I've had one customer, so I'm bored. My current read can't hold my interest, so I've taken out my carry piece and have it field stripped for a good clean and scrub. This morning I switched my carry from the Para .45 to a Glock 27 in .40 with its small of the back Galco. I'm weird this way...but I believe it a good practice to switch out your carry pieces now and again if for nothing else to familiarize yourself with all your safe-queens.
My hands smell of Break Free. Keyboard is sticky. Rambling, aren't I.
Last September he was here in the shop along with another friend of mine, Pirate Jim, when a critter (democrat) stuck his head in my door demanding cash. Long story short, within seconds the critter had three handguns pointed at his nose, and I, in a very loud voice, suggested he (the critter) should leave my property if he wanted to live. (I make light of the situation now, but trust me, at the time it was kinda intense.) Now, here's the funny part. After we drew our weapons, all in condition one, and had clear fire on said critter, the critter looked me straight in the face and said, "Well, ya'll be gots guns, huh. Well, mothafuck*rs, so do I."
The critter then proceeds to lift his shirt tail and takes a black semi-auto democritter brand piece from his pants. The handgun had been wrapped with black electrical tape. Extended magazine stuck out of the grip. I, as calm as possible, suggested if he lifted or moved the firearm, I'd kill him dead right there....I meant it.
Really, he said that....
The critter's eyes were jittery, so I suppose he was as high as a kite. Anyway, here this dumbass was with three handguns pointed at him; my old friend the retired cop with a fine vintage .38 wheel gun, and Pirate Jim with his little carry piece and me with a Beretta 92FS, and he still insisted I give him cash.
I had locked my vision on his hands and had my trigger finger firmly snug. In as loud of a voice as I could possibly generate told him in no uncertain terms if he moved his hands I'd shoot. The old cop gently waggled his piece, Pirate Jim the same....we were seconds from gunfire when I yelled, "Look around you, dumbass. (Paraphrasing here.) If you move you are dead."
The critter did take a moment to look around. He cut his eyes right and left then ever so slowly returned his gang piece back into his pants and stepped back. He reached to open the door. Just as his hand closed on the doorknob he decided he had to 'get back his respect,' and said, "Hey, motherfuck*r, you gots to be closed sometime tonight." I don't really remember what I replied but the old cop said I told him I'd be right here if he wanted to return. Whew....
Now I'm gonna be honest with you, my friends. I did not want to shoot the critter. As a matter of fact, like I've mentioned, I must have thanked the good Lord Jesus a hundred times on the drive home. I'm aware many of you would have fired. I understand. I had every legal right to put this man down but held fire. (I was later told by two U. S. marshals, friends and longtime customers of mine, I should have done them a favor and shot the sucker, but they understood why I held back. They also said if I'd of called the local police it would have been a waste of my time. I agreed on that point.) They asked me for a description of the critter and I gave it over. Asked why and they said they'd find the sucker if it took 'em a year. I believe them. Dwayne and Mike are my kinda people.
Sorry...off track. Anyway.
Try if possible to imagine the rest of my evening if I had indeed put the critter on the ground. My group was due any moment for our monthly meeting - can you picture a load of cops as they stroll into my business and find several armed men and a dead body taking space on my shop floor...yeah, neither can I.
If I'd indeed killed the critter, the police would have found a dead body covered in blood on my nice carpet, which instantly requires them confiscate my carry piece. Then we'd have television coverage (Oh, that would have been wonderful for business.) then, me, taken into custody for a question and answer session with a night in a holding cell. Yeah, right. Think Zimmerman.
I'd like to believe it was my age, compassion, and maturity (chuckle) that saved this young man's life. He was lucky. If he had moved his hand I would have fired. This morning my old cop friend said he was surprised I didn't drop the man. Then, he said, "But Stephen, you did the right thing."
So please remember the unintended consequences the next time you find yourself about to pull the trigger on your firearm. Sure, I would have walked, after all we have Stand Your Ground here in Florida, but my actions would have haunted me for the rest of my life. Do protect yourself. Do take the shot if you feel your life is in danger....but take a moment (Trust me, a zillion thoughts will cross your mind as you pull your weapon.) and think about what happens one second after.
By the grace of God I've escaped three such encounters over the last few years. I'd like to think an angel rides my shoulder.
Take care.
