Based on the VT thread, vote Options

[Mommy]

Im curious to see how many of you would carry a concealed hand gun with you around campus. Explain why you answered the way you did. Does it make you feel safer to have one? Do you believe that men are more good than bad so you dont? Stuff like that.

[cupcake]

in response to walking around on "alert" all the time...well you may not. But that is because you've never had to. There are ways to be alert yet not necessarily on pins and needles. I find that I am much more thoughtful and relaxed when carrying, than when I am not...because when I am not I'm less confident about my ability to fulfill my duties as a protector.

I googled colonel jeff cooper's color code just for giggles, you might check it out below...I live in yellow...you may think that "totally fucked every-which-way you slice it", but I call it rad. I think walking around like a dillitante frolicking through the daisies is fucked. that kind of innocence is the luxury you provide for children...it is your duty as a grown man or woman to protect yourself, your loved ones, your property, and your neighbor...

it is NOT the govts duty...if you live that way, your chances of being victimized increase with multiplicity...

to zack...you want to register guns and ammo based on this idiot? so what next you have to register to speak freely? it's a right under the constitution...driving a fuckin car isn't...

that is some pinko shit man. yeah, let's give the crooked ass govt all the info about what we have so they know exactly where to come and what to get when they finally get 1984 on us...not thanks...

to the girl who said guns are cowardly...man your whole post is indicative of someone who's obviously never (thankfully) been in a mortal situation. some of y'all need to quit watching so much tv...reality check, no one is a fuckin ninja that can take down an armed man intent on harm with their bare hands and feet or a knife or some bullshit jackie chan pillowcase trick. you try that shit you get dead fast.

there's a lot of ignorant (in the dictionary sense) jibber jabber here about mortal combat...

_______________________

Combat Mindset - The Cooper Color Code
The most important means of surviving a lethal confrontation is, according to Cooper, neither the weapon nor the martial skills. The primary tool is the combat mindset, set forth in Principles of Personal Defense.

In the chapter on awareness, Cooper presents an adaptation of the Marine Corps system to differentiate states of readiness:

White - Unaware and unprepared. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy or ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be "Oh my God! This can't be happening to me."

Yellow - Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself." You are simply aware that the world is an unfriendly place and that you are prepared to do something, if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and realize that "I may have to SHOOT today." You don't have to be armed in this state but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow. You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don't know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to "Watch your six". In Yellow, you are "taking in" surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep.

Orange - Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has gotten your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). Your mindset shifts to "I may have to shoot HIM today." In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: "If that goblin does "x", I will need to stop him." Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.

Red - Condition Red is fight. Your mental trigger has been "tripped" (established back in Condition Orange).
You take appropriate action.

The U.S.M.C. also uses "Condition Black" as actively engaged in combat, as do some of his successors, but Cooper always felt this is an unnecessary step and not in keeping with the mindset definitions.

Also note that the Color Code was never meant to be a warning system. Rather, the Color Code was designed to be a mental crutch. It was designed to allow someone to "get over" the resistance that a normal person has in pointing a pistol at the center of someone's chest and pulling the trigger.

In short, the Color Code helps you "think" in a fight. As the level of danger increases, your resistance to shoot decreases. If you ever do go to Condition Red, the decision to use lethal force has already been made (your "mental trigger" has been tripped).