Went to hospital to make visit, this hospital has 30.06 sign posted at entrance. Here in Texas this means that no concealed handgun are allowed by state law. Found parking place and exited jeep and while standing between jeep body and door removed CC and placed it in concealed spot under seat. Locked door and scanned parking lot once more when I noticed a man seating in car with very good view of me removing CC. Something made my hair stand up on back of neck and I went back and reentered jeep and drove away. Found parking place on other side of hospital out of sight of first one and made visit. It seemed strange to have to protect my CCW as I depend on it to protect me. Not for sure but good chance that if I had not moved to new parking lot, that when I came out of hospital after visit I would have found jeep broken into and CCW gone. I hate 30.06 signs but am glad that I have being teaching my self to be very much more situational aware. Has anyone else had to protect their CCW while out and about, for instance at post office when thing just were not right?
It’s a shame that you feel the other person; sitting in his automobile was there to commit a crime. First off, he was there before you. Why were you thinking he was there to burglarize your vehicle? Could he maybe be waiting for his wife or daughter to get off work? Could he just have returned from visiting a dying, dear friend or spouse in the same hospital and just sitting there trying to get his head straight before driving off?
For our safety we have a duty to always observe our surrounding before getting out of the vehicle. I think the mistake was yours my friend. Carelessly exiting the vehicle and then removing the firearm could have put you in real danger had the want-a-be punk snuck up behind you and taken that firearm during your draw.
All that might sound rash I know. I’m not attacking you, just pointing out that the fella you saw could have been in any state of mind. I think it is wrong to assume someone’s intent without action on their part. Otherwise, we are all criminals until proven innocent.
Having made the mistake, you did the right thing, move on. Had he actually seen your weapon, he could have just as well dialed 911 and reported you and your firearm in the parking lot along with a description of the vehicle. He could have even followed you while on the phone with the local PD. Now, that would get your hackles up!
Not knowing your situation and giving advice is a hard call. I would try to disarm before I arrive at a location I know will not allow me to carry. I carry, drive a service vehicle, and do this as frequently as necessary. I carry a spare holster in the glove box. I pull over, usually in an open area of a parking lot and swap the weapon to the spare holster and into the G box it goes, all while I sit there comfortably drawing little attention to myself.
Being a Jeep owner I understand you may or not have a G box depending on the model/yr. Placing a firearm under the seat might be an option in your state. It is not here for firearm owners in general.
Jeep:wave: Best wishes and thanks for sharing this eye opening event so we can all stay safe and alert to our surroundings.
