Staying Sharp in the Mountain State: Protests, Awareness, and Winter Safety – January 2026

Brandon Tagayun
6 days ago
3 min read

Posted by Brandon Tagayun | BL Outfitters | January 8, 2026

Real-world events move fast, and right now in West Virginia we’re seeing some of that spillover from national headlines. As many of you know, a deadly ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis earlier this week has sparked protests across the country and today, that’s hitting home with organized demonstrations right here in the Mountain State.

I’m talking about two confirmed events happening today, Thursday, January 8:

Martinsburg Square – 6:00 PM rally titled “From Martinsburg to Minneapolis: Stop ICE Terror”
Charleston – 300 Virginia Street, 4:00–7:00 PM “Emergency Rally Against ICE” in memory of Renee Good and in solidarity against federal raids

These gatherings are drawing crowds, signs, chants, and the potential for traffic disruptions or escalated tensions. Whether you agree with the message or not, the reality is the same: unpredictable crowds can create risks for anyone nearby — road rage spikes, opportunistic threats rise, and things can shift quickly.

My goal with this post (and every alumni update) is simple: give you practical, no-BS tools to stay safe and in control, no matter the situation.

Key Safety Mindset for Protest or Crowd Scenarios

Observe from a distance first Spotting a gathering early gives you options. Look for clusters of people, signs, parked cars with out-of-state plates, or blocked roads. If something feels off, reroute.
Vehicle tactics Don’t get boxed in. Keep a full car length in front when stopped. If protesters move into the street, stay calm horns and revving engines escalate things. Have an escape route planned and be prepared to reverse or turn if needed.
On-foot awareness Hands free, head on a swivel, walk with purpose. Maintain at least 20–30 feet of reactive distance from the crowd edge. If someone approaches aggressively, create space immediately, use calm verbal boundaries (“Just passing through, have a good day”), and keep moving toward your exit.
Concealed carry considerations If you’re carrying (and you should be trained and legal), remember: protests are high-stress environments where misidentification happens fast. Review your draw from concealment under a jacket or while moving. Avoid any situation where you could be disarmed or mistaken for a threat. Your goal is always de-escalation and disengagement.
General rule Your safety > everything else. Film if you want, but only from a safe distance. Don’t engage, don’t debate, don’t linger. Get clear and get home.

These aren’t theoretical scenarios they’re exactly the kind of fluid, real-world environments we train for in my courses.

Quick Winter Reminders (Because WV Doesn’t Let Up)

While we’re focused on the current events, winter is still very much here:

Black ice on backroads is brutal this week slow down, double your following distance, keep a blanket, flashlight, and water in the trunk.
Furnaces are running hard test your carbon monoxide detectors tonight.
Trails and rivers: ice isn’t trustworthy yet, bears are mostly denned but carry spray anyway and make noise.

Time to Refresh Your Skills?

If it’s been a minute since you trained, now’s the perfect time to come back. These kinds of real-world tensions are exactly why we drill situational awareness, de-escalation, drawing under stress, and crowd navigation.

Upcoming Courses (spots filling fast):

Natural Defensive Shooting Academy - Private lessons based on your needs
Pistol Red Dot Dryfire - Build confidence with red dot sights on your pistol in this 2 hour indoor dry fire workshop
Take a look at the full schedule and sign up here: bloutfitters.com/courses