Looking badass...

[SwampFox320]

I was doing some thinking today and thought, you know, looks can scare people off. Example from me: I've played paintball for almost 10 years now (I started when I was young) and have played in tournaments and what not but right now I go out to the paintball field and just play. There are various skill levels that play, from people who could be pros to first timers. The guys who have played a long time typically have paintball jerseys (I'm green, lol) and the newer guys are normally intemidated by that fact at first. Then there are people who come and play, it's their first time and they are decked out in jerseys and 1000+ guns and they still intimidate the newer guys even though they suck at life and even suck harder at paintball... where is my rambling going?

Looking badass, could this scare some would be zombies away and on down the street? Personally, in a SHTF situation, if I was raiding homes and come to a home with a guy who looked straight out Delta, I think I'd skip his home, even if the guy had never fired the gun in his hands before in his life. Paintball you get another try if the people turn out to be good, not in SHTF, one bullet hit any where can kill ya. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea if you looked like you knew what you were doing even if you didn't. Have the AR out there, have the military harness and gear, wear some BDUs! That's just an idea I had... *shrugs* Your thoughts...

Jason

[Dr. X]

It's not LOOKIN' badass, it's havin a badass mindset. Predators can feel if yer a sheep or not and will pass on a potentially dangerous prospect in favour of easier pickin's...;)

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[tedbo]

Yup,I agree with Dr.X,It is the mind set.It is the look in the eye that determines whether or not someone wants to try a piece of you or not.
My most recent was a neighbor's crackhead/ex-crackhead older daughter who lets her mouth get her in a jam and expects thug boyfriend/fiance to bail her out.He is twenty years my junior and much better shape than I due to a back injury and 9 broke ribs in 14 places.I was in a tender healing stage at the time.He comes to me and tries his best thug intimidation and got nowhere.We locked eyes and stayed that way the whole conversation.Had he taken a step further in my 21 ft circle it would have been a very bad day for him.
Of course,I would be the same way with anyone if I feel I am in the right no matter what their size.I have folks around who would definitely agree.No,I do not consider myself a bad a$$,just someone who believes right is right.
How you carry yourself will have a very big impact on what perception you want others to give.Sheep or wolf?

[SwampFox320]

Haha, well, that's what I was trying to say but in my rambling missed it. Those morons that play paintball, they will talk some shit now and you'll think they know what they are talking about. I'm saying, be cocky! Let them know you got your weapons and if they want to, have a go. Their pea shooter against your cannon. But also be able to back up your aditude.

Jas

[bnutriaz]

When I was in Bagdad, I had a FN 303 "paint marker" wow had lots of fun with that thing let me tell ya. But the truth is in Bagdad look bada$$ and serious, even with the 303, people took you very serious. Oh well maybe the M4 with the 203 on it hanging on me might help but the kids knew we wernt scared to shoot even the smallest of them with that thing.

just wanted to convey some experience. 15 months there, has got to be worth something.

[Dr. X]

I do not consider myself a bad a$$,just someone who believes right is right...


I'm not bad, but the bad don't f*ck with me...:mad:

ah-OOOOOO...
Dr. X :cool:

[NineseveN]

Dressing up like Delta is more trouble than it's worth IMHO. First of all, you stick out; in case you're playing the home game, this is bad. Not only will the predators roving in packs after the disaster pick up on you, but so will the authorities (if there are any). Sure, you're going to scare the posers, but not the real deal mean mofo's (some might even see your scary projection as a challenge). Want proof? Take your meanest, baddest look into the nastiest neighborhood you know, after dark and walk around in plain sight as if you owned the place. See how immune the Rambo impression makes you.

That doesn't mean you should look weak (walking around int that same neighborhood looking like a cowering mess of jelly won't be any better than playing tough guy), you shouldn't be looked at, period. Being the "gray man" has more benefits than you could imagine.

We had a great discussion on it at http://neardeathexperiments.com/smf/index.php?topic=537.0 that probably needs some new input, but the general bases are covered there.

Now, if you can project intimidation AND overwhelming force, say with a group of 6 or 7 armed and intimidating friends, that's different. If you're just trying to survive on your own or with your family, then you don't want to be seen as anything remarkable by anyone at all. There's a time to puff your chest and turn on the 'man voice', and that's right before you are compelled to employ lethal force (as a last-ditch effort to avoid the conflict), before then and from there on out, even an Oscar-winning impression invites more trouble than it's worth and can (and likely will) get you busted, broke and dead. YMMV of course.

