Concealed Carry Helps Man Stay Alive

Concealed Carry

Anthony Broyles and his two-year old daughter were enjoying a day at Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho.  He turned and saw a man 15 feet behind him with a knife.  The man asked him if he had any money.  Anthony, who holds a concealed carry permit, drew a pistol and cocked it.

The man withdrew without further incident.  Anthony believes the man, and another one waiting in a van, were attempting to kidnap his daughter.

Analysis

In the story, Anthony attributes his survival to situational awareness, a concept described in Staying Alive: How to Act Fast and Survive Deadly Encounters.  From the story, "Broyles had spent four-years in the marines and said his military experience gave him a sixth sense when it comes to threat assessment."  The military is an excellent place in which to develop, and practice, situational awareness, but it is by no means the only way.   The book describes in detail how to develop it, and how important it is in staying alive.

Another aspect of this story is concealed carry.  Staying Alive devotes a whole chapter on the idea of whether to carry a weapon or not.  It is certainly not for everyone.  Wanting to carry a weapon is only a small consideration, as there is a life-or-death responsibility that goes along with carrying a weapon.  That responsibility can only be fulfilled with proper training and practice, practice, practice!

As a former Marine, Broyles may have been able to defend himself unarmed, against a man with a knife.  But with the life of his two-year old daughter hanging in the balance, Broyles was glad he was carrying.

It is important to make that decision well before you have to, to give yourself time to train and practice.