Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Is Your EDC a Worthless Talisman?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/is-your-edc-a-worthless-talisman/.
Is Your EDC a Worthless Talisman?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
The Night Rider
Hellcat
My backup to my gun is always been OC spray. The only place I really go that's a gun-free zone is the VA and everybody and their brother is carrying a knife in there.
I have no delusions that I can fight with a knife. But I have seen OC spray work very well.
I have no delusions that I can fight with a knife. But I have seen OC spray work very well.
Lab4Us
Professional
Concur with that 100%…about not being to actual blade fighting. Any success there would be pure luck. I mostly throw a folding knife in my pocket for everyday hazards, like not being able to get a box open
. Fortunately I went through that whole mental attitude of doing what it takes to survive long ago when my duties in the USAF included carrying a handgun daily and an M16 occasionally. Lots of long shifts to internalize survival. I don’t doubt that push comes to shove, I’ll use what means necessary to survive until out of the fight. Another thing drilled into your head from day one of carrying firearms in the USAF was the requirement to memorize “Use of Deadly Force” parameters, along with capabilities of whatever weapons you were carrying, to the point you could recite them from memory to leadership checking on you and your post status…that helped you run deadly force scenarios through your head frequently. Granted all hypothetical, but at least it forced you to think about it.
That said, the need to cancel credit cards doesn’t seem like something I’d consider engaging over, unless forced through an accompanying physical assault or brandished deadly weapon. I very rarely carry cash, and when I do, it’s not in my wallet. A carjacking attempt might be different - but I think there’s been one report of an “attempted” car jacking in my town in the 40 years I’ve lived here. Most of the scenarios I think about now involve the home intrusion type, whether solicitors that are pretending to be solicitors, nighttime attempted burglaries, mental crises individuals (neighborhood has become more of a low rent place over the years), etc. I got a couple of good four legged helpers now, but when they’re gone, I’ll likely be too old to deal with training replacements.
I do carry concealed almost always (I know, should be always) when I go out and about and the only place I can’t bring in with me is medical appointments. Some have the required posted signs and others there’s no guarantee I won’t be asked to disrobe for examination/treatment - so I don’t chance it. I also try ensure those type appointment are first, or close to first, thing in the morning in the interest of situational awareness.
Anyway, thanks for the article and the reminder to keep the mind “right” concerning situational awareness.
powerboatr
Hellcat
a knife for me would most likely result in me being inured
gun free spot,
pepper spray or wasp spray in the car
when we lived in florida and walked many many miles in the woods, wasp spray was a useful tool for all kinds of critters
and
for those walk up and say hi folks
gun free spot,
pepper spray or wasp spray in the car
when we lived in florida and walked many many miles in the woods, wasp spray was a useful tool for all kinds of critters
and
for those walk up and say hi folks
Oldmountaiman
Custom
Awhile back it was ruled you could carry weapon into Post Office to go to your mail box or drop off mail at the slot ( CCW permit ) but could not go to counter. I keep a folding pocket knife on my visor because trying to get a folder out of your pocket front or back pocket can be a problem. Way back when I was a Deputy we all did that in our patrol cars and it became a forever habit.
Career woodsman
Alpha
Three defense tools that cover a spectrum: (1) EDC - Cane (bad knees = carry anywhere) when accompanied with my medical statement stating a need for mobility assist, (2) EDC - Capsicum spray stream non lethal and with 15' +\- range, (3) EDC - concealed carry where legal and a last resort defense.
I also avoid places where homeless or drugs are likely, crowds, bars, and other high potential places for problems.
I also avoid places where homeless or drugs are likely, crowds, bars, and other high potential places for problems.
The Night Rider
Hellcat
The Night Rider
Hellcat
The Night Rider
Hellcat
You all know I live out here. I don't know about homeless people but there are drugs and there is crime out here. There's actually Section 8 housing out here.
I've told you this before, our daughter bought this place at a sheriff's auction because the former owners were growing weed in their basement.
So I really don't think there's any place you can go on this planet where there's not drugs and crime maybe not homeless people but certainly drugs and crime
Mr. Untactical
Master Class
"Everybody knows that there are many places where you cannot carry a firearm — even if you’re licensed — like federal buildings (USPS, courthouse, etc.), airports, schools, hospitals and posted businesses."
I would argue the difference between "cannot" and "may not" in this statement. While I toe the line when it comes to courthouses, other municipal offices, and airports (which often have metal detectors anyway so there is no "may" about it, the others on this list are "suggestions." I understand also that the article is more about "What happens if..." and I am actually in a situation where I need to use my concealed carry weapon(s).
