[rhalsey]

What if I am in a situation on the street where:

Some cracked up dude yells out at me and says "I'm coming over there and f**k you up". He is not approaching with a weapon, just bad mouthing like he intends to break all my bones.

Then I yell back at him "I got a Colt 45 that says you are DEAD wrong".

Is my reply a form of brandishing a weapon or a threat with a weapon since all it was verbal and I NEVER displayed weapon.

 

[flccnp]

I'm not sure if it is brandishing or not. You would probably be better off just to keep walking to wherever you were going and if he gets close just draw it.

By not replying and continuing on your way, you can show that you were not looking for a fight. By replying somebody may think you were looking to escalate the issue.

 

[rhalsey]

I think you are right.

It would be better if I just kept walking, smiled and, thought to myself "Hey sucker, I got a Colt 45 that will make you dead wrong".

I would always be able to say that I did NOTHING to escalate the situation.

 

[Japle]

Talking tough is stupid. DO NOT ENGAGE!!

Look suprised.
Grab your cell phone, as if you're answering a call.
Pretend to ignore jerk while...
Dialing 911.
Walk away while pretending to talk to a friend while...
Telling the cops you've been threatened, including your name, location, the jerk's discription and threats. Keep an eye on the jerk!!

If the jerk comes after you during all this, you're on tape trying to avoid him and calling for help.
If he gets within 25 feet of you or charges, pull your gun, yell, "POLICE, DROP YOUR WEAPON", and .....
That depends on what he does. If he's not armed, he still threatened you with serious bodily harm. Shooting might be justified, depending on where you are.

Personally, as a 150 lb 62 year old guy living in Florida, if he didn't back down right away, I'd assume he was serious.
I'd shoot him.

 

[NkmG19]

Showing restraint in the face of evil is a new found skill I have been forced to develop since I started carrying. I don't have the funds for legal fees if a prosecutor decides he wants to make his career on me. So I would avoid a confrontation up until this guy is clearly going to be all over me them I won't care if he is armed or not. I don't know how to fight and I'm not going to chance it. My weapon is my level playing field.

 

[Red Dawg]

Showing restraint in the face of evil is a new found skill I have been forced to develop since I started carrying. I don't have the funds for legal fees if a prosecutor decides he wants to make his career on me. So I would avoid a confrontation up until this guy is clearly going to be all over me them I won't care if he is armed or not. I don't know how to fight and I'm not going to chance it. My weapon is my level playing field.

NKM,

I agree with you.

There are a couple of issues I see if the person coming at you is doped up. If that is the case then talking "at" them probably will get you no where. I don't know that I would brandish my weapon unless absolutely necessary but I would definitely be on the phone. Then, I would have to decide how close is too close. The distance closes very quickly when someone is coming at you and you have to determine whether or not you will have to draw or brandish. I think your personal comfort will have a lot to do with this as well as how threatened you feel. But, it is good to have it taped just in case the SHTF.

 

[rhalsey]

It is good to have it taped just in case the SHTF

I think in practically any situation, this is going to be the way to go BEFORE I pull a weapon.

1. It shows restraint on my part.

2. It shows a willingness to avoid a confrontation even though I had a strong defense.

3. It shows that I waited as long as I could even though I felt my life was in danger.

4. There is NOTHING like having the 911 LEO as a witness on my behalf.

Thanks, everyone !!!

 

[flccnp]

Talking tough is stupid. DO NOT ENGAGE!!
If he gets within 25 feet of you or charges, pull your gun, yell, "POLICE, DROP YOUR WEAPON", and .....

If there are witnesses to your shout, you may end up doing time. There are laws against impersonating a law enforcement officer.

I would also recommend not saying you will shoot somebody if they continue towards you. Some idiots in a court somewhere may consider that a threat (assault? battery? Whatever). If you need to shout something, try "Please stop where you are. You are threatening me." That along with a drawn weapon would probably stop most idiots from advancing too far.

 

[Jakester]

I would keep walking and if the moron kept walking tward me i would put my right hand on the grip of my glock at this point he would see this, and i would take my left hand and pick up the phone, then i would say in a kind tone "would you like me to call the police or the morgue?" :rolf:dancingbanana:dancingbanana

Ok ok, on a serious note, as above, i would do all except what i sayed i would say to the guy. put my hand on my gun, and depending on how far he is i would draw and keep it to my side. I would tell him to back off as he came tward me, and say when he got close enough incase he had not seen me draw the gun i would say i have it in my hand and i WILL use it, if this guy dont make himself vanish real quick. Last resort i would point and plug a couple rounds into center mass. I would not point it till i was ready to shoot though.