[Dr. X]

Take your meanest, baddest look into the nastiest neighborhood you know, after dark and walk around in plain sight as if you owned the place...

After my divorce, when I no longer cared if I lived or died, that's EXACTLY what I'd do...Nobody ever said the first word to me-period. I WANTED somebody to say something. PLEASE, say anything! No takers. Once again, the preds knew that for me to be walkin' their hood, I obviously:
A) was crazy
B) didn't give a sh*t
C) had a death wish
D) all of the above

It's not the size of the dawg in a fight...it's the size of the fight in the dawg...

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[NineseveN]

After my divorce, when I no longer cared if I lived or died, that's EXACTLY what I'd do...Nobody ever said the first word to me-period. I WANTED somebody to say something. PLEASE, say anything! No takers. Once again, the preds knew that for me to be walkin' their hood, I obviously:
A) was crazy
B) didn't give a sh*t
C) had a death wish
D) all of the above

It's not the size of the dawg in a fight...it's the size of the fight in the dawg...

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

It's not whether or not you made it out alive and well, it's whether or not you opened yourself up to unnecessary risk (which undoubtedly you did). There are plenty of examples where "hey guys, watch this!" moments didn't end up causing pain, injury or proving fatal, but that's not the benchmark that a reasonably well constructed philosophy is going to be based on. But hey, if folks want to puff their chests and tap dance on landmines just to show that they can, be my guest. :rolleyes:

P.S.
Clichés are neat, but lots of clichés end up in the morgue. All it takes is for you to walk into someone who's bigger, badder, meaner, tougher, crazier or that could give even less of a shit about life as you. If you don't think that people such as that exist in certain sufficient quantities, then I'm in awe of your ego, but you're in for a real tough awakening about life one day.

No offense intended of course. :)

Take care.

[Dr. X]

No offense taken. I must stress that I did this crap in my salad days and do not recommend anyone try this at home. As far as there always being someone badder than yerself, BTDT as well. I quit lookin' for trouble years ago and have coasted into middle-age more or less in line, so yer preachin' to the choir there, too...I still hold that mindset is more important than look, however. :D

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[Goldenspurholderx2]

Yeah, I'd have to say mindset is worth more than dressing the part. When you've BTDT, and have the scars that go with it, you start to realize that when it comes to mortal games that people play when your time is up, it's up. Once you resign yourself to that fact you fear a whole lot less and are able to keep your head in a bad situation. Yes, I'd rather have better tools with me when the chips are down but I'd rather let people have that wariness of the unknown when they can tell something about you sets off their alarms but you don't dress all Delta Force tipping your hand. As corny as it sounds, and yes it sounds corny, Act like a wolf but dress like a sheep.

[SwampFox320]

Thanks for everyone's input. Luckily for me, there will be a few of us together, 5 or so I believe so we should be able to hold our own but just wanted to bounce some ideas around.

[tedbo]

Well,in my cases it wasn't ego for me.It was always the "I am going to take care of my business and if you think I am an easy target think again.I do not look for trouble.I will maintain my good guy "how ya doin'?"attitude as that is my true nature.If I am laid a hand on or threatened then it will go to another level of their doing.Not being a badass,just determined.I have been a crime victim before many years ago and it will NOT happen again.
Lately I have been considering the thought of letting them know that they have three choices-The sheriff's office,the hospital or the morgue,their choice.As it is their choice I,at first don't see it as an escalation of force as I am still in nice guy mode.This is after it has been determined that he/they want to do me or who I am with harm in some way.Any LEO's out there for input?
I know nowadays that everyone is lawsuit happy,so most times I use "The Look" and that has diffused many situations.I worked security a few years back and I worked backstage at the entertainment's dressing room door.No one got in that wasn't allowed,period!Didn't have to pull out "The Look" but one time and the guy was a full 12 inches taller and 100 lbs heavier-a bouncer type so I know it works.I can back it up if necessary,but I have learned diplomacy through so great instructors!


"Don't ...whack!...make...whack!...me ...whack!... hurt...whack!...you...whack!
Just kiddin'!I never hurt anyone I laid a hand on in all the years I did that job.
Sorry for the novel!

[Dr. X]

I worked security a few years back and I worked backstage at the entertainment's dressing room door.No one got in that wasn't allowed,period!Didn't have to pull out "The Look" but one time and the guy was a full 12 inches taller and 100 lbs heavier-a bouncer type so I know it works.I can back it up if necessary,but I have learned diplomacy through so great instructors!


