Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Came across this post on ar15.com by way of a link from another forum. Interesting points made about street encounters and hold up men.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1285487_Street_robberies_and_you___The_Basics.html

I like the linked post's content and the absence of political correctness - good read.

That post is very much worth reading for everyone who carries a firearm. There's a lot of good information there. Please read it!

"Pistol handling is not rocket surgery" - that one made me laugh a little

Another point that I have learned over the years, and with which I agree very strongly is this:

"The answer in the street is always "No". Can I ask you something? No. Do you have a cigarette? No. Can you tell me what time it is? No. The answer is always "No". Don't be nice. Stop the encounter as soon as it starts."

Many of those types of encounters are just someone asking for a dollar or a cigarette, and that's all they really want - however, many of them are also just "small talk" - someone looking for an opening where they can use your "humanity" against you. If you're nice, give the guy a cigarette or a dollar, you have lost the first battle - the guy has appealed to your humanity, and he knows it. He'll likely try to dig a little deeper to get more information from you, and could possibly use that information against you in some heinous way. JUST SAY NO - and KEEP WALKING. I make a specific point to NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT with someone of this nature. Keep your wits about you - know whether this person is following you or not, but don't stop to talk. We teach our kids "STRANGER DANGER", and it's really no different for adults.

Thanks for posting this, newdovo!

The better statement, to me, is "if you can't be trusted with a pistol after a few drinks, you can't be trusted with a pistol, period."

As far as avoiding strangers, and saying "no" to everything... I've lived in plenty of rough areas. I've always had no problems when passing out smokes to asking strangers. Although, this rather thuggish looking character was taken aback when I demanded that he say "please" when he demanded a cigarette from me. But, he did say "please", and I gave him a cigarette.

I have found that it is quite easy to be friendly and polite while also being firm.

One other thing that has served me well... I stay away from bad areas at night, and, as a rule, I do my best to avoid putting myself in bad situations.

I am anti social so ignoring people is what I do best, I don't even say No I just pass by and no one's ever tempted fate. Not that I'm not unfriendly, I will give strangers a smile and a nod and friends a hello.

I have also been called paranoid and rightly so, I stare into dark areas and woods I pass by and once in while even over my shoulder. This has made me a very hard person to get the drop on.

Basically my motto is "don't trust anyone" and I don't trust strangers but I watch out for those closer to me more.

If I must go out at night I am well armed, usually a knife in my pocket or up my sleeve and baton on my waist. However the baton will soon be replaced by a gun.

Thug: Hey man, got change for a dollar?

Reply: NO! All I have are hundreds...

Re: Street encounters
by Chasbo00 » Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:44:26
Thug: Hey man, got change for a dollar?

Reply: NO! All I have are hundreds...

I liked that!

But, wouldn't it be entrapment if you said that, they subsequently attempt to rob you, and you have to defend yourself with (minimal necessary) lethal force?

Just kidding...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some don't even give you the "nicety".

One thing they failed to mention, may not be all over, but if you're alone? The thieves get a running start, and PUSH you down on the ground... Most people don't pay attention, but if you do? Check it out.

allingeneral wrote:JUST SAY NO - and KEEP WALKING. I make a specific point to NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT with someone of this nature.

I agree with what you said - except the eye contact. I've always thought brief eye to eye contact sent a clear message -
I got your number, I'm not afraid, and I'm not your victim.

like allingeneral, i don't make direct eye contact either. i will, though, maintain as clear peripheral vision contact as possible. if i get movement towards me, i want the extra fractions of seconds in my favor.

twice, i've halted that movement by moving away myself *and* clearing my jacket on my strong side. i didn't have to clear my cover garment or expose my firearm in any way to halt the movement towards me. thugs and low-lifes are good at recognizing certain danger signals, even when they may seem subtle to anyone else.

be safe.

eta: the posted article is a great read and should be studied carefully. also the Cooper book mentioned is well-worth getting along with any number of books by Mas Ayoob.

widefat wrote:

allingeneral wrote:JUST SAY NO - and KEEP WALKING. I make a specific point to NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT with someone of this nature.

I agree with what you said - except the eye contact. I've always thought brief eye to eye contact sent a clear message -
I got your number, I'm not afraid, and I'm not your victim.

I typically also do brief eye contact - but I can see it going both ways. Some of those types will decide if you won't look at them, you're too nervous, and you're an easy target and they need to harass you - others see the brief eye contact as a way to start their badgering... I typically see how they respond to others, if anyone else is around. if not, i roll the dice as to whether i make eye contact or not depening on circumstances.

Good stuff!

CCFan wrote:

widefat wrote:

allingeneral wrote:JUST SAY NO - and KEEP WALKING. I make a specific point to NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT with someone of this nature.

I agree with what you said - except the eye contact. I've always thought brief eye to eye contact sent a clear message -
I got your number, I'm not afraid, and I'm not your victim.

I typically also do brief eye contact - but I can see it going both ways. Some of those types will decide if you won't look at them, you're too nervous, and you're an easy target and they need to harass you - others see the brief eye contact as a way to start their badgering... I typically see how they respond to others, if anyone else is around. if not, i roll the dice as to whether i make eye contact or not depening on circumstances.

Good stuff!

If making eye contact is all it takes for someone to start badgering you then that guy has some serious issues. I think your more likely to be flagged as nervous without eye contact. Good read. I think somebody could get me with the "What time is it." line but other than that I would default to saying "no" on just about everything.

Jakeiscrazy wrote: I think somebody could get me with the "What time is it." line but other than that I would default to saying "no" on just about everything.

If you can tell them the time without looking at your watch, that's how to do it. If you do look at your watch, you have told them that you have one and where it is located. BTW, leather bands do not slip off quite as easily as spring metal bands.