Fear in an incident and living in fear are two distinct things...... I do kick into a higher gear if a threat presents itself, I do however stay calm.
She was talking about experiencing fear just while walking to her car, with no threat present. It sounds a lot like a friend of mine who has PTSD for a number of reasons. When he sits in a restaurant, he sits in the corner so he can see anyone who enters. He gets up and checks the house for intruders a couple of times a night. People who have experienced terrorism or combat can have similar reactions. The OP sounds similar in her reaction to her trauma.
I do those things, not out of fear, it is a precaution to danger, sometimes I have had a distinct warning about an individual just prior to them drawing and firing at me' although I prevailed, often enough it was not a soon enough reaction to escape some minor harm. Experience has been my best Teacher.
Thankfully I live in a state that has a shall-issue law for concealed handgun permits and the right to carry in public places, INCLUDING public colleges and universities. When I was attending evening college classes in the Auraria Campus near downtown Denver, I carried all the time. I kept my gun on my hip under my lab coat while dissecting cats and everything was fine.
Also popular with law enforcement. I work for a law enforcement agency and many of my co-workers have them.
Yeah, imagine that, pesky rotters wanting to survive and not just lie down and die at the Lords and Masters decree. Hence why we no longer fly the flags of European Monarchies.
It was reality for me growing up... I should be more specific. Carrying a gun got me to and from school. Once there, the wardens ...I mean Nuns, had full and scary control, they kept the peace through fear. Hmmm.... maybe we need more of them in our communities.
