Why everything that happens before you draw matters the most

[Zoroo]

Being aware of your surroundings, avoiding potential problems and knowing how to de-escalate a situation all matter more than people think. Carrying responsibly is really about doing everything you can to make sure you never need to use your firearm. The gun is the last option, not the first and your training should reflect that.

 

[Moraa]

I spend more time reading up on pre-assault indicators and verbal judo these days than I do practicing my draw speed. A gun is just a tool for that absolute last moment when everything else has failed, not a way to solve social issues.

 

[Spikedriver]

Mostly it boils down to staying away from places that you should not go to in the first place, and checking your ego at the door if you do end up in one of those places...

 

[sharp shooter]

Most important skill is everything you do before things ever reach a draw.

 

[Huntsman]

For me, the gun itself represents a failure state. If you're truly aware of your surroundings, you'll never actually have to clear leather. That's the real goal, you know even if you don't see a lot of Instagram videos about it.

 

[Savon]

Situational awareness and knowing how to de-escalate things are what truly matter. The firearm is more like a safety net than your first move. Instead of worrying about how fast you can draw, you really ought to be training to avoid trouble in the first place.

 

[Alan]

Situational awareness and knowing how to de-escalate things are what truly matter. The firearm is more like a safety net than your first move. Instead of worrying about how fast you can draw, you really ought to be training to avoid trouble in the first place.

Yeah, that’s the part a lot of people overlook, most problems get solved way before anything physical ever happens. If you can read situations early and de-escalate, you rarely even get close to needing that last resort.