Absolutely no offense meant or implied on my part. It's a highly personal topic and difficult to discuss online. Which is why I seem to have a little trouble with this thread in the first place.

I do think some of the notions expressed here are questionable. For one, there is a lot of difference between the simulated stress on a competition and the real thing. Etc. etc. It all gets pretty complicated when you have to deal with the actual, real life consequences of the infamous SHTF.

Given the situation described in the first post - man gunning down his wife and unknown male/possible friend. I kind of fail to see how an armed civilian would be able to do much good. Just as likely a split-second shooting incident turns into a prolonged shootout with more fatalities.

BTW, even if the bystanders themselves don't mind taking some friendly fire, how do you think their families and laywers are going to react? And anyway, are you the kind of person that could live with that for the rest of your life? (All rhetoric questions obviously, something we can only answer for ourselves.)

Another situation referred to here - Charlie Hebdo. Two men rush an office room with about a dozen people inside, including a LEO specifically tasked with protecting them, probably a highly trained individual. We all know how that turned out.

I'm sure there is a time and place for anything, including CCW. Then again, it *could* do more harm than good in a given situation, particularly if compounded with unrealistic expectations. Like maybe trying to rappel down a cliff with paracord.

If TS really HTF you do what you have to do. If you're a sensible person you will prepare and train accordingly, though always keeping your limitations in mind. I still believe it's best to be honest and realistic about it and I don't think an online forum such as ETS is the best place to discuss self-defense. So many people talking the talk on survivalist and combatives websites already it's not even funny.

Now, I don't mean to put anybody down. Please take this for what it's worth, one guy's experience and 2 cents. So peace to all and a good day...