Purplehood wrote:I am sorry, but the mantra about situational awareness applies.
If someone is hanging around a pump, I generally avoid pulling up in the first place. If someone approaches my car I am aware of it and take proactive action. Just the fact that you make eye-contact and move between them and your vehicle is usually enough to tell a lazy-puke that steals for a living to leave and find some other easier mark.
Making eye contact works in many situations. I do the same thing if I see a person or even a group hanging around as if they are looking for trouble. Simply letting them know you are aware of their presence is often enough to cause a bg to look elsewhere for a mark.
Nope, wasn't joking. Two decades trekking across the globe ruined me for ever being complacent. Fortunately what few neighbors I have are good ones and I haven't seen any meth heads out here but I have read about the problem in general around Wise County. No idea where they're making this stuff I'm 5 miles from the Jack County line.
Just rode my bike 3450 miles over 6 days... Across Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana.. Spent 4 days at and in 230 mile radius of INDY, then rode home through the same states but a different route. I stopped for gas in 32 different gas stations, truck stops... many in the seedy areas of town.
Tank bag left on the bike most times as I moved about the pump, and even into the store for a drink a few times. (CCW was on me at all times, never left in the bag)
In all that time, I only observed once a person that may have been looking to get up to no good. We conversed for a sec, I informed him THAT was my bike,,, and i was looking forward to it being just like it is when I get out of the store.... He moved on to the other side of the station .. greener pastures? or just not wanting to deal with the scruffy looking old guy on a sportbike with Texas plates? No idea..
This thread had me very observant to the other people /vehicles in the stations. About 1/2 placed themselves in compromising positions.. One or two that were at a pump next to me and seemed receptive to talking... I suggested they lock the door when walking away from the car, seeing as their purse was RIGHT there . Both of those young women seemed appreciative of the concern.
All that to say.. mehhh, a problem? Maybe, but more likely a Media sound bite for entertainment purposes for what is a routine occurrence that has been happening for a long time, but not all that common.
Still, being vigilant and observant is always the better choice.
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Blindref757 wrote:
2. How dangerous is it to fire a gun in the proximity of gas pumps? If a cell phone is enough to spark vapors, what are the dangers of a 9mm muzzle blast?
Mythbusters disproved the cell phone ignites fumes. I wouldn't want to venture a guess on a firearm.
