From: ems@michael.apple.com (E. Michael Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Forest for the trees (Carjacking, was Re: Gun blast noise in a car?)
Date: 19 Dec 92 00:24:26 GMT
Organization: Circle 'C' Shellfish Ranch, Shores-of-the-Pacific, California

In article <1992Dec18.060446.5222@netcom.com> harp@netcom.com (Gregory O. Harp) writes:
#jheath@fieldofdreams.npirs.purdue.edu (Jim Heath) writes:

##5.  If the firearm is illegal, the Maglite (or clone) usually is legal.
#
#In my car, I have my steering wheel lock within easy reach.  Why do
#you think they give them brand names like "The Club" and "The Big
#Stick"? ;) Mine is several pounds of steel or steel-alloy, and even
#has a hand grip on it.  

You know, I'd never thought of that ...  My Maglight is my car 'persuader'
since the Peoples State of California looks poorly on guns in cars.  Maybe
I'll get a car steering wheel lock after all ...

##6.  If you must frequent dangerous neighborhoods, some Lexan (tm) window
##replacements might be worth considering (anyone know where to get these? 
##What they cost?).
#
#This sounds interesting, but potentially very expensive.  (Based on
#what _normal_ car window glass costs.)  Then again, how much value can
#you place on safety?

And please don't lose sight of the forrest for the trees...  You are
much more likely to hit that Lexan with your head in an accident 
than to need it to stop a bullet.  I'll keep my frangible safety glass,
thank you.  Car jackings DO require some change of habbits, but don't
forget to rank your risks by propability, highest first...

##7.  I'm sure there are things I have forgotten.  Any other ideas would be
##welcome.  There was an article on this recently in one of the gun mags,
##alas, I forget which one.
#
#The one thing so many people forget to do (and in fact I'm having a
#hard time getting into the habit) is to LOCK THEIR DOORS when they're
#driving.  If a criminal is going to break your window, he'll break
#your window, but there's no point in making it easy on him.  

I've thought about posting this as well.  With all these folks talking
about not having enough time to get the gun, or "what do you do when
perp jumps in the passenger side and sits on your gun" I just kept 
thinking:  If your door is locked, you will have several tens of 
seconds to grab your gun while he is tugging at the door handle or
trying to break the glass.

We now regularly lock our car doors.  I think I'll have enough time
to start the engine and ram whatever I need to ram to get away from 
a car jacker.  The windows are always up anyway, since we like the
radio without road noise and the A/C works better ...

IF you have locked your car doors, doesn't that give plenty of time
to fetch a CCW from your pocket, car seat, etc?

BTW, I would NOT put it 'under the seat', since EVERYTHING I've ever
put under the seat ends up God Only Knows Where after a few bounces,
jostles, vibration filled miles, and hard corners.  You want a CCW
where it is easy to reach and going to STAY PUT when the perp rams
you from behind in a fake accident.  If you have a CCW permit, I'd
go for a holster on my person.

-- 

E. Michael Smith  ems@apple.COM

'Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has
 genius, power and magic in it.'  -  Goethe

I am not responsible nor is anyone else.  Everything is disclaimed.