But all this would change alot given the time of day and how many people where around... i would try to get away from most of the people out first. would hate to hit someone i didnt plan on shooting. :drinks

 

[Japle]

If there are witnesses to your shout, you may end up doing time. There are laws against impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Yelling, "Police, drop your weapon", isn't impersonating a law enforcement officer. You're CALLING the police. After all, in the scenerio above, the cops were on the phone! The good guy was already calling them.

If the jerk misinterprets your remark and you don't have to shoot him, so much the better. :thumsup

 

[flccnp]

Yelling, "Police, drop your weapon", isn't impersonating a law enforcement officer. You're CALLING the police. After all, in the scenerio above, the cops were on the phone! The good guy was already calling them.

If the jerk misinterprets your remark and you don't have to shoot him, so much the better. :thumsup

If there are ways almost as effective, I would avoid doing something that could be interpreted as impersonating a cop.

 

[Japle]

Do what you think is right.
It's your life.

 

[Cthulhu]

Another thing to consider is that the guy across the street could very well be a distraction for the guy sneaking up behind you, who may now want to get a free gun after you've announced it to the world.

Brandishing?

Probably.

Unwise?

Most definitely.


-JT

 

[Japle]

Another thing to consider is that the guy across the street could very well be a distraction for the guy sneaking up behind you

Yep!!

A few months ago, my wife and I were loading groceries into our van in the Target parking lot. A woman approached us, smiling and asking for directions.

Both my wife and I immediately glanced behind us. I was so proud of her!

People asking for directions, asking for the time or otherwise getting your attention off your 6:00 might just be setting you up for attack by their partner.

 

[erodg23]

remember if you dont have a cell phone you can always get a cheap prepaid one activate it you dont even have to add minutes they are required by law to allow you to dial 911.

 

[Paragon]

How about saying very loudly "Stay away from me! I don't want any trouble!" While checking your six and getting the heck out of Dodge.

Keep him in your view, cell in hand. Don't draw to brandish; draw to shoot.

 

[SwampRat]

...you do have rights..each of us different and will react in different ways when confronted. I hate scenario type situations as there are so many things to consider before using deadly force. I dont fear one unarmed man who is verbally threatening me. If he gets within my personal space, then we have a problem. However I do not have to retreat or run for my life nor will I. That's just me and its not for everyone.

Castle Doctrine....It removes the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any place you have a right to be. You no longer have to turn your back on a criminal and try to run when attacked. Instead, you may stand your ground and fight back, meeting force with force, including deadly force, if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to yourself or others. [This is an American right repeatedly recognized in Supreme Court gun cases.]

 

[nandin]

I'd yell out "Yo, yo, yo mofo what you got gainst me, ho"
Jakester started it.
I dont think I yell anything at all, is not in my nature. Just ignore him.
In a silly voice I ussually say to myself but we no concern whether the person can hear me or not, and I am willing to repeat it, "You are scaring me". If he continues his advance within 12/10 ft. my left hand will come to a commanding "HALT" stance. Remembering of course that my hand is covering my point of aim (center of mass). Short command, stop, hey, yo, to let him know I mean business So like I always tell them, "Dont try this at home..."

 

[nandin]

I'd yell out "Yo, yo, yo mofo what you got gainst me, ho"
Jakester started it.
I dont think I yell anything at all, is not in my nature. Just ignore him.
In a silly voice I ussually say to myself but we no concern whether the person can hear me or not, and I am willing to repeat it, "You are scaring me". If he continues his advance within 12/10 ft. my left hand will come to a commanding "HALT" stance. Remembering of course that my hand is covering my point of aim (center of mass). Short command, stop, hey, yo, to let him know I mean business. He is allowed 1 or 2 steps and if he stops it's all good. Within 8/6 ft. my hand will be on my gun, safety off. My plan is for point blank so I dont worry about bystanders. I work in maintenance and like I always tell them, "Dont try this at home..."

 

[Red Dawg]

Probably not appropriate but I just had to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejzV8H_mchA&feature=related