I routinely receive intelligence briefs and other documents from my myriad contacts across the country. Many times, those emails are impetus for me to write an article or a tactical tip (so keep those emails coming!), and today’s tip is one such occasion.
A couple of weeks ago I received information about a traffic stop conducted by an officer working for an agency on the East Coast. During the stop, something unusual was visible in plain sight.
Initially, I thought I’d post a simple picture alert that this particular item exists — as I’ve done here and here and here — but then I thought we might make further use of it.
Check out the video and resume with this tactical tip below.
A One-Second Exercise
Debrief and Discussion
Well, what did you see?
If you said, “That’s the ‘Pilot Automotive PM-2236 Motorsport Manual/Automatic Shift Knob’ available for about $25 from Amazon and other online retailers!” you’d be absolutely correct.
If you shouted, “Gun!” you’d be wrong, but you’d be in very good company (well, that is, if you consider me good company, but that’s another matter altogether).
Let’s begin by stating the obvious: Anyone who purchases this product is, at best, unnecessarily endangering themselves.
At worst, they’re an SBC on wheels waiting to happen.
Now, let’s talk about the tactical implications of this product — and others like it — being on the market.
If you came upon this gear shifter during a traffic stop in low light, what would be your most likely response?
Would you have come up to the B-pillar — roughly the place from which this picture was taken — with your hand ready on your holstered sidearm?
Would you have incorporated into your when/then thinking the verbal commands you’d use to ensure your control over the situation?
Would you have already had a path chosen to create distance, and “get off the X” or would that have been an improvised response?
What other points of discussion do you have to add here? Add your thoughts in the comments area below.
As always, stay safe out there my friends.
