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Leveling the field
05-16-2015, 10:31 PM,
#1
Leveling the field
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#1
After a party in Chicago with my 3 month old daughter in my arms and my wife with me, three man accosted us as we were trying to get into our car, my wife got really nervous and could not open the car at which point I handed her my daughter and quickly opened the car reached under the driver seat, unsheathed a Rambo style knife just below the window and behind the door so those guys wouldn't know what I had retrieved. It all happened very fast, they had formed a semicircle as they walked from their car which was on the other side of the street form we're we were parked to us and I was wishing for a gun to defend my family, but the knife would have to do; I screamed at them to leave (in not such nice language), maybe they didn't have any weapons and were counting on the numbers upper hand to over power us, but I'm sure they taught I had a gun and they backed off (lucky for us). Ever since than I have purchased a gun to ensure that the field is a little more even should something like that ever happen again.
It is especially true that in a moment of terrible disadvantage you wish for something to balance things…and I will never let myself be at a disadvantage again.
It is especially true that in a moment of terrible disadvantage you wish for something to balance things…and I will never let myself be at a disadvantage again.
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05-16-2015, 10:56 PM,
#2
RE: Leveling the field
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#2
Time for concealed carry an alot of training. Sounds like you got lucky on the last one and hopefully this will never happen again. I am sure that you are now a lot more aware of your surroundings. Glad it turned out with a positive ending even though your nerves not to mention your wifes were propably shot...
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05-16-2015, 11:09 PM,
#3
RE: Leveling the field
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#3
(05-16-2015, 10:56 PM)bradberry Wrote: Time for concealed carry an alot of training. Sounds like you got lucky on the last one and hopefully this will never happen again. I am sure that you are now a lot more aware of your surroundings. Glad it turned out with a positive ending even though your nerves not to mention your wifes were propably shot...

Thank you, at the time all I could do was react to the situation the best I could, but afterwards I kept thinking of how much worse this could have been. I'm currently waiting for my license to arrive as I have taken the necessary courses at Red Dot (thanks Red Dot).
(05-16-2015, 10:56 PM)bradberry Wrote: Time for concealed carry an alot of training. Sounds like you got lucky on the last one and hopefully this will never happen again. I am sure that you are now a lot more aware of your surroundings. Glad it turned out with a positive ending even though your nerves not to mention your wifes were propably shot...
Thank you, at the time all I could do was react to the situation the best I could, but afterwards I kept thinking of how much worse this could have been. I'm currently waiting for my license to arrive as I have taken the necessary courses at Red Dot (thanks Red Dot).
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05-16-2015, 11:18 PM,
#4
RE: Leveling the field
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You are in good hands at redot. I have not personally meet or spoke with anyone at redot but all the stuff I read about redot is pure positive. Those guys have fun at what they do but they take their training and support to top level. I wish i had them here in Oregon.
Practice, practice and awareness.
listen and follow their lead and you will never go wrong. You will walk a lot taller and feel more secure in uncertain times.
Practice, practice and awareness.
listen and follow their lead and you will never go wrong. You will walk a lot taller and feel more secure in uncertain times.
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05-17-2015, 03:08 AM,
#5
RE: Leveling the field
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#5
Those types of situations just shouldn't a common place, and that is the exact type of thing that made me apply and take classes to get a conceal and carry
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05-17-2015, 09:44 AM,
#6
RE: Leveling the field
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#6
Here are three stories from my world. Short versions.

Sarah Szafranski, a former friend and co-worker of my wife, was one of the people murdered in the Lane Bryant killings in 2008. She went in to buy clothes and was executed in the back room.

My dad and his staff were nearly killed by three men. One was an employee who propped the back door open and let them in. They held a gun to my dad's head while he opened the safe, and they then lined everyone up on their knees. We still don't know why they left them alive.

While in Baltimore, yes THE Baltimore, on a business trip three of us turned a corner to take a shortcut, there was a dozen guys hanging out up ahead. One saw us and stood up straight from leaning on a car. We stopped and turned around.

What do I take from the stories - situational awareness.

1. Lane Bryant: "African-American man about 6 feet to 6-foot-2 with a husky build and broad shoulders walked into the store" - A woman's clothing store. They say he posed as a delivery man. I say so what. You say, you're profiling. I say, damn straight I am. I prefer to profile and live. Not die of sensitivity.

2. My dad. I managed retail stores for years like my dad. My back door's had alarms and only the key holders could open them even when taking out the trash.

3. Baltimore. Always watch the people around you, and let them know you are watching them. Wolves like sheep, not the sheepdogs.

Sarah Szafranski, a former friend and co-worker of my wife, was one of the people murdered in the Lane Bryant killings in 2008. She went in to buy clothes and was executed in the back room.

