How to NOT shoot
- Thread starter Keltyke
- Start date
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
LOL. sad but true.
I was in a gun store in Antioch when a guy came in, pretty clear black gang banger type. Tried to engage the employees in discussion. Didn't know the right questions to ask about the guns, or was scared. His partner came in about 3 minutes after, baggy clothes, etc.
The guys had a giant rott, and, another big lab, but, they didn't react. Both of the guys behind the desk pulled their shirts up, and, tucked them in so they could easily, and quickly draw their Glocks. The bad guy started complaining that it was illegal in Kali to carry a CCW!!!
They informed him, correctly, that this was their place of business, and, they could carry whatever they wanted. Meanwhile, all I had was pepper spray.
His partner came in, and, I think he expected to see a really different situation, and both departed. I KNOW they had something in those baggy clothes. The ex-military guy said,
"I knew we were going to have someone try and rob us, but, I didn't think it would be today."
I was well aware of what was going on, and, kept the guy a good distance away, and, was looking for both weapons and cover.
That said, my couple things to do. I'm always in dangerous situations, working with people who are in some ways, from a different planet. What I have learned is that I can trigger a reaction I didn't want, by the simplest innocent comment, being either misheard, or misunderstood. SHUTUP!
It's very hard to misunderstand silence.
Stay away from those situations, if you can, and stay out of the areas I work in, if you can. If you can't, watch your back. Don't get caught alone, and, don't get caught unarmed, law or no law.
I wonder what St. Peter is going to say, if shot or stabbed I die, after working in East Oakland, unarmed? I can see it now,
"Just because you can't get a CCW, because your police chief hasn't issued one in 30 years, doesn't mean on a God scale stupidity is an excuse for getting yourself killed.
We don't let really stupid people in here. Find alternate accomodations."
NEVER assume that you are going to be protected. I remember working a couple weeks for a midnight basketball league, Oakland Police Athletic League to keep thugs off the streets, was a participant. Police had been there every week, and, I was getting concerned about being 'spotted' carrying. So, that next week, just bring pepper spray. NO POLICE THAT WEEK.
If a fight starts, get out of the way, and get distance. Getting punched in the back of the head takes your ability to deal with stuff away from you.
Carry something at all times, and, never let it off your person. Also, never let them know you have it, if possible, until the last minute. The fact that you are carrying often
gives you that air of I'm not the right person to pick on...
A corollary to the good ol' USMC adage:
Assume everyone also has a plan to kill you.
I got mashed up pretty good by assuming a couple guys were blowhards and letting them get the drop on me. I assumed I read people pretty well and had a good sense of when people were escalating (as opposed to just posturing). But I got bit by that 1%. Almost anyone can level anyone else if their back's turned, and then it's over. You won't be drawing.
I guess this just goes to situational awareness, but it's another iteration of awareness to realize that potential adversaries might be thinking exactly what you are - or out-thinking you altogether.
Assume everyone also has a plan to kill you.
I got mashed up pretty good by assuming a couple guys were blowhards and letting them get the drop on me. I assumed I read people pretty well and had a good sense of when people were escalating (as opposed to just posturing). But I got bit by that 1%. Almost anyone can level anyone else if their back's turned, and then it's over. You won't be drawing.
I guess this just goes to situational awareness, but it's another iteration of awareness to realize that potential adversaries might be thinking exactly what you are - or out-thinking you altogether.