WOD
Regular Member
Hello fellow gun and rights enthusiasts, I've been here as a member of OCDO for a short time. I have learned a lot from the time I began looking into legal handgun ownership. I've had handguns and shotguns and rifles in the past, so I'm not unfamiliar with guns, nor am I unfamiliar with the attacks on our rights and our gun rights, over the last few decades.
I am a Son Of Ohio, who transplanted here back in the early 80's, mostly living in King county. Being from Cleveland Ohio, there weren't any places in Seattle I was worried about going. But times have changed over the last three decades, both here and in Cleveland, haven't they? I no longer have the bad guys to think about, but over zealous and trigger happy employees of the SPD now, as well. I've been reading a lot of threads on OCDO, about how to handle a LEO stop, as well as our RCW's. I keep referencing my brochure that I was presented with, at the Lewis County courthouse, when I applied for my CC permit. My next step is to complete a NRA certified safety course, and then I can perhaps officially claim I know what I'm doing. But can I really?
Having grown up in, and around, a city where you can lose your life for a cigarette, situational awareness has been a key to my longevity. Also known as "street smarts", this is a mindset I utilize wherever I go. It's that 'spidey sense' or "inner voice' or 'intuition' that 'something is going down'. It's also very useful for avoiding tickets on the freeway, since I also developed it to keep away from LE as much as possible. I only bring this up, because I haven't seen a lot of discussion on this topic. Anyone who is from any large city East of the Mississippi River, knows what I'm talking about.
Whether I'm driving my car on the freeway in a city, or rural area, I'm watching my surroundings. Cars in other lanes, ahead and behind, who is in my mirrors, and who is a possible threat. Mr. I'm in a hurry zig-zag lane changer, or, Mrs. I'm on the phone completely oblivious lane changer, they both are threats I can identify with simple observation. What is on the side of the road? Deer, small animals, debris, stopped cars, road construction equipment.. you get the drift. All of this information is crucial to me, getting from point A to point B, without hitting anything. I utilize this same frame of mind here on the farm, in a small town, a large city, whether I am familiar with it or not. It has always been a benefit to me, wherever I may roam. Since I have experienced 'bad things' when I fail to practice this skill, I can attest that it usually does work for me, in every situation. If I'm not paying attention to my surroundings, I can not adequately address the risks, that are, or may be, present in my current environment. LEO's are trained to practice this, and are pretty good at it, because it will save their lives and it works!
Most of 'street smarts' or 'situational awareness' is basic common sense, but sometimes it needs further development. Since I am an armed citizen, I HAVE to maintain this mindset. Whether I'm carrying or not, I enter every situation as if I am unarmed, just like I drive as if I had no insurance. My safety is first and foremost, but a safe me can also be a safe someone else. Knowing ahead of time, who is where in my current surroundings, is one less thing I have to think about, if I am forced to draw my weapon. I take a quick look at everyone in my field of vision, in a 360 sweep, I don't stare at them, or make full eye contact, I just do a visual sweep. Lady with a stroller left, guy in store uniform next to her, bearded man in windbreaker w b-ball cap approaching, car pulling up behind me left side (audible input) moving closer - deserves a visual sweep (as it is a larger potential threat than what I've observed so far) quick look done granny looking for parking space, man with b-ball cap behind me now, another two younger people coming from behind me - more input needed.
You get the point right? If you think the criminals aren't doing this too, you're wrong. What they look for is, someone completely oblivious, completely defenseless, and isolated from others view. If you've seen the video of the person on their phone, who walks right up to a mall fountain, and falls in, completely oblivious, that's a TARGET for a criminal. She was so absorbed with what she was doing, she couldn't avoid a noticeable obstacle. She didn't SEE the environment she was in, she didn't HEAR the noise of the water, she didn't MAP the environment she was in. A perfect victim. People like this are my entertainment, a criminals choice target, and volunteers for embarrassment or harm. So, as an armed citizen I am responsible to maintain MY vigilance at all times that I carry. Mostly for my safety, but, also for everyones safety. The last thing I want to do, is injure an innocent party while defending myself or another. Situational awareness and mapping are crucial to me, and I hope everyone here, understands where I'm coming from. Stay sharp, stay safe, stay alive!
ABOUT ME:
I'm a Liberal, Progressive, Conservative....... Depends on the subject of discussion.
I'm not just a voter, I contact my congressional representatives and tell them my position on legislation proposals.
I DO participate in my Government, to protect EVERYONES Rights.
I no longer trust that either political party truly has OUR best interest in mind, I DO suggest we should be Americans first right now, not Democrats or Republicans or Libertarians, this nation is in a critical phase of development.
I do not trust in Agendas, - Left, Right, Corporate, Agency, - UNLESS they are to PROTECT OUR RIGHTS.
I DO suggest that the law should be applied to everyone equally, not just those with expensive lawyers.
I DO NOT have confidence that our current Government knows what they're doing, nor do I trust them.
