Titansfan

I will be taking a trip to St. Louis, beginning this Sunday and like most trips, I only carry a handgun.  Being that the George Zimmerman trial is in the defense phase, there could be a chance that the jury decision could occur while I am out of town with my family. I do recall the 1992 LA Riots and I won't be the next Reginald Denny.   Have thought about taking the AR-15, which by taking two bolts out, the rifle can be stored in a suitcase.  (During my 2003 Iraq deployment, when I went on supply runs from Iraq to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, we broken down the M-16's and locked the weapons on in a box of a trailer in the motorpool.  We didn't want to deal with the hassle of securing our weapons with battalion, since we didn't want them to know we were there).  Backl to the subject, what I may end up doing is taking extra magazines for my Glock and take another handgun with us and more ammo.

confidence,   glad your OC mission went well.  Having kids in tow does change the appearences.    I once stopped in Lowe's in Paris for a pit stop.  While in the restroom, someone came in with an OC Glock.  We chatted for a bit, during which, I saw his badge, TBI bombsquad, he talked about guns/carry, positive conversation.

Home invasions are on the rise and often not reported or under-mentioned by the media.  Speaking to a local deputy, he said home invasions are has usual at burglaries.   If I could have 100% my way, $$$ or lack there of and complaining wife, I would have a handgun hidden in about every room in the house.    I have been working Juvenile Justice for Dept. of Children's  for nearly 18 years and only have a couple of clients that had a home invasion type charges.  If I recall, the victims were mental retarded types, thus were easy targets.   Home invasions are more brazen and like one pointed out, are sometimes required to join a street gang.  I have observed in some cases, the home invasion is to intimidate the occupiers of the home and not as much as stealing items.  I guess for the invaders; it's a rush.   I have observed that kids involved in burglaries have Alcohol and Drug issues and items taken are not for their wants to but see to pay off drug dealers or purchase more drugs.  It has been mentioned to me more than one from a parent of an burglar offender that he was friends or associate homeowner's children.  Burglars study the target, gather the routines and in many cases have been in the home (invited) prior to the breakin.  I would assume would hold true to home invasions, knowledge fo the routines of people in the home, locations of weapons and valuables.

99% of the time, I carry CC but have been 'spotted' at least once that I know of.  Inside a Dollar General, lady across the aisle giving me a hard look....I looked back.  That is about the only negative feedback that I can think off.    When on group geocaching runs, been asked that I do carry and often a discussion will come up of how they can get a permit and what gun to carry.    Other times, if I have been spotted, no one every said anything or any body language that brought attention to me.    Once, inside a grocery store, I was checking out, a runaway shopping cart ran into me, the obvious metal vs. metal sound was heard.  Looked around and no one appeared to have noticed. 

I attended the SOAR program at UT Martin last week.  Guns and archery equipment can be stored at the campus police station, fishing gear can be kept in the dorm. 

I have been geocaching for over 8 years and traditionally carry a 9mm, started out with a Kel-Tec, but now a Glock 17.  My game takes me to all kinds of locations and have hiked several trails and bushwacked where there were no trails.  As for potentionally aggressive animals, I have never had to draw and fire.  I keep my eye out and avoid the situation when it arises.  I have had an number of deer snort at me and have had a face to face encounter with a rattlesnake near Energy Lake of the LBL.    The reason I do carry when geocaching is not for the 4-legged or slithering type of varmits, but the potential of a run in with a 2-legged type.  Geocaching on the Clark River in Murray, KY and a trail along the Stones River, I have run across a homeless shelter site. 

And people ask why I call the state "People's Republic of Kalifornia"

Zombie go-to weapons in a "Walking Dead" scenrio:   I would look at the matter in two views:  In a compound that "should" be secure and when out on patrol/resource gathering,   Always on me weapons:  Folding spring-assist knife on belt Non-folding knife in sheath. Maybe even an additional boot knife, but I typically wear tennis shoes.   Semi-auto handgun ( I am partial to the Glock 17, using 9mm) 17 round magazine, police type magazine carriers for 2 extra magazines.   Inside compound, stationary guard position (standing watch for you Navy/Marine types)   Hopefully, there would be a crew served weapon such as M-2 .50 caliber, SAW or M-60 machine guns.  Would also want an AR-15 with basic load of ammo.  Also, a tactical style shotgun.   Roving Guard:  See above Always on me weapons:, AR-15 with basic load ammo.  Depending on distance of mission, how my knee and back feel, add a tactical shotgun     Long distance patrol/resource gathering with vehicle:  Crew mounted weapon, if available,  Weapons of Roving Guard:  double the ammo load, pack with at least 3 days food and water.   Additional:  Learn to use crossbow and other types of archery equipment.    Compound defense:  Weapons and barriers used during Middle Ages, such as barricades, zombies too dumb to figure out how to go around.  A pike, every guard post, corner and door as last resort melee weapon.               

