Monkey see, monkey do.

[synergy]

So, not even a week after Mark's story gains significant attention in the news media....I see an OC'er at the lunch counter I go to more often than not. First time I've seen one there, and I've been going there 3 times a week for 10 months. Guess it must be the cool thing to do now...

Whomever you are, you sat with your back turned to a guy with more knives on him than hands, wearing a Defoor Proformance Shooting hat (there's your first clue), wearing a Streamlight flashlight and Benchmade pocket knife in plain view (your second clue)...and you never even made eye contact with me, or even saw me walk past you three times.

You're SERPA holster wouldn't have done a thing for you. I could have had your gun out before you noticed while you were starring down at your cellphone on the table checking your email or whatever it was you were doing on it.

Hopefully you'll read this, whoever you are, and consider the fact that yes, people do notice...and yes, there are people out there who are more aware of their surrounding than you are.

Try picking a seat with your back to the wall (there were still a few available), try sizing up people when you walk into a new place (you might have noticed my hat or visable blades), and try looking at people approaching you with a knife in their hands (grabbed one for my meal...but you didn't even notice it, or me appraching you).

If you're going to make yourself a target for someone who wants a gun, try to make yourself a hard target, not an easy one.

[ddefazio]

Originally Posted by synergy

So, not even a week after Mark's story gains significant attention in the news media....I see an OC'er at the lunch counter I go to more often than not. First time I've seen one there, and I've been going there 3 times a week for 10 months. Guess it must be the cool thing to do now...

Whomever you are, you sat with your back turned to a guy with more knives on him than hands, wearing a Defoor Proformance Shooting hat (there's your first clue), wearing a Streamlight flashlight and Benchmade pocket knife in plain view (your second clue)...and you never even made eye contact with me, or even saw me walk past you three times.

You're SERPA holster wouldn't have done a thing for you. I could have had your gun out before you noticed while you were starring down at your cellphone on the table checking your email or whatever it was you were doing on it.

Hopefully you'll read this, whoever you are, and consider the fact that yes, people do notice...and yes, there are people out there who are more aware of their surrounding than you are.

Try picking a seat with your back to the wall (there were still a few available), try sizing up people when you walk into a new place (you might have noticed my hat or visable blades), and try looking at people approaching you with a knife in their hands (grabbed one for my meal...but you didn't even notice it, or me appraching you).

If you're going to make yourself a target for someone who wants a gun, try to make yourself a hard target, not an easy one.

Did you ever take the Kick me sticker off of the back of your shirt oh mighty Lunch counter Ninja?

Good post on having situational awareness. Good reminder for all.

[The_War_Wagon]

Originally Posted by ddefazio

...oh mighty Lunch counter Ninja?

That's BEGGING to be a sig line for somebody!

[legendarylorot]

Originally Posted by The_War_Wagon

That's BEGGING to be a sig line for somebody!

I'm thinking that I need a sigline....

[d90king]

Interesting that this hasn't received any comments yet as it really is a great example of the lack of training for many who choose to OC. With OC comes a great level of responsibility and situational awareness is a critical element of safely OC.

[ungawa]

Originally Posted by d90king

Interesting that this hasn't received any comments yet as it really is a great example of the lack of training for many who choose to OC. With OC comes a great level of responsibility and situational awareness is a critical element of safely OC.

Maybe it's the way the OP is coming off?

I'm surprised you would show up in less than three hours complaining that few people responded to his post while most people are still at work. (well, not really "surprised" )

[Signmaker]

Originally Posted by synergy

a guy...wearing a Defoor Proformance Shooting hat (there's your first clue), wearing a Streamlight flashlight and Benchmade pocket knife in plain view (your second clue)...

Yeah, that guy isn't the guy I'd give a second look to, except maybe to strike up a conversation on how you like your Streamlight. Now throw on a stained wifebeater, jeans down to your knees, a doo-rag and some platinum chains from the mall kiosk, and maybe I'll be eyeballing you.

Also, if anyone here catches me out in public with my "awareness pants" down, please do me a favor and actually say something to me so I can learn from it, as opposed to just venting on some forum I might not even be aware of.

[d90king]

Originally Posted by ungawa

Maybe it's the way the OP is coming off?

I'm surprised you would show up in less than three hours complaining that few people responded to his post while most people are still at work. (well, not really "surprised" )

I think if we are being fair about it... Some of those who are outspoken on the topic of OC, are sometimes a bit "passionate" about the topic and promoting it as a method of carry. It probably could have been worded a bit more tactfully, but I think the point got across nonetheless.

I think it's a good opportunity to discuss things that should be taken seriously when OCing a sidearm. This isn't about you should or you shouldn't, its about what to do when you do. I would think that we could have a quality discussion about simple precautions and TTP's that should be taken into consideration when OCing. I would hope this could have a positive outcome .

There are many who map out a "legal" game plan when OCing including voice recording, etc... I rarely see discussion on good core TTP's that are every bit as important to game plan as the "legal" side of things... After all, they are the things that will actually save your life God forbid you ever have to use your weapon to preserve life or find yourself in a bad way...

[*Klutch*]

OK I'll bite.
to the OP: How do you know he didn't notice you? Maybe he saw you and completely ignored you. Maybe he saw you wearing all that crap trying to get noticed and didn't give you the satisfaction. Just because someone doesn't make eye contact doesn't mean they don't see you. Maybe he put his back to you to temp you into walking by and in hopes you would say something to him in the arrogant manner exhibited here so he could practice his new moves he just learned in Brazilian Ju Jitsu.
Instead of pointing out someone else check yourself and see if you can really size up someone properly, cause you never know.
Seacrest out!

[twoguns]

Originally Posted by d90king

I think if we are being fair about it... Some of those who are outspoken on the topic of OC, are sometimes a bit "passionate" about the topic and promoting it as a method of carry. It probably could have been worded a bit more tactfully, but I think the point got across nonetheless.

I think it's a good opportunity to discuss things that should be taken seriously when OCing a sidearm. This isn't about you should or you shouldn't, its about what to do when you do. I would think that we could have a quality discussion about simple precautions and TTP's that should be taken into consideration when OCing. I would hope this could have a positive outcome .

There are many who map out a "legal" game plan when OCing including voice recording, etc... I rarely see discussion on good core TTP's that are every bit as important to game plan as the "legal" side of things... After all, they are the things that will actually save your life God forbid you ever have to use your weapon to preserve life or find yourself in a bad way...

There are truly few greater insults than to be shot with your own gun.

Some months ago, I pointed out that in a couple of situations I had observed a serious lack of situational awareness by people openly carrying a sidearm. I was surprised at the vehement comments I received from some. To each his own but Training, Tactics and Prep are a huge part of that scene. Fail to adhere to good protocol and it could turn into a desperately bad situation.