My dad and his staff were nearly killed by three men. One was an employee who propped the back door open and let them in. They held a gun to my dad's head while he opened the safe, and they then lined everyone up on their knees. We still don't know why they left them alive.

While in Baltimore, yes THE Baltimore, on a business trip three of us turned a corner to take a shortcut, there was a dozen guys hanging out up ahead. One saw us and stood up straight from leaning on a car. We stopped and turned around.

What do I take from the stories - situational awareness.

1. Lane Bryant: "African-American man about 6 feet to 6-foot-2 with a husky build and broad shoulders walked into the store" - A woman's clothing store. They say he posed as a delivery man. I say so what. You say, you're profiling. I say, damn straight I am. I prefer to profile and live. Not die of sensitivity.

2. My dad. I managed retail stores for years like my dad. My back door's had alarms and only the key holders could open them even when taking out the trash.

3. Baltimore. Always watch the people around you, and let them know you are watching them. Wolves like sheep, not the sheepdogs.
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05-17-2015, 02:36 PM,
#7
RE: Leveling the field
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#7
(05-16-2015, 11:09 PM)javiers007 Wrote:
(05-16-2015, 10:56 PM)bradberry Wrote: Time for concealed carry an alot of training. Sounds like you got lucky on the last one and hopefully this will never happen again. I am sure that you are now a lot more aware of your surroundings. Glad it turned out with a positive ending even though your nerves not to mention your wifes were propably shot...

Thank you, at the time all I could do was react to the situation the best I could, but afterwards I kept thinking of how much worse this could have been. I'm currently waiting for my license to arrive as I have taken the necessary courses at Red Dot (thanks Red Dot).
Keep up on the classes. I just finished the Defense in the Home class and it was another professionally operated class. Mike and Rob make sure you are comfortable using your firearm. They are top notch. Their first concern is safety for all which is nice to see. They also will take the extra time someone may need and they don't push you into trying something you may not be capable of.
(05-16-2015, 11:09 PM)javiers007 Wrote:
(05-16-2015, 10:56 PM)bradberry Wrote: Time for concealed carry an alot of training. Sounds like you got lucky on the last one and hopefully this will never happen again. I am sure that you are now a lot more aware of your surroundings. Glad it turned out with a positive ending even though your nerves not to mention your wifes were propably shot...

Thank you, at the time all I could do was react to the situation the best I could, but afterwards I kept thinking of how much worse this could have been. I'm currently waiting for my license to arrive as I have taken the necessary courses at Red Dot (thanks Red Dot).Keep up on the classes. I just finished the Defense in the Home class and it was another professionally operated class. Mike and Rob make sure you are comfortable using your firearm. They are top notch. Their first concern is safety for all which is nice to see. They also will take the extra time someone may need and they don't push you into trying something you may not be capable of.
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05-17-2015, 03:17 PM,
#8
RE: Leveling the field
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#8
The part three class is amazing so far! Highly recommend to anyone wanting to carry out be comfortable with their firearm
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05-17-2015, 06:32 PM,
#9
RE: Leveling the field
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#9
The world is going to hell and a hand basket. I want fighting chance against any armed criminal. I'm hoping never to have to use my weapon. I was robbed once at gun point three decades ago. An off duty police office came in he was robbed too. When the robber fled the officer did fire his weapon, but the robber escaped unharmed. What I remember most was the hell they put the officer through. I am very comfortable carrying my firearm. The Red Dot Training is really excellent, even for long time sport shooters.
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Col. Jeff Cooper
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Col. Jeff Cooper
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05-18-2015, 03:51 PM,
#10
RE: Leveling the field
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(05-16-2015, 11:09 PM)javiers007 Wrote:
(05-16-2015, 10:56 PM)bradberry Wrote: Time for concealed carry an alot of training. Sounds like you got lucky on the last one and hopefully this will never happen again. I am sure that you are now a lot more aware of your surroundings. Glad it turned out with a positive ending even though your nerves not to mention your wifes were propably shot...

Thank you, at the time all I could do was react to the situation the best I could, but afterwards I kept thinking of how much worse this could have been. I'm currently waiting for my license to arrive as I have taken the necessary courses at Red Dot (thanks Red Dot).

Glad we could help. Bradbury is correct with his statement of "lots of training". The CCL course is a start, but that's just it, a start. We have a Refuse to be a victim class next month. Consider taking that class. The Personal inside and outside the home course are also great.

Was at a CCW conference last week, and Jame Yeager said something that we've noticed also. Folks are taking fireamr classes, but don't take first aid and trauma classes. Keep in mind, you may win the gun fight, but a love one may get hurt in the process.

