I am considering taking the CCW course, and I was wondering if anyone on this website who has their CCW, actually been in a situation where they were justified to use it?(This is not me asking if people have shot anyone), I am just wondering how many people have actually been in a sticky situation where it could of made a difference in the outcome.
Ccw situations
- Thread starter cmazz
- Start date
KingEdward
New member
Yes. I was beside my truck one night pumping gas (had paid in advance inside). Two guys (late teens/early twenties) were "at my truck" before I realized it. I was on the passenger's side and my CCW was inside just under the seat edge.
I immediately opened the door and loosened it from the holster. both guys were walking around the tailgate when I said, hey you're close enough.
They paused and asked for some money to which I replied no.
Then one who was the leader hit the top of the tailgate with his hand and raised his voice saying "we are not kidding", give us some money.
I lowered my voice and said move away from my truck slowly and there will not be any trouble here.
They moved away and walked up the road. They never saw the CCW but reading between the lines, they knew it was there.
I immediately opened the door and loosened it from the holster. both guys were walking around the tailgate when I said, hey you're close enough.
They paused and asked for some money to which I replied no.
Then one who was the leader hit the top of the tailgate with his hand and raised his voice saying "we are not kidding", give us some money.
I lowered my voice and said move away from my truck slowly and there will not be any trouble here.
They moved away and walked up the road. They never saw the CCW but reading between the lines, they knew it was there.
KingEdward
New member
i made two mistakes that night after having had my permit for about a month:
1) it was in the vehicle and not on my person and
2) my situational awareness was not what is should have been because I saw the two guys prior in the market and a little flag went up but then walking out to the truck, I was day dreaming and forgot them, until they were very close.
Now, when I carry, it is on me. Period.
Needless to say, my situational awareness has improved and this is something that needs practice just like shooting at the range.
On the street, even in the "good" areas, I stay in condition yellow.
1) it was in the vehicle and not on my person and
2) my situational awareness was not what is should have been because I saw the two guys prior in the market and a little flag went up but then walking out to the truck, I was day dreaming and forgot them, until they were very close.
Now, when I carry, it is on me. Period.
Needless to say, my situational awareness has improved and this is something that needs practice just like shooting at the range.
On the street, even in the "good" areas, I stay in condition yellow.
I think I am correct.
FBI stats suggest the average American chances of being involved in a violent crime are only once in his/her lifetime.
Obviously if you live in a high crime area or in a remote rural area these stats may not be correct for you.
The times a weapon are needed may be few but if you are unarmed all you can do is beg for mercy--
Do you want to beg some scumbag for mercy or be his next victim??
I think it's far easier to carry and fend off evil if it finds you.
FBI stats suggest the average American chances of being involved in a violent crime are only once in his/her lifetime.
Obviously if you live in a high crime area or in a remote rural area these stats may not be correct for you.
The times a weapon are needed may be few but if you are unarmed all you can do is beg for mercy--
Do you want to beg some scumbag for mercy or be his next victim??
I think it's far easier to carry and fend off evil if it finds you.
redstategunnut
New member
One time shortly after I got my carry permit I was walking alone at night after dark in the downtown area on a bridge over the river. I was walking from the populated downtown area to the relatively unpopulated area mostly used for parking and industrial uses with a few homeless encampments on the river bank. I was in a suit and obviously on my way to a car in the nearly vacant lot. Two apparently homeless men were walking from the other side of the river toward the office side from whence I had come. Other than quickly passing cars, there was no one else around. I had an uneasy feeling as we passed each other. After we crossed paths, I looked over my shoulder and saw that the two men had turned and begun to follow me. I stopped, turned, and like some gunfighter in a western cleared my overcoat, exposing my holstered weapon. They looked at me, looked at the gun in the holster, looked at each other, and turned on their heels, continuing wherever they were going before apparently contemplating a crime against me.
During 20 years of adult life in California I carried knives daily and was damned glad three times:
* Once on a mugger with a wrench, who ran away.
* Once on a pair of large dogs attacking a guy, drove 'em off.
* Once saved a man's life who was being literally beaten to death, by four lunatics - two armed with claw hammers, one of those visibly dripping blood from the victim (who lived and thanked me later at the DA's office meeting where I was a witness).
As an AZ resident I pack a 357 daily. Haven't had to use it, and odds are based on prior experience, if I do might very well be in defense of another. As I don't drink and don't have an anger management problem personally, I'm confident it will go alright if I do have to draw.
Better to have it and not need it...
