Open Carry While Old, Sick, and Tired

Gun Watch ^ | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

I am mostly recovered from a nasty virus that I caught from my six month old grandson.  At times I was sleeping, or attempting to, 20 hours a day,  I could handle necessary chores, but simply trying to avoid coughing enough to breath comfortably, left me weak, and feeling too tired to exert myself.  Walking a couple of hundred yards was exhausting. 

I had to go to the store a couple of times for off the shelf medicine and some ice cream, which I normally eat little of.   I became acutely aware of how vulnerable I was.  I could not move fast.  I was so weak that a 12 year old girl could probably have taken me down.  It is difficult to stay aware of the situation around you during a coughing spasm.   I knew that my physical and mental faculties were severely degraded.   It was hard to write even one article a day.  Looking at it the next day, it was obvious that I was making grade school errors in spelling and grammar.

My mother had been the first one to tell me that growing old was not for sissies, and this seemed to be a precursor of times to come.  With luck, it happens to the best of us.

It pushed me to think more about carrying in a degraded physical condition.

First, I decided that open carry was advantageous.   My slow pace and weakened condition made me an obvious target for human predators.  Better that they be deterred by the presence of a gun than have to try to draw while under physical attack.   For the same reason, I moved the holster to a cross draw position, so that someone coming up behind me would have a much harder time grabbing the pistol and attempting a disarm.  Another bonus was that it put the pistol between me and the shopping cart that I used as an aid in the grocery store.   The shopping cart gave a little added protection and balance.   

The bulge in the right front shirt pocket is a smart phone with the lens peeking out.  It has excellent ability to record video/audio.   A small Velcro tab keeps it from flying out of the pocket.

I tried a fannypack system, but it seemed extremely slow, and added minimal deterrent value, though it eliminated an obvious disarm.

At least one fannypack system is specifically designed for people in wheelchairs.

I do not claim to have discovered any secret, foolproof method to protect yourself when you are old, sick, and tired.  There isn't any.  But being armed gives you some chance.   They do not call them "equalizers" for nothing.


©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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[marktwain]

If you are lucky, you will grow old. As you grow old, your physical capabilities diminish. Whether it happens in your 50's or 90's, if you are lucky enough, it will happen.

Of course, some will say, if you are very lucky, you will die before you have lost too much...

[Old Sarge]

I'd like to join Commander Riker in applauding your most excellent post:

[circlecity]

"As you grow old, your physical capabilities diminish. Whether it happens in your 50's or 90's, if you are lucky enough, it will happen."

Although this is eventually correct, if one exercise and maintains a solid diet there is no reason one can't maintain a solid level of fitness well into their 70s. I'm almost 60 and can still squat 400 lbs for reps and run four days a week, 10 miles a run. That's in addition to martial arts classes three days a week.

[Kozy]

You had pneumonia and didn’t do anything about it. Trust me that pneumonia revisits and will attack your lungs again.
I had my annual pneumonia attack this year. Eight days in the hospital and fiver weeks to recover.

You are in my humble opinion an OLD fool.

[mad_as_he$$]

Did you have parvo (fifths disease):

Parvovirus infection is a common and highly contagious childhood ailment — sometimes called slapped-cheek disease because of the distinctive face rash that develops. Parvovirus infection has also been known as fifth disease because, historically, it was one of five common childhood illnesses characterized by a rash.

I had it when I was 40 and thought I was going to die. Took forever to shake it off.

Excellent post.

[ctdonath2]

The advocacy for concealed carry (”they don’t know who’s carrying, and you get to surprise them on your terms not theirs”) forgets that openly armed discourages those who don’t want to risk all going after a particular would-be victim. Yeah, they could sneak up and grab it ... and if they don’t pull it off perfectly, get killed for it; easier prey is preferred. Just showing dangerous ability demonstrates dangerous mindset, to wit “disarm me and I’ll still fight to the death, be it mine or yours.”

Vulnerable creatures express dangerous capabilities, real or fake, for a reason.

[PeteB570]

Excellent post.

My only comment would be that maybe a 45 deg angle on your cross draw holster might work better. An angle that fits with the natural position of your hand and wrist as they come across for the cross draw.

Me? I can still rely on big and ugly for protection.

[ctdonath2]

Stuff wears out and breaks, bodily organs included. Various malfunctions have tried to kill me 4 times over; fortunately the repairs were completely effective, but I understand that sometimes they’re not recoverable and it doesn’t take much to slow someone down a LOT (one burst vessel in my knee made me hobble for weeks).

[PeteB570]

Sorry, thought you were Dean.

[JimRed]

My slow pace and weakened condition made me an obvious target for human predators. Better that they be deterred by the presence of a gun than have to try to draw while under physical attack.

Dean, what kind of 'hood do you live in, that you have to be on guard against human predators? Are assaults upon the weak and helpless common there?

Of course, random crazies can show up anywhere, and being prepared makes perfect sense. But if assault is a constant threat, I'd consider moving!

[circlecity]

"You had pneumonia and didn’t do anything about it."

I don't know where you came up with that - I've never had pneumonia in my life.

[JimRed]

Moving, or calling out the militia to clean up the ‘hood!

[circlecity]

"Stuff wears out and breaks, bodily organs included."

But if you are serious about care and maintenance those parts last much, much longer.

[vetvetdoug]

I am recovering from a similar virus. It has taken me two months to get where I can work manual labor on my farm again. The first week there is little way I could have fired a pistol effectively as I was very weak. It was not mono, not flu, not parvo, not RSV, or any other identifiable virus.

[Awgie]

I am a 65 yr old physical therapist. I exercise 10 MINUTES/DAY.

Every Saturday I go to St Pete Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, even in the summer, and enjoy running jumping throwing and catching frisbee with my pals.

Diet is #1....but regular exercise is essential.

We are all going down but we have some control how fast.

[Awgie]

I am a 65 yr old physical therapist. I exercise 10 MINUTES/DAY.

Every Saturday I go to St Pete Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, even in the summer, and enjoy running jumping throwing and catching frisbee with my pals.

Diet is #1....but regular exercise is essential.

We are all going down but we have some control how fast.

[papertyger]

Arthritis has a funny way of settling the 9mm vs .45 debate.

Once and for all....

[GizzyGirl]

I got to the 6 month old grandson part and was very excited for you, to have close enough by to even catch a cold from is so wonderful. I'm going on 7 years now, with 3 grandbabies that are constantly passing me this cold or that, their poison ivy, or whatever. And I feel blessed... so wanted to say sorry you have not been feeling well, I totally agree on right to protect ourselves, but also wanted to remind you how LUCKY you are to have grandbaby near by to give you a cold, the flu, or whatever they pass. Just as they are so lucky to have you to pass your love, your patience and your heart. Hope you feel better soon, and power to you grandpa!!! Power to you!

[marktwain]

He is my first grandchild, and unfortunately is not close, over a thousand miles away. I would spend more time with him, but daughter and son-in-law need their space too, so I spend a week at a time as much as I can. Try to give them some relief.

Daughter caught the bug too, had similar symptoms, not quite as severe, and recovered a little faster. No fever to speak of.

You are completely correct. He is a blessing, and I appreciate him.

[AlaskaErik]

My only comment would be that maybe a 45 deg angle on your cross draw holster might work better. An angle that fits with the natural position of your hand and wrist as they come across for the cross draw.

That is way too extreme. I carry using a cross draw holster and ordered one with a negative 15 degree cant. It turned out to be way too much. I then ordered one with a negative five degree cant and it was just right. There are adjustable cross draw holsters that will let you set the perfect angle, but they are a little more bulky.