Mike Pannone - Covert Carry Mindset

Quote:

http://soldiersystems.net/2014/02/22...ke-pannone-17/

Covert Carry Mindset

I carry nearly every day and I make it a point not to rely on that pistol in a way that would cause me to go places I wouldn’t go if unarmed.

From the very introduction to my Covert Carry Class, I stress as a mindset for a civilian CCW carrier the following three escalation steps:

Avoid – bad places or people whenever possible (do you really need that snack at the circle-K at 2330 in a sketchy part of town?)
Evade – bad situations and people once identified (there’s no law that states you must stay in a place you don’t feel safe or if someone feels the need to lose their temper on the road just drive away.)
Defend – when the first two courses of action are no longer viable and you are in fear for your life or the lives of others.

*Be mindful not to get yourself into avoidable situations with a gun that you can’t get out of without a gun.*

You’re conduct day to day should reflect an aware and cautious professional. Being genuinely talented with a firearm and having good situational awareness are crucial to your own safety but not a guarantee. The better you are, the more confident you become, and the more likely you are to go to riskier places, because you’ve got “good situational awareness and a pistol.” Every skill should be used to benefit you. Live a confident life as a responsible and self-reliant citizen. One cautionary note; don’t let that confidence overextend your posture so much so that you can’t respond effectively or successfully, if something does go wrong or catches you off-guard.

Don’t go places or take chances that you wouldn’t without a gun just because you have one. You may very well be smart and fast and aware and talented, but it’s just you and maybe a friend or your family, not a 6 man assault team. Any mistakes can make for a really bad day for everyone, so judgment is king.

Be smart before you have to be hard. Trust me, it makes the “being hard” part a lot easier!

- Mike Pannone

Good post and a must-read.

Pretty much exactly on the nose. Carrying doesn't make be braver or more confident, it actually makes me more likely to avoid confrontation. I always am cognizant that when I am carrying, if I am involved in a confrontation, there will be AT LEAST one gun involved, and that increases the odds that it will end badly for AT LEAST one of the parties involved.

Very good. Been teaching that same approach for 20 years now.

Very similar to what Andy Stanford has been teaching in regards to avoid, deter, deescalate. Avoid stupid places, people and things, nothing good happens after midnight (Cinderella rule), if you wouldn't go there without a gun, don't go there with a gun.

Good to see a lot of the stuff getting attention across the board and from different sources.