Watched the video a few times.  Seconds before the robber came around the corner, a 2-door car pulls up and appears to stop just the other side of the corner.  My guess is the shop owner was aware the car stopped and a car door opened.  Shop owner put hiis handside the window, could not tell if it were a gun, but diffentialy, he noticed something was not right.    It does go to show that when something goes down, it can be very quick.

For those interested, AMC has produced two sets of webisodes of Walking Dead that can be found on You Tube.  One has the setting that TSHTF the first day or so.  Second setting is about a week or so into the zombie era.

99.9% of the time, I conceal & carry.  On my own property, I would be comfortable to open carry.  I did have the practice to Open carry at gas pumps late in the evening, but decided to change that practice.   As Glock30  mentioned, opening doors, etc, being polite is very useful.  How often would a thug be kind to open the door for a little ol' lady and then rob the place?    Very few non-carry people even notice us carrying a gun, but it only takes that one $$hole and politeness will go south.

confidence, well written post.   I've seen one video of a SWAT house search which was on this forum.  I could not confirm if this was house to house search or the house had people who had assocations with the alleged bombers?   House to house?  We can recall in grade school when school staff were looking for contraband, students or just the boys are lined up to empty pockets.  Ones at the end of the line observe what's going on and ditch the contraband before it's their turn.  Same would apply with house searches.  Neighbors would look out the windows, see SWAT/Police and make efforts to conceal contraband (Oh crap, better get those movies from Frostwire off my computer!)   Ok, house to house search, knock knock, POLICE!!!, I open the door with AR-15 in low ready....... what then???

Having completed the entire series through Season 3 and re-watched Episode one of Season one, I have a better understanding.   Group retired back to the prison taking in the Woodbury folks that did not attack the prison, going against Rick's view of taking in others (tired of seeing people die, not trusting others, etc), I figure he'll let up on those two outlooks.   Repairing the fences will again produce the 3 outside layer walker defence.  While good against straggling walkers, a horde such was the one that hit the farm, fences won't hold.  Cell Block C, will withstand the horde, but what then?   Observed the defenses that Morgan set up in King County, it resembled an old art of defences long before advent of firearms, using spears, etc.  The big cable holders ( big wooden things that spool wire) impale walkers, but won't stop a horde since they will trample those walkers impaled.  However, those spears anchored down, may stop a horde and at the least slow down the horde.  Windchime thing that the Gov. had at the pit, draw walkers to the pit for his pleasure.  Something like that with spears around it, away from the prison to draw the staggler walkers, from time to time, visit the windchime locations kill the implaled walkers.   Watched final part of last episde twice, left over Woodbury residents brought to the prison.  Prison is better secured and Rick  and Co. know the layout.  Woodbury, false sense of security, Gov and his 2 at large henchmen know the layout of Woodbury.    While most anyone can be used for base/home defense, not all are useful for patrolling/gathering resources.   I count:  Rick, Glenn, Daryl, Maggie, Michone, Carl, Tyrnese, Sasha, and the girl that survived the Gov. massacre.  That leaves 9.  Gathering of supplies/patrolling, would have to go out in numbers since Gov. and 2 henchmen are still at large and ruthless. 

"Man, Walmarts are already loaded with zombies.  Imagine what it would be like to have to go in there with the lights out!"   I did observe that scrounging for rescourses, groups stayed away from the major shopping areas and previous poster is correct, Wal-Mart will be filled with zombies, in hair curlers and pajammas, much like what we see in real life.    Now, that I have completed watching the third season and went back to first episode of Season one, I will come up with another view.  

Have not heard anyhing about it.  If I am correct, ratification of a treaty requires 3/4 of the Senate.