It is an interesting question if I'm in a "posted business" and experience an immediate threat that could result in grievous bodily harm. Will the business in question try to sue me for defending my life (or theirs) simply because they prefer no one be armed on their premises (of course, the "bad guy" in this scenario didn't pay attention to that sign, either)?
As for a knife fight? Man, that is the absolute last resort. If it's down to me fishing out my new Ocasso Strategy - which is a flipper, but opens as quick as an auto - and getting down to business, I'm in a world of hurt.
For me, it's all about staying out of areas where I believe chances are higher for violence, and minimizing my presence in places where I cannot be sufficiently armed in case violence occurs. However, while always striving to be prepared, my prayer is that I am never forced to take the life of another human being, even in self defense.
I would argue the difference between "cannot" and "may not" in this statement. While I toe the line when it comes to courthouses, other municipal offices, and airports (which often have metal detectors anyway so there is no "may" about it, the others on this list are "suggestions." I understand also that the article is more about "What happens if..." and I am actually in a situation where I need to use my concealed carry weapon(s).
It is an interesting question if I'm in a "posted business" and experience an immediate threat that could result in grievous bodily harm. Will the business in question try to sue me for defending my life (or theirs) simply because they prefer no one be armed on their premises (of course, the "bad guy" in this scenario didn't pay attention to that sign, either)?
As for a knife fight? Man, that is the absolute last resort. If it's down to me fishing out my new Ocasso Strategy - which is a flipper, but opens as quick as an auto - and getting down to business, I'm in a world of hurt.
For me, it's all about staying out of areas where I believe chances are higher for violence, and minimizing my presence in places where I cannot be sufficiently armed in case violence occurs. However, while always striving to be prepared, my prayer is that I am never forced to take the life of another human being, even in self defense.
Anchorite
Custom
@The Night Rider : "So I really don't think there's any place you can go on this planet where there's not drugs and crime maybe not homeless people but certainly drugs and crime."
This sums it up nicely.
I reside in a quaint little fishing village on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay that has suffered a major influx of "immigrants" from less-Red states for the last decade. Articles in Southern Living and Covid didn't help.
People flock here for the weather, low taxes and conservative lifestyle. The beaches here are the "Redneck Riviera."
What I'm getting at is that with more folks moving in comes more petty level crime. We don't have the violent level crimes that Mobile does, but the population demographic is different across the Bay.
When I first moved here 30 years ago there were only 2 sheriff deputies on night shift for a county nearly the size of Rhode Island. Now there are 12. And all the local municipal police forces have a night shift now.
I'm also a realist that times are a'changing. People can get desperate for any number of reasons.
I don't carry a firearm that much.....maybe 10% of the time. I do really concentrate on my situational awareness and if I don't feel comfortable in a place I leave. I think I can fairly well size people up, too. 25+ years as a criminal defense lawyer probably helps me in that sense.
I do have a pocketknife on me every day (have to leave it in the truck when entering the courthouse) and I carry a baseball bat in the truck for all else. I have on my keys one of those glass breaker aluminum "stakes" that could double as a weapon, but that's it. No bumper stickers on our vehicles either. I don't believe in that stuff.
I don't have any routines meaning I don't always drive to the office the same way each day. Bride and I keep to ourselves. The threat level here is just that low. Now with all these new people here we've not had a good direct hit from a major hurricane yet....when we do things might get interesting.
This sums it up nicely.
I reside in a quaint little fishing village on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay that has suffered a major influx of "immigrants" from less-Red states for the last decade. Articles in Southern Living and Covid didn't help.
People flock here for the weather, low taxes and conservative lifestyle. The beaches here are the "Redneck Riviera."
What I'm getting at is that with more folks moving in comes more petty level crime. We don't have the violent level crimes that Mobile does, but the population demographic is different across the Bay.
When I first moved here 30 years ago there were only 2 sheriff deputies on night shift for a county nearly the size of Rhode Island. Now there are 12. And all the local municipal police forces have a night shift now.
I'm also a realist that times are a'changing. People can get desperate for any number of reasons.
I don't carry a firearm that much.....maybe 10% of the time. I do really concentrate on my situational awareness and if I don't feel comfortable in a place I leave. I think I can fairly well size people up, too. 25+ years as a criminal defense lawyer probably helps me in that sense.
I do have a pocketknife on me every day (have to leave it in the truck when entering the courthouse) and I carry a baseball bat in the truck for all else. I have on my keys one of those glass breaker aluminum "stakes" that could double as a weapon, but that's it. No bumper stickers on our vehicles either. I don't believe in that stuff.
I don't have any routines meaning I don't always drive to the office the same way each day. Bride and I keep to ourselves. The threat level here is just that low. Now with all these new people here we've not had a good direct hit from a major hurricane yet....when we do things might get interesting.