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Engage him with a friendly response like, "sorry, I don't smoke" or tell him to back off and get distance from him with your hand near or on your pistol?

In the fifties, the "back off" response simply wouldn't be done, (probably because you smoked and did have a light) but given today's climate of criminal violence what will you do if this happens to you say in a Walmart parking lot or some other place where strangers may be interviewing you for a mugging.

Sorry I don't smoke, and these new trucks don't have cigarette lighters anymore. Have a great day

I have my own personal "comfort zone". If someone I don't know gets in my zone like the scenario you gave, I have no problem telling them to back away. Now each scenario may be different and I may react differently, but generally, I don't like strangers in my comfort zone. YMMV

I don't let people close distance in potential robery zones. I change walking angles and watch if they alter theirs, then gently warn them away if they continue to close. Street smart criminals get the idea to choose someone else when you no longer look "easy".

TXglock21 and Sugarland Dave, summed up my response perfectly. I hyper aware in big parking lots and at night, even more when my family is with me. I have a circle that is my comfort zone and anyone that comes off suspicious is given a commanding verbal warning to not come any closer. If at a gas pump at night(I travel to the ship channel for work at all hours), no one comes near me regardless of the situation. My hands never go towards my weapon unless they continue their path towards me. I have had friends robbed at night pumping gas by a man coming to ask for "help", "money" and "a ride" then pull a knife or gun once they step close enough. One buddy was stabbed.

Gas stations are the worst places for me given my encounters at them. Especially if you are gassing up a rent car near the airport (Houston/Dallas). They know you are likely not armed. All sexes and races have tried begging / intimidation at those. Took me a while to figure this out, longer that I want to admit.

I've been approached for a light in a parking lot at night before, and considering it was a walmart or something that sold lighters(really don't remember which store it was), my guard was up. I didn't have my CHL so I didn't have a gun to reach for, but my hand was on my knife. I do smoke so I had a lighter, so I gave them one. But I pulled my pocket knife out with my lighter(same front pocket) and just kept it in my hand while I let them borrow the lighter. My instincts were screaming, but my southern hospitality over-rode them. I kicked myself for letting it happen when I replayed what could have gone down.

I just drill 'em until the mag is empty. Immediately. No questions asked. Then I wipe off the prints drop my "throwaway" weapon and get out of Dodge.

Just say....

"SURE! HERE YA GO!"

Interesting this thread is running at the same time as the thread about the 67 year old lady that was jailed for pulling her gun.

ScottDLS wrote:I just drill 'em until the mag is empty. Immediately. No questions asked. Then I wipe off the prints drop my "throwaway" weapon and get out of Dodge.

are you a member of the Sons of Anarchy tv show???

just finished watching the entire series and (yes I know its tv) I'm baffled how many mass shootings and deaths happened in the final two seasons without one person being charged or one ABC departments showing up to shut the cit down lol.

I've had a couple of bum looking individuals come up and say, "can you help me out" before but never get within 15ft of myself. If they did I would not so kindly tell them it would be in their best interest to stay away from me.

I know it's not a good idea but this just comes natural to me. When someone is closing in on me at a gas pump, I stop what I am doing and give them my full attention, sort of even squaring off with the guy. Ready to draw, swing or whatever I have to if he does try something. I then answer with a simple, "no man I'm out" or"no i don't." Someone I know asks an obvious panhandler that is approaching him for a dollar before they even get a chance to ask him.

"Sir, do you have a light?"

"Son, I've got Ebola and a bad cough. You don't want to come near me." Cough! Hack!

If it's dark in a WM parking lot? My "zone" is huge. Let's say they've headed straight toward me, I've changed direction once or twice, still heading toward me, I tell him to "stop, back off", all of my bags have already moved to my left arm, my phone in my left hand, my right hand moves to my waist, if he keeps moving toward me, my hand moves beneath the hem of my shirt....never gone beyond that.
The one time I've done this his eyes saw where my hand went and he veered off a different direction. My gun was never, ever visible.

It was a coincidence that night, but I learned something, never do big shopping at night, alone, no more that you can carry on one arm. Everything else I had learned on this group.