not carrying a gun

I was in russia for a while, so I got to reacquaint myself with the feeling of being somewhere where I feel slightly less than safe, unarmed.


Well, let me tell you something:

it was a serious learning experience.

No knives for me. no thanks.

I learned how to blend in again(that's saying a lot, since I was the only person with a permanent tan and usually taller than everyone else in the subway)
I payed a lot more attention to stuff.
A good, big can of sabre red is your best friend.
I learned how to be non-confrontational in any situation, e.g. the time I fell backwards on the subway onto a guy, who got really angry, but calmed down after I made a goofy face and said woops.



Anybody else wanna share thoughts?

As long as you are on a good leverl of alertnes you more than likely wont even be made into a victim.

Check this out. http://frontsight.com/newsletter/htm...olor-code.html

Im always yellow, always have been. I am good at noticing everything around me. Noone can sneak up on me for the most part.

I always felt that if you walk with certain amount of confidence (not that cocky, okay this guy needs his ass kicked way) that you won't present a target. I was in New York (got lost, of course) and was the only pasty guy around for blocks. No one really gave me shit, even though I'm sure I looked like a tourist.

Also,

Why no knives? I have a Kubaton with a knife inside it as a keychain. Nifty, even when the knife isn't out.

If we are using the color rating, I am usually yellow. However, in certain situations or areas I am orange. I've yet to be messed with in even the worst parts of town, but then again I've learned not to put myself in situations. The main thing is situational awareness and alertness. Victims are those who appear weak. Even the toughest man is weak when he lets his guard down. Be polite and courteous, but ready to kill anyone you come into contact with. Worked for me in a land where everyone had an AK.

I live in Virginia but my job takes me into DC several times a week, so I'm quite used to switching back and forth between places were I can carry, and places where I can't carry but wish I could. If you find that not being able to carry makes you more alert and attentive and non-confrontational, then you need to reevaluate the way you think when you are carrying, because you should be just as alert and attentive and non-confrontational when you are carrying. You shouldn't let the gun to make you forget the basics of avoiding danger. That's one of the first things a good CCW instructor will teach you: DO NOT let yourself think that since you're armed, you don't have to worry as much about staying safe because you can always use your gun to get out of a dangerous situation. You should view the gun as a last resort to be used if you somehow get into a dangerous situation despite doing your best to avoid them. I'm not trying to tell you your business, but if you are less alert and less non-confrontational when you have a gun, you need to make an effort to stop letting the gun lull you into that sense of security.

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Originally Posted by no_brains_no_worries

Also,

Why no knives?

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A lot of self-defense experts agree that unless you are seriously trained in it's use, trying to defend yourself with a knife is extremely dangerous and probably worse than using your bare hands. Without serious knife-fighting training, pulling a knife only makes the situation worse, and you are likely to get stabbed with your own knife.

Ill have to agree on not using a knife for self defense unless you are trained in it. You ALWAYS want to put distance between you and your attacker. All it would take would be one hit to knock the knife out of your hand. Same holds true for a gun, but most people wont even come any closer if you are pointing a gun at them.

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Originally Posted by Syme

You shouldn't let the gun to make you forget the basics of avoiding danger. That's one of the first things a good CCW instructor will teach you: DO NOT let yourself think that since you're armed, you don't have to worry as much about staying safe because you can always use your gun to get out of a dangerous situation. You should view the gun as a last resort to be used if you somehow get into a dangerous situation despite doing your best to avoid them. I'm not trying to tell you your business, but if you are less alert and less non-confrontational when you have a gun, you need to make an effort to stop letting the gun lull you into that sense of security.

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True, a gun is all but useless in a close up and personal fight when taken by surprise. If you are caught off guard, pulling a gun might only give your attacker another weapon. In this case a knife might be a good choice to get some distance.

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Originally Posted by Anonymous D

Ill have to agree on not using a knife for self defense unless you are trained in it. You ALWAYS want to put distance between you and your attacker. All it would take would be one hit to knock the knife out of your hand. Same holds true for a gun, but most people wont even come any closer if you are pointing a gun at them.

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A knife is a great companion for a gun (see above). For weapon retention or to gain a temporary respite to permit the employment of a firearm, the knife works well. Someone will get cut regardless of how skilled you are; then again that "someone" might be yourself. That said, trying to use a knife as a primary means of defense is foolhardy at best. I will fall back on situational awareness and having a plan. The best equipped often lose, the best prepared rarely do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Anonymous D

As long as you are on a good leverl of alertnes you more than likely wont even be made into a victim.

Check this out. http://frontsight.com/newsletter/htm...olor-code.html

Im always yellow, always have been. I am good at noticing everything around me. Noone can sneak up on me for the most part.

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Now that I live where I do I realized I am yellow nearly all the time. Walking around you have to be able to look confident but not cocky and aware of your surroundings. I'm one of the only white guys in a several block radius so I stick out a little bit. If I know there is someone walking behind me, I'll look to see their shadow and judge how far away they are or in a reflection if possible. I never used to do that before I lived here, but now it just feels like instinct. I can't wait to be 21 and get a CCW permit.

Yeah man, this one time, when I was on the subway, there were these two rough looking kids that were staring at me since I got on. They said something to eachother( I couldn't hear/understand it), and then one of the guys moved behind me.
I looked the other guy dead in the face, and stepped behind the guy who'd stepped behind me. This seriously shook up their idea of what was about to take place, since the one I was looking at suddenly donned his best diarrhea face, and the other stood perfectly still.

That time, my heart was pumping, man.


That's another thing.

Don't hesitate. Be deliberate in your actions..

I mean, it's like what's his face said. Don't be arrogant, but be confident in your actions.
Don't be afraid to do what your instincts are telling you to do.

It was a little embarrassing to make such a blatant move to behind the guy, but I think it saved me a lot of trouble that day.