> I've been in my fair share of sus situations in my life and they've been either telegraphed (people starting with yelling, then intimidation, then getting into personal space) or ambiguous.

The problem is that in a "sus situation" you would not be able to chamber a round without brandishing the firearm, which in many situation would be illegal in a merely "sus" situation where you don't have a clear threat (brandishing laws, intimidation, etc). This is why many self-defense advocates encourage people to carry with a round chambered while also carrying something like pepper spray for situations where lethal force is not necessary.

> So I personally think people with good situational awareness have plenty of time to act appropriately in a variety of common dangerous situations.

Most people I've encountered who carry concealed would agree that you should try to keep yourself from being in common dangerous situations. The reason they carry is not for the avoidable situations, since they'd obviously just avoid them, but for the unavoidable situation. The vast majority of people who carry concealed never need to use their firearms, the point is to be ready to defend oneself and others if the situation should arise.

When I carried regularly I was always *extremely conscious" of having a sidearm(s) at the ready. And, knowing the the civil laws of engagement (=> I read all of Massad Ayoob's stuff) the result—for me at least—it makes you the most meek, chill person ever (if you actually understand the power that you have on tap which I surely did).