A Gun NOT ON YOU = No Gun.

I remember attending a funeral recently during which quite a few HD riders showed up to pay their final respects.  Myself and some buddies were standing off to the side as the HD’s lined up and the riders dismounted, chatting and just milling about.  One of the riders opened a top case about 6 feet in front of me, revealing a Kimber 1911 laying in the case.  Not that I have a problem with him owing a pistol but I remember thinking, what good is that pistol if it’s locked in a top case?  Seriously if your gun is not on your person it might as well be no gun at all.  If you believe in the phrase “when seconds matter, the police are minutes away” then you’ll have to agree with my assessment.  If seconds DO truly matter, the extra time fumbling through luggage, glove box, dresser drawer, backpack could mean the difference between life and death.  Why train to draw from concealment if the gun is in the parking lot locked in the trunk?

Today’s Lesson Learned

This evening I was out grabbing some dinner for the family when I got a text from my wife, immediately I recognized it as a license plate number.  That’s strange, what does that mean?  I shot back a text and it turns out she felt as if she was being stalked in our neighborhood while walking one of our dogs (not the German Shepherd unfortunately, but a much smaller one).   The vehicle was a white construction van with blacked out windows and it had driven by her multiple times, even making U turns up the street to come back by her location.  I asked her if she had her gun on her (she is a CCW permit holder)  and well…of course she didn’t.  She did immediately make her way back to our street at which point the van slow rolled by her AGAIN!  Once up the street and out of sight she made a dash for the house and safely made it inside, at which point she grabbed her Glock 26.

My Take On It

Good for my wife, she was situationally aware of her surroundings.  She recognized the potential threat and made a point to reach out to me so that in case something happened I too would be aware.  However I feel like she made two mistakes which I have since discussed with her.

1- Gun not on person might as well be no gun at all.  A gun back in the house did her no good while out on the street, and while a gun is no guarantee of safety it certainly gives one a better chance.  If 3 guys would have jumped out to roll her up I’m not sure if the gun would have mattered (given the reaction time) but it certainly could have made a difference.  This versus a scream and an attempt to run away.

2- The wrong dog!  I’m here to tell you if you have a big dog which is protective it can be a great deterrent.   The average joe blow criminal wants nothing to do with a dog bite and will seek out a softer target.  I told her if she wants to go for a walk, take both dogs or just the German Shepherd.  Either way always make sure the German Shepherd is with her.  I swear if anyone gets within 20 feet of her with him on the leash he will make sure to display his displeasure with that.  He is much more protective of my wife than he is of me.

The Bottom Line

Crime doesn’t only happen at 0200 in a dark alley whilst in the hood during a crack cocaine deal.  Crime can happen anywhere, to anyone and in broad daylight when you least expect it.  Be prepared at all times!  If you have a gun….CARRY IT!

 

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19 comments

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    • john on August 4, 2015 at 9:52 PM
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    Excellent advice….a Doberman does the trick as well.
    I read a ton of useful information on your site. Thank you,
    J Rosas

      • PJ on August 4, 2015 at 10:49 PM
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      Thanks J!

      You are correct, A Dobe is no joke.

    • David on August 5, 2015 at 12:44 AM
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    Statistically you’re no safer carrying a gun. In fact, your own gun may used against you. The scenario you describe is very unusual. Millions of women walk without incident every day. The vast majority of people go through life without ever coming close to needing a gun. Having a gun with us for protection is like religion — it makes us feel better but it isn’t grounded in reality.

      • PJ on August 5, 2015 at 4:37 PM
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      God is great, beer is good, people are crazy. 🙂

      • The Maj on August 6, 2015 at 9:24 AM
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      Ugh, yeah, 1995 called and wants its gun control argument back. Bill? Is that you?

      • RexC on August 7, 2015 at 6:39 AM
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      You sir, are obviously a liberal. In what universe would a gun not be useful in the hands of someone trained to use it. Why do you think these cowards commit crimes in areas that are so called gun free zones? Have you ever heard of a gunman going into an NRA convention or a any other area where people are carrying weapons and opening fire. No, I don’t think you have.

      • NRP on August 7, 2015 at 11:37 AM
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      HAHAHA, God I LOVE libtards.
      Each to their own I guess.
      Personally I’ll just keep that old XD-45 right here on my belt.

      • tom on April 6, 2016 at 11:47 PM
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      David, I’m curious. Why are you hear?

        • tom on April 6, 2016 at 11:49 PM
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        Never mind I just saw the date. History. Sorry.

    • rhc on August 5, 2015 at 11:22 AM
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    Again, another great article. Both my wife and I have at various times taken our GS with us especially at night. I was noted for even taking my 4 legged partner with me when we were on days off while running errands. Would put him in the back seat of my pu and could leave the truck running and not worry about it being stolen.
    Have always said, just the look of an alert GS will get one’s attention. I like to think of her as the backup to my G23.

      • PJ on August 5, 2015 at 9:40 PM
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      I leave my GSD in the pickup, windows halfway down, keys in the ignition. If someone can get past him they deserve the truck and everything inside of it. The other day I took my boy to the vet and the DR there had a NASTY gash on his hand, the top and side of it due to a (small) dog bite which he admitted was his own fault. GSD’s have the second strongest bite force next to a pit bull, if someone wants to put their arm/face/hand at risk to get inside my truck more power to them. The Vet said people often underestimate just how vicious dog bites can be (and he was evidence of such).

      Fortunately most people don’t attempt to walk up and pet him either and if they do, he lets them know that’s a bad idea. Yesterday someone commented how “pretty” he was, asked if they could pet him. “Sorry, he isn’t friendly like that.” Not a lab…just doing his job.

        • rhc on August 7, 2015 at 11:12 AM
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        Got a ? What training does your GS have? After working a couple of times as a handler and after I lost my last “trained” partner; the last two we adopted as youngster, I only went with advanced obedience. How old is yours? Thanks for the great site.

          • PJ on August 7, 2015 at 9:45 PM
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          RHC

          Mine has been through two schools for obedience. He has basic commands and some other stuff down, but quite honestly his intuition is naturally better than just about anything I’ve seen. Example: A few weekends ago some people ran past our fenced in back yard, shortcut to somewhere I suppose. Naturally he went ballistic at the “threat” of intruders. For the entire length of time we were outside after that, he patrolled the entire fence line and then sat in the middle of the yard facing out…pulling security. Simply unbelievable.

            • rhc on August 8, 2015 at 3:31 PM

            IMO there is nothing more magnificent than watching an alert GS doing there thing. Guarding their pack is what I believe God created this fantastic creature’s role. As I have said before, they don’t have to “attack” trained, it just comes naturally.

            • PJ on August 8, 2015 at 7:02 PM
              Author

            Agreed. Hair up, trotting around the yard with alert head and eyes. Really is great to watch.

    • Paul on August 7, 2015 at 6:51 AM
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    Pj
    Unfortunately I live in a unfriendly gun state (NY). Soooo we always take the Loki girl with us on walks( half pit /half cane corsu). No troubles at all when we her along

      • NRP on August 7, 2015 at 11:39 AM
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      Move, soon.

        • Paul on August 7, 2015 at 5:44 PM
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        Can’t ……family..business ect, ect

    • Paul on August 7, 2015 at 5:45 PM
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    But…… My 120 pound dog makes us feel a little better

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