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Hi folks,
I hope this little story helps someone.

I'm a 68 y.o. retired guy. Lots of experience with firearms HUNTING, ZERO experience or training with firearms for selfdefense.

Recently I got my ccw license but haven't been carrying because I really don't know what I'm doing vv self-defense with a firearm and my handgun is a big S&W .357 Highway Patrolman.

Two days ago, in the alley behind my house, at 3 in the afternoon, a guy walked by me, we exchanged greetings, 3 steps later he had snuck up behind me, grabbed my right arm(to keep me for drawing a firearm???), spun me around and knocked me down with a pretty hard right hook. I tried to defend myself but wasn't doing very well so I played the "old guy with a weak heart" card which moved us to the exchange of money. When he ordered me into an isolated alcove I pretended to back into the alcove then ran like hell (I run better than I fight) and some people came to help me as the bad guy ran away.

My lessons:
Be more vigilant
Learn about using firearm for self defense
Think hard......if I had been armed one of the two of us would probably be dead now instead of a big black eye and $100 less in the coffee can
(not that this justifies walking around unarmed but it is better to think on it before it actually happens)

BTW, the cops got the bad guy THAT night :-)

Cheers,
Charlie

Hello Charlie!
Welcome!

There's a lot to think about in your tale. It a shame it happened but it does show it can happen anytime anywhere.

I think about my surroundings constantly. I guess some would say I am a bit paranoid but I'm no spring chicken either and I'd might come out on the short end of a fist oriented exchange particularly with a seasoned street fighter (certainly if more than one).

At night walking my dog in the park I typically take a (un-needed) heavy wooden cane for some leverage (for animals and people) - not that that fits your situation. I try to be armed as much as possible but if they come up from behind it would be hard to react. I think about this on the walking path as many fast walkers and runners glide up behind me noiselessly. In the dark, at night, in the park, a robber could be out from the bushes in a flash. I don't know how you could respond quick enough. There is a thread here somewhere about a lady who got robbed in about 15 seconds in a parking lot by an assailant from a moving car with a driver .

Regardless, thanks for sharing your experience.
Now, are you also planning on carrying more frequently?
Are you now going to get a more "concealed friendly" carry revolver or pistol? ?

Regards,
JW

Edit: I guess I'd ask everyone the same question. Is there any defense against someone slipping up behind you besides walking around with your back to a wall?

Hi JW,
Thanks for the welcome.

Mostly I plan to get some training on how to use a firearm for self defense. And more modern hardware.

Cheers,
Charlie

What City & State and neighborhood did this happen Charlie?

Galveston, TX

Charlie, you may want to contact Tom Estep (ElGato on the forum)
He is an instructor in Texas City area and does classes (I think) for firearms safety, usage, etc.

Welcome to the forum, neighbor.

http://www.galvnews.com/story/160090" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Please check your private messages.

- Jim

"And more modern hardware."

It will be interesting to see what you think about and choose Charlie. Lot's of good opinions here.

I wish I could find a way to carry a good ol' S&W 686 6" or 8" 357 Magnum but I haven't yet either.

Good luck,
JW

Edit: I read the linked newstory (surprising how much detail was there). Looks like you tangled with a serious criminal.
I don't think it's drifting off topic since the crime is the topic here; I am not sure I remember the consensus on deadly force for this type of attack. This is probably good to go since it is behind Charlie's house. But, it was day time. And, what if it was a different location. I don't know if we can answer this question in this same thread without drifting but do we believe deadly force would be justified here?

and yet another repeat offender! as uncle ted said, i want to see dead offenders.

mrcharlie,

Sorry about your bad experience it is time he (and I don't mean pillar of Society) was locked away and the key tossed into the Gulf.

I second the advice to contact ElGato. He is a top notch guy and a patient teacher. He also has all manner of firearms that he will let you try out. If you don't aren't happy with his guns (not comfortable, not the right gun for you etc) then take a trip to T's and handle a few of their selection. Good luck and once again, sorry that you had a bad experience in Galveston.

