open carry and situational awareness

[JeshKidney]

Any one who open carries need to remember situational awareness is keen also when you leave any firearm at home they need to be locked in a safe not even pawn shops are safe these days http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T4HlIp46-I&feature=youtube_gdata_player. Back the the awareness in the winter open carry is not convenient if you live in an area were you have to keep your ears warm in. Hats will take away your ability to hear if someone is behind you. If your one who feels the need to OC your best bet at no BG getting the drop on you is to avoid putting your hood up, and wear a thin fabric beanie it will decrease your hearing ability a bit. Hoods are an all around bad idea, as your vision is reduced, and you may not see bystanders if a situation should arise you feel you may be horribly hurt or worse. Hearing is your main way to know if your average evil doer is coming up to try and disarm you. there is only one recorded case I have been able to find of disarming Date 3-11-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qQMdUKqAOQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I can't find the news story about his gun being stolen but he also did an interview with bbc which makes me believe he mad himself a target but that's another thing about OC make sure you know your surroundings these evil doers know there is value on a firearm on the street, so you are making yourself a target for more hardened criminals if someone seems to be following you simply step to the side stop pull out your cell and keep them in in front of you untill the pass most would see this as paranoid but firearms are not something we the law abiding citizens should be shelling out to those who would use them for no good. (this is based on my personal views you are entitled to yours) if you can find the news story on that man getting his gun stolen and posting the date it would be great I want to see if he had made himself a target

 

[6shootercarry]

Color Code of Mental Awareness... Good read and better practice...

 

[Firefighterchen]

I believe this goes for anyone...open carry, concealed carry, or unarmed, situational awareness will get you out of more trouble than your firearm ever will.

 

[JeshKidney]

That's a good point I just naturally have it from spending my childhood in the woods were its pretty important to know if there is a bear cougar etc. around I meant this as just a reminder having a handgun on your hip won't scare everyone away

 

[Firefighterchen]

That's a good point I just naturally have it from spending my childhood in the woods were its pretty important to know if there is a bear cougar etc. around I meant this as just a reminder having a handgun on your hip won't scare everyone away

No but it deters the majority, so I will open carry as much as possible. In the winter its hard to open carry because of the winter coats...good post, reminds me of the one thread I asked in one word how you would describe the average person. Unaware is my word. Don't be the average person, know your surroundings.

 

[JeshKidney]

I personally believe it detours about 95-97%

 

[6shootercarry]

If given the choice most would be assailants would choose the unarmed and unaware "mark". The armed and attentive individual represents a threat to their safety...

 

[JeshKidney]

And that's why LEOs guns don't get taken. Well not very often

 

[NavyLCDR]

I found your opening post to be very passively aggressive against open carry.

 

[Nightmare45]

Great saying from firearms instructor " If you look like food you will be eaten"

 

[JeshKidney]

I'm up in the air about it gangs like to make a statement

 

[MilShooter]

Situational Awareness in the Elderly

I believe this goes for anyone...open carry, concealed carry, or unarmed, situational awareness will get you out of more trouble than your firearm ever will.

Of course, you are correct in your evaluation of situational awareness. However (there is always a "however"), there are a class of people for whom this seems to be impossible. By way of an example (not an inviolate rule - only an example), I worry constantly about my 83 year old mother. She is very independent and insists on always paying for things in cash. She will stop at an ATM on her way to a grocery store, withdraw $300 cash, and then go grocery shopping. She could simply use her ATM card at the store, but she refuses. Unfortunately, she is a huge target, not only at the outdoor ATM, but in the parking lot of the Super Wal-Mart. Let's face it - she's 83 and bent-over, moves slowly, and focuses on just walking and finding her car. She has no idea of what's happening around her. And I fear for her safety.

She is incapable of carrying a weapon - her judgement is both slow and lacking - so how can she protect herself? I cannot possibly teach her "situational awareness" at this stage in her life. She can't remember what she ate for breakfast. On some days, she doesn't recall eating breakfast. Is there a solution for this class of people - our most vulnerable citizens? (Yeah, I know that children are vulnerable too. But they are not a normal target for a goblin who wants to steal cash and credit cards.) She refuses an escort even though my brother and I have tried. She's pig-headed and gets mean... (laughing) :laugh:

Any advice? I got her a small can of pepper spray and she sprayed herself in the face. I bought her a kubotan but she hasn't enough strength to do much damage. If she had a knife, she would undoubtedly slice-off several fingers. If she would/could only pay attention to her surroundings, I would not worry so much. But at her advanced age, concentration is a fleeting thing.

And, no, she is not ready for a nursing home. It would kill her as quickly as a heart attack. I wish she would find a male "friend" with whom she could cohabit. Then they could do things together and act as "lookouts" for dangerous situations.

I'm at a loss for ways to teach her about situational awareness. Sometimes, I think you either have it or you don't. I was in the Army with a guy who, when the DI screamed, "Hit the dirt!", would stand there, looking around for a good reason to "hit the dirt". He just never "got it". Is my Mom in this class? Are all "very old" people this way?

Thanks for listening.