Joined
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48 Posts
For the third time in 12 years of carrying a concealed weapon, it came in handy.
My wife and I were out running around because Grandma was watching the little one (woohoo!). We had gone out to check out the Harbor Freight sidewalk sale and we had just eaten lunch at the Yin Ching chinese resturant on Midlothian turnpike in Richmond, Va. We walked out of the resturant, across the parking lot, and I opened the passenger door for my wife. She got in and I noticed a fairly scruffy looking character walking toward me rapidly from across the parking lot. He was mumbling something that I couldn't make out.
My "situational awareness" alarm started ringing. Something about this fella just wasn't right. He was staring at me intently and most importantly, one of his hands was in the back of his pants where I couldn't see it. I knew that if I got into my car, I would be very restricted in movement because I would have my back to him. So I turned to face him (he was about 15 feet away), unzipped my fanny pack, and got a good grip on my Glock 23. I didn't draw it, but I remember feeling the loaded chamber indicator just to "be sure".
Finally, I could hear what he was saying to me. I clearly heard him say "give me your car". I had recently purchased a Dodge Intrepid and this area is pretty famous for car jackings. So I kept my hand on my pistol and said very clearly and forcefully "CAN I HELP YOU?" while staring directly into his eyes. There was a moment of tension, but I didn't give an inch. I was standing between him and my wife and I'd be damned if he was going to get around me.
He looked into my eyes also and I could see that he was surprised. He was expecting a victim, instead he found a challenge. He could also see the first 2/3 of my Glock where I had brought it so "side ready". He smiled, showed me both of his hands, and said "gotta light?". I informed him that the vending machine in front of the resturant had matches and he should go away NOW and get a pack. He turned and pretty much ran off.
I called 5-0 and gave them a description but they never found him.
Once again, my wife told me how happy she was that I carry. We even had a signal that we use whenever we are in mixed company. She asks me "where's Rosco?" and I can always see the comfort it gives her when I pat my side or my pack. Nothing sells firearms to women more than the security that they give in a life-threatening situation. And once again, situational awareness and cold steel paid off.
Disconnector AKA Rich
My wife and I were out running around because Grandma was watching the little one (woohoo!). We had gone out to check out the Harbor Freight sidewalk sale and we had just eaten lunch at the Yin Ching chinese resturant on Midlothian turnpike in Richmond, Va. We walked out of the resturant, across the parking lot, and I opened the passenger door for my wife. She got in and I noticed a fairly scruffy looking character walking toward me rapidly from across the parking lot. He was mumbling something that I couldn't make out.
My "situational awareness" alarm started ringing. Something about this fella just wasn't right. He was staring at me intently and most importantly, one of his hands was in the back of his pants where I couldn't see it. I knew that if I got into my car, I would be very restricted in movement because I would have my back to him. So I turned to face him (he was about 15 feet away), unzipped my fanny pack, and got a good grip on my Glock 23. I didn't draw it, but I remember feeling the loaded chamber indicator just to "be sure".
Finally, I could hear what he was saying to me. I clearly heard him say "give me your car". I had recently purchased a Dodge Intrepid and this area is pretty famous for car jackings. So I kept my hand on my pistol and said very clearly and forcefully "CAN I HELP YOU?" while staring directly into his eyes. There was a moment of tension, but I didn't give an inch. I was standing between him and my wife and I'd be damned if he was going to get around me.
He looked into my eyes also and I could see that he was surprised. He was expecting a victim, instead he found a challenge. He could also see the first 2/3 of my Glock where I had brought it so "side ready". He smiled, showed me both of his hands, and said "gotta light?". I informed him that the vending machine in front of the resturant had matches and he should go away NOW and get a pack. He turned and pretty much ran off.
I called 5-0 and gave them a description but they never found him.
Once again, my wife told me how happy she was that I carry. We even had a signal that we use whenever we are in mixed company. She asks me "where's Rosco?" and I can always see the comfort it gives her when I pat my side or my pack. Nothing sells firearms to women more than the security that they give in a life-threatening situation. And once again, situational awareness and cold steel paid off.
Disconnector AKA Rich
