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RPBrown, Thank you!!!

I realize none of you all were there, and I have taken no offense ~~ Quite to the contrary: I respect and appreciate every opinion I have received. And the thinking it is provoking is invaluable.

But we were careful. We were at a distance (I realize "safe" is relative) Whatever we did, or did not do isn't the question. It is where was my thinking flawed? How can I see this situation from other angles, take more into account?

I know myself well enough to know that in certain circumstances I will not walk away. So how can I be more safe at what I am doing?

Again, every response has been read and thought about (many times.) And appreciated!

Merry Christmas!

AFCop wrote:For help w/ the weight of the gun, while your watching TV, during commercials hold a can of vegetables (or similar 10-16oz can) as long as you before your arm shakes. Work on this periodically until you develop the arm strength to hold it out solid for 3-7 minutes w/o shaking. - - My wife doesn't have alot of upper body strength and this exercise helped her alot.

I'll definately try that!

Thank you, Annoyed Man, we are definately on the same page. No offense taken here and hopefully not on your end either.
As I recently wrote in a PM, carrying was a very big decision for me. I'm actually still in the baby-steps stage...getting comfortable with the gun, drawing while issuing my verbal warning, etc. I am not physically fit either and have been acquiring extra instruction, range time...I am lacking in knowledge in every department possible! It is very overwhelming for me!

It is nice to have a place to come for batting around scenarios, (hmm, cheerios...) must be hungry...
Anyway...
I appreciate this place and am anxious for more knowledge, more confidence...Thank you!

Wow! The Annoyed Man , You did not get the story correct at all!
I do truly appreciate your input though. Things to think about and to help reinforce my beliefs.

I do not place belongings, inventory, precious photos, anything, above the life of a person. Nothing is that important!

The reason for the "chase" was to "do the right thing." "Not let the BG get away," To get dangerous people off the street.
I could not care less about Academy inventory.

Thank you for your concern and for taking the time to post your opinion, really.
I guess it isn't my job to "get dangerous people off the street" but I seem to be hard-wired that way. To be completely honest I'm not sure I want to change that part of myself. I have been this way since being a young child. Perhaps it is self-esteem issues (everybody deserves a chance to live - at my personal sacrifice) or maybe I just can't stand being forced to watch a 'wrong' anymore.
We deserve our sense of security, our self-respect, our right to walk our children down the street in safety.
Helping to eliminate the threat is all I know to do.

Thank you for all the responses.
First, please know I am not easily offended. I have a great sense of humor, I don't take things too seriously (unless it is truly intended that way) and if I am unsure of something (language, meaning, possible 'snarkiness,' etc.) I ask for clarification.

You all gave me a lot to think about.
One thing I have a problem with (personally) is "not my duty/responsibility..." I have always been for the underdog, always tried to do right - no matter what the obstacles.
If we had not persued the vehicle (for better identification and changing location) I would have thought myself a failure. A coward. I would have lost sleep.

I believe it is up to us, the population, to set things right where we can, influence others to do right, stick our neck out where possible.
If everyone said, ''it isn't my duty, the police signed up for this" then the world would be in far worse shape than it is.
Isn't that why many of us have guns; to protect, to neutralize a threat, to right a potential wrong?

Still thinking this through...please feel free to continue to add your thoughts. I want to do right.

So, here is the first thought, "If I had my gun I'd...!
Well, I'd what? Shoot them in the leg, slow them down, shoot a tire? C'mon...too much tv.
**They are running from the scene, imminent danger doesn't apply. Believe it or not, that was a hard one to swallow.

Follow them until APD or SV catches them. Okay this happened. But the whole time it was, ME: Hurry, don't lose them...
DH: I don't want them to see us
ME: Hurry they're turning into the parking lot
DH: I don't want them to see us
ME: we need information
DH: (repeat above)
ME: Hurry, hurry! They're pulling out again
ME: what is wrong with you?
DH: Um, our car is bright orange and they have a gun
ME: Oh. Yeah.
ME: But it's dark. It's our duty. C'mon hurry.
DH: It is not our duty, not our obligation
ME: It'll be okay, just drive faster!
(By now he is in full tremble mode...I'm ready to...well, I don't know what, but probably put our lives in danger.
**They have guns. We have a really nice Dodge Daytona and a cell phone. Not really a good match in hand to hand combat with BGs.

Time to return to the store and do reports. Ho, hum.
Every who asked me questions got the same answer, "Gosh! I don't know, we weren't in there. I hope no one was hurt."
(The police did get our full cooperation.)
No sleep that night.
**Adrenaline can be an inconvenience.

For the next three nights I woke up in the wee hours vomitting my guts out. Not sick, no dreams, nothing.
During the day I constantly thought about the situation. How would having a gun have changed things?
Would I have been a total fool? What was the right thing to do. I could find no solution, nothing to calm me, no plan to formulate for next time.
**Having a gun did not automatically make me a hero.

There were four kids, three guns.
Oiy! Two might be doable, but four? Three guns? They were going to shoot back!
**Now what?!?!

I studied this board, these forums have been read and re-read...
I am still not happy with my lack of action, and my lack of solution for "next time," but I have to comfort myself with "They are running from the scene, imminent danger doesn't apply."

Two nights ago I stumbled upon something that for me was earth shattering. It never occurred to me. How could I have fooled myself so thoroughly?
Forever in my mind will live this simple, but oh, so important fact... "Carrying a gun does not make you bullet-proof."

Jokes, taunts, bits of wisdom, and other miscellaneous comments are welcome!