Oddly enough, in many discussions of SA here, we do have people saying that this is, basically, exactly what they do. "I raise my hand and say in a loud voice, 'Stop! Do not come any closer!'" etc. Always makes me laugh to read those.

To the OP: While waiting in lines, you might try thinking about what happened this time. See what you can do about keeping track of where people are around you without looking all hinky an' stuff.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

I had a similar incident happen. We were out to dinner with an older couple. I was carrying my Walther PPK/S in a shoulder holster under my shirt(deep cover). The lady has always been a 'touchy-feely' motherly sort and she slid her arm under mine as if to say, "Please escort me". When she came in contact with the holstered gun, she said, "Ooo, I'm sorry. What IS that, a pace maker?" In a rare moment of quick wit I responded with, "Sort of."

Woody

 

[Katana8869]

The "training" and "tacticool" parrots drive me nuts.

Amen! Especially the ones with the MASSIVE post counts. I'd rather be shooting than typing

 

[beeenbag]

When you can open carry comfortably then you should have no problem concealed carry without freaking out, this is just a theory so dont tear me up tooooo bad lol

I really like that idea. I think I might give it a try.

 

[NAK]

Former boss's wife is one of those outgoing, touchy, huggy types that runs up to her friends and gives them a big hug, no matter where you are.

Since the first time she bumped my carry piece, she practically frisk me every time we meet. There is no maneuvering to block this lady ( She's pretty hot, so I can't say I mind .) She's never said a word, just pats what she discovers.

I think I'm gonna buy a pair of Thunderware for the next fundraiser I expect to see her at.

 

[jl1966]

Situational awareness is what is needed. Awareness of the people around you, and what is going on. Try not to get immersed in your own little world, at least not when in a public place. As far as obtaining some training, well you know, attaining a higher level of proficiency is never a good thing. You should probably pick up an issue of True Police magazine, and hang around the gun shop listening to the advice of the regulars, the guy with the big gut, who rarely takes a bath, he is the guy to listen to. Actual range time with someone who has real credentials in the security industry, say like this guy, www.pgpft.com , is not necessary.

 

[longdayjake]

Longdayjake, what do you carry?

I have carried lots of different things. 1911's, short and long barrel revolvers, glock 19, and even a walther p22.

I gave up on carrying guns that were too small for me to actually hit anything I was shooting at. Though I have police training in pistols, I am much much more interested and proficient in rifles. I can qualify at 98% with a glock 17 but anything compact or sub compact is a totally different story.

Now I just carry my glock 19 as I know I can hit with it. Its heavy and bulky but I am getting used to it on my ankle. I will even carry it on my hip when I don't plan on going anywhere too public.

 

[JoeSlomo]

I thought this would be a common thing between ccw holders but was just sharing my scare.

Meh...

Lesson learned imo. Don't kick yourself too hard.

Regardless of whether you carry or not, being aware of your surroundings is beneficial to ones health in any environment. Make a deliberate effort to practice observing your surroundings, and soon enough, it will come more naturally. Make a deliberate effort to offset your stance a bit to shield your gun side and maintain peripheral vision, and soon enough, it will come naturally as well. If you make mistakes, as we ALL do, learn from them and drive on. The only time I'd really kick myself in the 4th point of contact hard is if I kept making the SAME mistakes.

From time to time, you'll get busted by some nice gal who "goes low" with a hug or some such. No worries, and they often times don't even know what they just inadvertently touched.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

it took me a while to feel comfortable when i first got the store bought right to carry,
now it is like my cell phone or wallet, first thing on in the morning last off at night. i have to get onto my GF all the time she has a habit of wanting to hold my wast band and it makes my shirt rise up, i keep telling her to hold the other side this one has to stay covered, for now,
there working on open carry here , don't think i will carry open but it will be a relief knowing you don't have to worry about some dip stick yelling out
HE HAS A GUN

 

[fireside44]

If they are in one of those glass cages, the next best thing is to form a small bunker around your position using the Hostess racks.

I would agree. Twinkies make an excellent substitute for ballistic gel. A full rack will offer excellent cover from small arms fire.

Jorg's post was inspirational and very tactical.

Oddly enough, in many discussions of SA here, we do have people saying that this is, basically, exactly what they do. "I raise my hand and say in a loud voice, 'Stop! Do not come any closer!'" etc. Always makes me laugh to read those.

