Why we go armed to Wally World

[Kevinf2349]

Man shot during robbery attempt in Wal-Mart parking lot.

http://www.khou.com/news/local/Man-shot ... 99607.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[USA1]

Here's a comment someone made on that site about the incident :

harley2 said on November 21, 2009 at 2:58 PM

a lot of shoppers are packing guns. these slim balls are going to pick the wrong one to rob .in this case the way i read it the bad guy shot the good guy. well the bad guys are packing so i guess all of us good guys will be packing and chistmas is coming so it will get worse. walmart could care less.

[adam71176]

This is one of the main reasons I have my CHL and weapon ALWAYS close at hand.

[03Lightningrocks]

I wonder if having a handgun would have made much difference? I wonder at what point I would have noticed a person walking up on my truck...or if I would even notice? If your sitting in the seat and a BG just shows up at the window with a gun drawn, pulling out a weapon and shooting the BG without getting shot yourself seems like a long shot at best. Your trapped in the truck and can't scoot and shoot to avoid bullets. IMHO...unless you spotted the guy coming from afar and got out of the truck to react, which I bet most folks would not do, your having a CHL or even a handgun on you is not going to keep you from getting shot. This looks like a case in which a CHL is not going to help you in the least....not unless it makes you bullet proof.

[jsimmons]

I wonder if having a handgun would have made much difference? I wonder at what point I would have noticed a person walking up on my truck...or if I would even notice? If your sitting in the seat and a BG just shows up at the window with a gun drawn, pulling out a weapon and shooting the BG without getting shot yourself seems like a long shot at best. Your trapped in the truck and can't scoot and shoot to avoid bullets. IMHO...unless you spotted the guy coming from afar and got out of the truck to react, which I bet most folks would not do, your having a CHL or even a handgun on you is not going to keep you from getting shot. This looks like a case in which a CHL is not going to help you in the least....not unless it makes you bullet proof.

Solution - don't park among other cars if you can avoid it. I know that's hard to do when this time of year rolls around...

[bdickens]

Other solution:

Pay attention to what is going on around you.

[03Lightningrocks]

I wonder if having a handgun would have made much difference? I wonder at what point I would have noticed a person walking up on my truck...or if I would even notice? If your sitting in the seat and a BG just shows up at the window with a gun drawn, pulling out a weapon and shooting the BG without getting shot yourself seems like a long shot at best. Your trapped in the truck and can't scoot and shoot to avoid bullets. IMHO...unless you spotted the guy coming from afar and got out of the truck to react, which I bet most folks would not do, your having a CHL or even a handgun on you is not going to keep you from getting shot. This looks like a case in which a CHL is not going to help you in the least....not unless it makes you bullet proof.

Solution - don't park among other cars if you can avoid it. I know that's hard to do when this time of year rolls around...

That truck was obviously parked out away from other cars. Watch the video. It looked to me like he parked along one of the outer edges. Truthfully...I think some on this forum and probably many with CHL's have a very serious case of false security. There are many situations where being armed is going to do nothing to help you. A sneak attack like this is one of them.

[markthenewf]

Yeah, I kinda agree. If you're fully surprised you're kinda up the creek at that point. You're beyond the weapon self-defense stage if a gun is already pointed at you before you can get to yours. Time to use the 'toss the wallet' distraction and get your rear out of harms way IMHO.

[TLE2]

Christmas shopping season is the best/worst time to carry. Crime is up, parking lots and malls are crowded...

Carry at all times...

[Y2bad4u]

surprised or not, action is always faster then reaction. He asks for your wallet, you bend to your side like your pulling it out and you pull your pistol you MAY have the upper hand. Just got to decide if you think that BG will actually shoot you or not. IF you don't think so then take that chance and give them what they want. Every situation will be different.

[karder]

Truthfully...I think some on this forum and probably many with CHL's have a very serious case of false security. There are many situations where being armed is going to do nothing to help you. A sneak attack like this is one of them.

I had a martial arts instructor who used to say, "no amount of training or dedication is a substitute for a good sucker punch. It won't matter if you have 20 black belts if you let someone walk up behind you and punch you in the back of the head".

If we don't stay alert and vigilant, the fact we have a weapon, or training may not make a difference. I have to remind myself of this from time to time.

[03Lightningrocks]

Truthfully...I think some on this forum and probably many with CHL's have a very serious case of false security. There are many situations where being armed is going to do nothing to help you. A sneak attack like this is one of them.

I had a martial arts instructor who used to say, "no amount of training or dedication is a substitute for a good sucker punch. ...".

Funny...I learned that in the third grade. I forget the kids name...but the lesson stuck with me forever. Seriously though....sometimes we just flat out are not going to see them come up on us.

This situation reminded me of an incident I had a couple three years back. I was heading out of town at 3AM for a race in some far off North Eastern Paradise and wanted to get an early start on the drive. I stopped at a Wells Fargo Bank to use the ATM and low and behold the only ATM was on the side of the building. I was just about to get out of the truck when I spotted a thug looking dude crossing the street and headed right towards me. I picked up my hand gun and just sat there looking dead at him. he hesitated a couple times and acted like he was going to approach me. I guess my look made him think otherwise...thank goodness he made a sharp turn and walked the other way. I have always believed that guy may have been considering me as a target. I have had other occasions though when I looked up just in time to see a bum or beggar standing way to close for comfort. Maybe it is just me but I refuse to live my life in total fear all the time and occasionally let my guard down. Hopefully it never get's me "sucker punched".

[MoJo]

Awareness, awareness, awareness - - - check 360 often - - - watch your six - - - A person can operate in condition yellow 24/7 slip into condition white or as I like to call it condition transparent for one second and you can be in a world of hurt.

I carry a .38 snub in a pocket holster as a BUG. As I walk to and from the store I have my hand on the gun and no one is the wiser. Don't worry the .40 cal wonder gun is on my right hip. You cant do that if you only have a super blaster in a waist or shoulder holster. You'll definitely attract attention to your self. Awareness, stealth and a second gun in your pocket will get you through more bad situations than all the "What if" questions will.

The only gunfight you can really win is the one you avoid.

[tboesche]

Other solution:

Pay attention to what is going on around you.

DING DING DING! WINNER

[Purplehood]

I personally hate car-carry. I always wear my seatbelt and feel extremely vulnerable no matter how I have arranged my weapon.

The only reaction that I can envision is being given the opportunity by a perp to unbuckle and instead of getting out or pulling a wallet, I pull my piece. Cars a bad situation if you are taken unawares, even worse than being outside of it and unaware.