I was ALMOST robbed today!

[MACHINEGUN]

I'd hope any member on this forum would get that Officers back if they witnessed something like this.. I'd first ask them if they wanted my help and if they said yes, well.. I'd get their back asap!

That video sucks to watch.. it isn't offensive to me, just reality.. some people can't handle reality!

 

[Augustine]

I was searching for something else on the forum last night and came across this thread, then I watched the video for the first time. Then I watched it several more times. It's disturbing.

I've mentioned elsewhere that I worked as a firefighter/EMT and so I've seen dead folks and people being shot, and this video doesn't even show any of that - but it got to me. I've been thinking about it all day long. While I was at Mass this evening, it hit me that what strikes me as the saddest part of the video is how many chances the deputy has to save his life, either by shooting Brannan or getting in his car and backing up. I want to attribute his lack of action to mercy. Like the rest of us, I doubt he wanted to shoot anyone and he did everything he could to avoid doing so. It's his hesitation that makes it so brutal to watch and listen to. Watching Brannan struggle to get his rifle out of the truck and hearing the verbal commands being issued over and over to no avail makes me simultaneously sad for the deputy and angry that he's in such a situation.

It has made me think about what I would do if I encountered some loon like that. Seeing it has been a good reminder that you have to act wisely and you have to act fast.

Sorry for participating in the threadjack, but I just wanted to get that out. I said some extra prayers this evening for my fellow INGOers, citizens who carry, and especially LEOs.

 

[EvilBlackGun]

When it was suggested that I rotate from 'Nam to the CONUS ...

... I got based at SAC, Omaha, 4th floor down. @ every sound of a siren I breathe a sigh of hope for all LEO and EMT types, plus my fellow INGUNOWN-citizens. . EBG

I want to attribute his lack of action to mercy. Like the rest of us, I doubt he wanted to shoot anyone and he did everything he could to avoid doing so. It's his hesitation that makes it so brutal to watch and listen to. It has made me think about what I would do if I encountered some loon like that. Seeing it has been a good reminder that you have to act wisely and you have to act fast.
extra prayers this evening for my fellow INGOers, citizens who carry, and especially LEOs.

 

[Mosin-Me-Nagant]

I was under the understanding that you do not draw your weapon unless you intend to fire immediately.

 

[williamnewman1]

i thinl you reacted as well as anyone can in that situation , i hope that i react that well

 

[elderly]

glad that turned out well!for you lol

 

[repeter1977]

In the military, as well as the Law Enforcement fields, one of the things that you have to know is that one day, you might have to take a life. It is getting more and more to be when instead of IF. Just like if you carry a pistol, you have to make the decision that you WILL defend your life by taking another. If you don't you are kidding yourself and putting everyone else in jeopardy by not seeing things realistically. Am I saying that you should be bloodthirsty and carry and expect to kill everyone and everything? No, Im saying that when you carry, one day, you will have to use your weapon. If you do not think you can, then you are better off just putting the weapon up. As a LEO, he even more then others should KNOW it. Most though put it off until its too late. It is sad when it happens, but its all off of mindset too. If you cannot pull the trigger as a LEO then its time to hang up the pistol belt and badge and find a different job.

 

[handgun]

I am not sure I would have pushed the boom button either. However, I wasn't there. Words just can not always paint a proper picture of how things go down. Probably best you didn't pull the trigger. But now you need to keep a special look out for that individual.... Next time he won't be saying that to you.. If he is really that bold.

 

[Grunt]

You did good.

I like to go on a police website called blue sheepdog.com Police Training :: Blue Sheepdog. One of the lessons learned that is discussed frequently there is that many police deaths could have been avoided if the officer would have drawn their weapon sooner.

In my previous career we had a motto "when in doubt; whip it out." it's always better to pull and not need, than not pull and need. My preference would be to shoot the bad guy as far away from me as possible (being as legal as possible), but life preservation should trump the law.

Thanks for sharing your experience and dealing with some of the folks here.

 

[Grunt]

There is another series of police shooting videos that are useful to learn from. Do a search on YouTube for "West Memphis Police Shootings?" it's a traffic stop gone bad and the cops are shot at close range with an AK-47. There's nothing too graphic, but you will definitely see how the shooting unfolds.

Another point that I'd like to suggest is that paranoia, when you can control it, is good. I always, always trust my gut instincts. If you want to live longer, you pull. You be paranoid and trust your survival instincts, just as you did in this situation.

When in a situation where the possibility of loss of life exists, I'm one paranoid Muldoon.

The final outcome is what quantifies right or wrong.

 

[greyhound47]

I would not judge you as I was not there. However, as you described it gave me pause. WHAT IF you shot him? No witnesses to say that he threatened you? No weapon visible? Your word against a dead man but it would not look good for you either, at least as you have described it.

 

[stratum]

Likewise, can't judge you. Seems like you handled it well. Agree with others about the lack of cover and freedom of movement if you were to fight from inside a car.

As for the video, which I had seen before, it was the blatant, unvarnished evil of the act that disturbed me, and perhaps slightly prepared me to face such evil sometime (hopefully never) in the future. We can't know how we'll react until it happens to us. Remember the interpreter in (fictional) Saving Private Ryan?

 

[sigrome]

you give him the money or you shoot him its just that simple sometimes

 

[You'll shoot your eye out]

While I like the way you responded I don't think I would of went right for my gun. I have had a similar instance. when asked for money I usually reply asking if they can make change for a .38. I think I personally would like the threat a little better defined but by no means am I critical of your response. I suppose that by delaying my reaction and blowing the perp smack I am probably running a risk of getting shot myself. By doing it your way you run the risk of shooting an unarmed guy. A guy makes his decisions and then takes his chances.

 

[tetter]

Better question: Also, why didn't you physically get in your car, and call the cops then? You said you were about to. Drawing was always taught to me as the last possible route before death, and I would have handed him everything except the gun that is my lifeline, while attempting to gather as many details as possible. He leaves with his swag, I leave with my life. Go back in the gas station call 911 with the description of my car, name, license, car contents, etc.

This.

 

[jagee]

This.

 

[churchmouse]

He got his 50 "J" man....leave him be......

 

[You'll shoot your eye out]

I got robbed at the gas station just today! I was paying current market value for my gas......

 

[You'll shoot your eye out]

A question for the mods. Since I have never even looked at the classifieds forum, can I sell my excess post count to guys who are looking for 50 posts? Or would I need to put them up in the classifieds forum in order to sell them? (having to post them for sale in the classifieds sort of puts a wrinkle in my scheme)

 

[ModernGunner]

He got his 50 "J" man....leave him be......

I thought they were supposed to be 50 QUALITY posts, CM?

THAT certainly does NOT qualify as anything even CLOSE to a 'quality post'. Mods, please rectify!

I got robbed at the gas station just today! I was paying current market value for my gas......

Yeah, and it's even worse because they don't even 'bother' to put on a mask or carry a gun!

So, let's start drilling and using OUR oil, or that from nations like Australia, and quit dealing with third-world countries!?