Being ready in downtown
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:01 am
I was hesitant to share this, but the blog from the Wal-Mart shopper reminded me that we all need to be reminded of the importance of situational awareness, as it's a tool as big or bigger than the guns we carry.
A few weeks ago, I went downtown with Mars and his band. The photographer wanted to take pictures of them in an urban landscape.
As many of you know, Mars is in a wheelchair (and sometimes a walker). Since his temporary disability could make him more of a target, I've gotten a bit more protective lately. Before we left, I insisted that Mars carry a .380 in his pocket, and I carried my 1911 in a holster on my belt with a spare magazine in my pocket. I also kept my pepper spray (on keychain) in my hand.
We went to three separate locations for photos. At the second location, a few separate urban dwellers began checking us out. One in particular kept inching closer, so I kept an eye on him. With Mars in a wheelchair, there was no quick retreat for us, so I wasn't going to let him get too close. He was not happy about the fact that I was looking at him, and began to challenge me on it verbally with, "What?" while approaching. He also started making vulgar gestures and grabbing himself. I loudly told him that he needed to stay away from us. I squared my body to him, and made sure the safety was off my pepper spray. (The safety was off on my 1911. I was prepared to put my hand on my gun if he got much closer, as all the guys were blocked in a particular area.)
His eyes gazed for a moment at my pepper spray, and he yelled, "It's a free country, I can go wherever I want." However, he did stop advancing on us and continued along the street.
He stopped about twenty to thirty feet up the road, resumed the vulgar gestures and called for our photographer to take his picture, but at this point, I gathered that he was just trying to save face. I kept an eye on him until he moved along.
At our third location, there appeared to be people hanging out on the other side of a fence from us. I think some of them may have been homeless. I watched them, but most appeared to be minding their own business, content with eachother's company.
I didn't really care for bringing Mars to such an area, but he insisted on going. I insisted on being ready. I'm glad I was.
A few weeks ago, I went downtown with Mars and his band. The photographer wanted to take pictures of them in an urban landscape.
As many of you know, Mars is in a wheelchair (and sometimes a walker). Since his temporary disability could make him more of a target, I've gotten a bit more protective lately. Before we left, I insisted that Mars carry a .380 in his pocket, and I carried my 1911 in a holster on my belt with a spare magazine in my pocket. I also kept my pepper spray (on keychain) in my hand.
We went to three separate locations for photos. At the second location, a few separate urban dwellers began checking us out. One in particular kept inching closer, so I kept an eye on him. With Mars in a wheelchair, there was no quick retreat for us, so I wasn't going to let him get too close. He was not happy about the fact that I was looking at him, and began to challenge me on it verbally with, "What?" while approaching. He also started making vulgar gestures and grabbing himself. I loudly told him that he needed to stay away from us. I squared my body to him, and made sure the safety was off my pepper spray. (The safety was off on my 1911. I was prepared to put my hand on my gun if he got much closer, as all the guys were blocked in a particular area.)
His eyes gazed for a moment at my pepper spray, and he yelled, "It's a free country, I can go wherever I want." However, he did stop advancing on us and continued along the street.
He stopped about twenty to thirty feet up the road, resumed the vulgar gestures and called for our photographer to take his picture, but at this point, I gathered that he was just trying to save face. I kept an eye on him until he moved along.
At our third location, there appeared to be people hanging out on the other side of a fence from us. I think some of them may have been homeless. I watched them, but most appeared to be minding their own business, content with eachother's company.
I didn't really care for bringing Mars to such an area, but he insisted on going. I insisted on being ready. I'm glad I was.