"Don't ...whack!...make...whack!...me ...whack!... hurt...whack!...you...whack!
Just kiddin'!I never hurt anyone I laid a hand on in all the years I did that job...


Ditto fer me...I never had to hurt anyone either, but I've talked quite a few down off bad acid trips and meth meltdowns. Diplomacy coupled with "the look" always worked great for me over the years, as well. But everyone ain't a 6'3, 240 lb., fat, ugly, broke-toothed tattooed longhaired bearded biker with optical rectitus, hence the comments about "mind-set"...I had a friend in the biz who was a smaller guy and as usual, he was an excitable boy. One night I watched him down a recalcitrant and belligerent redneck zapped on white liquor. As he beat the sucker down he was like this:

"yer...WHACK!...goin'...WHACK! WHACK!...into...WHACK!...that...WHACKWHACKWHACK!!! ...wheelbarrow...WHACK!...if...WHACKWHACK!!...I... WHACK!... gotta...WHACK!...POUR...WHACK!!...YOU...WHACK!!!.. .innit!!!

doze were da daze,
Dr. X :cool:

[SwampFox320]

It's funny you should mention that thing Golden about just realizing when its your time, its your time. I am religious and I believe that when God wants you, He's gonna take you, I mean... He's God... can't really argue with that so it just comes down to living your life. I don't really fear death (don't misunderstand, you put a gun in my face and I'll be scared and could just crap myself) cause I don't see it being in my control. I mean, what if someone decides not to fly some place cause they are afraid their plane's gonna crash so they drive and get in a horrible car crash and die... can't escape it in my mind. Anyway, lol, I hope this is what you were trying to say Golden or I'm gonna feel really, really stupid! Haha

Jace

[Arizona Highlander]

I can only recall one solitary incident of having to “act badass” in the face of a potential aggressor, and that was when I was leaving an event at the Los Angeles County fairgrounds sometime in the early 1990’s. As I was walking back to my car (which was parked out at the far edge of the parking lot) I noticed some big hairy dude following me.

I had a folding knife on me, but I hesitated to pull it out. You can’t go around being paranoid, right? Maybe he’s just parked out there, too. Pulling a knife on some innocent guy could earn me a ticket to the LA County Jail, and I didn’t want that. But, the dude just kept coming.

Finally, I just swung around and GLARED at him. The dude stopped, gave me a nervous smile, waved, and then he did an about-face and turned back towards the fairgrounds. I never did have to pull the knife.

The big joke in all of this: the fairgrounds had been hosting a “Survival and Preparedness Expo,” and I was leaving after having attended a lecture by the featured speaker, Col. Bo Gritz!
:D

[Dr. X]

Big Hairy smelt the wolf on you and decided to pause and reflect...:D
He was a candidate for the darwin award anyway, IMO. Who jumps somebody at ANYthing attended by Bo Gritz...?!! :confused:

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[Arizona Highlander]

Actually, as I was driving home, I was wondering the same thing, too. :o It seemed ridiculous at the time. But, the fairgrounds were hosting several events that weekend (one of them featuring RV's and travel trailers) so it's possible that this creepy character didn't even know that a "survival expo" was also under way.

In any case, I guess the dude definitely picked a bad weekend to hunt for easy prey.

[witchdoctor]

Well this is a good discussion. I have given much thought to this issue long before Survival Files existed. I have several opinions on this issue.

First of all I can see where BDU's will be an advantage. If I am heading into the woods to bug-out then MARPAT's for me. Also, if I am going to be engaged in some type of operation, such as a midnight exploration of the local AO, then I am going to don the BDU's.

Second, tactical clothing can be very effective. I am not talking about all black and BDU's... NOT SWAT OK! I mean like your 5.11 stuff, contractor style stuff. This can give a low signature to the SHEEPLE and allow you to carry extra gear. This would be great on your daily post-shtf patrols / outings.

Lastly, you can wear your daily clothing for civil unrest / shtf needs. This obviously gives you the lowest signature, but gives you the least options as far as carrying gear and a weapon. This will be a great choice for some things as BDU's are for some things. Civilian clothing is what most of us have readily available in varying sizes and colors. Sometimes this will be of great value. If a new gang pops up wearing GREEN for some reason, then you would not want to wear green visibly. Just something to thing about. I try to wear subdued colors anyway.

[GUN SNOB]

You can Ware a lot of camo here in the south with out looking out of place. I'm not real far from Maxwell AFB so you can do full BDUs and not get a second look. Unless like me you have a pony tail and facial hair.

