You just never know these days

Help Support Ruger Forum:

Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
9,933
Location
missouri
A couple days ago, I walked into the local big box home improvement store. At the customer service counter a guy was loudly ranting about something-not really any of my business until I noticed the woman behind the counter make eye contact with me and she seemed concerned. I needed to stop at the service counter but wasn't going to just walk up with the guy throwing a wildman fit and from the look on the lady's face, this was beyond a complaint. Realizing this was going badly and could get worse, I continued across the entryway to a spot next to/behind the CS kiosk which placed me 15-20' behind Mr. Wildman with a solid exterior wall beyond him. I didn't say or do anything other than casually move into this 'tactical position' but Mr. Wildman noticed and immediately seemed to settle down a bit. The problem must have been 'called in' as I noticed 3 'truck loader' (read that as hefty helper) employees double timing up the main aisle. A manager type and the 3 big dudes escorted wildman outside and continued the 'discussion'.
Situational awareness and paying attention is important. Could I or should I have stayed outside? Maybe, but looking through the front doorway, the level of intensity of the confrontation wasn't apparent.
Would I have become involved? Only if it appeared physical violence was imminent or actually occurred.
All I did was put myself in a position to assess and make that decision but that untracked the aggressor and allowed more physically capable employees to arrive.
 

Mauser9

Blackhawk
Joined
May 20, 2022
Messages
594
Location
Ma.
Those incidents can be very unnerving for sure. Had a similar one happen to me at a car dealership a few years back. Young guy came flying through the door of the service entrance and started yelling at the girl behind the counter. Turns out they were related and was a family issue I found out. Was afraid of what he was going to do at first though. Never know this crazy day and age. Can be a difficult spot to be in for the customers.
 
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Messages
1,743
Location
Idaho
Growing up and working in a major city, seen it many times. Yea, it's worse nowadays. Just standing by ready to help if needed is fine. Acting can open yourself up to all kinds of problems. I have intervened 3 times. Once a guy ran out doors of a sporting goods store with a guy chasing him telling him to stop. I was in my car and offered the security guy a ride and cover when the cook was exhausted from running. Another time watched a guy ran out of a store and a meat dept. guy grab him. It was just a theft at that point. The crook knocked the employee down and started beating him. Now a simple theft turned into a felony robbery. I phoned 911, gave them all infor quickly and told then who I was and jumped in. Crook seen me coming and ran away. I followed in my car, when he stopped running I told 911 my location, ordered the guy to ground at gun point, used a set of flex cuffs to secure him. A patrol arrived in a couple of mins. To cover my butt, I entered that time onto my time card as on duty time, just incase. That way I was not going to be paying out of my pocket for legal help.
3rd time, I seen a guy reach over into an open til and take money as a clerk was getting smokes off the shelf. Crook ran, clerk just stood there looking. I yelled at her to call 911 and ran out behind the crook. He jumped into a car, gave me the finger and took off. I had the plate number, came back in and gave it to 911. No reason to point or display my gun. It was listed as stolen from out of state. Next day while working I followed up and spoke to the det. working the case. The auto theft case listed a suspect, the det. knew the guy and where he had hung out before. They located the stolen car there and I was invited to the party before my shift ended. The crook was charged in Oregon for a felony, possession of a stolen car and later in Washington state for stealing it.
 
Last edited:

KS25-06

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 19, 2007
Messages
131
Location
Moscow, Ks. Stevens Co.
76 years old. 4 times in my life I have shown a gun to people who I thought were going to do me harm. Very quickly changed their minds. Now carry all the time. Too old to have any more fights
 

aciera

Bearcat
Joined
Jul 23, 2016
Messages
76
Plan for failure.......the worst that could happen.
Even making a left hand turn in the car......wheels straight till clear to turn.......plan for failure.
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
9,933
Location
missouri
My employing agency provides outerwear such as headcover, rain jacket, cold weather coat/vest which is our choice to wear or not. I keep the raincoat in my work vehicle just in case. The agency logo on this apparel along with color is somewhat similar to that of a state corrections officer. In fact a relative who is a CO cautioned me to be careful when/where I wear the cap and jacket as it is so similar to his law enforcement agency's issue garments. On several occasions, this has happened w/o incident but I'm careful not to be confused with a LEO(Hey, the white hair and gimpy walk SHOULD be enough).
It just so happens I was wearing this raincoat and cap during the incident described in the OP.
 

Sapo

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 2, 2003
Messages
125
Location
Texas
I've never showed a gun but once had a bicycle guy approach me in a parking lot asking for cigarette $$. I told him from a distance NO. He continued his approach. I warned him he was close enough. Replied.....it ain't like I've got a gun............ I replied .....I do. Back off. You're in my space. He left without further discussion.
 

Mike J

Hunter
Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
4,204
Location
GA
Sometimes all it takes is making someone aware that they are being watched. I remember once a friend was dating a divorced woman. Her very large ex-husband was going off on my friend, fussing, not touching him but pushing towards him, leaning over him, acting aggressively. I did pretty much what you did. Just walked out close to where they were & stood there with my arms crossed watching. When he realized I was there he started toning himself down. My friend got out of it without having to fight. This was many years ago. Long before I started carrying a gun.
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
9,933
Location
missouri
Different world here. Most folks don't have a phone attached to their hand(especially me). Matter of fact, the guy could have chased everyone out of the store and set it afire while I was trying to figure out how to do video.
 

contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,138
Location
Lake Lure NC USA
Situational awareness. Followed by precautionary actions.

I see nothing wrong with that. Besides,, as a lifelong Boy Scout,, I still live by the motto; "Be Prepared."
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
9,933
Location
missouri
The problem with 'videoing the incident' is that draws attention to the video[er]. I consider someone 'videoing' me as an intrusion into my space even if I'm not upset over something else.
 
Top