Almost pulled my gun today

[TXGLOCK29]

Ok so here's what happened. I am in Real Estate, and we have a real problem with people who park in no parking zones in the community I manage. We also back up right next to what some people may call "The Ghetto." Well today, I show up and there is a van parked on our Home Owner's Association grass at the entrance where there is flowers, bushes, sodded lanscape, ect. I walked up behind the vehicle to write down the license plate number when two African-American males (owners of the vehicle) walk up behind the ledge to my right and ask "what do you think you're doing?" I responded "I am writing down your license plate number and the police have already been dispatched because you are parked in a no parking zone AS WELL AS on private grass." One of the men responded by saying "I ain't afraid of no Police!" I then told him "that may be the case, however, I don't think you want to pay $700 because your vehicle was ticketed and towed." Here's where things escalated...
He then informed me that he was going to "crack me upside the head." At that point I told him that it would not be smart to threaten me and you don't know who you're talking to. He then said "you don't know who you're talking to you cracker". I responded by saying "look sir, just move your car and have a nice day (while backing away)" and he said a "(few curse words) cracker, you better watch out!" They got in their vehicle and began to slowly follow me as I walked back to my office. I was praying that I wasn't going to be a victim of a driveby.
Luckily I got back to my office safely. After getting back inside I called the police department and informed them of everything that just happened. They had a detective call me and file a report. With all that said, yes I am a CHL, and yes I was carrying. There was a couple of moments where he made physical advances while he was making his comments that made me nervous enough to want to draw my weapon, however I didn't because he kept his hands where I could see them, he never got closer than about 5 feet, and the other man that was with him stayed back and didn't say a word. Did I do the right thing, or would any of you have pulled your weapon? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[eric]

Maybe you should have called the police from inside the building and let them do the tags or whatever. 5 feet is way too close.

[smokindragon]

I agree, I would have tried to get the tag numbers but without being seen and if I couldn't then I would have just called police or a wrecker..

YES FIVE FEET IS TERRIBLY TOO CLOSE.

You might want to watch your back, those guys might just come back for a visit.

But over all you didn't have to use your gun and your not having to call a lawyer.

[Revet]

I'm very interested to see what other responses you get. I hope an LEO weighs in with advice.

I think I wouldn't have drawn my gun, but I probably would have had my hand on the grip, ready to do so.

[Wildscar]

Remember anything under 20 feet can get to something like this very quick and this guy had training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSzmrmIjK3w

[Monkey404error]

5 feet, is WAY WAY WAY TO CLOSE. At that distance, he could have easily jumped you, and kept you from being able to get your CCW out anyways. I'm glad you came out of it OK though. Just make sure to keep a look out that they don't come back.

[shootthesheet]

I would have never gone outside. I also would never have talked to them. Since you did, I suggests you watch your back for a while. If they were stopped and hassled, you will see them again. They may come back even if they didn’t just because you didn't play "cracker" when they threatened you. They know where to find you an can get your home address with little effort. Next time I suggest you be more covert on info gathering and work more on not giving anyone a reason to get aggressive.

As CHL holders we must avoid and deescalate problems. These kinds of punks look for reason to start problems. Avoid them before a problem can start, especially when it comes to matters where they will have reason to retaliate.

[txmatt]

With the type of people you described it probably wouldn't have made a difference, but telling them "that it would not be smart to threaten me and you don't know who you're talking to" sounds like a threat and could serve to escalate the situation.

At the point at which verbal threats are being made getting out of there if possible would be my preference, maybe with a "I don't want any trouble" or something to that effect (and then calling the police once away.) I certainly agree with the others that five feet is way too close for comfort.

Glad it turned out ok.

[oilman]

With the type of people you described it probably wouldn't have made a difference, but telling them "that it would not be smart to threaten me and you don't know who you're talking to" sounds like a threat and could serve to escalate the situation.

At the point at which verbal threats are being made getting out of there if possible would be my preference, maybe with a "I don't want any trouble" or something to that effect (and then calling the police once away.) I certainly agree with the others that five feet is way too close for comfort.

Glad it turned out ok.

Yep

[fm2]

Remember anything under 20 feet can get to something like this very quick and this guy had training.

He may have had training, but he surely made some bad decisions, ie... timing errors, never got dominant position, went for gun too soon, getting on the radio too high priority cost him blows to the head, and other control issues. That makes me think his training was lacking in context or frequency.

Did I do the right thing, or would any of you have pulled your weapon? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

TXGLOCK29, I think you did better than most. It's easy to nervous in a confrontation like yours and make a mistake, but you handled it verbally and and they did what you requested. They felt the need to Woof about it, anyway. There wasn't a need to get the gun into play, but you were aware that the situation could escalate.

[WildBill]

I'd say you did just fine.

[Kalrog]

You walked away - you survived - you won this one. Now good for you for trying to learn from it and do better next time. Keep them farther away and call the police earlier. Taking down the plates is okay, as is asking them to move it, but don't say the police are on the way if they aren't.

[Venus Pax]

I think you did fine. I would have tried to get the plate # from a greater distance to give yourself some space. As for being covert, I have no problem letting potential predators know that they've been noticed. I think that if they believe that more people are watching them, they may choose another area offering less resistance.

[bryang]

I think you did a good job under the circumstances, however, I agree with the others concerning distance. Distance is your friend and the more you got the friendlier it is. Just be careful and keep an eye out and watch your back...as they just may return.
Good Luck!

[boomerang]

Glad you're safe. It sounds like the world would be a better place without that guy but no good deed goes unpunished.