A lot of S*** would have to hit a mighty big fan before you will get away with full combat load and not attract some attention any were. 5 of you just toting long arms probably wont fly under the radar for long. Toting Mil. speck arms as apposed to common hunting arms will attract more attention.

Who do you plan to intimidate? That is after all what your talking about. True threats probably won't be that easy to scare off. You might fool some of the sheeple some of the time, the rest will be coming loaded for bear.

I don't know if your planing on taking this show on the road or setting up a defensive position.

I would much rather any possible aggressors under estimate my true strengths, capabilities and resolve.

For example: If you are planing on a defensive position you may consider posting guard mounts with the same weapon, passing it off in plane sight at the end of each shift. Why let prying eyes know that all 5 of you are capable of deploying arms, typs of arms or quntitys.

If they only see a pump shotgun between you and your sharing a ammo carrier they won't, #1 attack you for your arms, #2 If they plan to attack in hopes of other supples they wont be able to estimate your true fire power potential.

With out vastly superior fire power and a mode of resupply I would want my defensive position as low key as possible.

If 2 of you go out to scout the area, thats 40% of your force. Now how intimidating are you? How about them? 3 guys aren't 60% as scary as 5, 2 guys are just that no matter how heavy they are packing until they prove them selfs to the neighbors.

If traveling in to the AO of others I would not want to appear as an aggressor and things would have to be mighty bad before I see you getting threw a police or military road block strapped for combat.

Why tip your hand? Why give the impression of a strong military type force or a possible aggressor? A scared sheeple with a varmint rifle may decide you are after there stuff and you will never hear the shot that kills you as they defend there home from you.

As a side note my SHTF close are a pair of brown overalls and a light camo vest as apposed to BDUs. This gives me better pocket space (the slapping of cargo pockets drives me nuts) and doesn't look at all out of place. That and the bib covers the chest strap on a M7 shoulder holster. So instead of looking like I'm going to war I'm just another long haired country boy.(that may or may not be packing an AR or Fal pistol LEGALLY. ) If I gata hit the woods it works as basic hide me there to.

And if I don't want to be billy bad ass I can just blend in.(as best as I can in non SHTF USA) No matter how bad it gets my plan is to raise my daughter not save the world from its self or killer space zombies. That dosen't mean we can't get "just plum mad dog mean" should the need arise but I'm not looking to pick any fights and I don't want any fights picking me.

[Dr. X]

That dosen't mean we can't get "just plum mad dog mean" should the need arise but I'm not looking to pick any fights and I don't want any fights picking me...


I don't give sh*t...
I don't take sh*t...
I don't sell sh*t...
I'm not in the sh*t business...:mad:

harmless unless provoked,
Dr. X :cool:

[tedbo]

Dr.X,I suppose that the stfu thread don't count for givin' sh*t?:p :p :p :p :

[Dr. X]

Dammit Ted, ya got me there...:D

As ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[tedbo]

Yup!,revenge is best served cold.....:p :D I know,I know....I 'kin sees them lil' gears a workin' now....(I'll git that durn rat ba$turd back onna deez dayz!!....sooner rather than later,too!........mpffhhh!):D




Watch out!I mights jus' give ya onna dem there "looks!"just fer grins....:eek:



Back to the discussion,Dr.X and Gun Snob are the same mind as me.I don't look for trouble and avoid it first.Diplomacy is next and badass is the very last.I do not have an alligator mouth and a hummingbird a$$.I have no doubts of my capabilities,I would rather not exercise them.I don't have anything to prove to anybody.Most times I find that silence is golden.I could get very medieval if the situation called for it but the key is to not get in those situations to begin with.Therefore I do not frequent bars where those situations are more likely to happen.
Besides,I don't want to be dragged to court because some mofo was drunk or didn't like the way I look or talk or reminded him of someone who kicked his butt into next week.I have found life to be too short and don't care to spend it with MORONS who have no self control.
Like Dr.X says..harmless unless provoked.It takes a lot to provoke me.I take more ribbing than most of my buds would and they have told me so.But it goes back to self control.If ya fight,ya both lose.If it is life or death,that is another chapter.

[GS Rider]

I guess that I am looking at this from the other side of the coin. If you look like a swat guy and aren't stirring shit well then you will have more credibility than a guy who is armed and looks like a Hells Angle. Think about it if you are a cop or national guards men how can he tell you from every other ARMED CRIMINAL out there. But if you look like a SWAT type he will let you walk up to his position with out getting to concerned until he finds out you are not what you appear to be but by then it is to late for him to take you out. Don't look like a sheep when all the wolfs also look like sheep. Also if you are in uniform you are more likely to have other people do what you tell them. Or as we like to say when someone barely qualifies with his weapon it is better to look good than to be good. And frankly if some baddass criminal type is mad dogging me while he has a weapon I will take that as a threat and deal with him. If you run across some joker armed and acting tuff how can you tell if he is cray or a member of this board? The simple answer is a uniform buys you credibility.

[NineseveN]

I guess that I am looking at this from the other side of the coin. If you look like a swat guy and aren't stirring shit well then you will have more credibility than a guy who is armed and looks like a Hells Angle. Think about it if you are a cop or national guards men how can he tell you from every other ARMED CRIMINAL out there. But if you look like a SWAT type he will let you walk up to his position with out getting to concerned until he finds out you are not what you appear to be but by then it is to late for him to take you out. Don't look like a sheep when all the wolfs also look like sheep. Also if you are in uniform you are more likely to have other people do what you tell them. Or as we like to say when someone barely qualifies with his weapon it is better to look good than to be good. And frankly if some baddass criminal type is mad dogging me while he has a weapon I will take that as a threat and deal with him. If you run across some joker armed and acting tuff how can you tell if he is cray or a member of this board? The simple answer is a uniform buys you credibility.


If you are in a uniform you didn't earn, I guarantee you're gonna have problems with the folks that did should they happen upon you. Even in an emergency, that's a crime the military/law takes very seriously. Just a thought.

[Dr. X]

Watch out!I mights jus' give ya onna dem there "looks!"just fer grins....:eek:


My ex called it "THE BURN"...:D

Oh, and I just wanted to interject that up here in the mountains, more good ol' boys look like armed Hell's Angels than authority types. I would really hesitate to look like a fed and start telling anybody around here to do anything, as we tend question "authority"...;)

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[GS Rider]

Just for clarification don't wear a uniform you didn't earn. But you can wear one that looks dam close. Body armor or tactical vest tends to cover the parts of the uniform that have ID. And just having things like an American flag on your sleeve and maybe on your vest will lend you credibility. Blood type and name tape work too. Just leave off your favorite special forces/SEAL patch and what are the authorities going to say?" nice costume I thought you were one of us." You can do what ever you think is best for your AO but in general people respect uniforms during a crisis in my experience.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Looking badass can equal a target on your ass. I prefer incognito :cool:

"Walk softly and carry a big stick" T.R.

[MiamiARFan]

Dressing up like Delta is more trouble than it's worth IMHO. First of all, you stick out; in case you're playing the home game, this is bad. Not only will the predators roving in packs after the disaster pick up on you, but so will the authorities (if there are any). -snip-.

I agree with Nine. Unless you have an overwhelming force that you can dress like Delta, it will cause you more aggrevation than it's worth. Rovers will be looking not only for people who are easy pickins, but for those who stand out that may be able to supply them with some additional stores that most sheeple don't have (firearms, food, equipment). Yes, posers may pass you by, but motivated slime may be looking to invest the time and effort to liberate your stores if you stand out. My opinion is to blend in, but be prepared to stand your ground. If they think that you're an easy target, then they've underestimated you and you now have a tactical advantage. Blending in also helps with handling the .gov types. (Nothing of interest here sir.....you might check down the street with the guy in the Ghillie Suit though)

[GUN SNOB]

There will also be those that are looking for 'turf' or area control. They, for any number of reasons (power, food/suply controal, profit...)will be looking to be the Toughest on the block. (like as the warlords of several problem spots in the world) To these you will be seen as a threat to there power/control.

These groups may be on both sides of the law. CYA, and don't show your hand till all the bets are in.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

+1 to what Gun Snob said

7.62

[MrGrey]

Attitude of ones mind says a lot and does a lot.

Wild bill, (not the western cowboy version) was a jewish man in a nazi death camp. He was in better health than any one else in the camp, even though he had been there the longest of any still alive. Why? Because when they captured him and machine gunned his wife and kids right in front of him, he fixed it in his head that he would live.

The victims of the plane crash (soccor team) in the Andies mountians (read the book "Alive") reported that if any one just gave up, they died within hours.

I watched a young kid walk into a hospice to ask for a bed. He made it clear that he was there to die. He was in his early 20's. He had a lot of mouse in his hair with a look that said "I just got out of bed and have not done a thing with my hair". I suppose it was trendy in an expensive New York art gallery, but around here we would wonder what was wrong with him that he could not comb his hair. He wore equally trendy (and rather expensive I'm guessing) clothing. He appeared to be in the pink of health at first glance. He admited he had a full blown raging case of AIDS. Some how it came as no suprise or shock.

So there he was day one. Sitting up in bed smiling talking pleasant fellow. Then day two. He looked sickly and was not sitting up. Then day three. He was responsive but only just. He looked like death warmed over. Day four, he was just taking up space but alive. By the evening of day four he was wearing a toe tag. He came to die, and he did.

Attitude in a survival setting is critical. Strutting around like the cock of the walk is not the best idea nor is it a proper mind set, just annoying to every one else. Looking grey enough not be noticed is best. If however that can't be done and you are forced to confrontation, exude confidence. Not the bragging kind. "Go ahead, punk make my day" is good hollywood scripting but thats all. In real life its best to just give simple commands. STOP. PUT IT DOWN. Then sadly there are times when it is best to just pull the trigger and be done with it so that you are not the one doing the dieing or the bleeding.

It is possible for a woman who is small to appear confident and strong without an abrams tank backing her up. You don't need BDU's to be taken seriously. False bravado is often transparent. Appearing cool calm confident and a bit stubborn might go a lot further.

Not to poo poo your point, though, after all it does work in paint ball. The newbies in paint ball, are on unfamiliar ground. They are about to ingage in an unfamiliar sport. Its not a tennis match. Its a sport in which they can come away with a more than a few welts. They could get hurt. Criminals however know exactly what they are doing. They have done it before. 90% of all crime is committed by only 10% of all criminals. If you are raped, chances are your not his first victim. Unless you stop him, you won't be his last. So yes a set of BDU's and a belt feed, M4 may turn away a young man who has just embarked on his criminal career. The hardend knot head however, gets together with is buddies, and starts drinking at 6 or 7 pm and by 2 am has enough liquid courage to come looking for trouble with his homies. A little coke, a little meth, a lot of brave talk with his gang, and you could be in for quite a fight. Better to not be noticed, But if you are, I hope you have a belt fed m4 and some BDU's or what ever you want to wear.

In short, don't draw attention to your self. If however you are noticed and must put up a fight, its best to be able to put up a fight more so than just looking the part.

I am reminded of a gang that hit a gun shop. It was gun shop for crying out loud. You know they have guns there. Lots of them. The owners and staff all know how to use them. Why would any one (in their right mind) hit a gun shop? The answer was simple. The criminals got off one shot with a shotgun. The shotgun holder was killed with a single bullet in the chest. He did not die right off however and was struggling to get off a second shot while lying on the floor. The other two were bottlenecked at the front door when they beat a hasty retreat. On of them was hit twice at the door and later arrested at the hospital emergency room. The one who got away was also caught and later told police that they hit the gun shop so as to build up the street rep. that this was a bad ass gang who was not afraid of any one and was willing to pull off any job or hit. They were only in it for the reputation it would bring. Thus Greg Ferris a gun smith in san antonio texas lived to see another day thanks to a 38 super semi auto he keeps by his work bench.

In the end it may not be the BDU's that save you so much as the practice.

As a side note, once some one is drugged up, Freddy Kruger may not scare them away let alone you. Still you have an interesting idea and it may have a proper time and place. Never the less, I think I shall stick to practice practice practice. Knowing what I am capable of IS a confidence builder and when it comes time to exude confidence it helps if you have some to exude.

[tedbo]

Well put, Mr Grey!

[GS Rider]

A little different topic but the same. I work for Loomis out in the western division. recently we just had 2 atm techs shot and killed while being robbed at an atm in Philly. All 3 guys on that crew were older than any atm crew I have ever seen. I believe all 3 were in there 60s or around there. The point is I have NEVER seen the older guys at my work wear body armor. I see many older guys carry revolvers or carry there cigarette in their gun hand. The point is while these 2 atm guys were doing there job the bad guy had to use something he saw to pick these guys over somebody else. I don't know what it is and won't speculate until the guy is caught but I can say that looking bad ass can be enough to make the criminals pick on other targets. Being retired cops these guys knew a thing or 2 but if it doesn't look like then why would the bad guys steer the other way? While sometimes one of our guys gets shot and there is nothing he did wrong I don't know of any guy shot for looking to TACTICAL or professional.