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C-dub wrote:It always depends on the situation. Sometimes exiting the vehicle is a better or the best option because if you are unable to drive away, you also don't want to be trapped or confined to the vehicle making yourself a sitting duck.

Cops have a nickname for their patrol car when the bullets start flying. They call it a coffin.

I will submit that can also be said about an attack with many, if not most, weapons. A baseball bat is still a formidable weapon, even through a car window. Its true they can't get a full swing, but they can still thrust with their full body weight behind it. You, meanwhile, are stuck in your seat with only what relatively little power your arms contain to block it.

Every situation is different, but if someone is coming at me with blood in their eye and a bat in their hands, I'm getting out of the vehicle while drawing my pistol if there's time.

nightmare69 wrote:If he walks up to my vehicle with a bat I'm already going to be aiming down sights at him. If he continues to approach or uses the weapon, pew pew pew.

Just wondering, have you ever fired a handgun of a defensive caliber inside the confines of an automobile? Much less through shatterproof glass to get to the bad guy outside?

Skiprr wrote:

nightmare69 wrote:If he walks up to my vehicle with a bat I'm already going to be aiming down sights at him. If he continues to approach or uses the weapon, pew pew pew.

Just wondering, have you ever fired a handgun of a defensive caliber inside the confines of an automobile? Much less through shatterproof glass to get to the bad guy outside?

No and I hope I never have too. However, I do carry a mag of green tip for my patrol rifle for this very reason while on duty.

i think if you get out of your car to confront the person then end up shooting them you are going to jail. Getting out of your car escalates the situation.

If someone starts to attack your car DRIVE AWAY.

if you have to hit someone elses car to do it, then do it.

If you are surrounded by cars so you cant drive away, then what happens when you shoot and hit a person in the car next to you or behind you.

txblackout,

Are you saying: If you're trapped, better to die then defend yourself because of the potential of harm to others?

Or, do I misunderstand?

My Super Duty weighs 7,500 pounds. I have made it a habit to leave room between my vehicle and the vehicle in front of me so I can maneuver if I have to.

If some road rager wants to take on my Super Duty, I will grant him his wish. If I hit someone else's car, that is what insurance is for.

postby txblackout

i think if you get out of your car to confront the person then end up shooting them you are going to jail. Getting out of your car escalates the situation.

I know a lot of folks believe this ^^^^^^^^ and on the face of it...it might seem to represent a willingness for mutual combat.

But please consider, there are MANY tactical reasons for leaving your vehicle.

In no way...does simply moving from one spot to another constitute 'escalation'. Until the TOTALITY of the circumstance is considered, it is incorrect to state (universally) that you will go to jail or be guilty of escalating the encounter.

Sometimes remaining in the vehicle might be the best thing to do, but don't do it thinking that you are ALWAYS safer that way.

In the situation cited....since I am physically able to rapidly exit my vehicle, I would have done so and used it as a barrier between me and the person threatening me harm. This assumes I could not simply drive away.

Also, you don't know if the aggressor had ONLY a bat with him. IF he was armed also...you would be defending your life from a disadvantaged position.

If gunfire is a possibility...then make no mistake, car doors, windows and seats are NOT 'cover', the only reliable cover your vehicle offers is the engine block, the axles (most), steel wheels and some brake components. If you aren't behind one of those, then you are still very much vulnerable. I'll choose 'mobility' anytime it is a possibility.

I'd recommend running some scenarios through your head, consider what might be your best defense for each and then train so you will have the skill-sets necessary to deal with it.

When or IF you should remain in your vehicle should always be dictated by the circumstance at hand and YOUR best assessment of the threat.

IF you choose to not exit your vehicle.... then seek out and consider the techniques available to help defend yourself from this confining and disadvantaged position. It is different.

anygunanywhere wrote:My Super Duty weighs 7,500 pounds. I have made it a habit to leave room between my vehicle and the vehicle in front of me so I can maneuver if I have to.

If some road rager wants to take on my Super Duty, I will grant him his wish. If I hit someone else's car, that is what insurance is for.

Gas pedal away from the guy or toward the guy is my first choice at defending myself. Pistol low and ready, on standby just in case.

Has anyone mentioned laying on the horn to attract attention/witnesses and otherwise divert the evil doer?

Oldgringo wrote:Has anyone mentioned laying on the horn to attract attention/witnesses and otherwise divert the evil doer?

Left hand on wheel. Check.

Right hand wrapped around Kimber. Check.

Don't have time for horn. Horn is for those who don't pack Kind of like a key ring mace can.

flintknapper wrote: postby txblackout

i think if you get out of your car to confront the person then end up shooting them you are going to jail. Getting out of your car escalates the situation.

I know a lot of folks believe this ^^^^^^^^ and on the face of it...it might seem to represent a willingness for mutual combat.

But please consider, there are MANY tactical reasons for leaving your vehicle.

In no way...does simply moving from one spot to another constitute 'escalation'. Until the TOTALITY of the circumstance is considered, it is incorrect to state (universally) that you will go to jail or be guilty of escalating the encounter.

Sometimes remaining in the vehicle might be the best thing to do, but don't do it thinking that you are ALWAYS safer that way.

In the situation cited....since I am physically able to rapidly exit my vehicle, I would have done so and used it as a barrier between me and the person threatening me harm. This assumes I could not simply drive away.

Also, you don't know if the aggressor had ONLY a bat with him. IF he was armed also...you would be defending your life from a disadvantaged position.

If gunfire is a possibility...then make no mistake, car doors, windows and seats are NOT 'cover', the only reliable cover your vehicle offers is the engine block, the axles (most), steel wheels and some brake components. If you aren't behind one of those, then you are still very much vulnerable. I'll choose 'mobility' anytime it is a possibility.

I'd recommend running some scenarios through your head, consider what might be your best defense for each and then train so you will have the skill-sets necessary to deal with it.

When or IF you should remain in your vehicle should always be dictated by the circumstance at hand and YOUR best assessment of the threat.

IF you choose to not exit your vehicle.... then seek out and consider the techniques available to help defend yourself from this confining and disadvantaged position. It is different.

If I were in this situation, where some nut gets out of his vehicle with a bat and starts to close in on me, first thing in my mind is asking myself "do I have an egress path"? If yes, I would safely excuse myself from the situation by just driving off. Let that fool scratch his head on that one.
Now, if I'm blocked by other vehicles, traffic etc. and there is no way out for me, I'd draw my AR from the back, slide my seat way back, zero in and dial 911 on Bluetooth.
If that idiot came close enough, he'd probably see the red dot peeking out and hopefully retreat, cursing me I'm sure.

anygunanywhere wrote:My Super Duty weighs 7,500 pounds. I have made it a habit to leave room between my vehicle and the vehicle in front of me so I can maneuver if I have to.

If some road rager wants to take on my Super Duty, I will grant him his wish. If I hit someone else's car, that is what insurance is for.

Other than a semi, you could move anything out of your way with ease. When in doubt, throttle out.

If I can get away in my vehicle or at least further the distance from the suspect and myself I'm doing it.

anygunanywhere wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:Has anyone mentioned laying on the horn to attract attention/witnesses and otherwise divert the evil doer?

Left hand on wheel. Check.

Right hand wrapped around Kimber. Check.

Don't have time for horn. Horn is for those who don't pack Kind of like a key ring mace can.