Scared and felt the need to pull my gun

[Knife Lady]

During a gun show while I was behind my tables talking to a door guy a customer approached one of my tables and picked up one of my fixed blades and was looking it at in a weird way and also making strange looking faces at the same time. This caught my attention as with the door guy and we both kind of gave each other a look like what is wrong with this guy? The customer then walked over to one of the other tables and picked up another knife and had that same weird look and then asked me this weird question " What would I do if a psycho came in and stuck me with this knife" I said "what'? He said what would you do if I stuck you with this knife? I was stunned thinking did I hear this guy right, is he in his right mind, man this guy sure is wierd , why would this guy ask me that? All of this is running through my head. Then he puts that knife down and walks around to where now he is right in front of me and only 2 to 3 feet away. He picks up one of my kabars and and asks me again what would I do if he was to stick me ? The door guy then backed away from the table a little which made me even more scared. I am thinking man if this man is scared I should take this nut seriously. I knew my gun was in my purse at my feet on the floor. I backed up just a little and pulled my gun out and held it by my side in my hand. He laid the knife down and told me to draw and told me he would stick me before my gun would go off. I never pointed the gun at him at any time. I just wanted him to know I had a weapon. All I could think of was I need my gun I need to protect myself against this psycho. The promoter came and the guy said he was just joking and I and Brad who by then had showed back up at the tables told him that was not funny and you dont joke around with any kind of weapons at all. The guy was not asked to leave and was not banned from future shows at this location even though I had a witness that was an employee of the promoters. The door guy said that the customer threatend me with my knife and I felt the need to pull my gun out. Just to let you know it was not so much what he was saying to me but also the look this guy was getting on his face. He went to 2 of my tables and every knife he picked up asked me what would I do if he was to stick me with that knife? Why would any man come to a gun show and ask questions like that? I dont find it normal or funny at all. When I saw the reaction from the door guy I felt like I needed to respond and quickly and I would have to defend myself alone to this guy. I carry a gun for self protection and I felt the fear of my life and that is why I pulled my gun out. I would do it again.
Did I over react? Remember this guy is within 2 to 3 feet of me and with a knife in his hand. He could have easily lunged over the table at me and stabbed me. I knew this but I just wanted my gun. I was afraid of this psycho looking guy. I hope this never happens to me again. I also will not tell which show this happened at because it was not the promoters fault and I dont want the show to suffer from any bad publicity at all so please dont ask.

What say you?

 

[ReSSurrected]

Guy should have been escorted to the door by site security.

 

[BE Mike]

Sounds like the promoter wanted the "knife guy" to remain, so he could continue to shop. Wonder what he went home with...a new gun and ammo or a new knife? You were the victim of a crime. You should have called 911 if there was no police officer at the show. If there was a police officer on the scene, I'd demand to file charges for assault, if it were me.

 

[shibumiseeker]

That guy definitely should have been escorted out of the location. While some joking may be tolerated among people who know each other well enough to know it's joking (and even then it never extends pointing a weapon at someone), you sure as hell don't do that among strangers.

You did ok, glad it ended with no one getting hurt. I would write a letter to the event promoters and send it certified mail.

 

[pappy56]

You did right.
He should have been escorted out and banned by the promoter.
Glad you are OK.

KWL

 

[Knife Lady]

Sounds like the promoter wanted the "knife guy" to remain, so he could continue to shop. Wonder what he went home with...a new gun and ammo or a new knife? You were the victim of a crime. You should have called 911 if there was no police officer at the show. If there was a police officer on the scene, I'd demand to file charges for assault, if it were me.

I agree and Brad also agrees that this guy should have been arrested. The promoter said the cops would have done nothing because the customer kept saying what if, what if I stuck you. All I know I did not have a good safe feeling from this guy and I had a witness that felt uneasy as well and that is why he backed up and moved away from this guy too.

 

[shibumiseeker]

I agree and Brad also agrees that this guy should have been arrested. The promoter said the cops would have done nothing because the customer kept saying what if, what if I stuck you. All I know I did not have a good safe feeling from this guy and I had a witness that felt uneasy as well and that is why he backed up and moved away from this guy too.

The promoter was wrong. While the cops may not have led the guy away in handcuffs, most every cop I know would have taken your statement and then escorted the guy off the premises when an event vendor states that they felt they were being threatened by a patron, especially at an event where weapons are being displayed/sold.

Event promoter sounds like an ass.

 

[Knife Lady]

I held my composure during all of it but then on the way home I fell apart. I cried and couldnt sleep all night . The face on that guy will stay with me for a long time I have never seen anyone make faces like that before. Only in the movies when someone is portraying a psycho. A joke he couldnt have been in his right mind to possibly think I would find that funny at all. Why would also pick on a woman why not a man. BTW all of this happened just about 15 minutes before show closing of that day. He shoud have been asked to leave and never come back for sure and that is at the very least.

