Hi....
About 15 minutes ago, I just had a rather surreal experience.
Typical Tuesday morning. I pull up to my office on Main Street of our little town. Usually, I know every face I see on the street. This morning, I pulled up and there were a few young guys sitting outside my office around their car. These gentlemen were dressed in "hip, gangsta"-type clothes.
No worries. People can dress how they want.
However, something seemed odd with them being there. In 5 years of having this office open, I've never seen this area as a "hangout"-- Especially at 9:30 on a Tuesday morning. Granted, there is a law firm next door, and someone could have business in there. So, I don't worry too much about it.
I gather my things together that I need for work today-- that includes putting my 1911A1 in its case and putting it under my arm. I get out of my Jeep and as I typically do, I nod to the guys and say "hello" as I am walking to the door.
All I get from all three of them is glares. No responses.
OK... not very friendly of fellows.
I open the front door and go in. Because my hands are full, I walk over to a front table and set everything down so I can turn on the lights.
I look back out the front door and I can see one of the three guys. He's the largest of them, and again-- he is just glaring at me with a look of distain.
"This isn't right," I am thinking.
Well, I have turned on the lights and immediately turn to the nearby table to gather my things. Something told me that I needed to be better prepared. So, I open the 1911A1's case and rack the slide to chamber a round.
I am visible from the front door and I can see that the one person out front is still looking at me. No suprise or concern on his face. But I hear him say to one of the other persons that is out of my sight "No... uhn-uh," let's go."
I dally a bit as I am walking to my back office and I can see that all 3 have gotten in the car and are pulling out of the parking space and leaving.
FYI: I have a private office with no other persons in it. I own the building and the company. So, I didn't break any company policies.
Obviously, there were a LOT of things I should have done differently.
First, I should have had my concealed carry holster on. I went to work casual today, and didn't bother with it this morning.
Second, I should have already had a round chambered and be cocked and locked. I was shooting yesterday afternoon and didn't bother reloading the firearm.
Third, I should have already had the firearm in a concealed carry holster prior to exiting my vehicle.
Fourth, I should not have had my arms so full of crap.
About the only thing I did right, in my opinion, was have situational awareness.
Anything else-- right or wrong that you can think of?
I am posting this primarily to illustrate why it is important not to become to comfortable with your surroundings.
I carry almost every day. Sometimes-- depending on my activities or situations, I don't.
On days that I don't carry on me, I do bring my handgun into the office in its case. It isn't obvious on the street when I walk from my vehicle to my front door. If it was obvious, the people here would not think it was out of the ordinary.
-- John
About 15 minutes ago, I just had a rather surreal experience.
Typical Tuesday morning. I pull up to my office on Main Street of our little town. Usually, I know every face I see on the street. This morning, I pulled up and there were a few young guys sitting outside my office around their car. These gentlemen were dressed in "hip, gangsta"-type clothes.
No worries. People can dress how they want.
However, something seemed odd with them being there. In 5 years of having this office open, I've never seen this area as a "hangout"-- Especially at 9:30 on a Tuesday morning. Granted, there is a law firm next door, and someone could have business in there. So, I don't worry too much about it.
I gather my things together that I need for work today-- that includes putting my 1911A1 in its case and putting it under my arm. I get out of my Jeep and as I typically do, I nod to the guys and say "hello" as I am walking to the door.
All I get from all three of them is glares. No responses.
OK... not very friendly of fellows.
I open the front door and go in. Because my hands are full, I walk over to a front table and set everything down so I can turn on the lights.
I look back out the front door and I can see one of the three guys. He's the largest of them, and again-- he is just glaring at me with a look of distain.
"This isn't right," I am thinking.
Well, I have turned on the lights and immediately turn to the nearby table to gather my things. Something told me that I needed to be better prepared. So, I open the 1911A1's case and rack the slide to chamber a round.
I am visible from the front door and I can see that the one person out front is still looking at me. No suprise or concern on his face. But I hear him say to one of the other persons that is out of my sight "No... uhn-uh," let's go."
I dally a bit as I am walking to my back office and I can see that all 3 have gotten in the car and are pulling out of the parking space and leaving.
FYI: I have a private office with no other persons in it. I own the building and the company. So, I didn't break any company policies.
Obviously, there were a LOT of things I should have done differently.
First, I should have had my concealed carry holster on. I went to work casual today, and didn't bother with it this morning.
Second, I should have already had a round chambered and be cocked and locked. I was shooting yesterday afternoon and didn't bother reloading the firearm.
Third, I should have already had the firearm in a concealed carry holster prior to exiting my vehicle.
Fourth, I should not have had my arms so full of crap.
About the only thing I did right, in my opinion, was have situational awareness.
Anything else-- right or wrong that you can think of?
I am posting this primarily to illustrate why it is important not to become to comfortable with your surroundings.
I carry almost every day. Sometimes-- depending on my activities or situations, I don't.
On days that I don't carry on me, I do bring my handgun into the office in its case. It isn't obvious on the street when I walk from my vehicle to my front door. If it was obvious, the people here would not think it was out of the ordinary.
-- John