Considering that most of us spend an inordinate amount of time behind the wheel in our vehicles, it surprises me that there is not more defensive training focused on dos and don’ts when in and around our vehicles. One of the most alarming (recent) statistics says that violent car jackings have increased by over 500% in some areas. I suppose that the (IMO phony) Covid scare has made all crimes easier after the mask mandates.
How perfect is that for criminals? When someone approaches you wearing a mask, you are now conditioned to not suspect anything, let alone knowing their intent. It used to be illegal to wear a mask in public and now it’s illegal not to. Go figure! No wonder I am so confused.
If you’re like me, you spend a fair amount of time in your car for work, commuting, shopping, and recreation. Where I live in Southern California, we drive everyplace. Given that situation, I’m sure most people are conditioned to feel relatively safe and insulated from what is going on around them when in their car. However, that is a false sense of security and simply not true.
As an intellectual exercise, try to imagine what you would do when someone taps the barrel of a revolver on your driver’s side window. Not so easy, is it? And, you are just imagining it while sitting in your easy chair. That said, everyone must first decide if they are willing to give up their property or defend it.
In my mind, giving in to criminals only emboldens them. How do you know they won’t hurt or kill you once they do have your vehicle or valuables? I believe it will only get worse, until we have had enough and act accordingly. If, like me, you make the decision to defend what you have worked hard for, you must next realize that your 2,000-pound vehicle is the deadliest weapon you own. Giving it up is like handing the criminals your loaded pistol.
If you doubt that statement, ask yourself this, would you rather be shot with a 115-grain 9mm bullet or hit by a standard SUV that comes to rest on your chest? That alone should convince you that giving up your vehicle is the last thing you should willingly do.
Vehicle Defense
If you do choose to resist, how are you prepared to defend your vehicle, passengers, children, parents, friends, etc.? I would recommend first giving thought to where your carry gun is located and how quickly you can present it while seated behind the wheel. Do you have to use two hands to circumvent restrictions or obstacles? Does the seat belt restrict you as you try to access your arm? Is the steering wheel in the way, preventing you from addressing the direction you must point it?
Strongside hip carry forces you to lean forward to gain access after moving cover garments that you might be sitting on. Appendix carry forces you to lean back and again use both hands to expose the grip. Do you have the room and time to go through those contortions? Because these actions require two hands, how will you be controlling the vehicle? What to do? What to do?
To determine what would be best, first consider your age, agility, and flexibility along with other obstacles inside your vehicle. If you use an off-body carry system, is it within reach? BTW, I do not recommend, and highly discourage, off-body carry of any kind, and at any time or place. That includes purses, shoulder bags of any kind, and attaché cases (does anyone use those anymore?). They make it too easy for you to be separated from your firearm and they take too long to access your weapon.
Vehicle systems that mount a holster or other device to keep your gun in place, inside your vehicle, are also problematic because they force you to move your gun to and from your holster when you enter or exit the vehicle. Depending on the laws in your state covering the carrying of a firearm in a vehicle that could also have a legal implication.
If you have read any of my writings, you are no doubt aware that I promote vest pocket carry and a big reason for that is the easy access it provides while driving or seated during any activity for that matter. I’ll bet most of you have not considered these points, let alone practiced presentations while seated in your car.
Certainly, you are aware that criminals can, and do, learn a lot about us by simply watching and observing how we are dressed — the type of watch or jewelry, brand of electronic gizmo, make/model vehicle we drive, and whether we are alone or not. They also mark as potential victims — anyone that is absorbed with those electronic devices and not aware of their surroundings.
Although frowned upon in some jurisdictions, I recommend dark-tinted windows to disrupt a criminal’s observation of you in your vehicle. It is something to consider. Once again, depending on the laws in your state concerning vehicles with tinted windows, that could prove problematic.
Gas Stations
Be aware that we are all at our most vulnerable when we are outside the vehicle, especially when entering or exiting it. The gas station is one place that most of us must drive to and cannot avoid. It is also where we are all somewhat vulnerable. Don’t worry I am not about to make a case for electric cars.
