THAT'S the real problem, and the point of why I addressed what I did in this forum. MANY OC people have NOT taken a CCW class, and have NOT thought these things through. That's why one sees and hears comments like "If there had been one good many with a gun (at the Gabrielle Gifford shooting), it would have turned out differently". Yes, it probably would have, but not necessarily for the better, as the referenced document explains. In discussing this with a number of OC folks, I was shocked when I was told by more than a few that they hadn't considered that someone else (another person carrying, the police, etc.) might mistake them for the shooter in a chaos situation. Apparently it wasn't as obvious as I had thought... If I bring realization to just one person that keeps them from making a critical mistake by not having thought out various scenarios, than bringing it to light was worth it.
That's why I think its a good idea to bring some of these things up in this forum; so that those folks will at least have some more perspective. Hopefully others will bring additional advice/experience/philosophy to help those that haven't had the training for one reason or another.
Also I see in this and other forums people lamenting the fact that other shy away from them when they open carry. They feel that folks are afraid or don't understand their right to carry. But there are actually many of us that do understand, are happy they OC, including the other reasons I outlined. They should simply be aware of that.
As for OC deterrence, the FBI data bears that out, but there are caveats for those I refer to as "stupid/crazy" (including some young gang-bangers), and those professional criminals that plan for the contingency. Yes, the probability of an OC'er being targeted is small, perhaps very small. But having been involved in more than one active shooter situation in my life/career, I've developed somewhat of an aversion to being shot at. As such, even very small is not small enough. If the situation arises, I'd like to have the advantage of time and surprise on MY side for a change.
But again, that's not the point. The point is that those who OC without having had some sort of training may be missing out on critical information, situational analysis, etc. that many others of us take for granted. In speaking with them, I've found this to be true more than I expected, and having recognized that, think that bringing light to such things in this forum might be beneficial for them... and potentially for us if we are ever in a situation with them. As I intimated in the document I originally referenced, I am morally opposed to being accidentally shot by someone that wasn't trained or otherwise didn't have the situational awareness required for a given situation.