[bestseller92v2.0]

What's the worst-case situation that you have envisioned encountering as a concealed weapon carrier? (And by "envisioned encountering" I don't mean that it's something you are paranoid about, just something that you've recognized as being a possibility, no matter how slight, at some point.)

For me it would be the mass-shooting nightmare, such as happened in a McDonalds in California in 1984 or a Luby's in Texas in the early 1990s. And now I guess I'd have to add Mumbai-style terror attacks to the list, since law enforcement experts seem to think that these types of atrocities will be attempted at some point here in the U.S.

I don't live in fear of these worst-case scenarios, but the very slight possibility of encountering one of these mass-shooting situations has always made me more apt to carry the biggest and most effective gun that I can effectively conceal, and to devote a portion of my practice to distances beyond 25 yards. As great as they are for their intended purpose, I don't believe a gun like a KelTec P32 or Ruger LCP would be much help if I ever had to defend myself or loved ones from a spree-killer popping away from across a large restaurant dining area. I realize that escape could potentially be the best option in a situation such as this, but I have been in many restaurants where one could be completely cut off from any exit, making escape impossible, and still face an antagonist from beyond 25 yards. Given a choice, I would prefer to carry a weapon that gives me a realistic chance of hitting a goblin at these distances, chambered for a caliber capable of putting said goblin down with a minimal number of hits. Does this level of armament guarantee that I would prevail in any such encounter, or be successful in putting the goblin down? Of course not, but it does give my skills a fighting chance.

What's your worst-case concealed carry scenario?

 

[dfariswheel]

The absolute WORSE situation is like the recent I-Hop armed robbery where three robbers rushed into the store and had everyone covered from three separate areas.
In that case, there's not much you can do because you're not going to be able to get three men separated that far apart before they do the usual wild spraying of bullets all over the place.
In that case, about all you can do is hope they don't see that you're armed and start shooting.

What you have to do is pick a gun that's big enough to do the job, but small and light enough that you won't leave it at home....EVER.
I've been told by an expert that the worse feeling in the world is "just running down to the corner store" and walking into a robbery, knowing that your gun is home in the drawer because it's heavy and the holster takes a little time to put on.

Too many people prepare for a shootout with a biker gang and buy a Dirty Harry cannon.
Either they often don't carry it, or they get tired of it and wind up carrying a pop gun that's only of use in contact range.
Other people make the mistake of carrying a lot of different guns and holsters and never "learn where it is".
They get into a situation and grab for a gun that's not where they're used to it being or they "forget" where the safety is or even if it has one.
John Bianchi had his "One gun, one holster, one carry" principle. You carry the same gun in the same holster in the same way and practice until it's committed to muscle memory.

Then you just do the best you can under the circumstances.

 

[bestseller92v2.0]

That is indeed a sucky scenario as well.

 

[spwenger]

I was thinking differently...

You effectively neutralize a member of a group that threatened you, when he drew and started indexing on you, only to find that he was simulating a gun with his cell phone. The only witnesses are his homies.

 

[William R. Moore]

There's really no good ending to that one.

 

[JJ]

My biggest worry--call it a concern, or even a FEAR if you like--is to have a "handful" when Security or Law Enforcement shows up. Shots fired, or not. Threat eliminated, or not...how fast can you throw down your thang and reach for the rafters, hoping a nervous rookie don't give you a third nostril before he ID's you...They's no such thing as Friendly Fire.

There's a "Security Team" at the church I go to. We hug a lot, so I know at least half of 'em's packing. (Snicker all you want--there's nothing like being loved, in the right kinda way.) Trouble is, we don't know who IS and who AIN"T. Packing, that is.

I have family that goes to a church in Ft. Worth, that had a shooter/intruder a few years back. All my bunch ended up well, but seven or eight folks did not.

Probably worse than being on the receiving end of "Friendly Fire" (hate that phrase!) would be to live out your life knowing you snuffed a Dad or big brother that was trying to alleviate the aforementioned example. You shot him because there was shooting going on, and he had a gun.

Anybody share these fears?

 

[stand watie]

to ALL,

imVho, the absolute worst scenario is NOT being armed when you desperately NEED to be!

fyi, i lost 4 lifelong friends & had another buddy paralyzed, from the chin down, at the Daingerfield Church Massacre some years ago.

TWO of those victims were sworn deputies, who were NOT armed because the state laws at that time (since changed, Thanks be to GOD!) said that NOBODY could carry on church/synagogue premises during services.

also, since you never KNOW when you will actually NEED a weapon, it means ALWAYS carry!
as my old USAMPS master instructor, the Polish Falcon, said that, "NOT carrying EVERY DAY is an excellent way to lose your LIFE!"
(we said of him, "Don't mess with the falcon unless you can fly!)

just my opinion as an OLD but NOT BOLD leo of some 39 years service.

yours, sw

 

[Diamondback]

All nightmares, and I'll add "Dirty-Cop Aggressor" to the pool. That one, there's no win because even if you're in the right you're still gonna have Thin Blue Line hostility for being a "cop-killer"... Even Executive Protection as a trade doesn't take it personally when an agent gets whacked...

 

[bestseller92v2.0]

On a tangential note, I had a good practice session today with my Glock 22, Glock 26 and Taurus 85CH (with some plinking from my Single-Six thrown in for fun), firing at targets from 10 to 30 yards (and out to 50 yards with the .22 revolver). I was pretty pleased with my shooting. Certainly there is always plenty of room for improvement, but I performed satisfactorily well. Interestingly, I shot my G26 a bit better than my G22.