Closest I have had to drawing and pointing

[les strat]

The family and I were in Birmingham at the civic center for the Christmas Village event my wife had likes to go to every year. As we were leaving, I noticed a gang, literally, of guys at the edge of the parking lot, which is under the interstate vidock. One particular guy had a hoodie on bundled up tight with the hood on his head. He was walking irratically around going car to car. As we pulled out he made a b-line towards my truck, hands in pocket, and nodded like, "put your window down". I looked him dead nuts in the eye, shook my head "no" with my best ****** look, and I actually think I intimidated him, and he walked around the front of the truck rather quickly. I already had the CM9 out of the holste,r in hand and down in my lap.

Call me paranoid, but he didn't seem like the typical guy bumming for $, but could have been. I wasn't taking any chances. A local preacher was beaten almost to death in B'ham just a couple months ago at a gas station.

I tell you guys, people wonder if they can really shoot someone if it came down to it, but I learned today, I could do it with without a second thought. Had he made a move sudden move, my babies and beautiful wife are the only things I'd think of. Not his life, his family, guilt, consequences, nothing. I'm glad it turned out the way it did, and he moved on.

I was glad to have the CM9 on me all day, but that gun doesn't mean anything without being aware of your surroundings. Be safe everybody.

[ltxi]

"....I tell you guys, people wonder if they can really shoot someone if it came down to it, but I learned today, I could do it with without a second thought...."

And count that as a true blessing! Now you understand and know you won't hesitate if the time ever does come....something many folks who carry don't really know.

[yatyas42]

Way to be a sheepdog for your family, never take your eyes off of the wolves! It is a gift that you give your family everyday, but they will probably never realize it! Also, good job keeping your cool, and not over reacting to the situation. To me that shows someone who is not scared, but is aware confident and prepared.

[deanp1964]

good on ya, friend.

glad things worked out as they did too

[LaP]

When your brain is screaming "HEY SOMETHING'S WRONG". It's a good time to listen. Train for the worst case, be grateful when it's a false alarm.
If your instincts are incorrect, you've lost NOTHING (put the gun away). If they are right, you've saved the day.

Good job.

[WMD]

That was a close call! Glad you and the family got through it unscathed. You never know what is going to happen. As the old saying goes... it is good to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it!

[les strat]

Nobody wants to be in an "ok, what's about to happen?" situation. I know we all love our guns and talk about SD like we like it, but when it comes down to it, it's sad society is like it is, and we have to discuss what we would do, which bullet makes the best wound, COM, etc. I am just glad I did not have to point the CM9 because that takes it to whole different level of legal issues, but there again, had he made one agressive move, I would not have hesitated to stop the threat instantly.

I also forgot to mention that after the guy walked around my truck and walked off, he walked back towards my wifes side of the truck as I finally pulled off. I am just glad someone let us pull out at that moment.

This brought up a conversation with my wife about what she would have done had I not been there. She said, "Well, my LC9 is in my glove box". I told her had she not been aware of her surroundings 3 minutes prior to all that or not had the gun deployed from the glove box AND holster, it would have been worthless. Gof forbid the person who has to rack the slide.... again, worthless. She keeps one in the pipe thank God. We also talked about what would have happened if he had drawn on us where I could not make a move. Gunning the vehicle forward, even if it causes a fender bender, could even be an option. We all need to think through what we would do when drawing is not an option. Better to be a little paranoid than a victim IMO.

I think this really drove it home to her that this stuff out there is real and I might not be there next time.

[jmk1138]

It's a good lesson to take to heart. My wife had a close call recently when she was out alone, and now she realizes how little attention she was paying to her surroundings.

[TheTman]

Glad no harm came to you or your family Les Strat. It just shows you got to pay attention to what is going on around you at all times. My poor soon to be ex-wife wanders around in condition white all the time, and I fear for her. A good thing happened there though, you learned what that you are capable of using your firearm if you need too.

BTW, I noticed your pics of the Les Paul, A buddie of mine's father in law has a Goldtop Les Paul, that was made so early it doesn't even have a serial number on it,
he ordered it when he first heard about the Les Paul being introduced back in 1951 or 52 whenever it was. He has all the documentation, sales receipt, owners manual, original case and everything. It will go to my friends wife when his father in law passes and they will probably sell it since their child has no interest in guitar. Wouldn't that be nice to have in your collection. I get by with an Ibanez RG-250 and a Fender Bullet, which some much better guitar players than me say is a real player. I'm much better at bass, have an old Gibson SB3 and a 60th anniversary Fender Jazz that is a lot of fun if you like "funk" type music with the popping and thumping. It has a very wide range of sounds you can dial in. Also picked up an old Yamaha acoustic at a garage sale that has very good tone, for a decent price. It's hit or miss with those Japanese Acoustics, one can be a real nice one, and the next one off the line can be a real dud. My friend and his brother in law bought Takimine's same model, same year, and my friends has turned into a real jewel, while the brother in laws never amounted to much. My friend has been offered Martin's in trade for it, but he won't trade it due to it's tremendous sound.

[Husky44]

Glad it all worked out well.

