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[Badgersmilk]

With the source of "Trail Safe", the upcoming survival DVD, and all the individual experiences here, I think I've got the worlds most perfect audience for this question.  

I heard from several sources now (including MI Militia) about the logic in keeping supplies, ammo, a sidearm, and possibly an FRS radio on your person at all times durring a "crisis situation" of any kind.  Makes perfect sense.  BUT, a few weeks ago a security guard shot student with a knife at the local high school.  In the GIANT crowd in the aftermath of this there were of course dozens of armed, uniformed police, hundreds of parents, and one guy who held the attention of almost every single person in the crowd including me.  I actually couldn't take my eye's off the guy wondering who he was, what he was doing there, and mentally cataloging every last piece of his gear.  Even to the point that I couldn't stop thinking how easy it would be to disarm him, then use his own weapon against him if for any reason the need arose.

He was wearing a vest similar to this:


And again, this vest alone made him the primary focus of nearly everyone within eyeshot of him.  How much worse of a thing could I, or you possibly do in a crisis situation!?!?  Yes, he had all his equipment quickly available.  To EVERYONE!  And on everyone's mind!  Making in my mind a vest like this the absolute worste thing a civilian could ever do in a "crisis" or "SHTF" situation.  The LAST thing I want to do is draw any attention!  Especially to my supplies and weaponry.

I've been almost equally distracted by the type of vest I often see persons such as Massad Ayoob, and MB wearing.



Are other people as alerted by such a vest as this with various bumps and bulges in the pockets???  Or is it just me knowing what's likely in such a vest?  More importantly, if even THIS type of vest is a bad idea in a "crisis", "SHTF" stituation as I'm thinking it may be?  If so, what DO I keep gear in?!?!  

My thoughts have always been to continue carrying CCW, and keep a small genaric looking backpack such as.



YOUR THOUGHTS?  MB?

[Dakotaranger]

That's where being a hick is a good thing.  I have a tac vest similar to that one, BUT since I've lost a bunch of weight I can conceal the vest under my duster and blend in

[fightingquaker13]

I ain't MB so you get the discount version. I will say this. It depends on the situation and one simple question. Is it TEOTAWAKI (or the local  equivilent), where straight up pragmatism is the way to go? Or is subtelty a tactical advantage? In one case I'll be carrying a G19 on my hip, AR mags over my shoulders and an AR in my hands. Shock and awe, find a softer target. On the other hand, it will be baggy clothes and a duffle bag for the rifle, and no nobody here but us chickens.
FQ13

[Dakotaranger]

I ain't MB so you get the discount version. I will say this. It depends on the situation and one simple question. Is it TEOTAWAKI (or the local  equivilent), where straight up pragmatism is the way to go? Or is subtelty a tactical advantage? In one case I'll be carrying a G19 on my hip, AR mags over my shoulders and an AR in my hands. Shock and awe, find a softer target. On the other hand, it will be baggy clothes and a duffle bag for the rifle, and no nobody here but us chickens.
FQ13

yeah, I should have prefaced my response with this

[Badgersmilk]

I'd love to hear everybody's thoughts!

I'm just thinking out loud here, but I'm not sure the type of situation has any bearing at all.    You or I would have no control over it, so we won't be able to pick and choose what we may walk into.

We're still talking about an individual civilian, surrounded by others.  The hungrier, more desperate they are the worse it's going to be for the unlucky guy that they think they can get needed items from.  Or poses a threat to them.

Even if you and all the others are openly carrying rifles, why give oportunists the idea you have something worth killing you and taking?

Camoflag rarely a disadvantage.  A "wolf in sheeps clothing" has a much easier / safer hunt.

The idea of having people around me in "shock and awe" is worrisome in that they are unpredictable.  If it doesn't last...  Then what?  What if even ONE guy is not afraid?  Or just plain dumb & agressive enough to "try anything once"?

Hmmm, I just don't know. 

[Sponsor]

[Dakotaranger]

If things are that bad when the vest or Bugout bag is being carried, I would hope that a person's situational awareness is at optimumal level.  IF I have to go to the vest I'm not going to be around a gathered crowd.  IF we are talking about a total breakdown a backpack is going to look like someone with some resources anyway. 

I've looked at the vest as ONLY when I need to grab a bunch of ammo in a hurry.  IF I'm bugging out because of civil unrest, I'm headed out of town in a hurry or going to a friends to help them baricade in. I'm not going to don the vest to be a 'mall ninja,' but because a huge amount of ammo may be necessary.  In which case NOONE is going to see the vest, hence throwing the duster on over top, which being in North Dakota no one is going to think twice about a guy in a hat and a duster.

[Pathfinder]

This was a combined crime investigation and crowd control situation (he was probably a unit commander or supervisor). Although his stuff may have been filched, that is unlikely, especially with so many uniformed LEOs around. His vest did what it was intended to do - draw attention, provide a measure of command authority.

The police train for this stuff constantly, I would assume - not knowing the players - they have a good idea of what to do in specific circumstances. OK, there's the odd Barney Fife, but in general, they don't make it to the SRTs. I worry about the ones that do make it oneto the SRT, but that's another thread.

[fightingquaker13]

The idea of having people around me in "shock and awe" is worrisome in that they are unpredictable.  If it doesn't last...  Then what?  What if even ONE guy is not afraid?  Or just plain dumb & agressive enough to "try anything once"?

Hmmm, I just don't know. 

I do. Pull the trigger. If you aren't prepared to do that, arm yourself with a Bible rather than a rifle. I almost learned that the hard way in your state.I discovered that it were me or them, it was going to be them. I am all in favor of concealed carry. Concealed meaning no one knows I have it, which lessens the odds I'll have to use it This is a good thing.. But if its an SHTF situation  and all bets are off, laws and rules are secondary to survival, either carry and be prepared to use it or leave it at home.
FQ13
FQ13

[long762range]

Got my Urban camo and bug out gear prepared.

Nobody will suspect nothing.

[MikeBjerum]

Got my Urban camo and bug out gear prepared.

Nobody will suspect nothing.

I'm fine with everything, except the expired license plate.  He best get that renewed or he may get harassed