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So, I am eating dinner out last night with some friends. I ended up sitting with my back towards most of the dining room. All of the sudden I hear *BOOM*, and my right hand goes to my gun. I turn around and look, and it was a kids balloon that had popped. Now, in my defense, it didn't sound like a balloon. Paranoia or not?
nope...
What if it was the real thing and you didn't go for it ??
I have found myself putting my hand next to my weapon, ready to lift my shirt a few times. Its just being prepared. You didn't brandish so I think you did fine.
Yes, I would have looked...but if it was a shot intended FOR you, you would never have heard it anyway.
Next time I would sit in a seat 'with a view'. Whenever we go someplace with 'seating' my wife already knows that I get the 'seat with a view'...pretty cool, actually. Now SHE is thinking about our safety.
Good thing you didn't shoot that kid's other balloon...:haha:
Stay alert...sounds like you were...
ret:urla9ub:
A couple weeks ago some prolly drunk college pranksters were setting off some sort of firework in the alley behind my house that sounded like a 12 gauge for some reason, about 4 of them over the course of 2-3 minutes. I grabbed my weapon and hit my floor at the first one. Then very carefully looked out the side of the blinds in a dark room to figure out what was going on. Better safe than sorry, you didn't brandish or throw down on a kid for popping a balloon, so I'd say you are fine
You know the old saying.... It's not really paranoia if they really are out to get you.
Got to get control of the hands, though. In a public setting, it's a dead giveaway. :tongue:Quote:
Originally Posted by CubSmurf
Paranoid? Not when something happens. That's called preparedness.
I disagree. I think it is good control of the hands. It is called muscle memory. :image035:Quote:
Originally Posted by ccw9mm
... and being "made" by one's own actions, in advance of an identified threat. If can be done, it would be better to immediately identify the threat level, and then move to acquire the gun for action. Doing so in a public place prior to that time can break cover. Balancing act, agreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Only Glock
Nah, your fine. If you drew and returned fire, I'd have an issue with you.
I was walking my dog in the woods a few days ago(dark) and something came crashing toward us very fast. Branches were breaking, lot of noise. My hand went immediately to my gun. Never saw what it was because it stopped about 20 feet away. Paranoia would have been drawing and sighting in on suspected noise(In your case a kids balloon). You did fine. As far as being made- the importance of that depends on present company. I for one could care less if a stranger sees me lunge for my waist, as long as I don't expose metal(don't know if you did or not) they can assume whatever they want. I will be confident knowing that I am ready for a threat.
Paranoia will keep you alive.
A few years ago I was standing outside of a strip "mall" of businesses. We were the only business open (ambulance service). I was not able to carry because of my employment. A car comes driving by real slow into the dead end road, then turns around. My radar went off, right about the time I hear multiple gunshots coming from the car. I quickly take cover behind a car and draw my...pager! Dang! Reflexes are good, but only if you have the right equipment! Turns out one of the other businesses was having trouble with an ex employee, who took it upon himself to shoot up their storefront and trucks.
No brandishing, no harm no foul
Your reaction was one of "startle" nothing more. Had you been watching the floor your mind would have likely seen the balloons and equated the "shot" with one popping, not a gunshot.
Since your first thought was "shots fired" when you had no clue as to what was going on yet, and you exposed yourself as an armed person by making furtive movement... I'd say "paranoid."