waitress leaving work

[nattie]

A waitress is leaving work, the place closes at 2am so she's leaving anywhere between 2 and 3 am. She usually leaves with another waitress and the restaurant is in the parking lot of a Home Depot. She's parked close to the restaurant but the doors are locked as they close. What does she do if a BG enters the scene.

I'm this waitress, this is my scenario 4 nights a week....I'm in the process of getting my concealed weapons permit. Until I get my permit, I have a cell phone and a kubaton.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Scott]

You are on the right track with getting your permit. I assume you have had some training with the kubaton. If not you may want to get some. OC spray is a possible add to your current defense. I don't know any legalities about you carrying OC spray however.

[OPFOR]

The first thing to do is what you're already doing - think about your situation and plan accordingly. Also, having another person with you is a great idea.

Aside from that, simply being aware - head up, eyes and ears open - is your single best defense. Know where your nearest sources of cover are, know your environment so you can tell when something is out of place, ask a co-worker inside to keep an eye on you as you walk to the car, check around and inside your car before you open the doors, and so on. Oh, and get a small, powerful flashlight to have in your hand or attach to your keys - there are even some models that are designed to mimic the striking capabilities of the kubaton.

And, when you get your weapon and permit, get some good, professional training in its use - that training will probably be more valuable to you then the weapon itself.

[limatunes]

my recommendation would be that even when you get your permit you continue to have someone walk you to your car. Or at least ask someone to watch at the door with it propped open until you are safely on your way. You may feel a bit paranoid asking but I'd rather look paranoid than be caught in a bad situation.

Everyone I work with carries a gun and knows I carry one. No one will let me walk out the back door by myself and if I'm parked farther away in the parking lot sometimes they even insist on driving me to my car. I greatly appreciate their concern and never turn down their offers to be kind and look out for me. With the added company I feel pretty confident that nothing will ever go down, and if it does, the bad guy has to deal with two armed civilians rather than one.

[MattInFla]

A waitress is leaving work, the place closes at 2am so she's leaving anywhere between 2 and 3 am. She usually leaves with another waitress and the restaurant is in the parking lot of a Home Depot. She's parked close to the restaurant but the doors are locked as they close. What does she do if a BG enters the scene.

I'm this waitress, this is my scenario 4 nights a week....I'm in the process of getting my concealed weapons permit. Until I get my permit, I have a cell phone and a kubaton.

OC spray would be a good addition, but in Florida you cannot have it concealed unless it is 2 oz of product or smaller, until you have your CWFL.

Once you get your permit, you would be well served by taking a good defensive pistol class. There are several possibilities depending on where in Florida you are.

Matt

[Rob72]

Hi, nattie!

If you get OC, be sure to try it out, so you know how far it reaches. A compact, hi-powered flashlight is good too. The folks on EDC forums speak highly of these:(JetBeam C-LE)
http://emilionworkshop.com/oscommerc...caf&cPath=1_57

I like my Inova X5, but the JetBeam is about 1/2 the price.

Any tool you get- practice with it, and consider how you use it. Some forums are "hardware" centric (guns, knives,lights, batons, etc..), some are more "software"- the thinking. EDC Forums is hardware-geek Heaven, Total Protection Interactive is another good "software" site.

[64zebra]

first, great thinking on your part about getting your license and your frame of mind,
second, great posts so far for you

what I can add that hasn't been said so far: get some practical unarmed defensive training, look for some classes geared towards women, some places offer these women's defense classes and can teach you some simple things that may help thwart an attack and compliment you carrying your pistol, may even help you actually get to your weapon if attacked

as others have suggested, carry what OC you can legally, knife of some sort and learn how to use it, get training with your firearm, and always stay alert to your surroundings

[FknRa]

is open carry an option for you? I'm not 100% on carry in car in Florida as far as the laws go.

[MattInFla]

Open carry is a no-go in Florida.

Carry in the car is allowed without permit, so long as the gun is "securely" cased.

Amazingly, in the closed glove box counts as "securely" cased.

Matt

[GotSig?]

You can carry in your car before you get you CCW but its still locked in your car and you have to get to it. OC is a good option, it will buy you some time. Depending on what part of florida i can suggest some instructors that will get you through the application process quickly. I recieved my permit in 2 weeks with electronic prints.

[Rob99VMI04]

What about a umbrella a sharp pointy one. Also Carry a knife. Frankly if its a guy jumping you anyway a knife may be your best option anyway.

[obxned]

Get a huge, giant economy, knock-a-grizzly-on-his-butt can of pepper spray and carry it openly so all the world can see it, especially those who seem to crawl out of the sewers late at night. Even if you are armed, this is a pretty good sign that you are not the one they were looking for.

[Protect]

If the HD has a security gaurd patroling at night see if he can stop by around 2 and keep an eye on you and any co workers as you leave. Give him a cup of coffee or piece of pie or something nice.

[Bark'n]

Hi Nattie,

Welcome to the forum. You have found a good place here to learn and exchange ideas.

I commend you on pursuing your CCW permit. It is a big step! It is a step towards empowerment and security!

You can get a lot of pointers from some very experienced people on this forum.

I would like to recommend two books in particular as a starting point for you to consider. I highly recommend them and have both of them. They are very easy reads and provide vital information.

The first one I recommend is Kubaton Techniques written by the man who invented the Kubaton. Whether you know how to use it or not, since you own one, you might as well have the book written by the inventor that shows proper use and techniques that are easily accomplished and it is full of great diagrams. 56 pages with 114 pictures it's a nice and simple manual and only $10 and can be found here: http://www.defensedevices.com/kub.html

The second book is by an Internationally known and respected Lethal Force trainer, author, police officer and owner of his own school. The book is called The Truth About Self Protection by Massad Ayoob and is about the size of a novel. While you might find it to be a little "dated" but the information contained within applies today and is every bit as informative and vital to dealing with "Personal Protection" as a concept and incorporating it into your everyday lifestyle.

Basically it debunks a lot of myths that are often touted regarding self defense and gives you logical, proven options, tactics and methods you can deploy for your own personal protection. It covers a myriad of topics that covers subjects such as Home Defense; How to Secure Your Home; Unarmed Defense Tactics; Psychological Aspects of Deadly Encounters; Use of Firearms; How to Choose a Firearm; Less-Lethal Weapons; and a particularly chilling chapter called "The Face of the Enemy" which goes in depth into who the predators are and how they operate. That chapter alone is worth the price of the book. It can be found here:
http://www.defensedevices.com/truth-...rotection.html

Once you get your CCW permit, most everyone here will recommend one of his many other books In The Gravest Extreme... also by Massad Ayoob. All his books and videos can be found at his website through The Police Bookshelf at: http://www.ayoob.com/

So I guess there are actually 3 books to set you on your way to understanding the "inside information" on self defense, armed defense, and proper mindset of a "survivor!"

Again welcome to the Forum, I hope you'll stay around, pick our brains and continue to post here. Always love to have new members.

Stay Safe!

[ExSniper]

Get someone else at the restaurant to escort you or watch you as you go to your car, get in and lock the doors. When exiting the restaurant, open door, survey the area, look for anything that is "out of place." If your car is equipped with an alarm, have the panic button in your hand, and observe the area as you walk to the car.
Find a copy of "Strong on Defense" by Sanford Strong (I've seen it at Barnes & Noble and Amazon) and read it. He has many great suggestions for all kinds of things we can do to avoid criminal attack.