since9
Campaign Veteran
imported post
It was February, 1992. I had received my CC permit that very morning. I was off-duty (military) and decided to try out my new belly bag while in town.
I was in Spokane, WA, had just left a surplus store and was walking to my car in the back parking lot, which was relatively empty. A large car was driving along the side road next to the store, and when the driver saw me, he slammed on his brakes, backed up about thirty feet, and roared into the parking lot, parking directly in front of me.
Four guys poured out, all with their eyes on me, so I knew something was up. Normally, if they were shopping, they'd simply be looking at one another, the ground, whatever.
They took two steps and I reached for my gun. When my hand reached the rip-zipper, a fifth person, a girl whom I hadn't seen in the backseat, screamed, "He's got a gun!"
All four instantly stopped, and then back-peddled while saying, "Hey, we was just joking with you." They dove into the car and roared out of there.
All I can say is "Thank God for the lookout - she probably saved us all a whale of grief."
My point is, that was Day 1 of concealed carry, and it was the closest I've ever come to drawing a weapon. In fact, it was the only time I've ever thought I might need to draw a weapon.
But I'm dang glad I didn't give in to any sheepishness about being "foolish" for carrying a weapon in our "modern, enlightened" society. It underscored there are plenty of people out there who prey on the weak.
Don't be weak.
Also, if you are shy about OC, I would strongly recommend you consider CC, as you'll be a lot less shy about that, and you'll always have a weapon if you need one. Other benefits include the fact that many states have reciprocity laws. For example, I can travel while carrying concealed throughout most of the mid-West, as those states have reciprocity with Colorado.
It was February, 1992. I had received my CC permit that very morning. I was off-duty (military) and decided to try out my new belly bag while in town.
I was in Spokane, WA, had just left a surplus store and was walking to my car in the back parking lot, which was relatively empty. A large car was driving along the side road next to the store, and when the driver saw me, he slammed on his brakes, backed up about thirty feet, and roared into the parking lot, parking directly in front of me.
Four guys poured out, all with their eyes on me, so I knew something was up. Normally, if they were shopping, they'd simply be looking at one another, the ground, whatever.
They took two steps and I reached for my gun. When my hand reached the rip-zipper, a fifth person, a girl whom I hadn't seen in the backseat, screamed, "He's got a gun!"
All four instantly stopped, and then back-peddled while saying, "Hey, we was just joking with you." They dove into the car and roared out of there.
All I can say is "Thank God for the lookout - she probably saved us all a whale of grief."
My point is, that was Day 1 of concealed carry, and it was the closest I've ever come to drawing a weapon. In fact, it was the only time I've ever thought I might need to draw a weapon.
But I'm dang glad I didn't give in to any sheepishness about being "foolish" for carrying a weapon in our "modern, enlightened" society. It underscored there are plenty of people out there who prey on the weak.
Don't be weak.
Also, if you are shy about OC, I would strongly recommend you consider CC, as you'll be a lot less shy about that, and you'll always have a weapon if you need one. Other benefits include the fact that many states have reciprocity laws. For example, I can travel while carrying concealed throughout most of the mid-West, as those states have reciprocity with Colorado.