Gas station attacks - Need to stay aware in Houston

[RPBrown]

Gas stations, AKA "stop & robs", are notorious for criminal activity.
I try to go during the day & keep my head on the swivel.

I've found paying at the pump and not going inside to buy something a wiser choice. Most of what the convenience store has can be purchased for less money at a grocery store or Wal-Mart anyway. When you do go to one to pump, it never hurts to say a little prayer for the employees.

Time of day doesn't matter. Just heard that a clerk was shot in Bedford (between Ft. Worth and Dallas) during broad daylight. BG's don't care.

Pray you never have to use it but use it to protect yourself and your family at all cost if needed.

[Dougmyers5]

Frankie,
I don't believe you're handing over "turf" to them by avoiding these places. Many people still frequent these places; most are law-abiding tax payers that aren't there to knock off the person at the cash register.

I just don't think it's wise to go there at 9:00 at night for a slurpy. (I don't even care for these places during the day.)

I still think the best gun fight is the one you don't have to get into. There's no making comments to police, no wasted bullets, no legal fees (no offense, Chas), and no giving my dad another heart attack. The gun fight you avoid does not bless you with accusations by the attacker's mother that you shot someone in cold blood. If you were really lucky and your attacker was black, you skip the portion of your name being trampled all over the news by Quanel X. The gunfight you miss also means that you aren't dealing with accusatory glances when you return to your job.

If your life is in danger, defend it no matter what. But if you can avoid it, do so. You'll save yourself some trouble.

====================================

The customer that got shot was not in a gun fight and he was complying with the BG as I understand it. He might wish he had been able to fight back and see his name in news over what he got.

Not jumping on you but some times you have no choices in a matter that is out of your control, I mean how could the guy know they would come in after he was inside and shoot him as they walked out?

Being aware of your surroundings does not mean it will not change in a seconds notice.

[frankie_the_yankee]

Frankie,
I don't believe you're handing over "turf" to them by avoiding these places. Many people still frequent these places; most are law-abiding tax payers that aren't there to knock off the person at the cash register.

I just don't think it's wise to go there at 9:00 at night for a slurpy. (I don't even care for these places during the day.)

I still think the best gun fight is the one you don't have to get into. There's no making comments to police, no wasted bullets, no legal fees (no offense, Chas), and no giving my dad another heart attack. The gun fight you avoid does not bless you with accusations by the attacker's mother that you shot someone in cold blood. If you were really lucky and your attacker was black, you skip the portion of your name being trampled all over the news by Quanel X. The gunfight you miss also means that you aren't dealing with accusatory glances when you return to your job.

If your life is in danger, defend it no matter what. But if you can avoid it, do so. You'll save yourself some trouble.

I hear you, but no one walks into a store thinking they are going to get into a gunfight.

Think of all the people who "risk" using the store who are NOT armed. They will never have to answer all those weird questions. Quanel X will never get on their cases.

But sometimes, they get shot in the back like dogs.

I don't live my life to carry a gun. Closer to the truth would be the other way around.

So I would never think, "Gee, I want a cold soda, but someone might try to rob that store while I'm inside, and since I'm carrying I might possibly end up using deadly force if I reasonably believe that I have no choice. And then the police will come and pepper me with a bunch of tough questions. And even worse, some big mouthed jerk with a self-given dweeb name like "Quanel X" will start a "jerk crusade" against me in the media. So I think I'm just going to stay thirsty until I find a great big store somewhere where I think the chance of it being robbed while I'm in there is a lot smaller."

All I think is, "I want a soda. Oh, there's a store. Problem solved."

Or sometimes, maybe, "I want a soda, but no way am I stopping for anything (even a flat tire) in this neighborhood. This place gives me the creeps. The soda can wait. I'm outta here."

[Venus Pax]

I'm simply saying that there are better avenues for quenching one's thirst than a convenience store. I prefer not to go to them.

[JRG]

I agree. I do not go into shop and robs unless there is NO OTHER alternative.

I pay at the pump and if I need a drink, I go to Sonic!!

Joe

[austin]

I have two local kwik checks that I visit.

The mom of one of my hired hands works at one and I know the clerk at another.

My neighbors frequent both.

I consider it my responsibility to visit both armed and alert just as I would check my neighbors' places when they are not home.

In the same vein, I stop at other convenience stores when I am thirsty or hungry. The clerks and patrons, whom I do not know are law abiding, decent folk and while I am not seeking trouble, I would consider it my duty to help out if I could.

Compassion for the weak or unarmed must sometimes outweigh your own personal fears.