Charlie,
Glad to see that you are alright. I am also glad to see that you are looking to get more experience with firearms as a self-defense tool. Hopefully this never happens again but its a great idea to get some training...just in case.

dubya wrote: Edit: I read the linked newstory (surprising how much detail was there). Looks like you tangled with a serious criminal.
I don't think it's drifting off topic since the crime is the topic here; I am not sure I remember the consensus on deadly force for this type of attack. This is probably good to go since it is behind Charlie's house. But, it was day time. And, what if it was a different location. I don't know if we can answer this question in this same thread without drifting but do we believe deadly force would be justified here?

I don't think there would have been much of a problem due to the difference in age between the two. Also, we don't know the physical differences, but would presume that anybody that mean, probably isn't a 90-lb weakling. Note the BG seems to prefer "aggravated" robbery.

dubya wrote:Looks like you tangled with a serious criminal.
I don't think it's drifting off topic since the crime is the topic here; I am not sure I remember the consensus on deadly force for this type of attack.

It was AGGRAVATED ROBBERY!



I don't want to step on anyone's toes here, but if someone wanted to buy crack, the location where that crime occurred would be a good place to start looking for a dealer.

- Jim

Thanks Jim, that answers many questions for me now. This makes me much more comfortable on many areas.

Texas
§ 29.03. AGGRAVATED ROBBERY. (a) A person commits an
offense if he commits robbery as defined in Section 29.02, and he:
(1) causes serious bodily injury to another;
(2) uses or exhibits a deadly weapon; or
(3) causes bodily injury to another person or
threatens or places another person in fear of imminent bodily
injury or death, if the other person is:
(A) 65 years of age or older; or
(B) a disabled person.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the first
degree.
(c) In this section, "disabled person" means an individual
with a mental, physical, or developmental disability who is
substantially unable to protect himself from harm.

§ 29.02. ROBBERY. (a) A person commits an offense if, in
the course of committing theft as defined in Chapter 31 and with
intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, he:
(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes
bodily injury to another; or
(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens or places
another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second
degree.

Hello mrcharlie and welcome to the forum. (Can I just call you Mr. "C"? )

Two suggestions...

One is to train yourself to exist in Condition Yellow (whether or not you're carrying), and then carry all the time. If you're unfamiliar with that expression, it is a reference to the "Cooper Color Code," canonized by the late Jeff Cooper to describe mental states. It says:

• White - Unaware and unprepared. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy or ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be "Oh my God! This can't be happening to me."
• Yellow - Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself." You are simply aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that you are prepared to defend yourself, if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and realize that "I may have to SHOOT today." You don't have to be armed in this state, but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow. You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don't know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to "Watch your six." (In aviation 12 o'clock refers to the direction in front of the aircraft's nose. Six o'clock is the blind spot behind the pilot.) In Yellow, you are "taking in" surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep. As Cooper put it, "I might have to shoot."
• Orange - Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has gotten your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). Your mindset shifts to "I may have to shoot HIM today," focusing on the specific target which has caused the escalation in alert status. In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: "If that goblin does 'x', I will need to stop him." Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.
• Red - Condition Red is fight. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. If "X" happens I will shoot that person.

Meaning no disrespect, but it sounds like you were caught off guard because you were in Condition White - which is really how most people walk around. If you are going to go about armed, then Condition Yellow is where you want to be. After a while, it becomes second nature, and it is not at all a stressful place to be.

My second suggestion is with regard to firearms choice. Like others, I highly recommend a semi-automatic pistol for self-defense, for it's larger capacity, and generally better concealability. However, there are also an array of "modern" small revolvers that are perfectly suitable for concealed carry and self defense, and are available in powerful calibers. I typically carry a 1911 pattern pistol in .45 ACP, but I recently acquired a S&W J framed .357 magnum revolver. It fits in my front pocket with no trouble, and it is made out of Scandium (an ultra lightweight metal with properties similar to Titanium) and it weighs next to nothing. It may only hold 5 rounds, but it is 5 rounds of full house .357. The little beast is a handful to shoot, but it isn't that bad. So if you really are more comfortable with a revolver, rest assured that there are some good choices out there for concealed carry.

Anyway, sorry you got the beatdown from that scumbag, but I'm glad you're OK.