Self Defense Scenarios - What would you do

[mojo84]

If I get the impression he is going to take the money and run, lay low and be ready. If it appears he is going to harm our shut the clerk, I would like to think I would engage him. Hopefully without him knowing what hit him.

If he is threatening me our my family, I think I would react much more aggressively. However, I do not KNOW how I would react until I find myself in that situation.

[Jose_in_Dallas]

I would stay in the back, draw my weapon and wait. I don't need the legal, financial, and emotional problems that come with shooting someone. Also, in a gun fight there is significant physical risk. Ranging from death, vegetative state, paralysis, to relatively minor injuries. For me, for this situation there is too much risk, not enough reason to attack. If, however, the situation changes, my gun is ready to send some 40 caliber attitude adjustment his way.

Very well said. I honestly don't think it's worth the legal and financial trouble of trying to intervene in a situation like that unless someones life was in imminent danger. Probably the only thing I would add is to call 911 and leave the line open until help arrived while describing the perpetrators.

[Texsquatch]

I would hang back and try to keep me and my family safe and out of sight. I'm not a one man SWAT team and I am not responsible for that clerk. Cold honest truth. I have taken measures to carry and protect myself and my family. The clerk should have done the same for themselves.

When I'm in a store or restaurant, I try to be aware of available exits, and I have no problem going through a storeroom or kitchen to get out. I tell my wife and son the same. Most of the buildings have exits that are not (or cannot) be locked from the inside. So rush or creep out depending on the situation and keep moving away once we're outside.

[fishman]

Bad thing about it is, it is happening a lot lately. Stores and fast food places are getting held up every day as well as banks. I'm going to be a good witness unless the perp somehow gets me involved. Then --------------

[nyj]

Check out this video, and their other videos. Good stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS4svHr7DLE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mojo84]

Some of the guiding principles that helped build our great this great nation is the idea of self sufficiency and the willingness to to help others in need.

The attitude of I am going to help me and mine and no one else is disappointing. If your son, daughter, brother, sister or friend were standing there at gun point, would you want someone that could help them to have a similar attitude?

[AdamJ1555]

Find cover, draw, call 9-1-1 and observe. If the threat intensifies toward anyone in the store, engage... But if it a take the money and run; just give a good description to the police.

One thing to consider... Situational awareness... Do you know the address of the store when you enter? Being able to quietly tell 911 where you are will greatly speed up the response. Cell phone coordinates are not 100% reliable, so at least knowing the store name and cross street is a must.

Early in my EMS career it was stressed that we should always be able to communicate exactly where we are... At all times... Calling in the Calvary without a location isn't very effective.

Be safe out there!

[ghostrider]

insuffcient information to decide.

how long have I been in the store?

Am I certain the guy with the gun is the real perp and not one of those 'youtube' clerks that has disarmed the perp and is now holding him at gunpoint?

Where is is accomplice? Waiting in the getaway car or is it the lady in the aisle behind who just pulled her gun out?

[Texsquatch]

Some of the guiding principles that helped build our great this great nation is the idea of self sufficiency and the willingness to to help others in need.

The attitude of I am going to help me and mine and no one else is disappointing. If your son, daughter, brother, sister or friend were standing there at gun point, would you want someone that could help them to have a similar attitude?

My family doesn't need a hero who is dead or in jail because he played cops & robbers with a meth addict stealing lottery tickets.