Just recently began watching the series, went to Frostwire and downloaded all of Season 1, 2 and parts of 3.  I have seen the final three episodes of Season 3.  Still watching first half of Season 3 to see the charactor development.  Won't dwell too much on the drama parts, since it was noted that if the show was 100% of the survivalist view, it would be boring.  I fast-forward the parts when Lori talked, I found her to be 100% useless.    Do have some point/questions to bring up:   Season One:  First campsite is compromised, time to move on, they go to the CDC in Atlanta.  OK..... all in the group, including Rick that Atlanta was a horde of walkers.  Later episode there is a section where US Army Apache gunship light up Atlanta.  They go anyway.  Get to the CDC, leave the vehicles, 1/2 are not carrying a weapon???  I tend to be a little old-fashion and feel fighting is a man's work, but in this enviornment there is no time for that.  Contrary to Joe Biden, an AR-15 or M-4 (plenty of M-4's lying around the outside of the CDC) is not hard to use and a women with a trigger finger can operate the weapon.   Season Two:  Prior to the farm, group attempts to get to Ft. Benning on I-85.  Most of us know that Interstates are controlled access.  I've been on I-40 and will run up on a traffic jam due to a wreck in the most rural areas and there is no where to go.  Convoy is stopped, but old guy with rifle on top of the RV doesn't see the heard of walkers until the walkers are nearly on top of the group.  The farm.  Nice place but felt something odd that defenses were not placed.  At the first campsite near the quarry, Shane streches out stings with cans to alert guards of something out there in the dark.  Farm have plenty of barbed wire and I am sure more wire could be obtained at farm supply store since I dought barbed wire would be looted.  Stretch the wire, 6 inches of so off the ground.  Walkers are very clumsy, while it won;t stop them, it will slow down a herd.  At the school yard where Rick and Shane attempted to drop off the kid Randel and two uniformed walkers appear with Glocks in holsters.  They had no bite marks but realized later they died from other than walker attack and reason why they had their guns and didn't go down fighting.   Season three, I have just begun that Season and can see the psycho in the Gov.  Taking out the National Guard soldiers?  Sure they would have weapons but if they have been on the road, fighting off walkers, they would not have a lot of ammo.      Resources:  At first I wondered why the scavenging parties would not first hit Wal-Mart, Costo, etc.  But during the at the farm story the sign on the drug store "Take what you want", it was apparents looting by many who were not walkers yet was already occuring.  Same would hold true to the gun/ammo stores.  State of Georgia has a 45-50% gun ownership rate, 1/2 the homes and maybe higher % in rural areas, guns and ammo would be in the house.  However, those weapons would have gone with the people going to the initial refugee camps.  Hmmm, there could be weapons in cars on the Interstates.   Gasoline:  Doing some reading on the Internet, gas has a shelf life of around 18 months.  Show doesn't factor that in, but fuel stabliziers can extend that shelf life and don't think looters would bother with bottles of stablizler.   Food:  One of the biggest problems, prison appears to have some food, but when Rick's group arrived at the prison, they had already scrounged miles around the area and came up with dog food prior to finding the prison.  Prison has ample space and ground for a garden, but know with the influx of Woodbury people, more mouths to feed.   Ammo:  Maybe the biggest problem.  As we all know on this board, a bullet shot is a bullet gone.  Shelf life is not a concern but unless they find a reliable source, it will run out.  Can the prison stand against a horde like that of the farm?

Fighting on Iwo Jima and Okinawa proved that the Japanese would fight almost to the last man.  Atomic bombing was necessary and my reflection, not only did it save American lives, it saved Japanese lives as well.

A previous comment stated that few notice OC and very few will notice CC.  Was at a grocery store check out and lanes are narrow.  In process of getting ready to pay for my items, a shopping cart hits me in the back.  The very familiar sound of metal against metal was very apparent.  Looked around and no one appeared to have noticed.  Have concluded that situational awarness of non-carrying people is that they are not aware the least bit of their surroundings.

I watched the video, were all the houses on the block searched?  Or just this one?  I did observe that the occupants (several of them) were close in age.  College roommates?  I will guess this was a solo house that was knocked on and searched and that by this time, the police had a lead on the names of the bombers and were 'visiting' locations were the brothers hanged out?     Did year on the radio last week that some areas of Boston, stores were asked to remain closed, no public transportation and local gov't asked everyone to stay home.  Me, yes, I would stay home.  Lock the vehicles, lock doors, etc.  But unlike  college students?? in the video, I would answer the door with a Glock 17 holstered on my hip, a Saiga .308 slinged, oldest daughter with an AK-47, wife with an AR-15 and youngest daughter with a Ruger 10/22.  

Yes, this vote is a win but like others have pointed out, this fight is not over.    What I am concerned, what can Obama do as an Executive Order?

I called Sen. Corker's office, I could hear the phones ringing off the wall, I expressed my disappointment and a staffer told me that the vote was only to bring the matter to the floor and that Sen.Corker would vote against it............guess we will see.

Last night I took the Intermediate Handgun class at Range USA in Jackson, TN.  One of the best firearms instuctions I have ever had and highly recommend others take the course.   After making slight adjustments to my hold, grip and changing my stance, my shot patters improved by 50% or better.  Towards the end we got into combat tactics of reloads and clearing malfunctions.    I was extremely impressed with the class and look forward to returning to the range for further instruction.

Hitler spelled out his intentions in 'Mein Kampf"   Stalin didn't get the copy.

A corner camper who wanted to be a somebody.  Goes out a nobody.

I left a post on Facebook on the page of my former National Guard company, I am retired now and don't see myself going out of town for a week at a time.   I mentioned on the post, that leaving for Annual Training or Deployment, would require gun-owning soldiers to 'transfer' there weapons to their spouse or signfiicant other.  Then upon return, go through the 'transfer' process again.  I got to thinking about that more...... it would require of wife and I taking a day off from work,  hauling the guns (for me 13 of them) to a gun shop or pawn shop, go through the process and do it again upon return.  If transfers are $25 (don't quote me on that), costs could be $325 each time.  I also pointed out on the post, what if during AT or Deployment, you and significant other split.  The one who had the weapons, that used to belong to you, can legally sell  or pawn all the guns.