Accosted in Wal*Mart; what would you do?

Maybe, maybe not. If he had been open carrying the bad guy might have over powered him by surprise and who knows what the outcome might have been then?

Except for in certain places like in the bank or the casinos, he has been open carrying since then. He realized that he was still too slow and too injured from his accident in October, to feel safe and secure against something like this. For what ever reason, maybe for that little ounce of prevention, open carry has made him feel safer.

I was recently told that the front floor manager did call the sheriff's office and she did file an incident report. Though I think the BG should have been arrested, I guess that's not in the cards this time. I can only hope that his next victim is not hurt or worse!
 

hand gripping concealed weapon ready for use, sounds better than openly carried, easily taken or trapped in holster. Concealed definitely a better way to go if possible. Doesn't worry folks as bad, but still readily accessible. :pleasantry:
 
remember that DH had element of surprise on HIS side. With open carry, bg may have been more prepared, the outcome could have been MUCH worse than wondering if "I did the right thing"
 
Muggers, robbers, etc choose victims that appear to be easy marks. They are not likely to accost an obviously armed individual.

They're not looking for a fight, just an easy score. That's why simply displaying a weapon is usually sufficient to end the confrontation, as it did in this instance.

bill

bill
 
Open carry and cc in my town is practically a given. Not that my experiences are the same as others', but I've not heard of anyone being 86ed or nixed from any establishment because of open carry. On the outside walls near the entrances to some establishments, we see the occasional prohibitive signs get put up that mostly don't conform to legal standards and are often removed shortly afterward, and they don't deter cc much at all that I ascertain. Our Sheriff is pro-carry and pro-cc and this is a shall issue state. Though I dislike the desert, I like it much better here in Nevada for those reasons than I did living in California for 50 some odd years. We have no Castle Doctrine, and certainly the laws here aren't "perfect," but what law is? All that being said, I believe that the BGs out here don't flinch at seeing someone open carry, it's that common. I don't know if there are any studies or statistics whereby victims have the "drop" on BGs when open carrying or cc'ing. Has anyone read any?
 
Muggers, robbers, etc choose victims that appear to be easy marks. They are not likely to accost an obviously armed individual.

They're not looking for a fight, just an easy score. That's why simply displaying a weapon is usually sufficient to end the confrontation, as it did in this instance.

bill

bill

That's why I added Crimson Trace laser grips to my M&P45. It gives me the quick draw advantage and gives the BG a good idea where the bullet will hit if he chooses not to alter his game plan...:hang3:
If I don't have to shoot then all may be right with the world for that moment...
 
I agree call the cops because this guy might report you for pulling gun. Of course he would be lying but protect yourself. Anytime that self defense is warranted whether the gun is fired or not best to be safe
 
Don't know about the state of NV, but as a UT CFP instructor, we are advised by UT BCI to instruct students to call the police whenever they draw their firearm for SD purposes. This would be regardless of shots being fired or not. There have been cases in the past where a BG encounters a CC citizen, then goes on to report the "crime" to the police. The citizen is arrested and charged with terroristic threatening and encounters numerous legal challenges (both civil and criminal). In most cases, the LEO will take down some information, verify the citizen is carrying legally, write a report and be on their way. Reporting the BG will not only protect the citizen from false accusations, but may also help LEO track down and apprehend suspects.

Bottom line, gun drawn for SD, you should report it to the police.
That's the case in any jurisdiction for the reasons GF mentioned above. However, Wal*Mart management was involved so it's less of an creditability issue with the person acting in self defense in this incident since the perpetrator was escorted from the property and I'm assuming trespassed from the property.

As for filing a report after the fact, it loses less of its effect and basically gets tossed into a filing cabinet. If you're going to report it, do right after the incident occurs.
 
If presenting the weapon stopped the threat and/or prevented the robbery, mission accomplished!

Armed citizens protect themselves and prevent crimes by simply making the BG aware that they are armed far more often then they do actually firing the weapon.

Thankyou, Billwot. First off, if we only pulled our guns when we knew beyond a shadow of doubt we'd have to shoot, it would be TOO LATE to use it in thousands (or millions) of cases. Second, defensive gun uses amount to millions of cases in this country every year, in nearly all of which no shots are fired. The crime stops with the sight of the armed citizen far more often than not. Criminals are generally cowards who, when faced with armed resistance, turn inside out trying to get away. When they don't, well that's when the SHTF.

So the rule is, only pull when you'd be justified in shooting. In DH's case, he was compromised by injury and walking with a cane, the BG was big and healthy (disparity in force), the BG had intent, opportunity and ability, thus the draw was perfectly legitimate. You or i might have just shot at that point, and (all the legal hassle aside) it would probably have been ruled a good shoot. But when the dude turned to run away, that justification to shoot vanished.

