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Of course SA of what's going on around you is paramount, especially in high-risk situations such as meeting Craigslist strangers, but this is my take as far as CHL:

A hand in pocket with firm grip on a pocket-carried weapon in advance would offer the best chance of fighting back.

A concealed-hammer revolver such as a S&W Centennial would be the best weapon, since there's no slide to jam or block and no exposed hammer to snag.

Assuming that a second gun was carried in a holster, it could be used in the event further response was necessary. In essence, the primary and BUG roles are reversed.

Wow.
For somebody without a CHL (assuming he doesn't, or at least assuming he didn't bring it or have it accessible) he did a lot of things right. He met them during the day and at a place of business where one would assume there are plenty of people around. Those thugs didn't seem to care though. I wonder how many people were inside watching this whole thing happen? The only thing I think that victim could have done (firearms aside) was to bring a friend along.

I buy/sell stuff on CL a few times a year...
Just bought a new mobile phone a few weeks ago.

Always meet in a public place (Wally parking lot, parked near a camera) and always CHL. As the other guy is approaching, make a mental note of his license plate and appearance. Even better, also take a photo (it's easy to pretend you're looking at your phone).

IMO, you're unlikely to get killed for some CL cash in a public place. Robbed, perhaps..

RoyGBiv wrote:Always meet in a public place (Wally parking lot, parked near a camera) and always CHL. As the other guy is approaching, make a mental note of his license plate and appearance. Even better, also take a photo (it's easy to pretend you're looking at your phone).

IMO, you're unlikely to get killed for some CL cash in a public place. Robbed, perhaps..

on both points.

The other two things I always do:

#1> foward a copy of the text or emails I have exchanged with the buyer/seller to my girlfriend.

#2> pocket carry my .38 (in addition to whatever else I may have on me) and apporach the buyer/seller with one hand in pocket on weapon.

The overwhelming majority of transactions on Craigslist go fine everyday of the year, it is just the bad ones get a ton of publicty. Sorta like gun owners when you think about it....

steveincowtown wrote:The overwhelming majority of transactions on Craigslist go fine everyday of the year, it is just the bad ones get a ton of publicty. Sorta like gun owners when you think about it....

Good point.

The upside to articles like this is that each probably encourages several to become gun owners and CHL's.

Highlighting the fact that Craigslist was involved is missing the point. Like blaming a gun for a murder, instead of the person wielding the weapon.

RHenriksen wrote:Highlighting the fact that Craigslist was involved is missing the point. Like blaming a gun for a murder, instead of the person wielding the weapon.

That's a reasonable argument, considering this kind of stuff happened long before Craigslist. We should also not ignore the _millions_ of CL transactions that happen every month that occur without incident.

Millions of people—the vast majority of Americans—die in bed of old age without ever drawing a weapon in self-defense, so ... ?

- Jim

...we hope to be neither Chicken Little types, nor ostriches with their head in the sand...taken at face value...this story makes us aware of another area of danger...and helps us plan ahead...
...anytime you're dealing with strangers...anything can go wrong...

RHenriksen wrote:Highlighting the fact that Craigslist was involved is missing the point. Like blaming a gun for a murder, instead of the person wielding the weapon.

True, Craigslist is just the classifieds of the 21st century. I never heard of New York times robberies or Chicago Tribune robberies so why Craigslist robberies? Soon some group will want to ban Craigslist as a safety issue and create laws to regulate private transactions.

suthdj wrote:

RHenriksen wrote:Highlighting the fact that Craigslist was involved is missing the point. Like blaming a gun for a murder, instead of the person wielding the weapon.

True, Craigslist is just the classifieds of the 21st century. I never heard of New York times robberies or Chicago Tribune robberies so why Craigslist robberies? Soon some group will want to ban Craigslist as a safety issue and create laws to regulate private transactions.

"For the children... "

RHenriksen wrote:

suthdj wrote:

RHenriksen wrote:Highlighting the fact that Craigslist was involved is missing the point. Like blaming a gun for a murder, instead of the person wielding the weapon.

True, Craigslist is just the classifieds of the 21st century. I never heard of New York times robberies or Chicago Tribune robberies so why Craigslist robberies? Soon some group will want to ban Craigslist as a safety issue and create laws to regulate private transactions.

"For the children... "

if we can save just 1 life..

RHenriksen wrote:

suthdj wrote:Soon some group will want to ban Craigslist as a safety issue and create laws to regulate private transactions.

"For the children... "

That sounds like the people trying to shut down stickam, chatroulette, etc.

suthdj wrote: True, Craigslist is just the classifieds of the 21st century. I never heard of New York times robberies or Chicago Tribune robberies so why Craigslist robberies? Soon some group will want to ban Craigslist as a safety issue and create laws to regulate private transactions.

Effective safety regulations are already in effect in 49 states, and hopefully Illinois one day,

seamusTX wrote:Millions of people—the vast majority of Americans—die in bed of old age without ever drawing a weapon in self-defense, so ... ?

- Jim

Been carrying in several different ways since 1978 both as a LEO and a Civilian. I have unholstered 4 times that I recall. I have had to fire zero times. I have not even had to "cover" a BG yet. And I emphasize the YET on all possible actions. Hopefully when I am no long on this mortal soil, it will still be YET.