Are you equipped both mentally and physically to survive a carjacking? Some just drive off. Some die. There are an infinite number of variables. ONE of the common variables is that the carjacker WANTS and may NEED your keys. He may or may not want you.

Two Boise sisters tested their version -

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-mar1207-carjacking_suspect.7d617e7.html

I just keep my door locked and windows rolled up while driving (the AC is easier on me than 60 mph wind in my face), and I try to leave space in front of me to turn out of line, if necessary. Thirty years of driving and I haven't been carjacked yet.

Besides, my truck can outrun even the speediest of runners.

check out this video of a carjacking at Target in Durham NC. The guy is using a long knife to carjack the victim. Pretty good video to see what to do (get out of immediate danger like a buthcer knife) and what not to do (stand behind the car as the carjacker attempts to flee) in a carjacking.

THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE FOLKS. Not just LA, NY or Miami but at the local Target (Walmart, mall, etc) in Yourtown, USA.

The best two things to do to prepare yourself for a carjacking and carjacking prevention are phisiological: 1. Know your surroundings. 2. Go by your gut feeling.

And oh yeah - lots of people high on drugs or with severe mental illness have high thresholds for pain.

carjacking video

Okay, two clicks away for the video. Click on this link for the article, then click on RAW VIDEO: Carjacking at Durham Target

That is why I want a cougar like Ricky Bobby has...

Doors locked and a .45

KenK,

You are smarter than that! Just because something has not happened in the past does not mean it cannot happen in the future. Your car/truck windows are not bulletproof or crowbar proof. You can easily be stuck in traffic where you can not drive away no matter how much space you have in front of you.

The best anti-carjacking advice I have is to be aware of your surroundings whenever your car is not moving. Have a loaded handgun close at hand, round in the chamber. If you see someone that looks dangerous, and close, get the gun in your hand and be ready. When he comes running up, you will not want to move or provoke anything. You need to have the loaded handgun, in your hand, ready to go, before the threat is at your window.

If you can drive away, do it. If you are going to be in a fire fight get out of your vehicle! Sitting in a fixed location while someone shoots at you is not good. If you can just run away, do it. If you have some dope head that just wants to kill someone you better be ready to shoot and keep shooting until the threat is over. Your dog or window is not going to save your life.

P.P.P.P.P. Army lingo.

Years ago I was hanging out with a friend that owns a pawn shop. He was closing up one night while I was there, and as we were leaving in his car, a few delinquents approached the vehicle from his side. As they came closer, he pulled his Baretta from the shoulder holster and held it down between his legs out of sight. He was smooth about it so the BGs didn't notice. The front man kept coming, and knocked on the window. My pal rolled it down about halfway, and the front man says "Hey, why don't you give us the car." to which my pal sticks the muzzle out the window just a bit and says "Hey, why don't you run away really quick before this goes off". The front man backs into his two buddies, who didn't see or hear what just happened, but soon enough they are all ambulating away, and we pull back in and call the cops, who are about two minutes away, and I never did find out if those three got nabbed.

I call that maneuver "the soiler".

I been thinking about installing spray nozzles on either side of the cab of my pickup, just under the door, along with igniters. Anyone care to guess what they'll do?

I used to have a video saved showing a car, in Europe someplace I think, that had a flame thrower thingy build it, you could toast the badguy at the touch of a button. ACLU or someone would probably say that was a bad thing over here...

Actually, it's from South Africa. Carjacking (along with many other types of violent crime) is a huge problem over there.

The security guard did an excellent job of profiling ahead of time. A guy pacing nervously while trying to hide something in his hands by wrapping a shirt around it.

Keeping your eyes on the environment around you & looking for clues is the 1st step. Just an hour ago I was driving along at 45 mph & a mini-van whipped out in front of me & if I hadn't been looking at him as I approached I'm sure I would have hit him in the side/back. I braked really hard & hit the horn and based on this kid's (driving to school) reaction I don't think he saw me. Survival in this world is all about playing good defense. Which definitely applies to the car jacking scenario.

The best advice I've read on this thread so far is "keeping a handgun loaded & ready" - of course I'm one of those crazy uncivilized Americans who thinks we should be allowed to protect ourselves with an "evil" gun.

Good topic. I have no statistics to back it up, but I'm guessing the odds of me getting car jacked are much higher than me getting lost in the wilderness. When I camp/hike I just don't go into that remote of areas.

Too funny!

That's it!!! Thanks. I want one...

Many years ago I was driving in central Miami. I stopped at a red light with space between me and the car in front. A old junker pulled tight behind me and a guy came to the open window brandishing a el-cheepo fixed blade knife. Just as he started to talk, I stuck a 4" python on his nose, hard, and pulled the hammer back. His eyes opened very wide while I mentioned it might be a good time to move the car behind me and leave. Must have been the motivation factor of those 6 158gr HP that got his attention, as he left FAST, with a puddle spreading on the ground!

O.K. people, It's well and good to tell anecdotes of firearm bravado. Not every state or nation has an Arizona program for concealed carry. But they all have rather severe legal hurdles for anyone using a firearm, even with provable justification. Please, no judged by 12 than carried by 6 platitudes. The forum opened our general discussion of urban concerns some time past.There was concern and displeasure by many of the can of worms, or ammo we had opened. Firearms, while a valid topic has always been a flashpoint. And while Doug and myself both have a general idea which ends goes bang we prefer the forum devote itself to it's genre. There are lots of fine forums devoted to the subject of urban crime and how many angels can disco on a .455 Webly manstopper. I won't lock this thread. But if anyone feels survival equates firstly and solely around a Daisy 1000 shot Red Rider lever action beauty with compass in the stock you may be in the wrong place, not unwelcome to participate. We only ask you remember and show consideration for our mission and audience.

In the end, this says it all... not just in this situation but in all.

I always liked the quote one guy has in his sig on another forum I frequent:

"That gun on your hip is not a solution to any problem. Instead, it is a tool for substituting one set of problems for another. The key is knowing when that substitution is needed."

Using a firearm for self defense is a serious matter, and it should always be a last resort. However, when the use of a firearm is necessary and appropriate, there's probably nothing else that will do the job adequetely.

At the risk of leading the thread away from its original topic -

"Equipped For a Carjacking" (It was about two sisters that were equipped to survive a strong arm carjacking in Boise. As a side note, the accused admitted his intention was murder. The efforts of the sisters led to his immediate arrest)

Chris's comment raised my interest -
"....But they all have rather severe legal hurdles for anyone using a firearm, even with provable justification...."

I can think of many reasons for the comment. I would not want to guess on its basis without an input from Chris. I would read any clairifications with great interest.