Warning: long post.
Up till about 1 hour ago if I carried CCW it was mostly because essentially I could. Most of the time I don't. My priorities were trying out different firearms and shooting for the fun/challenge of it. Self defense was secondary for me (mostly along the lines of SHTF). Not so much real emphasis on getting blind sided going about my normal day to day life.
Well, on the way home I'm driving by the Sonic Drive In fast food place and as I am sitting at the red light right next to it the place is surrounded by just about every police vehicle in the local inventory. They are out with their Glock's and Shotguns. Armed Robbery in progress big time...and I am blocked in. Emplyees and customers are busting out the back door at a dead run getting behind my little commuter car.
Observations..Police...I am the only one in the whole area thinking calmly and clearly (perhaps because I am retired military..most of which was spent in 82D). The police did not cover the back door at all. They did not check the street and surrounding area for other bad guys outside (bad guys on foot or in vehicles). They made no attempt to determine if the people busting out the back door were innocents or not. They simply put all their focus on the bad guy(s) inside that they could obviously see. They did not cover their own backs. Heck..they did not make any attempt to control the surrounding traffic (there were more than enough to be sure). They were entirely focused on getting there in time to be part of the "action" and on the "action" they could clearly see (tunnel vision).
Observations..BadGuy(s)..did not make any attempt to back down even though clearly out numbered and out gunned. (THE bottom line why I am converting to full time CCW). From what I could gather BadGuy(s) definately were going to try to get away even if it meant shooting their way out.
My actions...simple. Exited the car. Gathered up about 10 people that were hiding on the other side of my car. Essentially marched them up the street to a convenience store gathering up some additional people along the way. Told them to stay inside and wait because "we will be back to get a statement." (Been my experience people listen to you if you are calm, speak with authority, and mostly make sense). Don't know for sure but I am pretty sure that when I got them inside shots were in fact fired..it sure sounded like it but I can't verify it at this point in time because I was inside at the time. Will find out tomorrow morning when I read about it in the paper.
Went back down the street where there was still a lot of activity and a number of the police cars had moved up the street a little. Why would I do something stupid like that? Simple. Still no traffic control at this intersection and people were driving right into a situation and not knowing it (not sure what happened or if it was completely over or not). So I went back to run traffic control keeping vehicles out. No one else was and if it wasn't over some people could be driving right into a cross fire. (Most people in their vehicles saw the police cars and had no problem being redirected out of the area...even had 2 additional inbound police cars stop and wait for my directions...but there were a few "good 'ole boys" that I had some problems with to be sure). Eventually over a length of time things start to wrap up (I was pretty busy and didn't have time to pay attention even though I was about 75 yards or less away so am not clear on all of the details but there were no shots while I was redirecting traffic). Police officer (uniformed) finally comes over and takes over traffic control. I walked further into the scence a little and over to one of the Police officers coming down the street that was clearly older and looked like he had some authority. Advised him that a number of employees and possibly some of the customers that were inside at the time were located inside the BP station up the street. Waiting to give statements. He gave me one of those titled head over the top of his glasses looks that you can't reallyexplain and said "military?" Said "retired." He said essentially we'll take it from here (with a grin) and dispacted a unit up to the convenience store immediately (and I mean immediately so I guessed right). Shook my hand, said thanks. Went over to my car. Came home. (7 small town blocks away).
Moral for me: Some (obviously not all of course) LEO need some better tactical training. Bad Guys are definately out there and they aren't hanging out at the range or waiting for SHTF. Most importantly some bad guys are going to do bad things amd even if they are obviously outgunned and outnumbered they are not going to stop. CCW whenever possible (can't at work).
Up till about 1 hour ago if I carried CCW it was mostly because essentially I could. Most of the time I don't. My priorities were trying out different firearms and shooting for the fun/challenge of it. Self defense was secondary for me (mostly along the lines of SHTF). Not so much real emphasis on getting blind sided going about my normal day to day life.
Well, on the way home I'm driving by the Sonic Drive In fast food place and as I am sitting at the red light right next to it the place is surrounded by just about every police vehicle in the local inventory. They are out with their Glock's and Shotguns. Armed Robbery in progress big time...and I am blocked in. Emplyees and customers are busting out the back door at a dead run getting behind my little commuter car.
Observations..Police...I am the only one in the whole area thinking calmly and clearly (perhaps because I am retired military..most of which was spent in 82D). The police did not cover the back door at all. They did not check the street and surrounding area for other bad guys outside (bad guys on foot or in vehicles). They made no attempt to determine if the people busting out the back door were innocents or not. They simply put all their focus on the bad guy(s) inside that they could obviously see. They did not cover their own backs. Heck..they did not make any attempt to control the surrounding traffic (there were more than enough to be sure). They were entirely focused on getting there in time to be part of the "action" and on the "action" they could clearly see (tunnel vision).
Observations..BadGuy(s)..did not make any attempt to back down even though clearly out numbered and out gunned. (THE bottom line why I am converting to full time CCW). From what I could gather BadGuy(s) definately were going to try to get away even if it meant shooting their way out.
My actions...simple. Exited the car. Gathered up about 10 people that were hiding on the other side of my car. Essentially marched them up the street to a convenience store gathering up some additional people along the way. Told them to stay inside and wait because "we will be back to get a statement." (Been my experience people listen to you if you are calm, speak with authority, and mostly make sense). Don't know for sure but I am pretty sure that when I got them inside shots were in fact fired..it sure sounded like it but I can't verify it at this point in time because I was inside at the time. Will find out tomorrow morning when I read about it in the paper.
Went back down the street where there was still a lot of activity and a number of the police cars had moved up the street a little. Why would I do something stupid like that? Simple. Still no traffic control at this intersection and people were driving right into a situation and not knowing it (not sure what happened or if it was completely over or not). So I went back to run traffic control keeping vehicles out. No one else was and if it wasn't over some people could be driving right into a cross fire. (Most people in their vehicles saw the police cars and had no problem being redirected out of the area...even had 2 additional inbound police cars stop and wait for my directions...but there were a few "good 'ole boys" that I had some problems with to be sure). Eventually over a length of time things start to wrap up (I was pretty busy and didn't have time to pay attention even though I was about 75 yards or less away so am not clear on all of the details but there were no shots while I was redirecting traffic). Police officer (uniformed) finally comes over and takes over traffic control. I walked further into the scence a little and over to one of the Police officers coming down the street that was clearly older and looked like he had some authority. Advised him that a number of employees and possibly some of the customers that were inside at the time were located inside the BP station up the street. Waiting to give statements. He gave me one of those titled head over the top of his glasses looks that you can't reallyexplain and said "military?" Said "retired." He said essentially we'll take it from here (with a grin) and dispacted a unit up to the convenience store immediately (and I mean immediately so I guessed right). Shook my hand, said thanks. Went over to my car. Came home. (7 small town blocks away).
Moral for me: Some (obviously not all of course) LEO need some better tactical training. Bad Guys are definately out there and they aren't hanging out at the range or waiting for SHTF. Most importantly some bad guys are going to do bad things amd even if they are obviously outgunned and outnumbered they are not going to stop. CCW whenever possible (can't at work).
But -- like my wrist watch ..the piece is there .. I do not have to wonder if it will be there ....... it IS there.
