Had my annual "close call"

11B3XCIB

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Joined
May 6, 2012
Messages
960
Location
Lexington, SC
It seems like once a year I will have an extremely close call, a situation that almost leaves me no choice but to draw my weapon. In years' past, some of the incidents have included a machete brandishing guy who I thought was on drugs, a paranoid schizophrenic homeless person who thought I was "out to get him", and most recently, a gas station encounter with a man trying to bum some money off of me. I do have a SC CWP and a Utah CFP, so I can legally carry in Georgia where the most recent incident took place.

I was coming home from a sunny Florida vacation, just missing a week of pouring rain and then two days ahead of Tropical Storm Debby. My wife and I had packed up all of our belongings and left the Florida gulf coast around 10pm and planned on shift driving through the night. We were due to check out of our rental property the next morning, but since we'd packed 90% of our stuff, we decided to beat the traffic and just go. We loaded up the dogs (and the remaining gear) and hit the road. We stopped for fuel once around 12am, and kept going. Somewhere in Georgia, we spotted a well-lit gas station in a relatively small town, around 3:30am. My wife pulled up to the pump and went inside to look for a snack and freshen up. I began fueling our vehicle, talking to my 3 dogs (full doberman, doberman mix, and german shepherd mix) through the gap I left in the rear window so they could get fresh air and smell the local smells. Prior to getting out of the SUV, I'd taken my .45 out of the console and put it back in my waist holster. A 9 hour drive is much more comfortable without a 25 ounce piece of steel between my back and the seat. Even before I exited the vehicle, I'd noticed a man about 15-18 meters away, waiting by the corner of the gas station, seemingly waiting on someone to pick him up. There was a pay phone by him, so I'd figured he had called for a ride and was just waiting. I wasn't focused on him, but remained "aware", and kept most of my attention on the pump and on my dogs. I heard him saying something like "Hey, hey man..." but never realized he was trying to get my attention. My wife returned to the car, got in the passenger seat, I gave her the key and locked the door and headed inside to take care of my own business. When I exited, the "pay phone guy" was now out halfway between the pumps and the gas station, not directly in my path, but close enough that he could close with me in a matter of seconds. I made eye contact with him, and he began shouting at me something like "You think you're too good to talk to me" among other things. He had been stepping closer and closer to my vehicle, and then finally said "I have a good mind to come over there, snatch you out of that Jeep, and drive off with it." At that point, my hand went behind my back to my pistol grip, that sits about where the right kidney is, kept moving to my vehicle, and said (I didn't shout it, but I said it forcefully) something along the lines of "If you come any closer, I will be forced to defend myself and my family". He immediately did a column half left and began moving away, still shouting threats but leaving my immediate area. My wife unlocked my door, I got in, relocked it, and we left.

I served 2 tours in Iraq as an Infantryman, and having pulled the trigger on a human being more times than I can count, so I know I am able, but I've never utilized my CWP or killed an American. It seems with my track record, it's only a matter of time before the situation arises. I don't trivialize taking a life, but if it's "them or me", I am definitely siding with "me". These things can happen anytime, anywhere, through no fault of your own. I wish you all luck and safe shooting.
 
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Glad to hear your verbal warning was enough to drive him off. By the way, I'll take this opportunity to tell you that I understand your user name, and like it! My son just got out of the Army as an 11B with the 1-41, 3IBCT, 1st Armored. Thank you for your service to our country, answering the call, protecting us all, and coming home safely. Happy 4th of July to you particularly, and to the rest of the group. Let us all remember what this holiday is really about. Carry on.
 
This sounds like a textbook case of how to handle the situation. I like the forceful statement you made without the need to get hysterical and make threats, or unnecessarily display your gun. I've always felt that many encounters can be avoided by a clear, forceful command and an non-victim-like gait. I'm sure your time in the sandbox taught you how to walk & talk like you mean business.

With your history, it sounds like you have had more than your share of run-ins with undesirables. I hope this is your last. I suggest having the name of a self defense attorney in your wallet just in case.
 
sounds like you got a cool head, handled that well.

i think the fact that YOU identified him as a problem, before he had the jump on you, made it easy for you to be in control

good tactical awareness & control of the situation.

i always have to remember to force myself to practice "head on a swivel" at gas stations & ATM's, but i am getting lax on that.
 
11B3XCIB said:
It seems like once a year I will have an extremely close call, a situation that almost leaves me no choice but to draw my weapon.

I'd suggest that you knock that off. :mrgreen:
I'm glad that you're okay and that the situation was resolved in a calm and confident manner. Hopefully you will never have to use your CWP or shoot an American.
 
I am trying to get my level of "life or death situation" self control to influence the rest of my life, because I think and act cool during a crazy situation, and then over-react to something simple like getting cut off in traffic. :oops:

My dogs would have protected me, I just don't want to jeopardize them. I'd never get over it if they died protecting me.
 
...good for you .. you handled it well.. recently I had a 'duh' moment.. i got away with it but sure learned to be aware... while traveling thru rural virginia i was refueling.. nice day.. daydreaming... left the hand gun in the console.. before i realized it i had a really big homeless guy standing right next to me panhandleing... i dismissed him and he left....but what if he didnt? shame on me for being unaware.. i learned from that and want to share with others so they may learn too.. it happens quick... stay aware.
 
i had the same thing happen to me at a gas station in Spartanburg,in broad day light.the guy wanted me to put $20 in his gas tank. when i told him no he went crazy started saying something about beating my a$$.i put my right hand on my ruger and told him"buddy you might wanna think about what your getting yourself in to" the guy walked away
 
Excellent situational awareness and way to keep a cool head. This story is about exactly what antis don't understand about people who choose to protect their families.
 
I doubt I'd wear a vest. I have a couple hard plate vests but those are definitely not practical. Impossible to conceal, heavy, etc. A soft panel vest would be very expensive and even though I average one good close call a year, I don't think it'd be worth it. I will rely on my experience and awareness to see me through any future encounter.
 
glad that your situation went better than mine, about 11 years ago i had to use my weapon. to keep it short and don't really like to talk about it.
a had to shoot a guy, it stays with you a long time. i hope noone has to go through that kind of situation. trained for it or not

Jim
 
That is a great example of how using your head and being aware of the situation can keep a bad day from turning into a terrible day.

I enjoy watching the scenarios on the Best Defense on the Outdoor channel. They usually have three versions.
The first one is when you are unaware and you end up being the victim.
The second is when you are aware but you end up in a fight/gunfight but survive. Much better than being a dead victim but now you have the legal hassles of a self defense case.
The third scenario is just like yours. You were aware and were able to stop the situation before you had to result in a self defense situation. That is always the best case for all.

Keeping our families protected is what it is all about, let's be careful out there.

Mark
 
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