Now That I Carry a
Concealed Weapon, I Don’t Need to Carry Anything Else, Right?
WRONG!!
If you have chosen to carry, you should carry several items
besides a hand cannon. My students often hear me talk about tools in their
toolbox. If you only have a lethal means to resolve a conflict, your options
are limited and your actions may be inappropriate and cause you jail time.
Pepper spray is easy to slip into a pocket. It gives you the
option of slowing or stopping an attack at a distance. The distance depends on
the spray. There are different types of sprays. Some use a mist to cover a
greater area, some use a stream to concentrate the effect on a small target,
and some shoot a gel to cover the area with a thick coat. I prefer the gel or
the stream. The mist can be carried by the wind and go off target (and onto
you!). Newer sprays are a combination of pepper spray, CS tear gas, and a dye
for identification. That is a good package!
A knife gives you another tool. I do not like knife fights. You
will get cut, but that’s better than getting dead. This is a tool that takes
instruction and practice. It doesn’t matter if is a punch knife or a quick
opening folding blade, it can come as a surprise and give you time to get away
from an attacker.
Most attacks happen at night. The sun doesn’t shine on us at
night. A powerful, good quality flashlight will allow you to do many things.
With a light you can blind your attacker and change their aim. You can identify
attackers hiding in the shadows. And you can increase your chances for a good
sight picture if you have to use your handgun. This takes practice. You are now
going to shoot one handed and hold the flashlight with your other hand. Notice
I did not say weak and strong hand. This may be dictated by cover and you may have
to shoot with your weak hand.
You should carry a spare magazine or quick loader for your
pistol. There might be more than one of the bad guys. Where there is one, there
are often two. Where there are two, there are four. Where there are four, there
is a gang.
Can you find and bring each of these goodies to bear quickly
and consistently? If not, practice, practice, practice.
Remember: Quality
practice keeps you safe.
