CAPTAIN MIKE
Member
VEHICLE ENTRY & EXIT VULNERABILITY
Most of us don't realize the degree of vulnerability that exists when entering and exiting vehicles. In most cases it's because our attention is primarily on the immediate task at hand in most cases - getting into or out of the vehicle. Maybe it's because we do it so much.
One of the two times I've had to draw my sidearm in earnest for self-preservation occured in the parking lot of a north San Diego County supermarket late one night on my way home.
At that time I still drove my silver Corvette (the 'Babe-Mobile') and that night as I swung the driver's side door open and started to step out, I heard voices and footsteps approaching from behind me & to the left. As I turned, one of the Bad Guys did me a big tactical favor and announced their intentions before they even got within 25 feet.
I drew my sidearm in a flash, and quickly acquired a good sight picture on the closest target while commanding them "Stop or I'll Shoot!!". I was more mad than scared at the time. And to our mutual good fortune, they both took one look at my 1911, the half-assed use of cover I had made with my vehicle and decided to make a sharp right hand turn back to their own rear oblique and (to use a Legal Phrase) they 'Hauled ???'.
Lucky for me. They didn't know it then, but I did not have a round in the chamber, ready to launch. And boy did I ever wish I did!!
But since that fateful night, I have always carried my 1911 in Condition One when exercising my CCW rights. I also now make it a regular habit to check around me pretty good both before and after vehicle entries & exits -- just in case.
Most of us don't realize the degree of vulnerability that exists when entering and exiting vehicles. In most cases it's because our attention is primarily on the immediate task at hand in most cases - getting into or out of the vehicle. Maybe it's because we do it so much.
One of the two times I've had to draw my sidearm in earnest for self-preservation occured in the parking lot of a north San Diego County supermarket late one night on my way home.
At that time I still drove my silver Corvette (the 'Babe-Mobile') and that night as I swung the driver's side door open and started to step out, I heard voices and footsteps approaching from behind me & to the left. As I turned, one of the Bad Guys did me a big tactical favor and announced their intentions before they even got within 25 feet.
I drew my sidearm in a flash, and quickly acquired a good sight picture on the closest target while commanding them "Stop or I'll Shoot!!". I was more mad than scared at the time. And to our mutual good fortune, they both took one look at my 1911, the half-assed use of cover I had made with my vehicle and decided to make a sharp right hand turn back to their own rear oblique and (to use a Legal Phrase) they 'Hauled ???'.
Lucky for me. They didn't know it then, but I did not have a round in the chamber, ready to launch. And boy did I ever wish I did!!
But since that fateful night, I have always carried my 1911 in Condition One when exercising my CCW rights. I also now make it a regular habit to check around me pretty good both before and after vehicle entries & exits -- just in case.