Today helped me confirm my decision to conceal carry...

[NCHornet]

As others have said you did a very good job by being aware of your surroundings. Many young girls wouldn't have noticed until they were a threat. I have a young daughter and it makes me sick to hear some of the stories she tells me, grown men trying to pick her and her friends up. Check your states laws, some will require you to be 21 to obtain a CC permit but will allow you to have one in the car at 18, but again check your laws. I have bought my daughter the large Police issue Pepper spray, and she carries a knife everywhere she goes. I already have her a CC gun, just waiting until she is of legal age. Glad you are alright.

NCH

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[snowdoctor]

I 100% support your decision to carry...BUT...you did exactly the right thing in this situation....get out of there....your car is the place to be, great job being aware of your surroundings....OC spray may help you feel better...but giving yourself at 'out' is the right decision...

[Texan29]

I am the OP's boyfriend. I am a probation officer in the county she goes to college in. It just so happens that the Max security prison is only about 10 minutes from her college. My entire short career has been in probation or parole work except for some work in the State M.E. Unlike other LEO...ALL of the people I encounter in my work are "BAD" people with criminal records. I deal with them in their homes and their turfs 90% of the time....usually by myself. I consider my Situational Awareness to be of the utmost importance for me more than most. Police send them to jail...I send them BACK...if they screw up. They really don't like me...most of the time. I have worked with her a lot to hone her SA, and she has done an excellent job. She is a smart and very beautiful girl who has an interest in her personal protection and being my partner in life and all situations that come. Thats why I love her so much and find her unbelievably sexy. I am very proud of her and her progression thus far. I am thinking about getting her into some real deal OC (not that cheap stuff in convenience stores)and a good concealable defensive knife...possibly a Ka-Bar TDI.

+1 on the Ka-Bar TDI. I absolutely love mine. I have one of three that I carry with me at all times. God help you if you ever get on the wrong end of my TDI.

[press1280]

According to Handgunlaw.us, minimum age to OC in WV is 18(seems that's quite common in other states if you travel anywhere else). So that is an option for you until you turn 21.

[MinistrMalic]

It also helps that I am 5'9". So for the most part if I had to put up a fight I would have a better chance then some girls because of my size.

True enough, but remember it is the size of the fight in the dog, NOT the size of the dog in the fight. (no disrespect intended!)

Sounds like your BF is the real deal as far as helping you with SA; keep that with you wherever you go. Just being aware of your surroundings will keep you out of 90% of SD situations IMAO.

Any interest in taking some martial arts training? Few ladies can rely on size against an attacker; not too many BG's are going to go after someone larger than them. Technique will make the difference, and having a backup to a firearm (or in your case an alternative for the time being) would probably be wise. I love it personally and so do my wife and kids.

Blessings to you!

[jawest12]

Hello fello West Virginians. OC is "technically" legal in WV. However, they have this thing about disturbing the peace in most of the cities and towns. So many of them it is actually illegal within city limits. Quite silly really, but that is they way it is.

[tdwood]

True enough, but remember it is the size of the fight in the dog, NOT the size of the dog in the fight. (no disrespect intended!)

Sounds like your BF is the real deal as far as helping you with SA; keep that with you wherever you go. Just being aware of your surroundings will keep you out of 90% of SD situations IMAO.

Any interest in taking some martial arts training? Few ladies can rely on size against an attacker; not too many BG's are going to go after someone larger than them. Technique will make the difference, and having a backup to a firearm (or in your case an alternative for the time being) would probably be wise. I love it personally and so do my wife and kids.

Blessings to you!

I live in a pretty small town and I don't think martial arts is even taught anywhere. I would like to take the class though. I think I am going to get a KA-BAR and carry it and some good pepper spray.

[kimberland]

You can carry in your vehicle in plain sight throughout WV:

OpenCarry.org - A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost!

[Squawker]

AS some have said, I’d call the correctional department and report what happen and how those inmates being left un-supervised made you feel threatened.

I also agree with getting some OC spray.

They not only made her feel threatened, but they were very likely looking to make an escape in her car. Definitely report them!

[press1280]

Hello fello West Virginians. OC is "technically" legal in WV. However, they have this thing about disturbing the peace in most of the cities and towns. So many of them it is actually illegal within city limits. Quite silly really, but that is they way it is.

I'm only aware of Charleston and Dunbar being grandfathered for banning of OC. I guess there may be other towns that do what they please, but it would probably be illegal.
I'd check with the PD in your town to make sure.....

[Hubs]

In WV, what is the age of gun ownership? If you are legal to own, are you allowed to carry a gun in your vehicle(glovebox)? Many states allow this. This would allow a gun to be available for self defense purposes.

[budokaitd]

I believe all women should carry. Since my little lady won't/can't carry at work, I talked her into carrying a benchmade folder and OC spray. She has knife training and she's a gold medalist in Brazilian Jiujitsu, but I still worry. Get all of the training you can. My lady was attacked by two crackheads, luckily she wasn't raped or killed, but that's what it took for her to see the "light". If it would happen today, they wouldn't be with us onymore.

[tdwood]

In WV, what is the age of gun ownership? If you are legal to own, are you allowed to carry a gun in your vehicle(glovebox)? Many states allow this. This would allow a gun to be available for self defense purposes.

You have to be 18 to own a shotgun or rifle, but of course you have to be 21 to own a handgun. Unfortunately I fall in between at 19.

[kimberland]

You have to be 18 to own a shotgun or rifle, but of course you have to be 21 to own a handgun. Unfortunately I fall in between at 19.

I am no expert on WV law, but it may be that you are too young to BUY a handgun, but you may still be able to possess one:



OpenCarry.org - State Information For West Virginia

[Rob87]

On my way to college I have to cross a mountain and I have a V6 in my car, which isn't the best on gas, and I realized my car was almost on empty. I stopped at a small gas station as soon as possible because I did not want to take the chance of breaking down in this community. I know absolutely no one in this very small town, and I have no cell phone service. As I pulled into the gas staion I noticed a white passenger van about 25 feet from the pumps. I saw people along the road picking up trash and immediately thought...inmates. However, I didn't give it much thought. I figured I was just being paranoid. Well...I wasn't. They were wearing an orange hat, an orange vest, and orange sweatshirt, etc. They were quite obviously an inmate work crew. While I was pumping gas I noticed a few of them started walking toward me. I thought it was no big deal, but still was aware of my surroundings. I looked at the van to make sure their correctional officer was watching them, but he was parked beside another jeep chatting away. I got a little nervous at this point, but still remained calm. I could hear them talking and looking and me and having that look while they were talking. I finished pumping gas as quickly as possible, got my receipt, got in my car, and locked the doors. Being a 19 year old girl, I feel very defenseless in these types of situations. This incident confirmed my decision to carry and makes me wish I could get my license now. Granted they may have been completely harmless, but having a gun strapped to my side would have made me feel a lot safer. Just in case something would have got out of hand.

I'm sorry to hear that happened. It's unfortunate we live in a world where people have to feel afraid. :\

Maybe you should call the local jail/prison to report the officer for not paying attention to his charges?

I agree. It's his responsibility to pay attention.

As a father, if you were my daughter, I would have had a stroke hearing that story!

I totally agree with your decision to get armed.

When you're of age, go get your license!

Didn't tell dad. Just the boyfriend who I live with.

Well, there goes the question I was going to ask... lol :)