Happened to me, whadda you think?

The guy was 4 inches from you? I would have drawn right then. No one gets that close to another except in a Japanese train. I have a .38 derringer in my front pocket in those cases. Not much gun, but enough at 10 feet.

Whatever they were doing it sounds as if it wasn't right. You are lucky, this time. Take warning. Be safe. Its on you to protect yourself and your family. I wouldn't worry too much about the gun, they are replaceable, or repairable.
 
First Post... and question to this topic...

Hey everyone...

This is my first post and I'd like to gather your opinions on this question of mine (closely related to this topic).

I'm in a state where I can (and do, 24/7) carry.... but I frequently drive 450 miles to see a special someone and when I go through the 2 states that I need to go through, I have to keep my gun unloaded, separated from ammo, and LOCKED in a frickin' box.

How in the hell am I supposed to protect myself, let alone my family if SHTF on the road??

I'm educated in crim justice / pre-law.... I know the law and i'm not a law-breaker.... but I just can't see how giving the criminal a hand-up against me is in any way a smart move.

Thoughts, *hints*, suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

-AbC
 
Personaly i think you may be a bit jumpy. If they were up to no good why did they not do something. try to rob you or whatever. to me they are ok untill proved otherwise. I have met to many good people in the world to let a few bad ones spoil my life and not enjoy the good folks that are out there.
 
ABC83, is a flare gun considered a weapon in the states you must traverse? In most states it's considered a signalling device. I doubt that accuracy is much of a factor at contact ranges, and a gob of burning phosphorus probably has at least as much stopping power as most handguns.
 
Personaly i think you may be a bit jumpy. If they were up to no good why did they not do something. try to rob you or whatever. to me they are ok untill proved otherwise. I have met to many good people in the world to let a few bad ones spoil my life and not enjoy the good folks that are out there.

If what the OP stated is accurate, how could you not assess they were up to no good? You are too trusting of people...these guys had some idea up their sleeve and simply abandoned it, probably because of how the OP carried himself after being confronted.
 
Personaly i think you may be a bit jumpy. If they were up to no good why did they not do something. try to rob you or whatever. to me they are ok untill proved otherwise. I have met to many good people in the world to let a few bad ones spoil my life and not enjoy the good folks that are out there.

+1 CyberSEAL. These guys were up to no good. A good guy would have recoiled when they realized they startled you and apologized for bothering you or something.

newarcher: considering how the situation played out, I think you reacted well. I know EXACTLY the place you were in Helen, and it's not as safe as the charming look makes it seem. My mom lives about 40 minutes from there on the other side of the mountain. I was visiting up there a couple years ago with my wife and kids, and as I was driving through the passes and came across a couple of folks riding bikes down to Helen and one of the riders and their passenger ate it. My kids were at home with my mom so me and my wife gave them a ride down into Helen to go to the Doc. They were acting really wierd and I thought maybe I was over-reacting, and being the Christian help people guy, went ahead. Nothing bad happened then, but the next day I was driving with my kids this time and one of them found a needle and some rolling papers hidden in the back with their toys. (YES somebody in Helen cared more for not getting busted than for the safety of the nice couple's children. Couldn't miss all the sar seats and toys...) Nobody got stuck, thank God, and I learned that even in that 'safe family' place there are some real dirtbags out there. I also realized that my kids need their only dad a whole lot more than a hurt junky needs a ride. Cellphones call ambulances real well.

Not trying to hijack you, but to tell you that there are some rough characters up there in Helen and I think you know exactly the deal on what happened. I'm glad we both just had a good 'more careful next time' from our trips to Helen, rather than something worse. FWIW.

And back on topic: Ruger sp101. Cheap, built like a tank, whole world of hurt that'll fit in your tacklebox...
 
Someone posted my thoughts exactly....I can only work from my experience base to determine right, wrong, and indifferent.

I have walked up on hidden people before while trying to find a good fishing spot...nothing like coming around a bush to find someone there. I instantly say something like "oh crap, I didn't see you there. Sorry" and I back away with my hands exposed and wish them a good day. Who knows when someone jumpier than I :D who is also armed might be standing there.

What really sent chills up and down my spine was his sinister smile when I reacted. He didn't know that I didn't have a piece in that tacklebox. His attitude was almost like some of the thugs you hear about in inner cities who know that the citizen won't shoot.

I don't know of any areas any more that are safe. It seems that the less you think a place would be a place of trouble, the more criminals use that against us.

All's well that ends well.

New
 
NA: All I know is I'm gonna tell my wife what happened to you, she thinks I'm nuts with 'the whole gun thing'... Glad it turned out alright for you.
 
I agree with most people. I think they were up to no good. Nobody would "sneak up" behind you 4 inches from your back saying they were just looking around. Even if they were interested in what you caught I would think they would let their presence known. Then the way they left "in a hurry", that just sounds fishy, pun intended.
 
I think that one of the best lessons here is that nowhere is safe from crime. In fact, the safer you find the place....perhaps the more appealing to the bad guy. The mere fact that you think it safe means no one is armed and means the bad guy can do what they want with impunity.

I used to work in Lindberg Plaza here in Atlanta. The shopping center is L shaped. On the outside of the shopping center L shape is an Atlanta police precinct. On the insiade of the shopping center (in the parking lot) is a Nations Bank branch. It was robbed about 4 or more times per year.

New
 
Glad you and your family are OK. Yes, IMO, the guy was up to no good. Had someone do that to me in a parking lot at a mall once while I was leaning into my car to put away some packages (Christmas shopping). When I turned to see him he had that same "busted" look on his face (minus the evil grin). I was armed (under my seat) and he retreated without incident.
 
For less than $150, you can have a Hi Point 9mm and a box of ammo, new.
I would not have any concern about any damage to a Hi Point, if it was damaged, just send it in and get it fixed up like new for the shipping costs.
I have a C9, it has been 100% reliable, has nice sights and is easy to handle.
A real truck/ tackle box special at a very good price, could be carried anywhere, with enough clothes on.
 
ABC83, don't tell anyone what you are doing and do what you think best. Remember if you are charged with anything you will at least be alive to respond.:)
 
Something like that happened to me on a fishing/overnight camping trip here in the Pigah Nat. Forest, except I was alone and there were 3 of them, I was already settled for the night when 'they' showed up. I recognized one of them as a 'tough' that was bad to beat up drunks and stir up trouble. And I had a Ruger .22 and spare clip and few loose rounds. They did not see my pistol and fired a .22 rifle in my direction after returning to their pick-up about 50 yds. away whereupon I emptyed my Ruger at the truck sending them spinning gravel outta there. And I think your assesment of the situation is correct. That is why I now carry a Makarov and spare clip with me in addition to my Ruger and 2 spare loaded clips plus a complete box of Super-X. I figure if I have to toss the Mak no big loss. I was shaken by that ordeal and won't be caught lightly armed again. Get yourself an inexpensive but reliable pistol or derringer that you could toss if need be. And carry a spare clip/rounds with it.
 
45Marlin: What are you meaning by "toss"? I keep rereading your post and thinking toss means "dispose of evidence". :D
 
Yep, you read it right. But the meaning was if you stand to get caught with it when you should not have it! Which may been in an area where you may need it!
 
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