The much-hyped 9mm round? Overrated. It’s everywhere, sure, but don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ll get a clean, one-shot stop. You won’t. The only smart answer is to carry a dependable semi-automatic pistol and carry it with at least two spare magazines. I don’t recommend those oversized, awkward extended mags. They get in the way and can screw up your draw or your aim. Instead, practice fast and clean magazine changes until they’re second nature.
Now let’s talk about what happens in the dark. You need a compact, high-lumen flashlight. Not to fumble for your keys, but to blind and disorient a potential threat before they can close the gap. Darkness is the predator’s playground—don’t let it become your grave.
A solid, fast-opening pocket knife is another must. Get one with a partially or fully serrated edge. It’s not just a utility tool, it’s your backup weapon. Sharp, legal, and fast.
In your vehicle, keep a trauma kit. Not a joke-store Band-Aid box, but a real kit. Include a tourniquet, pressure dressings, and other tools used by combat medics. Lives are lost in minutes to uncontrolled bleeding. This kit could mean the difference between life and death for you or someone you care about. But gear without training is useless, so take a trauma course. Learn how to use what you carry.
Finally, and this is key keep your everyday carry gear confidential. Your tactical edge comes from surprise. Present yourself as a harmless civilian. Blend in. The last thing you want is to advertise that you’re ready for war. Let them think you’re soft, until you show them you’re not.
Be alert. Be trained. Be armed. Be invisible. Troubled times demand dangerous men.
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