I would love to see a day, when guns were just for sport, criminals were non-existent, there were no more wars or need for standing armies, and everyone had everything they needed to live in peace.
Now IS NOT that time, so I prepare myself.
I am a Son Of Ohio, who transplanted here back in the early 80's, mostly living in King county. Being from Cleveland Ohio, there weren't any places in Seattle I was worried about going. But times have changed over the last three decades, both here and in Cleveland, haven't they? I no longer have the bad guys to think about, but over zealous and trigger happy employees of the SPD now, as well. I've been reading a lot of threads on OCDO, about how to handle a LEO stop, as well as our RCW's. I keep referencing my brochure that I was presented with, at the Lewis County courthouse, when I applied for my CC permit. My next step is to complete a NRA certified safety course, and then I can perhaps officially claim I know what I'm doing. But can I really?
Having grown up in, and around, a city where you can lose your life for a cigarette, situational awareness has been a key to my longevity. Also known as "street smarts", this is a mindset I utilize wherever I go. It's that 'spidey sense' or "inner voice' or 'intuition' that 'something is going down'. It's also very useful for avoiding tickets on the freeway, since I also developed it to keep away from LE as much as possible. I only bring this up, because I haven't seen a lot of discussion on this topic. Anyone who is from any large city East of the Mississippi River, knows what I'm talking about.
Whether I'm driving my car on the freeway in a city, or rural area, I'm watching my surroundings. Cars in other lanes, ahead and behind, who is in my mirrors, and who is a possible threat. Mr. I'm in a hurry zig-zag lane changer, or, Mrs. I'm on the phone completely oblivious lane changer, they both are threats I can identify with simple observation. What is on the side of the road? Deer, small animals, debris, stopped cars, road construction equipment.. you get the drift. All of this information is crucial to me, getting from point A to point B, without hitting anything. I utilize this same frame of mind here on the farm, in a small town, a large city, whether I am familiar with it or not. It has always been a benefit to me, wherever I may roam. Since I have experienced 'bad things' when I fail to practice this skill, I can attest that it usually does work for me, in every situation. If I'm not paying attention to my surroundings, I can not adequately address the risks, that are, or may be, present in my current environment. LEO's are trained to practice this, and are pretty good at it, because it will save their lives and it works!
Most of 'street smarts' or 'situational awareness' is basic common sense, but sometimes it needs further development. Since I am an armed citizen, I HAVE to maintain this mindset. Whether I'm carrying or not, I enter every situation as if I am unarmed, just like I drive as if I had no insurance. My safety is first and foremost, but a safe me can also be a safe someone else. Knowing ahead of time, who is where in my current surroundings, is one less thing I have to think about, if I am forced to draw my weapon. I take a quick look at everyone in my field of vision, in a 360 sweep, I don't stare at them, or make full eye contact, I just do a visual sweep. Lady with a stroller left, guy in store uniform next to her, bearded man in windbreaker w b-ball cap approaching, car pulling up behind me left side (audible input) moving closer - deserves a visual sweep (as it is a larger potential threat than what I've observed so far) quick look done granny looking for parking space, man with b-ball cap behind me now, another two younger people coming from behind me - more input needed.
You get the point right? If you think the criminals aren't doing this too, you're wrong. What they look for is, someone completely oblivious, completely defenseless, and isolated from others view. If you've seen the video of the person on their phone, who walks right up to a mall fountain, and falls in, completely oblivious, that's a TARGET for a criminal. She was so absorbed with what she was doing, she couldn't avoid a noticeable obstacle. She didn't SEE the environment she was in, she didn't HEAR the noise of the water, she didn't MAP the environment she was in. A perfect victim. People like this are my entertainment, a criminals choice target, and volunteers for embarrassment or harm. So, as an armed citizen I am responsible to maintain MY vigilance at all times that I carry. Mostly for my safety, but, also for everyones safety. The last thing I want to do, is injure an innocent party while defending myself or another. Situational awareness and mapping are crucial to me, and I hope everyone here, understands where I'm coming from. Stay sharp, stay safe, stay alive!
ABOUT ME:
I'm a Liberal, Progressive, Conservative....... Depends on the subject of discussion.
I'm not just a voter, I contact my congressional representatives and tell them my position on legislation proposals.
I DO participate in my Government, to protect EVERYONES Rights.
I no longer trust that either political party truly has OUR best interest in mind, I DO suggest we should be Americans first right now, not Democrats or Republicans or Libertarians, this nation is in a critical phase of development.
I do not trust in Agendas, - Left, Right, Corporate, Agency, - UNLESS they are to PROTECT OUR RIGHTS.
I DO suggest that the law should be applied to everyone equally, not just those with expensive lawyers.
I DO NOT have confidence that our current Government knows what they're doing, nor do I trust them.
I would love to see a day, when guns were just for sport, criminals were non-existent, there were no more wars or need for standing armies, and everyone had everything they needed to live in peace.
Now IS NOT that time, so I prepare myself.