You are new fairly here and while I admit while you probably didn't intend it I do find your responses a bit condescending. It is easy to armchair quarterback the events after the fact especially when you were not present. I respect you are offering your opinions. However they way you presented a few of them I do find a bit offensive as if you are talking down to me. Not something you see members do here. I posted this clearly admitting what I think I did wrong. Offering opinions is one thing and lecturing down to a member here is something else.jsdintexas wrote:Thought I would offer some if my impressions here. I am not suggesting any course of action one way or another because every scenario has its specific points - there are no set rules, actions, or anything else that covers all the bases. And I am not trying to tell you how to be a father!!!
1) late at night, public place, 10 year-old? My old-time thinking puts kids to bed by 9 or 10 PM every night.
2) Black is irrevelant, but dirty may indicate homeless, which I call a bum. So developing the image - he was probably drunk; they usually can't get or afford hard drugs. But hey, who knows?
3) No way out of a drive-thru lane 90% of the time.
4) Rolling up the window and dialing 911 is maybe first and pulling out of the lane if possible 2nd - rolling up windows because they are pretty tough against a fist, maybe not a board or tire iron or multiple blows might be 3rd, but I wouldn't count on it. And attempted or actual breaking of the glass is justification to light him up.
5) Wait for the cops and report - they and Jack probably know the guy since these types hang out in the same general locations
6) Lighting him up for this bum's preliminary actions (yelling, approach), which I think I understand, is generally not legally defensible in TX, or at least would require a lot of discussion with the cops.
7) My highest concern is the obvious trama to the young man. I hope you discussed this with him to get his take on the incident and make sure he is not having nightmares or sleeping with his BB gun or a kitchen knife or such as that - a 10 year old is obviously very impressionable, but as a father I am sure you know that and I apologize for sounding like parent police if I do.
8) Glad it turned out ok. And maybe some advice - don't be unarmed. And I bet you won't be again or let that CHL expire.
Let me apologize again if I have stepped on any toes here.
1) late at night, public place, 10 year-old? My old-time thinking puts kids to bed by 9 or 10 PM every night.
Usually my son isnt up late but this is a special treat we occasionally do during the summer.
2) Black is irrevelant, but dirty may indicate homeless, which I call a bum. So developing the image - he was probably drunk; they usually can't get or afford hard drugs. But hey, who knows?
The fact the man was black has nothing to do with it other than I was making an observation and giving a description. If he had been Caucasian or Hispanic I would have described that
3) No way out of a drive-thru lane 90% of the time.
That is why I leave about a car lengths distance between myself and and another vehicle in front of me if possible. But some drive thrus have barriers. Those I try and avoid. I was fortunate in this case
4) Rolling up the window and dialing 911 is maybe first and pulling out of the lane if possible 2nd - rolling up windows because they are pretty tough against a fist, maybe not a board or tire iron or multiple blows might be 3rd, but I wouldn't count on it. And attempted or actual breaking of the glass is justification to light him up.
Are you serious? I strongly disagree with your comment about calling the police 'maybe' first in this situation. This all occurred in a matter of seconds. My first priority was to get away and protect my son and myself and avoid any confrontation. Calling the police could only be done once what I perceived to an imminent threat was removed. I am not going to be a sitting duck just to call the police when I need to get away first. Im not going to debate all the reasons here but to be clear if this situation happened again I would take the same steps. Get away first then call the police. Even IF I had a gun I would not deploy it in this situation. It would just have been nice to have and that was the whole point. What could have happened is my point. I had SECONDS to decide what to do. I chose to 'retreat' and I will do that every time possible and call the police when it is a bit more safe to do so.
5) Wait for the cops and report - they and Jack probably know the guy since these types hang out in the same general locations
6) Lighting him up for this bum's preliminary actions (yelling, approach), which I think I understand, is generally not legally defensible in TX, or at least would require a lot of discussion with the cops.
At this point it would not have been justifiable even if I had been armed to 'light him up". First option was to retreat safely.
7) My highest concern is the obvious trama to the young man. I hope you discussed this with him to get his take on the incident and make sure he is not having nightmares or sleeping with his BB gun or a kitchen knife or such as that - a 10 year old is obviously very impressionable, but as a father I am sure you know that and I apologize for sounding like parent police if I do.
No there was no trauma to my son. After the fact once we talked about it that was the end of it for him and yes I am aware how impressionable any 10 year old can be. And saying "make sure he is not having nightmares or sleeping with his BB gun or a kitchen knife or such as that" just isnt necessary to say here.
8) Glad it turned out ok. And maybe some advice - don't be unarmed. And I bet you won't be again or let that CHL expire.
As I had already stated and admitted I feel I was not prepared as I should have been. I made no secret of the fact. My goal was to share with others here as to be a reminder we need to be vigilant regardless if we have a gun or not.