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I know I have read other posts on this, but thought I would share an incident that happened so it may help others. Decided to go to the local supermarket at night before it closed. Was feeling lazy and decided not to carry, since I was just going to be gone about 15 minutes. As I am getting out of my car, this guy approaches me from the driver side of the car next to me. Starts asking questions about various things that don't have to do with anything important. He then asks for money to buy gas. I use a firm response and body language to tell him no and have a nice day. I go into the store and shop. When I come out,I use good ole fashion situational awareness and notice him pull towards me from across the parking lot. He rolls down the window and starts fidgeting with something behind his seat while asking for "gas money for his new tahoe". I got that gut feeling that something bad was about to happen, so I slightly turned as if carrying and told him that he should rethink what he was doing and leave . He paused and decided to leave. As he was leaving, I noticed a guy crouched down in the back where he was reaching. I know if I would have walked to his car that something bad would have happened. Lesson learned. I will never be lazy again when it comes to carrying at all times. Hope this helps others.

Guy never would have approached me and started a conversation in the first place. I don't do "interviews".

Glad it worked out for you this time. Hope that is all the lesson required.

These things can happen anywhere we go now days.
Situational awareness is the key.

Jumping Frog wrote:Guy never would have approached me and started a conversation in the first place. I don't do "interviews".

Glad it worked out for you this time. Hope that is all the lesson required.

I do like the response about interviews. That's a really good approach!

Thanks for the responses. It was all I needed to remember how quickly life could change. All because "I don't need to carry just for 15 minutes, what could go wrong". At least it didn't take a 2x4 to the head to remind me. If it's okay with you, I would like to use your line of I don't do interviews if it happens again. Funny stuff.

I'm thinking that a phone call to your local police department is in order so they are aware of what happened. It may fit a pattern of robberies or attempted robberies in the area.

jminn1 wrote:I'm thinking that a phone call to your local police department is in order so they are aware of what happened. It may fit a pattern of robberies or attempted robberies in the area.

You were definitely being sized up for a hit of some kind; either a mugging or maybe a car jacking. Any type of incident, even if you think they are just panhandling, is a good call to the PD. They need to know and will send extra patrol units to watch the lots if possible. I would try my best to get a description of the vehicle, license number and the individuals description to provide and let them make a cursory stop and check to see what's up.

Here is a good example of a situation where my wife was being sized up and I contacted the police and they were VERY familiar with the subject that was in the vehicle http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=73474" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Forgot to mention in my original post that I did notify PD. Took info over the phone but no officer sent out.

Low cost, high value lesson. We should all learn from it. Thanks for posting.

mulfjohn wrote:I would like to use your line of I don't do interviews if it happens again. Funny stuff.

That was my comment here, but that isn't how I actually handle it.

When someone is heading my way, I put my left hand up in a "STOP" gesture, and say "No thanks". If I don't get that started before they reach 30 feet, I'll mentally chide myself afterwards in situational awareness.

If they take another step or two, I'll re-emphasize the stop gesture and state more emphatically, "STOP RIGHT THERE, I said I am not interested".

If they keep coming after that, I conclude they do not have benign intent. Now I am yelling "STOP RIGHT THERE, DO NOT COME ANY CLOSER" while I am reaching for my gun.

I haven't had to actually draw (yet). Hope I never have to, but am prepared should that time come.

When I see something suspicious like that, I try to snap a photo of the car and tags, and occupants if possible.
Have not had cause to share the photos, but it's good to have a record in case something happens later.

You actually did the Paul Blart- Mall Cop move and it worked! That's so awesome.

Seriously though, thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you still had your SA, that saved you right there. Best thing is that SA is free, extremely lightweight, and accessible in mili-seconds.

I know. I couldn't believe it either but thought I'd give it a try. Minus the Segway and bike helmet.

I wish I could carry 100% but my company policy is against guns at work & company vehicles. I tend to work in less than desirable areas from time to time as well. I do however have in my favor that I have a 6-8 inch full beard & look like it should be left alone. Funny thing is when we go out to eat, there has been multiple occasions that the managers will stop & ask if everything is ok. Heck my wife (of 12 years)has hard times reading me as well, I will then point to my face & say "This is my face, this is what it looks like"

TBJK wrote:I wish I could carry 100% but my company policy is against guns at work & company vehicles. I tend to work in less than desirable areas from time to time as well. I do however have in my favor that I have a 6-8 inch full beard & look like it should be left alone. Funny thing is when we go out to eat, there has been multiple occasions that the managers will stop & ask if everything is ok. Heck my wife (of 12 years)has hard times reading me as well, I will then point to my face & say "This is my face, this is what it looks like"

I think I'd be carrying if I were you, company policy or not. Especially if you have to frequent bad areas as part of your job. It's not like your company is providing armed security for you, are they. Best case scenario, you'll never have to draw, and they'll never even know about it. Worst case, you might lose your job, but you'll still be on the right side of the grass.

Didn't mean to threadjack, but company policies that don't allow their employees to defend themselves are a real sore point with me. With workplace violence rearing its ugly head on a semi-regular basis, I'm not taking any risks.

There's another little rule to the "Always Carry" thumb which I try and remind people as much as I possibly can. ALWAYS carry, not only for yours and others safety but for your legal protection. I have held carry permits in multiple states who have some pretty varying degree's of law on the topic. One thing that is uniform to most states is the prosecution. I carry every day for all the same reasons noted in this post, but also for my own legal protection. IF, God forbid, I must draw on someone and actually fire on them as well (in any defensive situation), I don't want ANY question as to why I picked that day to carry over others.

Legal teams from the ACLU to Defense lawyers to even DA's will tell you that there is legal precedent from other states where a person lawfully defended themselves on paper but were charged because they picked one day to carry over others and ended up using their weapon. Now, we all know that most will not even use their weapon even when they should... however the prosecution doesn't care. They will do their best to try and charge and convict you no matter what the situation is. To look at it any other way is either 1) not taking the responsibility serious enough or 2) not being prepared to use your weapon when the time comes you have to.

For me - there are really no two ways about it. If I have a permit and a weapon. I'm carrying. Period.