Tactical Decision Game - The Bar Experience

[JimFloyd]

Copyright 2009 by James M. Floyd, Jr. All rights reserved.

Tactical Decision Games (TDG) are utilized by the military and public safety agencies as a low tech, yet effective, means of experiencing and discussing the practical application of decision making skills to situations.

Below is a TDG I created to stimulate your thinking. To participate, please read the TDG, and then make your decision, based only on the (intentionally limited) information provided, within 10 seconds. Then post a reply stating your decision and your rationale.

The goal of a TDG is not to seek "the only" or "the correct" answer but instead is intended to create a social learning environment, so please do not hesitate to participate. If you find this useful, I will be happy to post additional TDGs.

Here is the scenario:

The Bar Experience

TIME: 1:30 p.m.

PLACE: Bar and Grill

WEATHER: Sunny, 72 degrees Fahrenheit

LIGHTING: Medium level artificial lighting

SITUATION: You are armed and sitting in your favorite bar eating a late lunch and drinking a soft drink. You, the female bartender, and a male cook are the only people present. A white male wearing a long sleeve sweatshirt, jeans, tennis shoes, and a hat pulled down to the bridge of his nose enters the bar. He has, and keeps, both hands in his sweatshirt pockets as he walks quickly past you to the opposite end of the building where the opening to the back of the bar, and the cash register, are located. He then looks into the kitchen and suddenly turns towards the bartender at the cash register.

What is your selected course of action? Make a decision within the next 10 seconds.



Regards,


Jim

 

[Flintlock]

My hand would discreetly move to my firearm and I would get myself into a "ready for action" stance, but not in a nphysically noticable way. My attention would remain fixed upon the man, but not so it would appear I have an eye on him. I would be ready to take action to neutralize the threat at a moments notice.

 

[jmiller676]

Stand up and rest my hand on my weapon. If you look stupid for apperaing jumpy or skitzo who cares. There is no immediate reason to draw since the "threat" has not presented a weapon and until he does so keeps your's holstered. Keep eyes locked on hands.

 

[42769vette]

i would just watch him. i dont think he has done anything to cause alarm yet he could be new to the bar and just trying to get a beer of directions

 

[Bill of Rights]

Yep. Uncover my pistol, hand on the grip, watch him hard.

After the time limit, I also considered he might be the distraction so that his buddies can come in behind him. Also thought possibly of a trip to the bathroom to get out of his line of sight. If necessary, that might be the best place to be if/when he draws on the bartender. Obviously, moving to the bathroom with hand on pistol is not the ideal tactical move. I'm not sure if it would be better to move with the pistol covered or exposed. Good question. Reps on the way for the idea.

Blessings,
Bill

 

[Hammer]

Stay put where I am but be ready with hand on gun still holstered, he has already come past me and will most likely exit the same way he entered passing me again. He has done nothing at this point but be a very suspicious looking person.

 

[WETSU]

I would shift to condition orange. Probably order another drink.

 

[indytechnerd]

Watch and wait. That's all. I would probably scoot my chair back from the table, but I wouldn't get up. If the (supposed) BG was watching me, it'd look like I was easing back from the table to watch the TV while finishing up my drink.

 

[jeremy]

Remain seated hand on grip ready to remove my weapon for action.

 

[dburkhead]

Hand near, but not on, gun. Wait and see what happens.

Here's a question: where is the bathroom relative to my position and possible BG's position? I could "go to the bathroom" if that would put me in a better position if the situation turns ugly.

Caveat: I don't drink so I'd never be in a bar unless socializing with friends, most of whom carry as well. Think of the scene in Code of Silence (IIRC) where two punks try to rob a "cop bar."

 

[jeremy]

Hand near, but not on, gun. Wait and see what happens.

Here's a question: where is the bathroom relative to my position and possible BG's position? I could "go to the bathroom" if that would put me in a better position if the situation turns ugly.

Caveat: I don't drink so I'd never be in a bar unless socializing with friends, most of whom carry as well. Think of the scene in Code of Silence (IIRC) where two punks try to rob a "cop bar."

The only place to eat at in town in a lot of rural communities is the bar.

 

[Hoosier Gun Coat]

I would position myself accordingly and keep cool. The guy hasn't done anything bad yet. He just looks suspicious. If he demands cash, I watch very closely. It's not my money he's taking. It's not worth risking your life or anyone elses for a few hundred bucks from the bar. However, if he pulls a gun, or assaults the bartender (or anyone else for that matter), it's on. But if the guy wants more thats a different story. Two things I'd look for. 1) an actual weapon. A guy could have a banana in his pocket for all I know. 2) an physical assault on a person.

 

[haldir]

That would just be a get ready situation. Hand on grip, push chair back or if at a stool, stand.

 

[Joe Williams]

Discretely draw, keep gun under table, watch.

Heck, dude could be asking for directions. Even if he's robbing the place, I'm not shooting someone over somebody else's money. Folks gotta pay me for that kinda security Besides, bullets flying are risky. If he's gonna take the money and go, it's up to the cops to do their jobs. If he pulls a weapon, or tries to order folks to the ground, I'm going to defend lives. If he's not a bad guy, no one ever knows I've pulled my weapon.

 

[techres]

First and foremost: stand up and get out from behind the table. I will need mobility. Second put my hand on my pocket carry as if to draw out a tip. Prepare to draw, move & shoot.

 

[Rookie]

I think this is a situation where a shoulder rig would be useful. If you were wearing one, it would be easy to make it look like you were crossing your arms when, in reality, you actually have your hand on your gun. I don't use a shoulder rig, but I just wanted to point out the advantage.

What would I do? Nothing. My hand would be discretely on my gun while I was waiting to see the outcome. If the guy was robbing the place without a weapon, and without causing bodily harm, I would be a good witness. A gun or forcible felony would change my response to whatever means necessary.

BTW - when I am in a restaurant, I sit with my back to a wall, if possible, or at the side of the table that offers me the most visibility and least vulnerability. I also always sit on the end of a booth, so easy exit is possible.
These threads are a good idea. I know I'm not the only one who, at times of boredom, comes up with scenarios in my head.

 

[The Meach]

Punch in La Grange on the Jukebox

 

[pinshootrs]

go to cover, prepare for the worst, hope for the best

 

[jdhaines]

I would simply turn so my right side was away from him, and move my cover (shirt) over the top of my holster so I could draw quickly. Perhaps get my hand on the phone, dial 911, and wait with my finger on the "Call" button.

 

[Jerry]

Something similar happened at an Ice-Cream joint here today while I was paying for our ice-cream. Although it wasn't 72, it was the same time as the scenerio depicted, but a little above 60 so the sweatshirt was an ambiguous point, but he kept his right hand deep in his pocket...

He waited behind my girlfriend and myself by the register while I finished paying (all the time I kept an eye behind me through the reflection). Now the register is down the counter from where one would normally stand to order their ice cream. So that was the second thing to raise some suspicion.

After I finished paying we both turned to leave, at which time I noticed him pulling an iced tea drink out of the fridge and put it on the counter. We walked outside and sat at a table out side where I was able to see him pay for it and walk out to a Penske rental truck. My girlfriend mentioned that it was somewhat weird for someone to visit this ice-cream shop just to purchase a soft drink. I agreed.