I'm quite familiar with that Lowe's and the Walmart across the road. I can tell you all that aggravated assaults, robberies and even kidnappings have been rising steadily in the area since 2002. The Walmart across the road has been the scene of at least two kidnapping attempts and one successful kidnapping since 2004. The wife and I did lots of our grocery shopping there and it always bothered me if she went shopping without me.dwhitley wrote:In Houston... Beltway 8 and Wallisville Rd..... In the Lowes parking lot... I have to say I really thought about grabbing my gun, but I guess I thought it through and said they are no threat to me... so I will remain calm and let it unfold... I had my hand on it in my console in case they came towards me and my truck, but yes I am glade they did not.... Folks this will get your heart pumping hard... DW
Anyway, based on what you've described, I really don't see a reason to draw a firearm. But I am also admittedly prejudiced against being seen in public with a gun in my hand unless someone will immediately benefit from me shooting them. I think you made the right call for this situation. I also can think of several perfectly logical reasons the officer felt you did the right thing by not pulling out your gun. The first one that jumps to mind is mistaken identity.
Off-duty and under-cover cops get shot by other officers with boring regularity. Since you are not in uniform and not displaying creds, John Q. Public and Barney Fife have no way to know you are a good guy. With that in mind, either may hose you down in lead if they know there’s an assault/robbery in progress when they become involved and you are the only guy visibly holding a weapon and appear to be a threat to them or anyone else.