I would just point out that regular citizens in Israel have routinely stopped homicide bombers successfully by using their own personal carried firearms. They know the police can't be everywhere, and yet they have a pretty good police and military presence on the streets.
Exactly. Sometimes calling 911 ain't gonna do jacksquat because there ain't time for the police to respond.
Nothing wrong with thinking ahead and trying to be prepared for a Mumbai-type situation. I'll guess those who were involved in Mumbai wished they'd been more prepared.
To respond to your specific thoughts, yes I'd carry more than a .380. Some people can conceal full-size autos due to their body types. Maybe you can if you alter your attire.
I remember seeing the video of one of the Mumbai gunmen just strolling around out in the open. No headshot would have been necessary for him, just an accurate body shot. In the video I saw, there was little or no danger of hitting innocents because everyone had scattered.
I agree with you: lots of people hate us, they bleed us, and they want to kill us. I believe the chances of you getting caught up in some event is small, but not none.
You recognize the danger even though the odds are small. Then prepare as if you will have the chance to respond. If that day happens, then you will have the choice. Just because you prepare today doesn't mean you will be forced to get involved tomorrow, but if you have practiced today, your odds of success at involvement will be greater.
We never know what circumstances we'll encounter tomorrow. If your default plan is to call 911 and that's it, you are going to be severely handicapped if an event occurs. Let's say a Mumbai-style event occurs, where a group of armed men are taking over a hotel. Let's say you see a lone gunman walking near you, and you have an opportunity to take him out. I think having a mental attitude of "smoke the muther" may increase your chances of survival, and of those around you.
I wouldn't limit myself to the default of 911. In Mumbai, calling the police didn't do squat. Those who got out of the hotel alive did it on their own.
Keep that awareness you have. Keep that desire to do more than run away, as fighting may increase your chances of survival, and may also help those around you. I acknowledge we are not to be the saviour of the general public, but those around you may also include your family at some point. Smoking the muther with a barrage of bullets may be the best chance your family has.
I encourage you to keep your mindset of doing what needs to be done, whether that is running and calling 911, or emptying your gun into some terrorist's head and torso.
We don't know what we will encounter. We may not have the option of turning and running. If we are not prepared to take the fight to them and finish it, we may stand and freeze at just the wrong time, and then watch them kill us as we stand frozen in our tracks.
Prepare to fight. You can always turn and run, but if you haven't prepared to fight, you probably won't.
Get something bigger than your .380, and with more capacity, as you are thinking. Prepare for an encounter that isn't 2' away, for we don't know what hand will be dealt us.
Not everyone can see the benefits of being more prepared than you are now, and for more situations, but don't make preparations based on the unanimous decisions and approvals of others.
You sense the need to be more prepared. Now follow your gut and gitter done, even if you have to stand alone.
There won't be any of us there with you when it all goes bad. It will likely be you, and you alone, fighting to protect your family.
Prepare the arsenal you want to carry for just such a day. And when people tell you that you are a Rambo or a willing victim of a zealous prosecutor, picture you and your family alone in public when armed men start shooting the place up. And follow your gut as you prepare.
Your conscience is telling you now to get more prepared. For those who will tell you a small .380 is all you need... well, they don't live in your body, they don't listen to your conscience, they aren't tasked with protecting your family... they likely don't even know the circumstances in which you live. You alone know all that, and no one else.
When I'm alone with my family, whether it's in our living room or out on the town, I am so glad I followed my conscience concerning how armed I am. Peace. Peace with a clear conscience is what I have during those times. I know I've done what I can to be prepared for the unknown.
Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you've done what was in your power to be prepared. My prior planning doesn't guarantee a victory, but I've sure got a better chance than if I listened to those who say I don't need to be so prepared.
I think you're on the verge of following your conscience. But if you back off and don't follow your gut, you'll never have internal peace.
Might as well arm up now and get it over with. Listen to your conscience. It's there for a reason.
