Originally Posted by TangMan99
It's a debate that people carry to extremes each way. I carried a Concealed weapon when I was in law enforcement and for a few years after I got out because I had some real threats based on some of the work I did. I have not carried a CW in over 10 years now. I'm not for or against it, I just don't feel the need any longer and I have other ways of defending myself.
In Florida, getting a concealed weapons permit is super easy. It has been for over 15 years now. I was in law enforcement when it became and option and we went through all the situation of how were things going to change when anyone could carry a weapon. All the trigger happy scenerios never happened. It never really changed a thing.
Thirty5, I am very familiar with the videos you are referring to. Those are law enforcement training videos with the guy wearing the ninja garb that shows how fast someone with a knife can come in and stab you before you can draw a holstered weapon or unholstered. It is scary.
One other statistic to keep in mind is that most criminals that carry a weapon have no idea or skill in how to use it. It's not like in the movies where they come in with a .45 in each hand and are dropping a person with every shot. If I remember correctly, over 75% of all shots fired by a criminal never even come close to hitting their target.
If you do carry a concealed weapon, I will give you one piece of good advice that I always offered people who wanted to carry concealed weapons when I taught other self defense courses. "If you are walking across a parking lot and someone jumps out and points a gun at you (or even a knife) and asks for you wallet, slowly reach around behind your back where your handgun is in your pancake holster in your waist band, let your hand slide down it to your back pocket, removed your wallet and hand it to him."
The decision to carry a concealed weapon is a personal one. With this decision comes a lot of responsibility. If you are going to carry, make sure you are absolutely committed to two things.
1. That you have had qualified training in how to operate and use your weapon. You would be surprised how hard it is to function in a high stress situation when you feel your life is in danger. If you train, it becomes an automated process. When under extreme stress or fear, you will revert to your training. If you didn't train, you will freeze.
2. Never (and I mean never) pull a gun unless you are committed to using it. That sound simple in itself, but it's not an easy decision to make. Go through some shoot, don't shoot drills and you will see what I mean. And that is from a law enforcement perspective where you have full authority behind you. Being a citizen makes every situation unique.
Good luck and make the decision that is right for you. I'm getting off my soapbox now.
We basically have the same thoughts. And yes that is the video that i am talking about. Guns are not the answer most of the time. I totally agree that if you were going to be mugged just give it up. Even worse, if you are with your family and you pull a gun to defend yourself and then your family gets hurt. I tell my family all the time and i have taught my kids this one thing. "Yes daddy is a police officer, but you dont need to tell anyone" The reason for that is that "most" kids like the cops and children of cops like to tell people. But in the danger situation it does not help. I personally do carry off duty ALL THE TIME. But again i am trained to carry a weapon. I am in the detective buruea so i carry my gun on duty the same way as off duty, so it is a norm for me.
So I know that people want to protect themselves and their families, but you having a gun can actually make it worse. I would never even think of shooting my weapon with my family near (unless not other choice). Have also told my wife many times, that if it hits the fan and I HAVE TO ACT then she should take the kids and run and let me do my job.
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