Up until this point this has been an EMS blog. My EMS blog. I have been careful not to put too many personal things and experiences in this blog. I'm pretty sure that I am still anonymous, no one has contacted me in an effort to try to ascertain my identity and I want to keep it that way. I have seen too many bloggers, mostly EMS ones that get into loads of trouble all because of not being careful. That being said, I am going to write about something that happened to me today, my day off. This is not an EMS post.
I was at Wal-Mart today. Just nosing around, picking up a few wants and a couple of needs, nothing special. I paid for my things and made my way out to the truck. About halfway there this guy walks up to me and says hi. At first I figured he wanted to sell me something, but his clothes were not that of a salesman. He didn't seem to be homeless, but he did have a bag over his arm. He asked for money. Now usually I don't give money away, I work hard enough for the little I got. But today I was feeling generous. I said sure, I reached into my pocket and pulled out what I had, about $1.30 and handed it to him. He looked from his palm to me, back to his palm and to me again. Then he said "That all?" I just walked away. My truck was in sight and I just wanted to get to it and get home. I heard the crunch of his shoes on the asphalt as he turned. I glanced over my shoulder and he was just standing there looking at me.
At this point my "oh-shit-o-meter" just perked up a few notches. Using my ears as my eyes behind me I just kept walking towards my vehicle. About the time I open the back door to put my bags in I heard him walking towards me. Now, don't get me wrong, I am no coward. But I believe that it's better to turn the other cheek and keep your head down than go looking for trouble. In my experience, enough trouble will find you that you don't have to go looking for it. But if that trouble does find you, be ready.
I opened the drivers door, got in and shut it. I put one hand on the key to start the truck and the other underneath the seat. When the door opened (I had a feeling it would at any minute), I was ready. It was yanked open and there he was, the same motherfucker that I just gave money to. I yanked my peace and stuck it about 1/2 inch from his beady little eyes. It's amazing the amount of white that I could see. I don't remember the color of his eyes, but I do remember the acres of white as he stared into the barrel of my 40 cal.
I wished I could have come up with something catchy to say. Something like Bruce Willis or Clint Eastwood would have said. But this is the real world and I am not afraid to say that I was scared shitless. The only thing I could say was "I don't want any trouble".
He backed up, turned around and walked away. I sat there, put the safety back on and shivered until I had to grab hold of myself so I wouldn't fall out of the truck. When I had pulled myself together enough to form a rational thought I picked up my phone and called the cops. The rest is just a blur. The cops came, I gave a statement. They left. I drove home.
I'm not sure what his intentions were. Maybe he intended to do harm, maybe not. Maybe he just wanted to ask directions. I don't know and I don't care. If he had wanted something, he should have asked when I gave him the money. If someone jerks open my door, either my vehicle or my house, I feel that my life and my family's life may be in danger and I will act accordingly.
For the record: "I am a gun-toting, card-holding NRA member, I also have my conceal-to-carry license and they can have my guns when the pry them from my cold dead hands." There that said, if I offended any of you, just re-read the above paragraphs and put yourself in my shoes. As I said, I don't know what his intentions were, but if they weren't just to ask where the local 7-11 was, then what other reason would he have to follow me and then yank open my door? What if? What if he wanted to take my truck, or just off me right there in broad daylight in the middle of a Wal-Mart parking lot. It happens, just watch the local news any night of the week if you don't so.
So all of you gun-haters out there, you can kiss my ass. This was the first time I have ever pulled a weapon on anyone and I hope that I never have the opportunity to do it again. But I am glad that I have it. I am glad that I had it with me. The only reason it wasn't on my person today was that the Wal-Mart I visit has a no-weapon of any kind, concealed or otherwise sign on the front door. I left it under the seat because of it. I am a law-abiding, gun-owning citizen and I will protect myself and my family if I feel threatened....
This was the first and only time. Jesus, I hope that I never have to again.
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23 comments:
I'm glad you're safe.
I have a great appreciation for this post. Thank you for sharing it with us.
And you willingly went to a store that denied you the best self defense tool you have....why?
20 feet sooner and you would have been in the parking lot with your gun still in the truck. Saving five bucks at Wallyworld isn't worth a shredded ass. Start shopping elsewhere.
Call corporate HQ for Walmart. They will tell you that the management that posted that sign is wrong, and you are allowed to concealed carry in any Walmart. At Georgiapacking.org we have the audio clip of the lady saying so posted in the forum.
Scott - go to www.packing.org, select 'Wyoming." Find requirements, procedures, addresses, fees, etc.
You so did the right thing, Blue Ridge, and I am very glad to be reading your blog on a Monday morning because you did, rather than reading a r.i.p. post about you on AD's blog.