Oh yeah: I also believe packing a BIG gun with an element of "scary factor" is going to reduce your odds of actually having to fire. It's not about bluff, it's about the threat vanishing before you can even shoot.
* Once on a mugger with a wrench, who ran away.
* Once on a pair of large dogs attacking a guy, drove 'em off.
* Once saved a man's life who was being literally beaten to death, by four lunatics - two armed with claw hammers, one of those visibly dripping blood from the victim (who lived and thanked me later at the DA's office meeting where I was a witness).
As an AZ resident I pack a 357 daily. Haven't had to use it, and odds are based on prior experience, if I do might very well be in defense of another. As I don't drink and don't have an anger management problem personally, I'm confident it will go alright if I do have to draw.
Better to have it and not need it...
Oh yeah: I also believe packing a BIG gun with an element of "scary factor" is going to reduce your odds of actually having to fire. It's not about bluff, it's about the threat vanishing before you can even shoot.
Dangerous people, places, and things are your variables for bad situations and/or bad things to happen. YES... there are times like schools, malls, and other public places where things can go wrong, but not likely.
Example... high crime high drug area compared to your local school or mall.
As a retire officer in a big city, i never had to shoot, drew my weapon often, but never shot. I've taking my weapon out of the holster, pointing to the ground at my side without actually pointing at someone, due to tense situations or a elevated level of readiness, many times.
Example... high crime high drug area compared to your local school or mall.
As a retire officer in a big city, i never had to shoot, drew my weapon often, but never shot. I've taking my weapon out of the holster, pointing to the ground at my side without actually pointing at someone, due to tense situations or a elevated level of readiness, many times.
First, get used to saying "CHL" and not CCW here in Ohio! 
Next, I have no idea where in Ohio you are located, but if you are anywhere near Dayton/Springfield or can get out that way, you might consider these guys:
http://www.safeccw.com/
That's where I went. Reasons I went with them:
1) They offer a one-day, 12 hour 8am to 8pm course. No 3 weeknights, no entire damn weekend, no crap. Just use up one Saturday and that's it.
2) Free woman student with any paid student. This is a great deal. If you have a wife or girlfriend or sister or mother or neighbor or sister in law or whoever, one female student is able to attend free with any single paid tuition. This is good on the wallet, and it's good for Ohio. The more people who get permits, the more gun owners and VOTERS in Ohio. The more women who learn to shoot and carry, the more crimes against women get the bad guys shot or killed or caught, which means less bad guys attacking women. Hopefully, one bad guy that attacks women gets ventilated and other bad guys take notice and quit attacking women.
When I went, I went with my buddy. His wife came and I used my free female to bring HIS mom. My wife isn't interested.
Still, though, great deal.
3) $100. That's a decent rate, cheaper than many. I don't know if it's cheaper than anyone, but if you bring a woman, that's kinda like $50 each. That's outrageous!
4) They offer a packet with all the goods for the Florida permit as well, which is very nice. I got mine. Takes forever, but adding the Florida permit takes your ability from 18 states in the U.S. to 33 states where you can legally carry concealed. FL permit is expensive ($112) and takes forever (months) but I'm very glad I have it. For Ohio folks, it's a good way to really expand where you can carry. It's not the only option, but it's a decent one.
So consider these guys if you do want to take the training.
And for everything else relating to Ohio CHL:
http://ohioccwforums.org/index.php
Next, I have no idea where in Ohio you are located, but if you are anywhere near Dayton/Springfield or can get out that way, you might consider these guys:
http://www.safeccw.com/
That's where I went. Reasons I went with them:
1) They offer a one-day, 12 hour 8am to 8pm course. No 3 weeknights, no entire damn weekend, no crap. Just use up one Saturday and that's it.
2) Free woman student with any paid student. This is a great deal. If you have a wife or girlfriend or sister or mother or neighbor or sister in law or whoever, one female student is able to attend free with any single paid tuition. This is good on the wallet, and it's good for Ohio. The more people who get permits, the more gun owners and VOTERS in Ohio. The more women who learn to shoot and carry, the more crimes against women get the bad guys shot or killed or caught, which means less bad guys attacking women. Hopefully, one bad guy that attacks women gets ventilated and other bad guys take notice and quit attacking women.
When I went, I went with my buddy. His wife came and I used my free female to bring HIS mom. My wife isn't interested.
Still, though, great deal.3) $100. That's a decent rate, cheaper than many. I don't know if it's cheaper than anyone, but if you bring a woman, that's kinda like $50 each. That's outrageous!