*** ANNOUNCEMENT ****

Starting this past weekend, all classes from now until the end of September at Red Dot Arms will give you chance to win and AR15 to kick off our new AR class.

More information will be released later this week, but at a high level, a 8 class will give you 3 chances, and one chance for classes under 4 hours. (skills and drills do count as a 4 hour class) Sign up, win, and learn the skills that may just save your life of one of a loved one.

PS. We will also be announcing our tactical shotgun class (NRA Basic Shotgun will be a prerequisite for this class)
(05-16-2015, 11:09 PM)javiers007 Wrote:
(05-16-2015, 10:56 PM)bradberry Wrote: Time for concealed carry an alot of training. Sounds like you got lucky on the last one and hopefully this will never happen again. I am sure that you are now a lot more aware of your surroundings. Glad it turned out with a positive ending even though your nerves not to mention your wifes were propably shot...

Thank you, at the time all I could do was react to the situation the best I could, but afterwards I kept thinking of how much worse this could have been. I'm currently waiting for my license to arrive as I have taken the necessary courses at Red Dot (thanks Red Dot).
Glad we could help. Bradbury is correct with his statement of "lots of training". The CCL course is a start, but that's just it, a start. We have a Refuse to be a victim class next month. Consider taking that class. The Personal inside and outside the home course are also great.

Was at a CCW conference last week, and Jame Yeager said something that we've noticed also. Folks are taking fireamr classes, but don't take first aid and trauma classes. Keep in mind, you may win the gun fight, but a love one may get hurt in the process.

*** ANNOUNCEMENT ****

Starting this past weekend, all classes from now until the end of September at Red Dot Arms will give you chance to win and AR15 to kick off our new AR class.

More information will be released later this week, but at a high level, a 8 class will give you 3 chances, and one chance for classes under 4 hours. (skills and drills do count as a 4 hour class) Sign up, win, and learn the skills that may just save your life of one of a loved one.

PS. We will also be announcing our tactical shotgun class (NRA Basic Shotgun will be a prerequisite for this class)
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05-19-2015, 03:17 PM,
#11
RE: Leveling the field
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#11
I took the 'Refuse to be a Victim' class! Great class. Not what I was expecting, but extremely helpful in little things, like window locks and limiting opening. Door stops, simple alarms and other ideas (like lighting) were very helpful. I'd recommend the class.
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Col. Jeff Cooper
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Col. Jeff Cooper
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05-19-2015, 11:18 PM,
#12
RE: Leveling the field

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#12
is there a class that will get me carry for illinois and wisconsin? i just moved from chicago to salem wisconsin and i still visit chicago almost every weekend and even in the upscale neighborhood i came from where my family still lives things have started to get scary, to be honest i dont even like bringing my son down there anymore. i would really like to have one for illinois when i go.
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05-19-2015, 11:28 PM,
#13
RE: Leveling the field
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Hey Mike, when does the counting start? Like do the part 3 classes that I'm in now count for entry, or do I have to sign up for the class after a certain date?
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05-20-2015, 07:47 AM,
#14
RE: Leveling the field
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(05-19-2015, 11:28 PM)Ringo3632 Wrote: Hey Mike, when does the counting start? Like do the part 3 classes that I'm in now count for entry, or do I have to sign up for the class after a certain date?

Count started this weekend. So, you'll get one for this Tuesdays class.
(05-19-2015, 11:28 PM)Ringo3632 Wrote: Hey Mike, when does the counting start? Like do the part 3 classes that I'm in now count for entry, or do I have to sign up for the class after a certain date?
Count started this weekend. So, you'll get one for this Tuesdays class.
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05-20-2015, 07:55 AM,
#15
RE: Leveling the field
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(05-19-2015, 11:18 PM)nickdemo Wrote: is there a class that will get me carry for illinois and wisconsin? i just moved from chicago to salem wisconsin and i still visit chicago almost every weekend and even in the upscale neighborhood i came from where my family still lives things have started to get scary, to be honest i dont even like bringing my son down there anymore. i would really like to have one for illinois when i go.

At this time, you cannot get an Illinois permit if you live in WI. Not sure when that will change.
(05-19-2015, 11:18 PM)nickdemo Wrote: is there a class that will get me carry for illinois and wisconsin? i just moved from chicago to salem wisconsin and i still visit chicago almost every weekend and even in the upscale neighborhood i came from where my family still lives things have started to get scary, to be honest i dont even like bringing my son down there anymore. i would really like to have one for illinois when i go.
At this time, you cannot get an Illinois permit if you live in WI. Not sure when that will change.
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05-20-2015, 08:40 AM,
#16
RE: Leveling the field
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(05-20-2015, 07:55 AM)mikereddot Wrote:
(05-19-2015, 11:18 PM)nickdemo Wrote: is there a class that will get me carry for illinois and wisconsin? i just moved from chicago to salem wisconsin and i still visit chicago almost every weekend and even in the upscale neighborhood i came from where my family still lives things have started to get scary, to be honest i dont even like bringing my son down there anymore. i would really like to have one for illinois when i go.

