Almost got robbed. Lessons learned

Glad it all worked out. My only comment is that my EDC is usually an IWB at 4 O’Clock. It is unreachable with my seat belt on. I always keep my " back up" Truck gun in the center console for easy access while in the car. My other solution is if I’m going on a long drive, is to carry with my Cross Draw holster so it is accessible in the car. I would not carry with the safety off though, but that’s just me.

7 Likes

I’m right handed but carry on my left mostly because of being in the car I can’t access my gun on the right.
Always pay attention to your surroundings.
If something doesn’t look right, it probably ain’t !

7 Likes

Thank you for sharing. Very impressed with your thinking before and after.

7 Likes

Welcome to the family @Janeal and God bless you.

2 Likes

Wishing you safety. Good food for thought. Appreciate your post.

Made me think about a near miss as well, and no disrespect to 99% of the dogs out there and their guardians.

I had heard of a famous shooting which made legal news for years to come:

A man was walking a trail, when a dog came running and barking towards a man who was “carrying”, he shot towards the ground, but the dog owner would not have known that and may have thought the shooter meant to aim for the dog, allegedly. I forget the ending, if the owner was shot at or not.

My point is, if you have to pass on foot by any medium to large sized dogs at least one a week, carry a pepper spray and have it in your hand, or outside on your hip, as pocketed is too slow. I was once bit as a child, pretty badly.

Your post reminded me, as this very week, on two consecutive days, two different large sized dogs attacked me, but were it for their owners leash was long enough. No apologies from the owners.
On both occasions I carried pepper spray but it was in my pocket, and would have gotten to it after their teeth were in me.

Lessons learned— I need practice new techniques when walking near dog walk paths. I might not be able to change local dog laws, but I can change my own “tune” of methods.

I’d rather mace a dog than shoot, can you imagine the legal problems, risks in an urban or populated area? Tactically, accurately shooting a running dog vs. pepper spray on their snout and eyes – I’d never mind the spray reaching me, I’d trade it any day over a dog bite, and the health care I’d need afterwards, + cost of new pants, shirt and shoes.

Buy some spray, carry it close, love the other 99% of dogs, they are too cute and bring us joy and love.

I regret not taking photo or video of the dog and owner afterwards; Next time I ought, and write down the address, time, date. I need to talk with my local governments and file complaint, and try to change policies. My pet peeve, not pun intended, no I don’t like being attacked, or all that happens when bit; Whereas an owner sustains no ramification and has a nice day. JIMO.

5 Likes

I have said this many times here, carry a walking stick or a cane, your first line of defense always in your hand. :+1:

5 Likes

The only thing I would have done differently is call the police in route and told them someone hit your car and may be trying to rob you. Always good to make sure you are the first call the police get.

That’s a good point about making the first phone call. I didn’t really think about it at the time,

9 Likes

Understandable. You had a lot on your mind at that moment!

4 Likes

I wish I had. But between trying to get out my pistol, making the U-turn and watching him for a possible weapon, I was doing too many things already.
I was hoping my dash cam might have caught it. But by the time I got turned 180 degrees, the camera was already past the front of his car.

5 Likes

You could be wrong or right and, making assumptions can lead to serious problems. However when in doubt get the heck out so, good move there. Remember bad guys drive nice cars and dress nice as well so, stay alert. Glad no one was hurt and any possible bad situation was calmly avoided.

7 Likes

Good choice, you really don’t want to use a gun inside your car, or for that matter, outside your car. Leaving was a very good choice. The car has far more power than any handgun, use that power. Spotting the situation was key. Without that you get blindsided!

6 Likes

Wow, haven’t heard that name for a while. They were running around targeting bars and clubs that us GI’s would frequent in the late 70’s.

2 Likes

I constantly (not ranting) give my children and my siblings, these type of examples to always be aware of their surroundings, without being paranoid. This is one situation I never thought of ,although while sitting at countless train crossings I always thought it would be a great place for an ambush. Where I live, they have divider posts between the lanes, so you can’t make a u turn. They are plastic but the average person wouldn’t think to drive through them, if they had to. Thank you for this enlightening example, I will pass it on immediately.

6 Likes

I’m glad to hear you are okay and thank you for sharing your story.

This shows just how important mental training is. Had you not even thought about that prior to them coming onto the road, you may not had been prepared. I always try to think of how I would act in a certain situation all the time ie. walking in the parking lots, waiting in line in a store, or being stuck in traffic.

Keep up the great work and stay safe!

5 Likes

I usually carry appendix. When i get into my vehicle I pull it out and place it under my left thigh, muzzle facing door. Someone called it KGB carry one time, i dont know. I know someone is going to say its not safe but I know where the trigger is, i know the mechanics of the trigger and I know my thigh and my seat are to big to fit inside the trigger guard.

4 Likes

@James366 , be you my brother but also be careful please. Sometimes we might begin to get to relaxed with things and that’s when we witness accidents.

5 Likes

A car jacking can happen just as easily at a stop light when you are stuck in traffic. Air conditioning and self locking doors are a huge safety factor and probably reduced car jackings.

7 Likes

Were you in Stuttgart? What year?
Was at Patch Barracks from 80-88.

3 Likes

Welcome to the family brother @Robert955 and you are in the right place at the right time.

3 Likes

Great example and story to share. I think you handled it well. I also would add just as a reminder that you should leave some space between you and anything in front of your car/ truck enough so that if you need to move or do something to avoid accident or some sort or danger you have that wiggle room to do so. Takes practice just like everything else we do in the EDC world.

5 Likes