It is kind of funny sounding on the web, but in a tense situation, spoken sincerely, may very well cause an aggressor to take heed.

 

[killchain]

This is clearly the solution. You made a number of mistakes which could have cost you your life.

1. Your first mistake came long before this incident. It appears that you've made the tactical error of making an acquaintance who doesn't realize that any sort of horseplay is unacceptable. The correct training will ensure than you no longer associate with people, as friends and associates are little more than a tactical liability.

2. Likewise, your second mistake was failing to wear a shirt with a chest-thumping slogan. I suggest you find a local course in selecting intimidating t-shirts. (Commonly you can get a discount if you sign up for the bumper sticker selection course at the same time.) You can usually find them at gun shows between the jerky and the beanie baby tables. If people still approach you, the slogan needs to be kicked up a notch.

3a. You clearly failed to properly secure the exterior of the gas station before entry. While it is clearly foolish to enter a gas station without tactical support, hopefully including overwatch by support elements armed with either precision rifles or something capable of sustained suppressive fire (preferably both), sometimes you're caught alone. Most would recommend you retreat until you can enter such a situation with the proper support, but occasionally, if untrained, you may have failed to keep your tank constantly about 7/8 full or be in need of a beverage (proper training includes dehydration endurance training).

3b. You obviously did not take a tactical inventory of everyone in the shop, particularly those who are doing suspicious activities. For example, there are only a few flavors of Pringles at any gas station and everyone knows you can buy twice as many at Wal-Mart for half as much. Why would anyone even been near the chip aisle? Correct, they are setting an ambush. Likewise, pay attention to anyone loading up on gas station food. Who pays for overpriced, dried out taquitos and nachos covered in jellied jalapenos? Criminals and teenagers. Why? Because they both lack self-esteem and are spending other people's money.

3c. You also failed to properly secure the interior of the gas station. You should always lock the door as you enter, so no one else can get in. See all those people outside "filling up their tanks"? That's right; they are just waiting for you to enter the store. They think you are rich and sexy and want to have their way with you. Don't discount the septuagenarian filling up his class C RV. He has likely converted the back half to some kind of mobile torture room there he will read Karl Marx to you as he applies the thumbscrews.

3d. The cashier counter is little more than a "fatal funnel" provided by the management. Why do you think they make you turn your back to part of the store while you are paying? That's right, collusion with the local criminals. Most gas station training will instruct you that the safest place is behind the register. Go there to pay. If they are in one of those glass cages, the next best thing is to form a small bunker around your position using the Hostess racks. While Twinkies won't stop a determined attacker, Chocodiles will protect against most small arms.

4. Your final mistake was letting someone into your personal space. While most people who have training can keep a 360 degree perimeter in view at all times, a few of us haven't mastered that technique. Here's what I do. I have found a large hula hoop, about 8 feet in diameter. I have attached it to a pair of suspenders. Attached at 18 inch intervals around the circumference are bear bells (get the ones with the little magnet silencers, in case stealth is needed). I wear it everywhere. If someone gets too close, they certainly will bump the hoop. The bell alerts me and I spin around to face them, pulling out my CCW sash, yelling in my most commanding voice, "MAINTAIN THE PERIMETER! BACK AWAY NOW!" It's usually only small children who are foolish enough to approach, and let me tell you, it scares the bejeezus out of them. Since most kids haven't had training, they start crying and look for their parents. You might wonder how I get through narrow doors with this rig. I don't. Anything with less than an 8 foot opening is nothing more than an ambush waiting to happen.

Hope this helps.

Does Magpul offer classes on this?

 

[rainbowbob]

Jorg: Excellent post. It's good to know about the the Chocodiles.

As the moderator, however, you may want to point out that we don't don't cut and paste complete copies of long posts in order to say...

...Excellent post.

 

[Mike J]

That was the most entertaining post I have read in a long time Jorg.

About the only thing similar to the OP's situation I have had happen to me is my wife deciding to give me a playful slap on the hip. This was followed by an Owwww! & her rubbing her hand. The bad part is she knew I was carrying but wasn't thinking.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I say carry in a Smartcarry holster. If someone grabs that area I'm guessing a gun is the last thing they are after.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

wife deciding to give me a playful slap on the hip. This was followed by an Owwww! & her rubbing her hand. The bad part is she knew I was carrying but wasn't thinking

mine did the same thing but it was not that playfully