Back in 96 when I had my chl, situational awarness I believed saved me and my wife from a really bad situation. It was a week before Christmas and we had been shopping all day, we had stopped at NE Mall to finish our shopping and had grabbed something to eat in the food court, as we are sitting there eating I notice three males in the 19 to 25yo age group walking around what looks like aimlessly, being a life long hunter and student of the wilderness these three exude predatory behavior, they are trouble looking for a place to happen! Told my wife finish eating now or take it with you, we are leaving! She ask why I told those three are up to no good. We get up and start for the doors and they start our direction, I told her head for the van, no matter what happens go to the van get in and lock it! We had to cross three line of cars to get to where we parked, when they followed us past the first line of cars told my wife do not wait for me, if this turns bad go to my mom and dads and tell my dad i'm in the Hurst jail, we crossed the second line of cars and I uncovered my pistol, by the time we reached the third line of cars near where we had parked they had stopped at the second line of cars and were engaged in a "what do we do Now" conversation. I guess the smartest of three convinced the other two to go back in the mall, we then left, but it was their behavior that got my attention first like coyotes or wolves on the prowl really stuck out to me!texasmr2 wrote:Excellent question and I am glad you keep aware. I think if one is aware reflections are almost natural if not a learned habit. I think I learned my "aware of my surroundings" habit from growing up a hunter. I found this trait to also be very helpful when I became a police officer, my first two calls were domestic violence related so this trait/habit was very helpful.Lynyrd wrote:I couldn't find another topic on this, other than a passing word or two in response to other threads. So, I would like to ask the forum members a question. First, let me offer some background.
I was having a conversation the other day with someone who is interested in getting their LTC. I answered their questions as best I could, and noticed that another person nearby was listening intently also. After a while the conversation turned from the process of getting the license to practical matters of every day carry, like holster types, position, situational awareness, etc. During the conversation, I mentioned that I am in the habit of checking reflections in the glass doors on the coolers inside of a convenience store, windows of vehicles at the gas pump, and so on.
The person nearby then put in their two cents worth and said, "I would hate to go through life being so scared that I looked for reflections in the glass to see who was behind me."
I tried to explain to them that I wasn't "scared" at all. I was just being aware of my surroundings, but they didn't buy it and walked off. The guy interested in getting his LTC gave them a scornful look as they walked away, and picked the conversation right back up.
So here is my question to the group. Am I at least a little bit over the top by checking the reflection in the glass every time I walk up to the drink coolers in a store? Or, am I just carrying responsibly?
And a foot note. The young man I was talking to has now taken his course, and submitted his documents. He has now been waiting a few weeks to get his license. Interestingly, the LTC course was given at his church.
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- Mon Sep 26, 2016 10:08 am
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: Do you check reflections?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 8972