4) They offer a packet with all the goods for the Florida permit as well, which is very nice. I got mine. Takes forever, but adding the Florida permit takes your ability from 18 states in the U.S. to 33 states where you can legally carry concealed. FL permit is expensive ($112) and takes forever (months) but I'm very glad I have it. For Ohio folks, it's a good way to really expand where you can carry. It's not the only option, but it's a decent one.
So consider these guys if you do want to take the training.
And for everything else relating to Ohio CHL:
http://ohioccwforums.org/index.php
dabigguns357
New member
When i lived in Huntington,WV I was outside my car getting my new baby out when i was approached by 2 dogs barking and snarlling.I tried to shoe them but they just kept getting closer.I put Chris back in his car seat and closed the door.I stepped away to try and make it to my front steps and the gate but one of the dogs came at me so i drew and shot it in the shoulder.I called 911 and waited for them to arrest me for discharging my gun in city limits but they didn't nor did they press any other charges and i was even given my gun back.
Since then i have moved and live in the country but carry every day.
Since then i have moved and live in the country but carry every day.
I've never had to, and hope I never do. However, there was one time where I thought it got close:
I was sitting in a Safeway parking lot, on my Harley, waiting for a friend, when three rough-looking men in their 20's detoured off the sidewalk and walked towards me. One of them said "Hey, get off your bike and let me take it for a ride!"
It happened real fast. The sidewalk was only 20 feet or so from where I was parked, and once they changed directions, it wasn't obvious whether or not they were coming to me or going to the store.
I didn't draw, but loosened my leather jacket to make sure things were clear. I just glared at the three and said "Yeah... Right...."
They stood in front of me for a few seconds (LONG seconds), and then turned around and went back to the sidewalk and down the street.
I was sitting in a Safeway parking lot, on my Harley, waiting for a friend, when three rough-looking men in their 20's detoured off the sidewalk and walked towards me. One of them said "Hey, get off your bike and let me take it for a ride!"
It happened real fast. The sidewalk was only 20 feet or so from where I was parked, and once they changed directions, it wasn't obvious whether or not they were coming to me or going to the store.
I didn't draw, but loosened my leather jacket to make sure things were clear. I just glared at the three and said "Yeah... Right...."
They stood in front of me for a few seconds (LONG seconds), and then turned around and went back to the sidewalk and down the street.
ithinkyoubrokeit
Inactive
Luckily I haven't had to, but there was one time where I thought I was going to have to.
I was walking down the street late at night with my brother and his girlfriend. Some guy approached us. He looked like he might have been drunk or high, and possibly homeless. He asked for change for the bus, and I gave him a couple quarters that were in my pocket. He said something along the lines of "you know what i got? i'll show you what i got in my pocket, hold on i'll show you what i got..."
Obviously, at this point, my brother and I both enter heightened security mode. I have my hand at my hip, ready to draw, and my brother is ready to draw his weapon as well.
Then, the man pulls his hand out of his pocket to reveal about 17c in change, and some lint. "This is all i got", he says, blissfully unaware of how prepared we were to protect ourselves from him. I gave him another dollar, and he asked where the nearest bus stop was. I pointed in it's direction. We walked away, while paying as close attention to him as we could. It appeared he might have been following us, until he turned at the very next cross street.
I was walking down the street late at night with my brother and his girlfriend. Some guy approached us. He looked like he might have been drunk or high, and possibly homeless. He asked for change for the bus, and I gave him a couple quarters that were in my pocket. He said something along the lines of "you know what i got? i'll show you what i got in my pocket, hold on i'll show you what i got..."
Obviously, at this point, my brother and I both enter heightened security mode. I have my hand at my hip, ready to draw, and my brother is ready to draw his weapon as well.
Then, the man pulls his hand out of his pocket to reveal about 17c in change, and some lint. "This is all i got", he says, blissfully unaware of how prepared we were to protect ourselves from him. I gave him another dollar, and he asked where the nearest bus stop was. I pointed in it's direction. We walked away, while paying as close attention to him as we could. It appeared he might have been following us, until he turned at the very next cross street.
I have never needed to pull my gun. There have been a few times where I thought I might but I either left the area or diffused the situation by other means.
But--given the way things are and the fact that I'm getting older (58) I'm darned glad I have my CCP and I utilize it every day
But--given the way things are and the fact that I'm getting older (58) I'm darned glad I have my CCP and I utilize it every day