At this time, you cannot get an Illinois permit if you live in WI. Not sure when that will change.
Under current law doesn't Wisconsin have to change their requirements to be similar to Illinois? I don't see that happening any time soon.
(05-20-2015, 07:55 AM)mikereddot Wrote:
(05-19-2015, 11:18 PM)nickdemo Wrote: is there a class that will get me carry for illinois and wisconsin? i just moved from chicago to salem wisconsin and i still visit chicago almost every weekend and even in the upscale neighborhood i came from where my family still lives things have started to get scary, to be honest i dont even like bringing my son down there anymore. i would really like to have one for illinois when i go.

At this time, you cannot get an Illinois permit if you live in WI. Not sure when that will change.Under current law doesn't Wisconsin have to change their requirements to be similar to Illinois? I don't see that happening any time soon.
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05-20-2015, 08:46 AM,
#17
RE: Leveling the field
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(05-19-2015, 03:17 PM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: I took the 'Refuse to be a Victim' class! Great class. Not what I was expecting, but extremely helpful in little things, like window locks and limiting opening. Door stops, simple alarms and other ideas (like lighting) were very helpful. I'd recommend the class.
It's a very good class. Things that you may have heard of individually at one time or another but you just didn't act on or made a mental note to do later. When put together in class it helps you realize the importance of all these little things you can do to make you and your family safer.
(05-19-2015, 03:17 PM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: I took the 'Refuse to be a Victim' class! Great class. Not what I was expecting, but extremely helpful in little things, like window locks and limiting opening. Door stops, simple alarms and other ideas (like lighting) were very helpful. I'd recommend the class.It's a very good class. Things that you may have heard of individually at one time or another but you just didn't act on or made a mental note to do later. When put together in class it helps you realize the importance of all these little things you can do to make you and your family safer.
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05-21-2015, 12:27 AM,
#18
RE: Leveling the field

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(05-20-2015, 07:55 AM)mikereddot Wrote:
(05-19-2015, 11:18 PM)nickdemo Wrote: is there a class that will get me carry for illinois and wisconsin? i just moved from chicago to salem wisconsin and i still visit chicago almost every weekend and even in the upscale neighborhood i came from where my family still lives things have started to get scary, to be honest i dont even like bringing my son down there anymore. i would really like to have one for illinois when i go.

At this time, you cannot get an Illinois permit if you live in WI. Not sure when that will change.


thats unfortunate, i have never had any problems i just would hate to not be able to defend my family if something happened where someone had a weapon.
(05-20-2015, 07:55 AM)mikereddot Wrote:
(05-19-2015, 11:18 PM)nickdemo Wrote: is there a class that will get me carry for illinois and wisconsin? i just moved from chicago to salem wisconsin and i still visit chicago almost every weekend and even in the upscale neighborhood i came from where my family still lives things have started to get scary, to be honest i dont even like bringing my son down there anymore. i would really like to have one for illinois when i go.

At this time, you cannot get an Illinois permit if you live in WI. Not sure when that will change.

thats unfortunate, i have never had any problems i just would hate to not be able to defend my family if something happened where someone had a weapon.
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05-21-2015, 06:39 AM, (This post was last modified: 05-21-2015, 06:39 AM by BelieveIn308.)
#19
RE: Leveling the field
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Mike, a hypothetical question... What would happen to an valid Illinois Permit holder that MOVED to Wisconsin. Would his permit lapse when he left the state?
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Col. Jeff Cooper
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Col. Jeff Cooper
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05-21-2015, 09:10 AM, (This post was last modified: 05-21-2015, 11:13 PM by AcilletaM.)
#20
Leveling the field
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(05-21-2015, 06:39 AM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: Mike, a hypothetical question... What would happen to an valid Illinois Permit holder that MOVED to Wisconsin. Would his permit lapse when he left the state?
My follow-on to this is would that person be eligible for the non-resident permit since they already met the qualifications for the resident permit?
(05-21-2015, 06:39 AM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: Mike, a hypothetical question... What would happen to an valid Illinois Permit holder that MOVED to Wisconsin. Would his permit lapse when he left the state?My follow-on to this is would that person be eligible for the non-resident permit since they already met the qualifications for the resident permit?
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