DH did REALLY WELL imho, kept his cool, defused a situation that might otherwise have led to violence, robbery or death, and impressed his wife in the process. He avoided a lengthy, costly legal battle even though he was in the right, he kept his money and his pride - i just don't see a better outcome unless you're on a track to eliminate all the scumbags from all the walmarts in the world.
 
Muggers, robbers, etc choose victims that appear to be easy marks. They are not likely to accost an obviously armed individual. They're not looking for a fight, just an easy score.
...unless the BG feels he can gain the upper hand through surprise. Besides, taking a gun as well would be a real coup!

That's why simply displaying a weapon is usually sufficient to end the confrontation, as it did in this instance.
It was the sudden display of the weapon that defused the situation! It presented the BG with a circumstance for which he had not planned and had no response. Had he known DH was armed, he might not have approached, OR he may have approached with a whole 'nother set of plans!
 
I think your DH did good. And was right in what he did. But I also think you or he should have called LE. Walmart needs to take more responsibility. My mother-in-law had a some what similar incedent at the walmart near me last week or so. She had seen a guy in the parking lot when she got there. She did her shopping and was leaving. When she was getting to her car she saw him at it trying to get in. she said something to him and he just blew her off. She went back to the entrance to find an employee the get help and store security was standing there watching him. They then called LE, and he was picked up. But Walmart security had already dealt with him just before she got there. He had bothered another customer.
I say LE should have been called the first time they had trouble with him. Waiting gave him a chance to try again. what if he had done something to some one else? Walmart would be making some pretty big legal payouts if the guy had stollen her car, broken in to it, etc. Even more if he had hurt my MIL. Seeing as how they already knew he was a problem, and sent him on his way.
 
I agree that police should have been notified. The jerk could have called them himself and told them your husband pulled a gun on him. CYA every time!!
 
...He had bothered another customer.
I say LE should have been called the first time they had trouble with him. Waiting gave him a chance to try again.

This is at least the fourth tale I've heard about someone's car being broken into in a Walmart parking lot. One of those tales involved a car that was stolen and only recovered a few days later. That car was completely trashed and more of a liability than a car when they recovered it.

I've also heard of at least three additional incidents at a Walmart that were not parking-lot related. Although anything can happen at any time, it seems that large parking lots are at higher risk of problems. Thus, last time I went to a mall, I was prepared. I had to deliver some cash to a dear friend of mine who has been hit hard by the depression and I wasn't about to make myself a victim. Mall signs be damned...

However, if some event happened, I would call the cops and wait for them so I could make a statement. I've had to do that once before and I don't regret it. At that time it was 3 against 1, and I had to run. If I had been armed I would probably make the same choice to run, but if I had not made it to shelter then I would have had a better chance at survival.

Anyway, if there's an encounter with a bad guy, I'm all for reporting of the problem.
 
Update: Dh eventually did call and spoke directly to the local Sheriff himself, a pretty accessible fellow! I wasn't present for the call and I don't know the outcome of the call. I'm just glad he finally called. Dh is open carrying now when we go shopping. I hope it keeps the Adam Henry BGs far, far away! I'm still doing the CC thing 99% of the time.

During a Christmas Eve dinner party the other night, I was asked by a new friend why I carried one in the chamber in my Beretta. I explained to him, a newbie to firearms, that not all pistols did but that my pistol had a safety, that it was a quality-made pistol, and that the safety made sure it wouldn't discharge without my intent to make it do so. It was thrilling to have such a conversation in the home of "old" friends, ones who probably keep a pistol in every room of their home and probably as many in their motorhome.
 
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My only issue with not informing the police is that there are many more elderly or handicapped people out there that are just easy marks. Not everyone (many reasons or excuses) carries and it is also our duty to protect those that can't protect themselves.
 
My only issue with not informing the police is that there are many more elderly or handicapped people out there that are just easy marks. Not everyone (many reasons or excuses) carries and it is also our duty to protect those that can't protect themselves.

I disagree. I'm not a LEO. I don't have their training. I'm not into vigilantism. I carry strictly to protect me and mine. It's okay to agree to disagree.
 
To the police, the person who first calls in a situation is considered the victim. You need to call the police ANY time you show your weapon to anyone. The guy by the sink could have called the police and said you pulled a gun on him. You would be arrested - it would be his word against yours. You have the gun, he is unarmed...

Best to call it in for you own protection.
 
I disagree. I'm not a LEO. I don't have their training. I'm not into vigilantism. I carry strictly to protect me and mine. It's okay to agree to disagree.

I think Kathleen meant protecting others by reporting BG to police, so he wouldn't have the chance to mug someone else. :pleasantry:
 

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