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A regular shopping day. It's a long story but it has some THINKING points at the end.
A few years ago I was at a popular retail outlet shopping with my wife. I pride myself in being aware or my surrounds and trained and capable. I observed a male shady looker who perked my interest while we were at the checkout line. From behind me near the door I heard a shout and the guy I was observing ran out the door to the individual who had yelled. I ordered my wife not to come out until I had checked it out and returned. I went towards the door and observed 5 individuals fighting directly behind where we parked. I turned to an employee who was also watching and instructed her to call 911. I then saw that one man was punching another who was still in the seat belt behind a car that was still rolling towards an elderly lady who was doing everything she could to get out of the path of the oncoming vehicle with her hard earned groceries. I thought this is Bull..., my wife and kids come here, that old lady ain't bothered no one and I shouldn't have to watch this kinda stuff so I step out and began yelling at them to stop fighting and leave. About that time a set of wig wag headlights came on to my side and I believed some form of help had arrived. Much to my surprise all the men fighting suddenly directed their attention towards me and began screaming obscenities while approaching me. I then realized that no one had exited the vehicle with the wig wags. I swept back my jacket, placed my hand on my G17 and yelled "I will kill you two first if you don't stop coming at me" while pointing at the closest two, still 12-14 ft away. This had the desired effect and they stopped suddenly and everyone exchanged obscenities and they got in their vehicles and left except for two who then approached me trying to explain their situation and then they left. This all took several minutes and still no police. I'm shaking like a dog poo.... a peach seed and all is well. The person with the wig wags came out of the vehicle and was on the phone giving a play by play to the cops. They were a highway crew. I then spoke with the employee I had asked to call 911 and she stated the manager told her not to call because they didn't need the attention at the store. The police did arrive and took my info and the tag number I had wrote down with a sharpie on my hand after the event. I did a lot of thinking after this and came up with several tactical screwups on my part and no getting involved aint one of them, I will always stand by that decision because this is my home and thugs don't rule long as I'm alive.
I think my tactical errors were wading into it instead of angling, I used no cover like parked cars, thinking the wig wags were help, thinking the employee would do the right thing instead of going back and having my wife (AKA trustworthy tactical partner at the time) call 911.
If you carry a weapon, train to fight and use tactical awareness you may find yourself in a situation where you might see something that will cause you to extend yourself farther than you plan to. I had seldom thought about actually helping someone else until this point. I just worried about me and mine and our survival. When you are playing the "what if" game while out and about ask yourself that question too, don't just think I can take that guy out or escape out this door but can I help someone if needed or I am getting in to deep, what if it's a family member that is seperated? What are the laws in your state regarding this issue? I was covered by two laws at the time, so called Make My Day and Stand Your Ground but are you?
Hit me with your feedback, I'm a big boy with thick skin, soft middle but thick skin.
A few years ago I was at a popular retail outlet shopping with my wife. I pride myself in being aware or my surrounds and trained and capable. I observed a male shady looker who perked my interest while we were at the checkout line. From behind me near the door I heard a shout and the guy I was observing ran out the door to the individual who had yelled. I ordered my wife not to come out until I had checked it out and returned. I went towards the door and observed 5 individuals fighting directly behind where we parked. I turned to an employee who was also watching and instructed her to call 911. I then saw that one man was punching another who was still in the seat belt behind a car that was still rolling towards an elderly lady who was doing everything she could to get out of the path of the oncoming vehicle with her hard earned groceries. I thought this is Bull..., my wife and kids come here, that old lady ain't bothered no one and I shouldn't have to watch this kinda stuff so I step out and began yelling at them to stop fighting and leave. About that time a set of wig wag headlights came on to my side and I believed some form of help had arrived. Much to my surprise all the men fighting suddenly directed their attention towards me and began screaming obscenities while approaching me. I then realized that no one had exited the vehicle with the wig wags. I swept back my jacket, placed my hand on my G17 and yelled "I will kill you two first if you don't stop coming at me" while pointing at the closest two, still 12-14 ft away. This had the desired effect and they stopped suddenly and everyone exchanged obscenities and they got in their vehicles and left except for two who then approached me trying to explain their situation and then they left. This all took several minutes and still no police. I'm shaking like a dog poo.... a peach seed and all is well. The person with the wig wags came out of the vehicle and was on the phone giving a play by play to the cops. They were a highway crew. I then spoke with the employee I had asked to call 911 and she stated the manager told her not to call because they didn't need the attention at the store. The police did arrive and took my info and the tag number I had wrote down with a sharpie on my hand after the event. I did a lot of thinking after this and came up with several tactical screwups on my part and no getting involved aint one of them, I will always stand by that decision because this is my home and thugs don't rule long as I'm alive.
I think my tactical errors were wading into it instead of angling, I used no cover like parked cars, thinking the wig wags were help, thinking the employee would do the right thing instead of going back and having my wife (AKA trustworthy tactical partner at the time) call 911.
If you carry a weapon, train to fight and use tactical awareness you may find yourself in a situation where you might see something that will cause you to extend yourself farther than you plan to. I had seldom thought about actually helping someone else until this point. I just worried about me and mine and our survival. When you are playing the "what if" game while out and about ask yourself that question too, don't just think I can take that guy out or escape out this door but can I help someone if needed or I am getting in to deep, what if it's a family member that is seperated? What are the laws in your state regarding this issue? I was covered by two laws at the time, so called Make My Day and Stand Your Ground but are you?
Hit me with your feedback, I'm a big boy with thick skin, soft middle but thick skin.
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