Makiaveli

I was under the impression he was a cop. Or did I misunderstand? Also, a smart cop isn't going to make assumptions about a man with a gun call. Didn't he say in the article it was possible the guy knew the cops were on the way and decided to holster and act calm? All it takes is one calm crazy guy to kill you. How many cops have been shot because all they wanted to do was tell the person they pulled over their tail light was out and let them go? That said, his video is on Youtube by now. So all it takes is some punk to see it, and cross your path. Odds? Slim. But so are your odds of being attacked period, and yet you carry when it would be easier (safety aside) to not carry. It's a very personal balancing act.

Can you give us more info? That would be much closer to my current budget, though I agree the OP's is worth every penny.

All this is very dependent on the situation. If a criminal has a gun in your face, then whether you are carrying at all or not is pretty much moot. If he is robbing the store you are in, CC vs OC would very likely have an impact on whether you are treated differently from everyone else. My point being, it isn't all about deterrence. I didn't get deterrence from your post, so I think I did misunderstand. But as above, I wasn't thinking so much about being the sole target of the BG's attention. Also wasn't there a post somewhere on this forum about someone who almost had their gun stolen while OCing? Granted that incident doesn't mean it isn't effective as a deterrent, any more than the statistic about cops being shot with their own guns. That would presumably include situations where the cop got his butt kicked and then had his gun taken. Thanks for the replies, the more knowledge spread around, the better Doubtful. First someone who have to compile the info, and secondly there aren't, statistically speaking, that many OCers. Doesn't mean it isn't a legitimate concern. My take on it is it's like any other decision you make. Decreases the odds of some things happening, increases others. Like flying vs driving long distance. Less likely to have an accident, but more likely to die if one happens.

Well at least he admitted he screwed up and didn't try to blame the instructor.

I may be misunderstanding you, but it seems to me if the "bad guy" doesn't know you are armed, that would increase the odds of you being able to access it versus him knowing you are armed when he targets you. PS: Can I have you guys's holsters? Will work till I can get a good one.

My first thought too

I didn't get this at all. And the side stories are just that. They get pushed to the side for a while and then come back around to them later.

At five, I think that's ok. I think it's more that she associates it with you, and since you are at the house, she can't think any other reason you would have a gun out at the house. Since you didn't say the 12 yr old says that, I think you are on the right track

Nah, they must be govt employees. They were told their job is to get people to sign in and give directions. That means searching is someone else's job. Seriously, I am leaving my current city job for another one, and just as I gave my notice my co-worker went out on bereavement leave. I lost track of how many times I've been told it's not my problem when people found I volunteered to work OT. FTR, we are the only two who work that job day shift so on my days off there is literally no one to work. Apparently it's not my problem.

Several great ideas here...thanks guys

Which is why I said one should ask not tell. Do it politely, as in say would you mind etc. Toss in discretely so there's no need for machismo and related BS. I would point to the door if someone "told" me what to do in my house. Did it with my own parents when they had an issue with my now ex-wife smoking. She lit up without thinking and they started in and I said our house, our rules and they left. If they had said something politely it would've ended differently.

My luck that's when the bad guy's buddy would show up! That said, the point of self-defense is to defend yourself, not kill the guy. Sounds like the guy talking to Ralph didn't know the case that well or was just trying to stir things up. Neither of which helps us any.

This was my first thought. Also what Joe said about curiosity worked for me. My dad told me pretty much the same thing, and then backed it up when I did ask.

I don't see it being taboo period, regardless of family or not. Assuming one asks politely and discretely, then what's the problem? Note I am not saying throw a hissy fit, just ask and then accept the results or leave. That's always the plan, but we all know what happens to plans right? All it takes is one "I thought you were watching them" and a dare from a friend/cousin/whatever and it's over.

I say good call. Pulling over in that case sounds like some crappy advice.

I ran across this and was curious if anyone had any experience with it or similar... www.Ghostbelt.com

We find the author and make him write more? That said the Union Creek Journal mentioned earlier is a good read and seems to have some good ideas. Definitely looking into those rocket stoves (I think that's the name). Sounds like they could be useful.

Part of the problem would be people like me who don't live near Knoxville and thus would have to pay shipping. So unless you can beat the price and/or shipping costs of say Cheaper Than Dirt (who is a retailer of those filters) we would have to pay a premium to get them from you. My advice would be to crunch the numbers, get a few pre-orders from folks here and hit up friends and family etc and then decide if you are willing to have the remaining inventory on hand. As long as they don't go bad, keep them on Craigslist and try to sell them to fellow vendors at gun shows etc.

Don't forget to let them know you won't be back until they remove the sign

It involves government workers. Being one (city, not state), I can assure you the old bit about watching bologna being made applies. In all seriousness, they are likely waiting for a response back from some agency somewhere where you lived or worked. Your buddy either got lucky or his responses came back quickly. A buddy of mine handles part of the background check stuff at work so I've learned a bit (nothing improper for the record) about how it works. Did learn that once I get my permit, they will know about it as soon as evaluation time rolls around. Not really sure what that has to do with my continued ability to continue to work as a civilian in a LE agency.

Ok definitely haven't seen that one.....so all in all not a good episode to use to try and get people on board to prep huh?

OT: I am preparing (slowly, still bringing the wife on board) for full on EOTWAWKI so that I will survive anything less than that. Now a 1000 sq ft underground bunker and a APC as mentioned early on are a ways down the road, but better safe that sorry. I am not, repeat not, spending the boy's college money on this, as I believe I need to prepare for the Old Normal as well. This reference blew past me...care to clarify? I still gotta call and yell at Comcast as my NatGeo channel won't come in. Will be available shortly my ***, so I am behind on watching them on demand.

Thanks for the heads up. Will pass this along. Thankfully only would affect my FiL in my immediate family and he would just ask them to hold his cane while he gets his wallet and then shoot them

Ah well, at least I didn't try and achieve an epic fail. I would love a green house, and it is on my list of things to do, right after the #1 thing which is to win the lottery Oops, meant to say Thanks for the info....was a rough day but that's no reason to be rude.

You got a deal...it's almost $8 atm..... While I'm here, anyone know of any citrus trees that will grow around here? Not looking for an orchard, just wanting to start some apple/pear trees in the "back forty" as it were. Which got me to wondering, would oranges or something similar survive? Not thrive obviously, but one more thing to have growing semi wild.