What’s yours? What makes the most sense for your lifestyle and location? Is it necessary or prudent for your situation?
Mine has evolved over the years. I would say my most successful strategy is avoidance. I avoid putting myself in dangerous situations. I have small kids and don’t really have a desire to go out at night anymore, so I don’t have much to worry about. We recently moved to a small town nestled up against the blue ridge mountains, so I am more concerned with a confused black bear finding its way into our kitchen at night than I am violent crime. Incidentally that is primarily what my home defense strategy is set up to deal with now. That required a lot of changes to the one at the old house, and some careful consideration of shooting angles to avoid neighbors. I work in a nice area when I am at home, so that isn’t much of a concern. I tend to bring my lunch most of the time.
Depending on if it is appropriate, I will carry a Glock 19, CZP10C (aka hipster Glock 19), Glock 26, or SigP365. Carrying and small kiddos is a bit of an unsolved challenge for me, as it can be problematic to keep my firearm concealed whilst playing tag or hanging upside down on the monkey bars. Appendix or 7 o’clock is my preference for carry if I’m not doing that. I can get away with pocket carry for the P365 sometimes. If I am traveling for work then I am probably somewhere bad and the best strategy is to not go anywhere alone or unarmed, but that is outside the scope of this thread for me.
I don’t really have a truck gun per se, but I tend to go to the range pretty regularly at lunch, so there is often something available if I were to need it.
Biggest weaknesses:
Overall I do a pretty good job of maintaining self awareness, practicing immediate action drills, and avoiding trouble, but I need to spend more time practicing drawing and engaging while moving with my SigP365. I haven’t settled on an everyday holster yet.
I still haven’t figured out a solution for carrying a TQ or small ifak that I am happy with. Ankle kit came close, but it needs some modification.
Lately I’ve been using my ankle holster more than anything. My brother talked me into one of those Urban carry holsters. He loves his, I don’t really like it. When I carry IWB I use an alien gear more than anything. In summer time, I have a pocket holster for a little 380 that I really like. I can toss it into a pair of shorts without having to worry about my shirt coming up or wearing a belt with shorts. I normally wear Zoic shorts in the summer.
A part from my carry, I generally stay out of crowds, in the backs of rooms, in corners facing exits and people, and I don’t really frequent bars any more. Even as my kids are older, I don’t have much desire to deal with assholes in public any more than I have to. When I get away, I usually go camping, kayaking, biking, and stuff like that.
I don’t always carry. FTR I do have LTC, so I can open or conceal, legally. Depends on the situation. Here are some, for consideration:
- We make long drives to visit people or go to events, I'll usually keep a piece in the vehicle, handy but not strapped. I opt for the USP Compact .45 three mags JHP with paddles or the PF9 2 mags ball in belly band, in those cases.
- Just going to my mom's house, or a quick grocery store run? Nah, no reason.
- Going to the mall or a large public place, concealed, usually belly band, and it will be the PP or the PF9.
- Hunting/ranching/hiking, open carry, for comfort and convenience. PF9 with a mag of shot chambered, and a mag of ball as backup. Shoulder harness.
Outside of firearms, I keep a safety tool, flashlights, and first aid kits in both vehicles. I keep a small fire extinguisher in the truck, as well as a tote full of rope, rigging, hand tools, paper towels, and other accoutrements. In the minivan we have a smaller selection of handtools, but lots of straws, plastic forks, spoons, knives, solo cups... We keep those plastic puke bags in both vehicles, too. Kids puke.
Sub’s post reminds me that I need to put a legitimate trauma kit in our cars when we get home. I ordered all the stuff awhile back but have been lax about putting kits together. Need to make sure we can take care of our kiddos if there is a vehicle accident. We have booboo kits but nothing serious in there right now.
I’ve got a pretty good trauma kit that I move between my car and camper depending on which I’m using. Is has tourniquets, blood control stuff, splints, and all that fun stuff. I tricked my work into ordering it for me a while back.
Cassius makes a good point in OP about situational awareness. I instinctively build a mental picture of a place every single time I walk into it. I look at the people around, where the exits are, where the cameras are, where the bathrooms are, closets, stockrooms, kitchen, etc. I do my best to sit with my back to an interior wall, because I don’t like people behind me. I sit sideways to a table when I can’t get a wall. I do my best to have a view of the main entrance, so I can observe new entrants. Things like that are key to self defense. Never be comfortable when there are people you don’t know in your immediate environment.
Cassius have you seen one of these?
https://www.revmedx.com/parabelt/
They’re a belt specifically designed to double up as a TQ. They’d probably have to go over your EDC belt which may or may not be a drama, I’ve never used one, just seen them about but it’s an alternative to an ankle trauma kit.
As to the OP I think mindset and situational awareness are crucial wherever you are in the world. Plan ahead and have some knowledge of where you’re going and what you intend to do, dress and act accordingly and be prepared for if anything goes wrong.
Small, positive plans can sometimes negate big, horrible fuck ups.