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.