One of the things to keep in mind is that you had two weapons--your truck being the first. You're right; if need be, punching it out into traffic, backing up (if no one is behind you), running the guy over if need be... In our polite society we often forget how powerful our vehicles are. You can move someone rather easily with a Prius, let alone a full-sized truck. Took some time for our troops in the desert to figure that out.

[Popeye]

Glad it all worked out for you. Awareness is your best defense. I have never had to pull my gun as I try to see what's going on around me. Then take the appropriate actions. However having said that I have no doubt that if some POS wants to do me or my family dirty I'd do what I have to do. If that means shooting the POS then it is what it is. I have no desire to do such a thing but I do not carry just to carry. If I had any doubt about using it I wouldn't carry it.

[Russ]

The family and I were in Birmingham at the civic center for the Christmas Village event my wife had likes to go to every year. As we were leaving, I noticed a gang, literally, of guys at the edge of the parking lot, which is under the interstate vidock. One particular guy had a hoodie on bundled up tight with the hood on his head. He was walking irratically around going car to car. As we pulled out he made a b-line towards my truck, hands in pocket, and nodded like, "put your window down". I looked him dead nuts in the eye, shook my head "no" with my best ****** look, and I actually think I intimidated him, and he walked around the front of the truck rather quickly. I already had the CM9 out of the holste,r in hand and down in my lap.

Call me paranoid, but he didn't seem like the typical guy bumming for $, but could have been. I wasn't taking any chances. A local preacher was beaten almost to death in B'ham just a couple months ago at a gas station.

I tell you guys, people wonder if they can really shoot someone if it came down to it, but I learned today, I could do it with without a second thought. Had he made a move sudden move, my babies and beautiful wife are the only things I'd think of. Not his life, his family, guilt, consequences, nothing. I'm glad it turned out the way it did, and he moved on.

I was glad to have the CM9 on me all day, but that gun doesn't mean anything without being aware of your surroundings. Be safe everybody.

I am thankful you did not need to use deadly force. Yesterday morning the light rail train I was traveling on to work ran over a person and killed him. I felt the train go over his body. I awoke this morning at 1:35 am and just kept recycling the sensation of driving over him and his body undetermined a sheet on the track. I know had you been forced to defend your family you would have but death is not healthy on the mind. Russ

[Popeye]

I am thankful you did not need to use deadly force. Yesterday morning the light rail train I was traveling on to work ran over a person and killed him. I felt the train go over his body. I awoke this morning at 1:35 am and just kept recycling the sensation of driving over him and his body undetermined a sheet on the track. I know had you been forced to defend your family you would have but death is not healthy on the mind. Russ


I agree. That is why deadly force is the last resort, and not to be taken lightly. There is a certain amount of baggage that comes with taking another life. When it's you or one of your loved ones or them and your doing your best to stay away from the bad stuff that life has a tendency bring or way he has to be them or die trying. I have worked in construction all my adult life and have lost a few close friends along the way do to construction mishaps and it is a terrible thing to see a person(especiallyone you know) laying there knowing he not coming back. Does way heavy on the mind for quite some time.

[les strat]

Glad no harm came to you or your family Les Strat. It just shows you got to pay attention to what is going on around you at all times. My poor soon to be ex-wife wanders around in condition white all the time, and I fear for her. A good thing happened there though, you learned what that you are capable of using your firearm if you need too.

BTW, I noticed your pics of the Les Paul, A buddie of mine's father in law has a Goldtop Les Paul, that was made so early it doesn't even have a serial number on it,
he ordered it when he first heard about the Les Paul being introduced back in 1951 or 52 whenever it was. He has all the documentation, sales receipt, owners manual, original case and everything. It will go to my friends wife when his father in law passes and they will probably sell it since their child has no interest in guitar. Wouldn't that be nice to have in your collection. I get by with an Ibanez RG-250 and a Fender Bullet, which some much better guitar players than me say is a real player. I'm much better at bass, have an old Gibson SB3 and a 60th anniversary Fender Jazz that is a lot of fun if you like "funk" type music with the popping and thumping. It has a very wide range of sounds you can dial in. Also picked up an old Yamaha acoustic at a garage sale that has very good tone, for a decent price. It's hit or miss with those Japanese Acoustics, one can be a real nice one, and the next one off the line can be a real dud. My friend and his brother in law bought Takimine's same model, same year, and my friends has turned into a real jewel, while the brother in laws never amounted to much. My friend has been offered Martin's in trade for it, but he won't trade it due to it's tremendous sound.

I used to have a ton of guitars, but have thinned the herd down to the R8 Les Paul, a '57 reissue strat with a Fender Custom Shop body, and a Martin HD28. I figure I can get most anything done with those :D

[les strat]

I am thankful you did not need to use deadly force. Yesterday morning the light rail train I was traveling on to work ran over a person and killed him. I felt the train go over his body. I awoke this morning at 1:35 am and just kept recycling the sensation of driving over him and his body undetermined a sheet on the track. I know had you been forced to defend your family you would have but death is not healthy on the mind. Russ

I am sorry for the guy that got ran over. That is the difference though between someone hit on a track and someone who could have possibly threatened my family's well being. I would probably go insane if I accidentally killed someone in a car or the like, and I am sure it would be hard if I had to use deadly force on a BG, but I think I could sleep a lot better in the case of SD as opposed to an accident. I'm just glad that I didn't have to.