Something to Ponder RE: Concealed Carry

[dragonesse91]

Hi Everyone: I have a burning question to ask. please tell me what you think is best in this scenario (Hypothetical-right now).

Let's say you and your spouse are out to dinner (Denny's etc.) you are both CCH, and you both have your firearms with you-purse and belly pouch. In come 1, 2 or 3 thugs and start locking down the whole place robbing it and patrons at gunpoint. They are demanding purses and wallets, rifling through them and grabbing the goods and money, before tossing them down. You know you can't hand them your weapon! What do you all think should be the strategy? All-out gun battle is out of the question (you don't want others hurt anymore than you do yourself!) Answers-Anyone? After thinking about this for awhile I posted it. Because of what I outline for the carry means (purse/pouch) I am thinking of a body-holster-my husband and I have still not decided how we should handle the above scenario. This is starting to be a more frequent crime in the Houston Metro Area-rare but happening. What do you all think? D91

 

[pax]

I think you have answered your own question. That is indeed a good argument for on-body carry.

Almost any carry method you choose will limit your choices in some way or another. Ankle holsters, for instance, offer excellent concealment, relative comfort, and are not bad on the draw when you are seated. However, you'll never, ever, ever be able to draw while running for your life -- and there are scenarios where having to do so is a distinct possibility. Belly bands and thunderwear styles can be slow on the draw; OWB isn't as securely concealed as IWB and IWB isn't as comfortable as OWB.

It's all about the trade offs you are willing to make.

Me, I am not willing to carry off body. I put my stuff down sometimes. I want to have all the solve-the-scenario options at my disposal, including just handing over my purse. I want a faster draw than is possible with off body.

If you are willing to accept those drawbacks, then you will have to consider the dilemma you posed and figure out the answer for yourself. Asking here is a good start, plus I'd recommend that you take a few classes to help you do that. Ultimately, you are the one who has to live with any choices you make.

pax

 

[dragonesse91]

Hi Pax:

I've taken the classes, I have my CCH and had military training years ago-too many!-and am signing up on a Commision Class next week. No one seems to have the answer for the restaurant scenario. I think I'd sit through unless they actually started killing people, although you wouldn't have prevented death, you might be able to prevent more death, maybe? Body carry has become more appealing to me though and I think my husband also. We had an amusing incident while out walking-his belly pouch fell off gun and all when he adjusted the band! I couldn't help but laugh-what if he'd been trying to get to the gun? It was a side-splitting shakiest gun in the West moment-hopefully he'll think through the restaurant scenario and the pouch drop and decide on a body holster too. I'm beginning to think that perhaps open-carry would be even more helpful, LOL! Thanks for the reply. D91

 

[SRYnidan]

I am not sure I have an answer to your dilemma. I agree that on body carry is almost always a better tactical plan. However this is not where you are in this case. They are searching bags if you give up yours you are giving up you weapons and providing them with two more. I don’t think you have a lot of choices. You can make a present of two additional firearms or you move up the ladder into a full-blown gun battle (I will say that if this doesn’t qualify few scenarios will.).
1. Preparedness: You should have a plan in place for what the two of you will do ahead of time (Ask for a table as far from the door as possible and as close to the fire exit as possible).
2. Alertness: Pay attention to who is coming and going and what is happening. You should have spotted this incident when it first occurs not when they are half way through the event.
3. Decide / Communicate: What plan are you going to use?
4. Be Aggressive / quick: Get indignant and get with it. NOW
5. Keep You Head: Shoot, move and communicate with your partner.

Read Principals of personal Defense by Jeff Cooper

 

[dragonesse91]

worst case scenario

Hi: Thank you for the info! I tend to want to sit far from the crowd and with my eyes toward the door. But, I never really thought about the fire exit. I agree about planning, especially. You've really helped a lot on strategy. This is what I wanted, perspective and logic. I appreciate the help and the resources. Grrreat! D91

 

[El Tejon]

Hi, dragonesse, old skul checking in.

From my kwoon's wall, "[t]hose who enter into combat have already lost." The key is avoidance via mindset. If you see 3 moves ahead you will not have to attack the threat's strength. E.g., playing the "I am losing game."

As SRY wisely points out, in any scenario you want to be in a position where you may dissolve away or to put it in THR terms, "run like a striped ape." (I love that). The key to this is alertness.

As to the gear, I fully admit I am old skul in training, but your emergency equipment belongs on you. The only advantage of a pistol is its inherent portability. Having to go get it or dig for it negates this sole advantage.

I like them on my belt (in holsters so they do not clang on the pavement) where my ape arms hang so that I may draw from multiple positions and it aids in concealment and retention. I disagree with pax as to the comfort of IWB. A good holster and belt are very comfortable; however, YMMV as females have a different superstructure and there can be a lot of differences between a curvy 24 year old fashion model (pax) and a tall, lanky yuppie in his early 30s (El Tejon).

 

[dragonesse91]

Hi El Tejon:
Thanks, everything I've heard is good advice. I will get a body holster as soon as finances permit. I want the right one, exactly! My husband is recuperating from a heart attack just as I finished my CJ Bachelor's Degree! Wahh! As you said body structure is a problem. I'm very curvy and short waisted, longer legs, and amply favored. AAARGH! I'd rather be lean and a runner as in my childhood. Curves are a hassle!!! I look like a stalker's dream. Probably why I keep getting aimed at. I had to travel alone out of state by car awhile back, repeatedly (sick sister) and I was sized up by some thugs a couple of times, I was ready to draw twice in 7 trips. Didn't have to thankfully, I think my hand moving in my purse and me meeting the gaze directly and intensely changed their minds-I guess. When I traveled I packed two guns, in two purses. One had all my i.d. also, the other was for quick bathroom runs and was more of a pouch I could keep a hand in as I went back and forth-easy to trigger from inside. I felt safer, but not safe. That's the way it is in this life, regrettably.

 

[spartacus2002]

Dragoness,
I used to spend time in Houston; hate to hear this type of crime is on the increase.

 

[dragonesse91]

Hi Spartacus: Thank you for the reply! I am signing off of THR-so I won't be replying to any posts on this thread henceforth. I was being hounded in another THR Forum, in such a ridiculous manner by 2 cretins that I just decided to wish them well and exit. Best wishes to all in this forum. Bye, Bye. Dragonesse91

 

[GSB]

It's better to drop the moderators a note about bad behavior than to just head off into the sunset, but to each his or her own. You're not likely to find a higher degree of civility on any other forum on the net, and I've seen my fair share. The folks around here are some of the most decent ones you're likely to meet on the net.

 

[cool45auto]

Welcome to THR dragonesse91!

Thunderwear would come in handy in a possible situation like that. I'd hate to hand over a fanny pack or something like it that was holding my gun! Who knows how the BGs would react?