Saturday Morning Encounter

[jimlongley]

I had a similar situation night before last.

I was on my way home from work and stopped to fill up my gas tank. Having just left work I had not finished rearming, which I usually do on the way home, slipping on my holster (already done that night) and then retreiving my .45 from the lock box or glove compartment. Since the gas station is right across the street from my work parking lot I was in front of the pump with an empty holster and I opened the passenger side door while I was pumping the gas (the gas tank is on the passenger side forming a pretty good all around screen) and, careful to not reveal my gun to most observers, finished holstering up.

Just as I slid my 1911 into the kydex, which can make an interesting sound, I heard a voice saying "Hey man . . ." from off my right side, which would be on the other side of the door and the pump, and turned to see a young fellow ambling toward me about ten feet away emerging from the visual shadow of the pump, not particularly agressive, but with that attitude that says "I intend to intimidate you!"

He never finished saying what it was that he wanted, but seemed to hear the gun sliding into the holster, and did an almost immediate about face and made a more direct path back across the large empty parking lot toward the grocery store.

This worthy was not dressed in a manner consistent with the employees of the grocery store, and it being after closing time for most, if not all, of the stores in the strip mall, I don't think he was an employee at any of them. I kind of wonder if he was legitimately trying to get a ride, or if he was merely trying to cadge money, or if he had some evil intent, but whatever it was I think my motions holstering up and the sound of the gun sliding into place.

While the tank filled I watched him head across the lot and then around the side of the grocery store, about fifty yards away, and disappear into the dark, and never really considered calling the police at the time. After I got home I reconsidered and called the non-emergency number and gave them a description and location along with the time of the "sighting" but I have no idea whether they found anything. I will watch next week's local paper for any further details, they have a "police beat" section where they give minimal details about reports and follow ups.

In retrospect I still don't believe that he could have seen me holstering up, his sight line was effectively blocked by both the car door and the gas pump, for that matter I don't believe anyone not sitting in the car could see it, but he might have been able to deduce what I was doing from my motions and the sound, and I think that made him reconsider whatever it was that he intended.

[Skipper5]

Well handled...great situational awareness and eye contact with BGs...they weren't there to ask you 'bout the best closest fishin holes...or invite you for tea. A call to 911 would have also been a great follow up....you pay taxes and they were more than 'suspicious persons,' based on their actions. 311 to report a lost bird....911 is appropriate...how about the little old - non-CHL lady that shows up at the same pump 20 minutes later...?

Good show!

//John

[stevie_d_64]

Nothing wrong with reasonably perceiving (at the very least) an "annoying" threat...Which at that time of the morning, and with the visible signs of someone(s) appearing to be somewhat "under the influence"...

You handled yourself appropriately...

You get the "Head on a Swivle" award for today...

I hope you come back with a live well [abbreviated profanity deleted] fish there today...When should I (I better include my better half as well) come over to the feast???

"Your worst day fishing, is better than your best day at work!"

[fm2]

At this point I moved to my right about 3 feet and found the other dude crouching behind the corner of the store, as soon as guy #1 saw me place my hand on something in my belt (gun was still concealed by a shirt and my body) he turned his back to me and waved his right hand at the other guy, telling him to back off.

Movement to 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock is very important to picking up BG # 2.

Good job!

[pedalman]

Think you did perfectly. Three steps is enough to maintain good cover behind your vehicle should you have needed it.

Be aware also that in the future, you can also hit the button to contact the cashier. If they knew you were "calling in backup" (lol), they may have also run off if they were carrying themselves.

My truck and my wife's car have the new-fangled keys that unlock/lock the doors remotely. These keys also have a "Panic" button on them, which sets off the vehicle horn in wailing mode. Hitting this button would provide a few second's distraction to the BGs, giving you time to move and draw. In a best case scenario, it would startle the miscreants enough to discourage them from their plans.

[petroleumag07]

I like the key idea, my wife knows to use that one.

However, I have manual windows, locks, and dont even have cruise control. Nice truck, 1999 F150, but nothing fancy. I might take along my mom's old "screamer" digital rape "whistle"

Ha, forgot about that old thing.