 

[Michiana]

Question??

Would you share what show you were at when that happened? It doesn't sound like the 1500 and the show promoter needed to get this guy out immediately and probably report the incident to the police. The guy obviously has mental issues; what if he shows up again at another show you are doing?

 

[Shay]

Facing a knife at contact distance is more of a combatives problem than an ECQC shooting problem. The knife normally wins or at best you may "tie". I don't say this to sound unfeeling to your situation, but if you rely on a gun as your only means of defense, there will be times when the gun is not the best answer.

Could you have maneuvered to put more distance or more objects between you and him? That may have bought you more time or a bit more of a reactionary gap.

 

[LEaSH]

When you feel uneasy or threatened, it's ok (and appropriate) to get loud and say nasty things.

Tell him you don't want his business and to stay away from your wares and tables. Then call him a fricken weirdo. All very loudly.

You sound like a kind and nice person, but as you know, these shows attract the wierd and wild types sometimes. If the guy is disturbed mentally, he needs to know his attempt at humor is not acceptable.

Then crack him over the head with a stick.

 

[drgnrobo]

You did the right thing arming yourself ,Just saying that he was kidding doesnt mean he was , not a joke if you feel threatened. I would have felt threatened as well & the promoter should have had him escorted ( at least ) off the premises .Im glad that you are alright but some consequence should have been dealt to the individual that did this

 

[DarkRose]

You did right.
He should have been escorted out and banned by the promoter.
Glad you are OK.

KWL

I'd go with this at a minimum.

A large friend having a conversation with him out back in the parking lot wouldn't be out of order either methinks...

But that's just me.

 

[Knife Lady]

Of course I have thought about if this guy shows up at another show. I will simply tell him not touch any of our knives and to walk away form our tables. If he does not do that then hopefully the promoter of that show will take action. If not I will always continue to defend myself anytime and anywhere. I have to. Trust me I will never forget this guy and what he looks like. All I can do is pray that this will never happen again to me or to anyone else and yes I do think this guy has some mental issues for sure which can make him very unsafe to the public. Lesson learned for me that you just never know what anyone can say or do to you anywhere and anytime and never let your guard down never and you are never completely safe anywhere. I never even remotely thought anything like this would ever happen. Accidents with guns being fired but never with one a maniac using of my own knives against me.

 

[JetGirl]

What a horrible position to be put in. Yay to the "man" who stepped up instead of backing away.
You did what you felt you had to do and would have been justified if things went further.
I don't think just a plain "what?" would have come out of my mouth (you were probably way more of a lady than I'd have been)... but you were entirely within your rights of self preservation to have that weapon in your hand.
Do you have to leave it in your purse? Or can you have it on your person?...because that seemed like a lot of messing around to get to it. What if that loony wouldn't have asked, but just acted? This was no "joke"...

 

[Knife Lady]

Facing a knife at contact distance is more of a combatives problem than an ECQC shooting problem. The knife normally wins or at best you may "tie". I don't say this to sound unfeeling to your situation, but if you rely on a gun as your only means of defense, there will be times when the gun is not the best answer.

Could you have maneuvered to put more distance or more objects between you and him? That may have bought you more time or a bit more of a reactionary gap.

You are absolutely correct and I should have put more distance between us for my safety and I know this now but again all I kept thinking was I have to protect myself and I am all alone to do this since the door guy backed off and was no help so I pulled my gun. My attention was only on this man and noone else. But yes hind sight I should have just left my tables and yelled at this guy to make a scene to leave my tables.

 

[redneckmedic]

Facing a knife at contact distance is more of a combatives problem than an ECQC shooting problem. The knife normally wins or at best you may "tie". I don't say this to sound unfeeling to your situation, but if you rely on a gun as your only means of defense, there will be times when the gun is not the best answer.

Could you have maneuvered to put more distance or more objects between you and him? That may have bought you more time or a bit more of a reactionary gap.

Clearly I'm not a hand to hand specialist, but this is what I was thinking. There is a reason they teach the 22' rule. Distance, and objects would have been my goal, then maybe numbers and a bigger knife

 

[Knife Lady]

All gun shows do not allow any loaded weapons in the building except from security so I was actually breaking the rules of that promoter but ask me if I care . No I dont. There was not any security there except for the promoter I guess who I dont know if he is always armed or not and right then I was not going to wait and find out.

 

[Shay]

All gun shows do not allow any loaded weapons in the building except from security so I was actually breaking the rules of that promoter but ask me if I care . No I dont. There was not any security there except for the promoter I guess who I dont know if he is always armed or not and right then I was not going to wait and find out.

Good for you for ignoring the rule that prevents you from defending yourself.

You can't count on others to come to help you. This situation should make that perfectly clear.

All things considered, you did well and you are here to tell the story.

 

[PatriotPride]

What show was this?