OH: Another Concealed Carry Failure, Gun Stolen During Robbery

Gun Watch ^ | 24 April, 2015 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Over the past decade, there have been two reports of open carriers being attacked.   In one case, the attacker tried to grab the openly carried pistol; in the other case, the reason for the attack is unknown.  Both attacks failed.  There have been two other reports of open carriers having their firearm stolen.  One of those cases was in an area where an openly carried firearm was required to be unloaded.

It is more likely for concealed carriers to be attacked, because the attackers do not know that they are armed.   The vast majority of criminals do not want to attack an  armed person.   Sometimes the attacks fail, sometimes they succeed.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both concealed carry and open carry; it is foolish to claim that one or the other is "best" all the time.  I carry both ways, as the purpose and circumstances seem best to me. I like to keep options.   Here is the latest likely instance of a concealed carrier being attacked and his gun stolen.

On 12 April, 2015, there was another attack on an likely concealed carrier.  It occurred at the Whitehall Carry Out in Whitehall, Ohio.   A man who had a firearm in a holster was robbed at gunpoint by two men who had asked him for change before he entered a store to buy lottery tickets.  When he exited the store, they accosted him at gunpoint.

It seems unlikely that the pistol was carried openly, as there is no report of the robbers telling the man to disarm during the robbery; and it is reported that during a struggle, the pistol fell out of the holster.    From thisweeknews.com:

The man told police he was walking to the store to buy lottery tickets when two men asked him for change. The man said he had none and went inside the store.

After exiting, one of the men pointed a gun at him and said, "Don't get shot over change."

The victim, armed with his own gun, fought the man, reports said.

During the struggle, the victim's pistol fell from its holster, police said.

Reports said the two men took the victim's gun and his lottery tickets and fled in a vehicle.

It is clear that the robbers were reluctant to shoot, or that the firearm that they used was either non-functional or a fake.  A significant percentage of criminals' guns are non-functional. 

While no mention was made of a concealed carry weapons permit, it seems likely that the pistol was being carried concealed.   It is rare to see an open carrier that does not have a retention system on their holsters, while it is common for concealed carriers to carry inside the waistband holsters with no retention system.

The report reinforces the wisdom of having a retention system of some sort on a firearm holster, if simply for retaining the pistol during a fall or violent movements, such as may occur in an accident or during exercise.  Retention during a fight is even more important.

Alert readers are asked to report any more details of this event that they may come across. 



©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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[marktwain]

Both open carry and concealed carry have advantages and disadvantages. Concealed carry offers surprise after the carrier is attacked; open carrier offers deterrence from attack. Concealed carry allows the carrier to blend in with those who are not armed; open carry disclosed armed status to those who are alert.

[cripplecreek]

Over the past decade, there have been two reports of open carriers being attacked.

Nobody ever asks how many times concealed carriers are targeted. I'm guessing its a fair number. After all, we see headlines about thugs picking the "Wrong victim" all the time.

[G Larry]

It’s really tough to get to your weapon in time, in close quarters, with multiple assailants.

We can talk about situational awareness, but some encounters are hard to avoid.

[Gaffer]

Open carry where law requires the weapon be unloaded certainly is an invitation to theft. It’s like flashing a wad of $100 bills because the thugs know there aren’t any bullets.

Personally, I wouldn’t open carry for deterrence unless I could have the weapon loaded. Otherwise, I have my permit and what I carry will blow a nice trauma hole that will induce near-instant shock.

[Gaffer]

Sometimes it really is just prescient prudence that tells one “this really isn’t the kind of place you should think about entering.” I’ve been in that situation more than once.

[JRandomFreeper]

And just sometimes, open carry is the only method possible for some people. Options are good.

Now to get State governments to recognise the 2nd amendment and get Constitutional Carry. ;)

/johnny

[cripplecreek]

Walking out of a party store is one of those unavoidable blind spots.

I avoid party stores in the hood and always notice what is going on in the lot before I go in.

[Kenny Bunk]

Anyone entering that particular establishment without artillery preparation is is asking for trouble.

[Organic Panic]

This is about the time anti-gunners will say we should all take karate. We just have to channel our inner Chuck Norris like in the movies.

[rktman]

Haven’t seen any Kydex holsters for hammers. Which is basically what you have if you are someplace that is okay with open carry as long as the hammer isn’t loaded. Seems like a no brainer to go concealed. I don’t advertise things like that.

[cripplecreek]

Jugheads is my local party store and its in about as safe a place as you will find. I still remain aware.

[G Larry]

The self-defense instruction I’ve taken has several days of hand-to-hand training before you ever touch a weapon.

Simply because, sometimes you need to fight just to get to your weapon.

[Gaffer]

Haven’t seen any Kydex holsters for hammers.

They're usually in leather....called tool belts :0)

[rktman]

Don’t let the momunists know that there are people out there open carrying hammers. Need to put a stop to hammer violence.

[Gaffer]

Mines is a big ole Estwing Framer’s special. Gots that 16” unbreakable all steel rubber coated handle - weighs about 1.5-2 lb. Tremendous moment arm and force.

Driving down the road one day 20 years ago and spotted it in the gutter after having fallen out the back of some dipwad’s truck driving with the tailgate down turning a corner. I screeched to a stop and got out and grabbed it up. Still have it. But it has a cross-hatch etched striker that would leave a traceable imprint, so I bought its smooth faced brother for those just-in-case events. :0)

[AlaskaErik]

There's more to protecting yourself than carrying a firearm. First of all, stay out of the bad parts of town. Maintain situational awareness. I'll need a neck replacement long before any other joints will need replacing. That's because my head is swiveling all the time. I see those lurkers in the shadows when I exit Walmart or the grocery store. When they see me looking at them, they know I'm not a good target. Especially since I'm 6’ 2” tall, broad shouldered and I carry myself like I was still in the Marine Corps. The bad guys are looking for an easy target. I don't look like an easy target. For me, my weapon is the last line of defense, not the first.

[marktwain]

Hammers have been instruments of war for thousands of years.

Remember Mjolnir

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mj%C3%B6lnir

[marktwain]

Good advice.

[Eagles6]

I avoid the hood and what is a party store? Is it like that one in West Virginia called “Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives”?

[Kenny Bunk]

JUGHEADS!
Now you talkin'!
$6 for week old Wonder Bread .... but they are open! BTW, drink the $4/qt milk today.

Since this was obviously snapped over Hall'o'ween, I am not reporting the multiple zoning violations. Kind'o'Klassy!