It’s simply a truth. We must all fill up from time to time, so here are some tips that might help you avoid an attempted carjacking. First, make it a practice to fill up when you are at a half tank and never let your vehicle get to less than a quarter-tank. Then, avoid gas stations at night, especially those in neighborhoods associated with high crime rates.
If you must get gas at night, the busier the station, the better. Ensure the station is well lit. During the day in good areas, observe the clientele first. Only when all is deemed ‘kosher’ should you decide to fill up. Before you pull up to the pump, have your payment card already in hand and remove the keys from the ignition before you exit the vehicle. BTW, I recommend gas stations with multiple lanes, so you can choose the outside lane and the last pump. That provides you with the best position to observe anyone approaching.
Keep your head up, observant, alert, and constantly scan. I open the gas port, remove the cap, insert my payment card, and once approved, place the card in my pocket and start pumping. (See the included diagram to understand the explanation.) I place my back against my vehicle so no one can approach from behind.
Being a practitioner of pocket carry, I place my hand on my firearm. When the tank is full, I complete another scan. If clear, I replace the hose, secure the cap and gas port — before retrieving my receipt. I then scan again before reentering my car. Once inside, I lock the doors before starting the vehicle. I wait to complete any administrative tasks until after I’ve exited the station.
If someone approaches while pumping, you can tell a lot by their appearance and demeanor. If it’s an old white guy with a cane, limping and wearing a veteran’s hat, I would not be too concerned. On the other hand, if he or she is young, wearing a hoody and a mask, possibly covered with tats, I would put my hand up, use my command voice, and tell them not to come any closer. Command them to state what they want and advise them to step back.
Parking Lots
Shopping center parking lots are also fraught with ambush potential. Some general parking lot tactics you should employ include, the closer to the store you can park is better, daylight is better than dark, groups are better than being alone. I hate to sound sexist, but in my experience, non-gender specific non-prostate owning birthing persons are most guilty of violating good parking lot awareness.
They will always have their hands occupied with bags, shopping carts, children, cell phones, loading groceries, or lord knows what else. Please understand… If you are not aware, you will be much more likely to be a victim!
If you should find a van parked on the driver’s side of your car, consider immediately turning and going back to the store. You may want to wait for it to leave or get security to escort you. They should stay with you until you exit the lot. If something does not feel right, it’s probably not. If you decide to proceed, do so with maximum caution and awareness.
Remember, you are most vulnerable when getting in your car. This vulnerability continues until you are in gear and moving. Once in your moving vehicle, you become a ton or more of impact weapon that you can use to knock down, ram, or even run over any attackers.
It is of paramount importance that you think about your route and stops ahead of time. Consider potential ambush sites to be avoided or dealt with along the way. While in your car, always leave room to maneuver. If someone approaches, your best option is to drive away or use your vehicle as a weapon.
Remember to always be situationally aware. To have the ability to react, respond, evade, and escape, remember to never pull up directly behind the car in front of you at a stop. Always give yourself room to maneuver. A good rule is to leave a car length between your car and the car in front of you. That way, you can turn and drive over a curb to evade an attack. As a side note, I once had to use 4-wheel drive to push a vehicle that was blocking me from accessing my way out of a potentially dangerous position.
Shooting
Another question students ask, “If I have to shoot from inside the vehicle, should I open the window to shoot in that direction?” Understand, your vehicle only provides a limited amount of cover, and only when the engine is between you and an attacker. Even pistol bullets don’t slow down much going through car bodies — no matter what the movies want you to believe. Keep that in mind should you need to shoot from your car — bullets work both ways…
I suppose the best approach (to defending yourself in and around a vehicle) is to suspect anyone approaching and invading your personal space as a potential criminal treat. I also recommend remaining in condition Yellow and practicing heightened situational awareness. When someone approaches, go to Orange, and then Red when it’s required. Stay safe, train often, and practice, practice, practice!
What other vehicle tactics do you practice? Share your thoughts in the Comment section.