Too much of that is indeed on the news every day.
I hope it never happens again, either. Shudder...
Glad you are safe.
Good thing you had that gun with you. It's unfortunate that you had to pull it, but at least you had something you were able to use to de-escalate the situation.
Good luck and stay safe!
More power to you!
I didn't know it, but I was holding my breath for the last part of your story. I am glad you are safe.
It's amazing to me how ungrateful people begging can be. "Is that all?" What a crock!
came from Ambulance Driver's blog
Maybe you also succeeded in teaching that idiot a lesson. Maybe he'll go get a job and stop harassing people.
Well, probably not, but we can hope. I'm glad you are okay.
Why didn't you just lock the door when you got in the truck?
My husband has a ccw and sometimes I get impatient and wonder why his gun has to go with us everywhere. I won't bother him anymore. I always ask what could happen. You answered that question.
BTW, MY gun sits on my night table loaded and ready. I pray to God I never have to use it.
Now that "the shakes" are, for the most part, over, I'm hoping you can see that you did the right thing - he was an unknown quantity, who had already indicated an attitude of ingratitude - I believe the BEST lesson, for the rest of us, is your calling the cops and filing a report .................. thank you!!
Many years ago, I had to point a weapon at a family member who had a 10inch knife to my husbands throat - not a pleasant feeling.
I'm glad you're ok.
Caught you from AD's blog.
Thank you, all of you, for your comments. There are too many to reply to individually, but there is one thing that I would like to explain. I have seen a few comments on why I didn't just lock my door. I really don't have an explination for that. I admit that is one thing I could have done. I just didn't think about it. Although I'm not sure if it would have made any difference if he had a weapon, especially a gun. Either way, no one got hurt, especially me, and that is the most important thing. I was able to go home to my family and that my friends, is the bottom line. Thanks again to my readers.
BRM
Good Tuesday morning to you, Blue Ridge.
Just coming by to say hello and see how you are doing. Sometimes shock lingers a while...
Sincerely,
Loving Annie
I'm glad you're OK. Someone made a comment "why didn't you just lock the door?" That should have been the first line of defense. THEN, you would have a little more protection, might have been able to start the truck and drive off (seat belt can wait). Had you not had the gun, it may have saved you.
That said, don't wonder if he only wanted to ask directions. Here's why:
The comment he made "that all?"
The fact that you had an uneasy feeling. People's gut instinct can be very perceptive. Many people are told to ignore it since childhood. ("you're being silly, there's nothing weird about my friend" "go ahead, hug your uncle") You went on high alert before he started following you, sensing something was wrong.
AND FINALLY, I have NEVER had anyone OPEN the car door to talk to me. They KNOCK on the window. Even if someone was to open the door, they would not have YANKED it open.
He meant to do harm. I'm glad you didn't find out the hard way what kind of harm.
You did good. (except, as someone noticed, you should not have gone without a gun and spent money in a place that denies you the right to protect yourself. Then again, it was broad daylight, so its understandable)
You have my comments on AD's site, but I wanted to drop by and formally say hello!
I was about to ask why you didn't lock your door, as well. And I suppose I kind of understand, given that your goal at that point seemed to be to grab your weapon and keep that bozo from harming you...as someone who's right hand hits the door lock immediately after the left hand pulls the door shut (habit from youth with paranoid parents), I can't imagine not doing that. Then again, I've never been in this situation.
I've also never heard of a "no-carry" Wal-Mart, and agree that you should call the corporate office and verify.
Having said all of that (and I'm not being as critical of you as it may look, I promise - ask AD, I'm just a blunt writer), I am VERY glad to hear that you made it out okay, and that your right to bear allowed you to do so.
I can't believe that dork asked for more money.
I would have done as you did - spend time retrieving the gun rather than locking the door - after all - he had a bag which could have contained a weapon of his own, in which case, the mere obstacle of window glass and locked door may not have been enough to save you.
Smartass that I am - I would have demanded he return the buck thirty.
Lucky you're not in NY where the politicians passed laws banning gun permits so that the only people with guns are criminals.
Good Sunday morning the 29th to you Blue Ridge !
Just came by to say hello and see what was new with you !
Today is "thank-you's" on my blog, and you have an honorable mention !
*cyber hugs and smiles*
Loving Annie
I know those shakes.
My ex-wife used to hate the fact that I had a gun until the day someone came into our house for less than fun ideas. It was the first and only time I had to draw my firearm.
Left me shaking for about an hour after the "rush" left. To this day I am thankful that he backed down at that point.
I would reckon that he was probably a schitzophrenic but you were very smart in taking no chances. WHAT DID THE COPS DO? That was a funny pun when you said you pulled your "peace" ;) You made peace with your piece.
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