If you’ve carried a firearm for any length of time, you’ve likely experienced the shift in your behavior, awareness, and focus when you are out and about in public. I like to refer to this as the “Protector Mindset”.
Prior to carrying a firearm, I would go throughout my day semi-oblivious to the world around me. Don’t get me wrong, I was better than the average cell phone zombie, but I didn’t have a reason to be vigilant and aware. When I started strapping a 9mm to my hip, I recognized that carrying a firearm every day comes with immense responsibility. You have the ability to protect, but you must be sure not to harm.
What do I mean by this?
Imagine you are going through your day, you have your CCW on you, and someone cuts you off in traffic. You react poorly, get upset, flip them the finger, this escalates, and they get out of their vehicle. You then find yourself being confronted by road rage, where this encounter could turn violent in an instant.
If that violence occurs and you draw down on someone, you have now unnecessarily put yourself in a situation that could have been completely avoided. You might end up in a shouting match. You might go to jail. You could end up dead. Nothing good can come from it.
The old superhero adage rings true here: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Keeping in Mind
Every day I clip a holstered pistol into my belt, I am reminded of that responsibility — the responsibility to be aware of my actions and my surroundings. I am empowering myself and my family to not be victims of circumstance or the actions of others. I am also acutely aware that drawing that pistol is my absolute last resort. If I am vigilant, I should see signs of trouble before they present a threat to me or my family.
This isn’t some magical foresight but a commitment to situational awareness, and sound decision-making. Let’s break down some basic situational awareness practices for every day.
Let’s say we are headed to a coffee shop. As you pull into a parking space, check to your left and right, and make sure there isn’t some shady vehicle with the engine running right next to you. As I open my door to exit, I hit the lock button on my door. This ensures that my vehicle is locked when I close the door. It also prevents someone from opening my passenger door as I am exiting. Also, if I needed to quickly close my door, it cannot be opened from the outside.
As I am walking towards the coffee shop, I am aware. I’m not on my phone. This allows me to see vehicles coming and going, as well as other people near.
As you head into the coffee shop you can do a quick sweep of the interior, gaining insight into the patrons, the layout, exits, etc. You order, and while you wait you can situate yourself with your back to the counter so that you can face the entrance. Now you have awareness of the people seated as well as anyone entering.
As you head out, you keep the same heads-up awareness on the way back to your vehicle. Again, keeping an eye on the vehicles to your left and right, you hop into your vehicle and you’re on your merry way.
Some of you may think this is overkill, paranoia, etc. The reality is, this is a pretty normal way of going through life prior to the advent of smartphones — albeit with a bit more vigilance towards potential danger.
With this method of situational awareness, here are the things you could have seen coming and or encountered in the above situation — rather than being caught unaware: A vehicle backing into your path, another person who may need assistance, a potential threat from a violent individual, an escalation within the shop, a possible robbery, etc. The potentialities are endless.
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Being aware of your surroundings can enable you to defend yourself if you must, or head the other way if you feel there may be a bad situation ahead. You’re most important priority should be your and your family’s safety.
Some Thoughts
What are some key takeaways for the Protector Mindset?
Practice being cool-headed. If you are not easily shaken, you can help avoid the escalation of violence. Be the first to shrug it off, swallow your pride and move on.
Keep your phone in your pocket. If you are out in public, you should have a heads-up mentality so that you are aware of your surroundings. I picked up a smartwatch so that I could, at a glance, see if a call or message needed my direct attention or response without getting lost in my smartphone.
Prepare for whatever level of emergency you see yourself possibly encountering in your daily routine. Have items on your person or in your vehicle such as a water bottle, med kit, jumper cables, knife, cell phone charger, extra cash, snack, change of clothes, hiking shoes, etc.
War game scenarios that you are likely to encounter in your head ahead of time. Create a plan with the family, and let others know your plan and how they fit in. The idea here is to not be caught off-guard and respond with inaction. Take the time to think through how you would react in a given situation, and play that through over and over to create a good neural pathway of learning.
Tagging onto the last topic, get out and train. Find a good instructor and have them assist with your training and planning. They can get you to a level of training and preparedness much faster than you could on your own.
I was raised with a vigilant protector father who always made sure we were safe; the family was prepared, and we understood the importance of action. Taking that foundation, I trained many hours with Rob Orgel from ER Tactical to gain the confidence and competence for safely carrying a firearm every day while developing the Protector Mindset.
Proper Tools
The very first time you carry a firearm for protection, you should feel something different. It should make you realize the weight and responsibility of your actions (or inactions). Training at the range on your own and with an instructor will help get you to the point where you feel competent and confident in your skills as well as your decision-making. Start at whatever level you are comfortable with and get yourself up to speed at your pace.
Furthermore, make decisions based on what is best for you. The internet keyboard warriors and trolls will have their own ideas on what you should carry, how and where. Your firearm, holster and carry position will be based on many personal factors. The important thing is that you find what works for you and carry every day. There is no sense in trying to convince yourself that your full-size pistol, weapon light and appendix rig with extra mag will get easier to carry while you hesitate to wear it because it’s not working for you. Pick what does.
For me, it’s a balance of size and comfort. What can I mostly conceal while still being comfortable all day, and do I feel confident with that pistol? The Hellcat Pro fits that bill perfectly with a Tulster Oath holster. I can run the Oath at my 3:30 position, and the “wing” or “claw” on the holster pulls the grip of the pistol into my waistline keeping it very concealed. I can get a full grip on the Hellcat Pro and confidently make accurate hits out to 40 yards. With a capacity of 15+1 rounds in the flush-fitting magazine, I’m comfortable with that being more than enough to address a threat.
Conclusion
Whatever you choose, make sure that you are continually carrying and improving not only your skills with your pistol, but your mindset. Are you the type of person that can handle the responsibility of carrying a gun, and avoid any unnecessary dangers or risks? Be aware. Remain vigilant. Stay safe.
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