"The CCW DOES NOT make you some sort of 'Law Enforcement' anything in any sense whatever. Get that notion out of your head, right here, right now."
Absolutely right. Don't overstep your bounds as a civilian, let LE do their job.
A "weapon" is what you have when YOUR "primary mission" (e.g. you're on the payroll or active duty) is strategic defense of the nation or the protection, service, and preservation of law and order in the community.
Are you saying a firearm in the hands of anyone besides active duty military or law enforcement is not a weapon? Are you serious? Webster defines a weapon as an "Instrument used in fighting or hunting". I define it as anything that be used to intentionally cause bodily harm to another. Rock, pencile, firearm, ICBM, etc. If a firearm is not a weapon, what is it?
The "tactical tool belt" . . . what do you carry? C'mon here. I don't need a shelter-half, poncho, mess kit, entrenching tool, and Alice pack to get into the Subaru and run down to the corner grocery for a short-case and chips. We're NOT living in a war zone, and running to the store is NOT a tactical manoeuvre.
Please realize that many of the members here do not reside within the United States. Many are from countries where they very well may be in a war zone. And in some neighborhoods, running to the store IS a tactical maneuver. Everywhere I go, anything I do, I think about it with a tactical mind. And yes, that's on duty and off for me. There's nothing wrong with that, it's called being prepared, having a plan, expecting the unexpected, etc.
I don't sleep with my "weapon" under my pillow. I didn't sleep with my weapon under my pillow when I was on active duty and in a war zone. I did park my weapon outside the showers while I was in the same war zone. It was within arm's reach while sitting on the commode.
Very good. Anyone who sleeps with a weapon under their pillow is asking to have an accident. I always suggest keeping the weapon just out of reach from the bed. That prevents all sorts of bad things. Only question is what kind of weapon did you have that you had to "park"?!
But we're not in a war zone now. This is civilization, and you're probably not going to run over an IED while on your way to the grocery in your Subaru to get chips and a brewski.
Already answered, but I drive a Jeep and I don't drink beer.
It's 1:00 PM. It's not 1300 HRS.
It's December 18, 2008, not 18 Dec. '08.
I got news for you, 1:00 PM is indeed 1300 HRS. 18 Dec 08 is indeed December 18, 2008. The only difference is how people say/write/type it. It's all a matter of personal preference. I don't recall reading any forum rules about time/date display. If it becomes confusing for you just subtract 12 from any time that has 13 or greater as the first two digits. Then add PM to it and you have your time.
Bug Out Bags are for bugs. Tinfoil hats are for wannabees with bug out bags.
Bug Out Bags are for anyone who may have to "bug out". That includes anyone who lives in an area where they may have to quickly evacuate because of tornadoes, fires, hurricanes, flash floods, ice storms, loss of electricity, sand storms, hostile invasion forces, etc. I think at least one of these would apply to just about everyone on the planet. If you're talking about the actual Bug Out Bag, they are for anyone who wishes to pay $69.99 for them. Their sale is not restricted in the US.
I don't carry a "back-up weapon." Hell, I don't think I've carried a primary CCW in the past six months, despite having permits in two states. Six decades and I've never been mugged, hijacked, robbed, burgled . . . I've never found myself in a situation where I was wanting for "enough gun."
Congratulations on living in a nice town/neighborhood and/or being lucky for 60 years. Many are not so fortunate. I'm only 25 years old, I have been robbed, beat up, stabbed, and spit on. I've also been faced with deadly force three times in my life. I'm still here. Did I have a gun in those three situations? No, I did not. Do I wish I had been carrying? In 2/3 of those yes I do. It would have saved a lot of time and risk. Also, I would love to know where you got your crystal ball. I've been looking for one that is as accurate as yours must be to have so much confidence those things will never happen to you.
Eight rounds IS enough. If it's not, you're someplace you have no business being. I'm fine with five rounds.
Yes it is, until you are attacked by
nine or more people. Or you miss one or more times, or one round isn't enough to stop one or more of them. As for being someplace one has no business... My business takes me to many "bad places". Many other members here are in the same boat. I live in a bad neighborhood? Do I have no business to protect my home if faced by a threat where eight rounds is not enough? Eight rounds is enough... for your average threat. It is not enough for people who are minding their own business in a nice part of town and suddenly find themselves the target of a dozen or more angry rioting people. And oh yes, that has happened, does happen, and will happen again.
I don't "secure the perimter" or "shut down" before I head off to bed. And it's a "bed" -- not a "rack."
So you don't lock your doors and take a last look outside before you go to bed? You get to sleep in a bed, some do not. Some people might have nothing more than a "rack". Congratulations once again on your prosperous life and your nice neighborhood.
OK, yes . . . When I'm out "in the field" . . . camping, kayaking, hiking or whatever, I carry a defensive firearm. I generally have a long-gun for backup in the car. (And it's a "car" . . . not a "vehicle" or "POV.") If I have a knife, it's designed to cut and carve, not stab and slash.
That's nice. I'm sorry to hear your car lacks the means to transport or carry something. I'm also sorry to hear you do not own your car, that it's not your personal property. I'm also sorry to hear that you bought a very small and useless knife.
Bottom line here, LEO and active duty excepted: You're NOT in the military. You're not "on the force." And this ain't no war zone. Stand down for gawd's sake!
I got news for ya pal. When I'm in uniform, when I'm carrying my issued sidearm I guess I'm on this "force" that you speak of. When I'm in blue jeans and a t-shirt at Wal-Mart, or when I'm in my boxer briefs at home watching HBO, I am not. I have no more power or authority than any other civilian. Either way I have just as much right to defend my life, my loved ones, and my home from any threat that I feel potentially theatened by. I have never run across anyone on this thread who claimed to be in the military and was not.
Many of the terms you described above are used out of personal preference or they are used to more acurately and/or easily describe something. And why should they conform to your standards? Don't they have a left... oops I mean a right to say what they want, how they want... I think it comes right before that other right that seems to be a big hit on this sight.
You obviously have led, and expect to continue living a very safe, happy life in a completely crime-free area. Many of the members here, including myself do not have that luxury. What your personal situation calls for when it comes to firearms is never the same as someone else. I do fall under your "exception clause", except I don't want to. What gives me the right to say 1300 while others can not? I took an oath to defend some rights a while back. Since your a member of this forum I assume you're a fan of one of them, here's a hint. It's called the Second Amendment. Here's another hint... there's one right before it. It's called the First Amendment. Look it up.
There are countries out there that are indeed war zones. I'm willing to bet that out of 62,000 members there are some who reside in those countries. No, the United States is not a war zone. It is not because we have the legal right to carry whatever kind of weapon, and as many of them as we want. There are many neighborhoods inside the US that could very well be described as war zones. Don't believe me? Shreveport, LA. Go stand on the corner of Lakeshore and Jewella after the sun goes down. If you choose to do so, the chances of your five, or even eight bullets being enough are very very slim.
Thank you for your post, and for using that right that I'm afraid you are unaware of. There were some things I agreed with you on, and many I did not. I do hope that you live the rest of your days without regretting your ignorance.