Welcome! My first reply/post too!
I've been reading for so long I thought I had posted or responded before - and I wasn't even registered! Thanks for prompting me to!
The Deputy was in essence correct, depending on fairly wide variations in different State's laws. In some areas, even saying "you are armed" is both a "terroristic threat" and "open display" (not in Texas for the latter). In general, visual or verbal warnings are not recommended or well treated by law.
If it gets bad enough to shoot - shoot. Warnings are civil and would seem to avoid a serious problem, but rarely have all that much effect and warn your opponent, as well as possibly giving them legal options if they do cease their hostility.
Now as to whether you have a cell or not, that's your choice. I often don't have anything but ID, a gun, some cash/CC and car keys.
As far as your particular situation, carrying a small pistol, if a person or group was approaching I would discreetly get it out and hide it but have it ready. I'd get out of the way to avoid them getting too close, but if they did, frankly, it's on. Your only realistic "perfect defense" against this kind of threat is to avoid the areas and situations where this is likely to happen.
That seems extreme or odd, maybe. It means you really shouldn't go to many of the cool night spots, maybe some interesting areas in your city - even choose alternate places of work or residence. A lot of people love to walk or run or see all the great things a big city offers, but they often do so at the risk of their safety or freedom. Stay in the car, choose safer alternatives or accept the risks.
Honestly though, there's no panacea or "Chuck Norris/Law&Order" solution to the relatively rare bold, confrontational criminal - particularly a group of them. Remember these are often teenagers working themselves into a murderous state, as recently happened to a guy here in Dallas. The oldest of this little impromptu gang was 14, their victim was 19. No amount of threats would have stopped them, but a gun would have - and he would have then been arrested for murdering helpless children and sued by their mystified relatives.
Your gun is you ability to avoid getting killed, but not a lot of use before that - not with perfect legal consequences. Our body of law across the Country, 50 States and 6 Possessions has simply not caught up to the realities of some lowlife in some of our urban areas - and it's not likely to soon. We release people with excessively violent histories and pamper them with legal options to be more effectively violent and frown on more appropriate use of force, including deadly force, at such brigands. Avoid the areas where they are; absolutely be armed if you can't.
The gun at least, used at the proper time, let's you survive a criminal encounter, but not fully escape all damages from one.
I was in the Court House today and was speaking to a deputy. The conversation got to CCW. The deputy made the following remark, If you are walking and think that a group or individual is or appears to threaten you or stop your progress, you say you armed and show your weapon and continue on your way, they (the group or individual) can call the police and report you for threatening them.
The deputy suggested that you call 911 before they do and tell them what happened. He said this way you would not be arrested. He also suggested if you carry, you should always have your cell phone with you.
Being new to this forum and CCW would appreciate any comments. This is my first post:help:
