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I have heard plenty of stories where John Citizen was out running early in the morning with his weapon out in the open. All of the sudden he is accosted by two thugs who take his gun and pistol whip him with it. I’m certain we have all heard of the stories of police officers having their guns snatched and shot with it. These are no doubt tragedies of the first order. However, there is no data that would suggest this happens in great numbers or is by any means an epidemic among the law enforcement and open carry community.
Element of Surprise
While exchanging email with a fantastic instructor at Tiger Valley, Wayne Dobbs surprised me by saying he is against open carry. Mr. Dobbs says, “I don’t back open carry for several reasons, the most important of which is that you completely surrender the major advantage of carrying a concealed pistol: surprise.”
The problem is this: the very fact that you are a law abiding citizen makes your gun a defensive tool in a fight. When the bad guy attacks, you are already behind the eight ball, usually by several seconds. You’re not surprising the bad guy; it’s the other way around. Mr. Dobbs and I moved away from that line of discussion, so I was unable to ask a follow-up question regarding surprise, but I think his subsequent comments helps one understand why the element of surprise is a critical issue with him.
I think that open carry also brings forth lots of folks who really shouldn’t be carrying guns from both the competence and attitude standpoints. My concealed pistol is part of a system of alertness, awareness, avoidance and a committed attitude along with lots of training and experience on the pointy end of the stick. Way too many people think of that gun as a talisman instead of a tool that requires skillful use and a solid mindset. When hard times come, those folks are in a bad mess. I can tell you that when hard times show up, all you’ve done training and mindset wise may barely carry the day.
Echoing the mindset issue, “FR8DOG” commented on a June 2008 Los Angeles Times article on open carry. This Times reader says, “a stronger man can take the gun from cowboy wannabees”. FACT: Not everyone is Qualified & should be armed. Qualification requires: 1: Skill 2: Knowledge of law re self defense 3: Emotional stability 4: Attitude, ie: disposition to use deadly force. # 3 & 4 exclude “cowboy wannabees” But this doesn’t mean QUALIFIED citizens shouldn’t be armed. So I carry a gun & prefer it concealed.”
I agree with Dobbs that surprise is head and shoulders a superior tactic in a fight. This is precisely why the bad guy doesn’t telegraph his intentions (body language notwithstanding). Being able to do something not expected takes the advantage away from your adversary. Side-stepping a lunge. Throwing sand in their eyes if you’ve fallen to the ground. Fighting back. All of these things throw off the bad guy’s rhythm. His plan is suddenly null and void and is evolving on a moment by moment basis.
In considering this statement it seems that the element of surprise is actually rooted in the fact that Dobbs is ready for almost any threat. The attitude and mental alertness would shock most would-be attackers. This is completely in line with many instructors who teach the Concealed Handgun License course. They all say that situational awareness is critical, and becomes even more so when you carry a loaded weapon on your person. I think everyone would agree that the criminal is looking for an easy target. When that criminal initiates the attack on a “defenseless” victim, only to find said victim meets his aggression with overwhelming violence and force, the criminal is rightly surprised. Anything you can do to throw off the perpetrator’s plan can be the difference between winning and losing the fight—this is part of the mindset Dobbs speaks of.
Where I differ is that having the gun visible on the hip may cause the perpetrator to think twice; to go after an easier target. Does that sound like a talisman? If my mindset ended with the gun as a deterring tool, I suppose I would have to say, “yes, the gun is a talisman.” But what if you couple open carry with the mindset Dobbs and others speak of? We then move to a holistic attitude of self-defense. A deterrent, mental preparedness, and training may not only keep you out of harm’s way, but help you carry the day. Your entire being would serve as a warning to the criminal, with the visible sidearm being the exclamation point.
The element of surprise with regard to the firearm is rendered impotent because of current law. When you see a threatening individual as you walk down the street, you need to decide how great a threat they are and whether or not you have time to diffuse the threat by vacating the premises. What if you determine they are a threat and you have no option available to leave the area? Do you draw your weapon? At this point you can’t. The “bad guy” has failed to make any threatening movements; it is only your suspicion that they will. Are you ready to offer an explanation to the judge as to why you brandished your weapon? Now you’re forced to wait for them to make a move, and with every step and second that ticks by, you’re element of surprise becomes diminished. Now what do you do when the bad guy pulls his knife and jams it into your face? Or jams his own gun into the neck of your wife or girlfriend screaming at you to hand over your wallet? Forget the surprise element. Now it’s time to do whatever you can do to get away without getting dead! Now you’re talking close quarter combat!
This is certainly a “what-if” scenario. But this scenario can be circumvented when the bad guy sees a gun. There are thousands of possible outcomes, but the point is, the gun shows them that you are ready. Your attitude shows them that you are ready. Where this becomes a potential problem is a moment’s inattention to your mindset. If you fail to show confidence and situational awareness—keeping your eyes on the guys coming down the street—any weapon you have may be rendered mute.