1 - ALWAYS carry with a holster. No exception.
2 - ALWAYS carry with a round chambered. An unloaded hand gun, ie no round in the chamber, is just a hammer.
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Welcome to the group @Stone_Wallace.
I agreeā¦ and thatās a call for more frequent and more effective training.
I think most people enter each phase of their evolution into the CC way of life with some trepidation or anxiety. Itās like learning to driveā¦ thereās a lot to know, and thereās real risk. We didnāt learn to be safe, competent and confident on our first time behind the wheel. We donāt learn that on our first carry day either.
Ongoing training and practice makes the difference for both skills.
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Soo on point! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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If youāre a first time defensive carrier, youāll notice that you are extremely aware of your surroundings! Get comfortable with that feeling, it lets you know that you are thinking. Probably thinking more clearly. You may feel your being watched, your not, you may feel that people know your carrying, they donāt. Donāt flinch when you think someone is getting to close!
Youāll be feeling a lot more stressed due to the extreme responsibilities youāve just undertaken. You are a protector of yourself and your loved ones.
As you get more comfortable youāll start solving situations that may arise, you may start to look for ways out of situations instead of going through them, IE: returning the finger to the guy that just cut you off or bumped you on the way to the rest room. You will learn patience. Youāll understand the law more clearly and know when to get involved and when not to! I have to admit I feel confident in my world.
Whatever you do, donāt fidget, donāt adjust, donāt reach for things with your strong hand. Dress appropriately with the best gear you can afford and the proper clothing, be the grey man and disappear within your surroundings. No one knows you are carrying except you and now me! And with proper training youāll be standing taller and more confident every day.
You are now seeing the world around you for what it is.
Read your state statutes and understand them completely. You are going to feel real weird the first time you carry in a bank, or in a Starbucks when the non governmental sign says no guns allowed, or at Outback for a family dinner.
You should also carry with pride! Thatās an awesome Kimber, Glock, M&P, Ruger etc. itās cleaned and well kept. Keep it that way and we will all be safer and respected.
Happy Holidays and always watch your 6!
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I find myself extremely cautious of those in parking lots pandering for money. Before they get close, I tell them donāt bother, no cash on hand. As I start looking straight at them, they usually move away.
Same thing at night, except my tone is a little more firm than during the day.
I only trust 3 with my life, God, my wife and myself.
I carry with one in the chamber to be ready to defend if the need arises, while praying that day never comes.
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Iām the same way brother.
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Of the three, I only trust my wife with my life. She has never endangered my life in any fashion.
I donāt trust myself because I have done too many stupid things that I shouldnāt have survived.
I trust God with my soul, but not my life. God has given humans free will and the consequences that go with those free will choices. I believe God may have a plan for each of us, but allowing us free will means we have the ability to muck it up. Therefore, I believe more in prayer than providence.
There is always one in the chamber if I am carrying. That way I am almost always guaranteed to get one shot vs. risking a misfeed.
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I will just say yes here. So many have stated the howās and whyās of it far more eloquently than I would.
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Iām of the mindset that a gun without a round chambered is a rock. If an encounter begins within 3-6 feet, the half second it takes to chamber a round could be the difference between getting a few shots off from the hip or being on the ground under your attacker.
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Well said, this was the way I was trained. Biggest problem is adrenalin and worry, not fear, but what IFās. we must continue to train the
best way we can, clear our minds, follow those safety rules. Last, keep that finger off the TRIGGER.
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I can not recall if I said anything or not, butā¦
An external safety is something some of us are familiar with. While I have no problem with a firearm without a safety, I trained and qualified on a 1911A1 and a Browning Hi-Power, and even have had experience with the TT-33 and a few others (plus revolvers)ā¦. they have external safeties. My thumb basically automatically moves to disengage the safety whether there is one or notā¦ so I found a striker fired Taurus that has an external safety. Just familiarity. There are some of us who are olderā¦ who remember when safeties were far more common. Of course, that does not mean I would refuse a Glockā¦ if one were given to meā¦
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I totally thought everyone knew I was carrying the first time I carried in public! Another huge thing is to not touch your gun - I know a lot of first time carriers start fidgeting with their firearm which just draws attention to it.
BTW, Happy Birthday, @Scott52!!
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Thank you for the birthday reminder.
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Yes as long as you know youāre trigger lock nevery leave your gun unlock.
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Always carry one in the chamber. Seconds matter. Could be the difference between life and death. If anyone is fearful of carrying one in the chamber then they need more training and shouldnāt carry until they do so. Essentially you are walking around with an unloaded weapon if itās not racked and ready to fire
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Thatās perfect. 
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I started carrying full time 24/7 in 1964/1965 in the Military in Cambodia/Laos with one on the pipe of my 1911 45 and slept with it in my hand where alI I had to do was pull the hammer back to fire. The first thing I did when discharged was buy a weapon and have carried for about 55 yrs and dont fell intimidated am used to it being there when needed, there is always one in the pipe and when in bed is under my pillow ready to go when it is required. I was never licensed or any thing until the Feds and States wanted you to PAY Homage for your given right. I got my CCW and I do train/practice 2/3 times a week to keep my motor memory automatic,if you dont use it,you lose it,and that is the truth! I have the USCCA insurance and that is money well spent for sure. I practice with laser snap caps and 3 laser targets 2 of which are timed targets. I mostly use point close shooting since I have on demand laser sites on all my weapons including my rifles,my pistols are zeroed in for 50yds.
If you are ever in a confrontation and you draw down there will be charges against you even where it is true self defense at least in Wa.St. Got a Lawyer thru USCCA
Edited to remove personal information by Dawn
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[Edited]
Thank you for your service in the military as well as your testimony! Glad you are here to tell the story. Also, my testimony is very similar on the basis of the suspect retreating.
However, the statement above is not always true, and the link below is about my friendās cousin who killed a young adult and sent a minor to LSU Hospital after pulling a BB gun pistol which looks real in the claim of fear for his life (Iām sorry itās now renamed, University) Joe later claimed that one on-scene police officer thanked his cousin for making their job easier.
One should always be prepared for millions of reasons a law-abiding individual would be sent to jail and sit for the court date that could be in two years if not more. If lawyers keep filing motions back and forth it will lag out until the judge is fed up. Yes, you have the right to a speedy trial but you also have the right to affordable bond yet, we know its not affordable for the common people. Your trial may bumped up but an old friend told me minutes feel like hours and days like weeks. I never wanted to find out for myself.
Examples:
(a) Detectives on the scene place you under arrest on circumstantial evidence that by law they have 48 hours while your in orange and plastered on both the 5 & 10 0āclock news to pursue actual charges.
(b) Your District Attorney is on a campaign trail and needs to make an example out of someone. (Regardless how or whyā¦be protected)
Here is the link to the real occurrence dated back in OCT. 2016:
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Yes, I understand that fully now and glad that I have paid membership for USCCA and they are furnishing the legal representation, and I am glad that the training I have done all these years paid off.
work on the skills you have and be open to your training, and most certainly keep your weapons insurance active
Edited to remove personal information by Dawn
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