One of the most comman RTBA arguments is that "People are safer when criminals don't know who's armed" or "Criminals prefer unarmed victims". The opposite is being argued in this thread. Although there may be a rare minority of (intelligent or suicidal?) criminals who only want to attack armed victims, the vast majority of them certainly would prefer an unarmed victim.
Just as there are different types of CCW/CHL/CPL holders (trained/untrained, revolvers/autos, .22-.50cal) out there, there are different types of criminals. There are the dopeheads who want to rip you so they can get thier next fix. There is also the career convict who plans methodically because he knows if he gets caught he won't see the light of day. Don't forget that there *is* a criminal element that just simply, doesn't get caught though they are rare.
You'd be amazed at the "training" that the criminal element get while they are locked down. Instead of rehabilitating they learn to master thier trade. They pass a lot of information, and practical learning. After all what else do they have but time?
They pick the time and place that they are going to attack you. They pick targets that they think are weak or have a high profit margin. They watch your routine. They come at you sideways. They have suprise on thier side. There have been a number of instances when a CHL holder has been robbed while still trying to mentally get into gear. "Is this really happening?"
"People are safer when criminals don't know who's armed"
All SM, was pretty much saying was watch out for those pocket clips. Its a tell. Basically screaming that I am ARMED, if with nothing else at least a knive. Here in Texas, something they stress in most CHL courses is: Concealed means Concealed.
SM takes this to a different degree than most people do. He forbids himself of just about every tell he can. Going so far as to vary his travel routines, and to maintain unpredictablity.
No one is arguing either of your points. The point I'm trying to get accross is: Be Aware.