Stephen
Hell ya you did the right thing. White Men can't even shoot a member of a minority group when they are breaking into their own homes these days. Even if you beat the criminal wrap it'll cost ya after the collective funds and the feds get involved in the civil suit. You always hear that phrase never draw your weapon unless you mean to fire it, but when they made that line up they weren't living under the Lawsuit Multi-Cult religious crusade either.
ReplyDeleteThanks, my friend. It wasn't a black or white thing with me. It was the collateral damage on my mind. If you get my drift. Lawsuits but one, news coverage, and my peace of mind. But, when push comes to shove, well, you never know until you are there.
DeleteToo many wanna-be Rambos and Punishers out there, who think a carry piece makes them invincible. Thank you thank you thank you for reminding us of the reality - and the aftermath.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteI have never been in that position. I hope I never am. But if that time should come, I hope and pray that I remember the words you have written today, and the common sense behind those words.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope you never need make such a decision. Thank you, my friend.
DeleteYou're very level headed in a crisis. I hope I am never in that situation. Thanks for the reminder that I have to prepare physically AND mentally for all situations.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be ready, if and when, I'm sure. I wasn't so much 'level headed' as I was in a mood of damage control. Like my good friend, Rev. Paul, said...so many Rambo's willing until that moment appears. Thanks, my lovely friend.
DeleteAll I can say is that if the guy is in the newspaper next week for killing a convenience store clerk you're likely going to have some regrets. Your call to make, though.
ReplyDeletePossibly. But that's life.
DeleteYou know I don't know anything about guns, but I got a thrill from reading this missive. All 3 of you handled it sanely. Now a question. When you get your concealed weapon permit, does it state what weapon you are concealing? In other words, do you need a permit for each gun you have?
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you for the kind comment. In answer to your question your concealed weapons license covers all your handguns. Here in Florida it is a license, not a permit. It covers all weapons. Knives, clubs, pepper spray, and firearms. I strongly recommend all mature adults take your state's course and apply for your license. Here, veterans are exempt from the state course. Their DD214 is all that is required. Felons need not apply. The carry of a weapon comes with a great deal of responsibility. Weapon selection is a personal matter. Training, I feel, is required. It could very well save your life. Take care, and thank you.
DeleteIf you'd had to make that shot, there would have been no doubt it was the right decision.
ReplyDeleteMore than likely, when the critter metabolized his courage, he crapped his pants.
Jess, he was a tad stinky. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteAfter reading this a second time, it dawned on me, had you had to defend yourself against this fellow, and the state decided to prosecute, wouldn't you be looking at the very same horrible evil woman that prosecuted Zimmerman?
ReplyDeleteThat certainly would be an unintended consequence.
Yes, her name is Angela Corey. I know the lady. During her first election for district attorney she came by the shop to ask for help, votes. Gave me a couple of shirts for my wife then took a seat and proceeded to lie to my face. She said she'd never damage the Second Amendment. I don't like her. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteYou did the right thing & probably saved your self thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars in lawyer fees for even a justified shooting like this one would have been. Unfortunately the lawyers have created this thing called a civil suit. Even if it a forgone conclusion that you will win, you will lose time and money. Only the lawyers will come out ahead.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Muddy. I just wanted to drive home to the wife and relax. Thankfully I succeeded. Thank you, my friend.
DeleteYou and yours prevailed without a shot being fired. To me that is textbook self defense. You got to go home that night. Good on you and your friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my good friend. When he left I let out my huge sigh of relief.
DeleteWhoa. Wow. I just read this to hubby. Wow. Quite an experience . .and wonderfully told by a truly decent man.
ReplyDeleteAh, shucks. Thank you, Dear Lady.
DeleteI've thought about this and thought about this. One thing I wonder is if having others also armed would have changed my reaction. Or if being there to actually see his body language would have. In abstract I think I would have fired when he pulled the gun because at that moment I would have felt the danger had become absolutely life threatening. But that's in abstract, with no situational variables present.
ReplyDeletePH, you asked 'if having others armed would have changed 'your' reaction.' Yes, I think so...and no. Confusing isn't it. Here's the thing - I knew my friends were armed but at the time I didn't have time to think about it. Matter of fact I wasn't even aware my friend Jim had pulled his piece until, from the corner of my eye, I say him waggle the weapon at the critter, a very young man...the old timer did the same. When the critter pulled his piece from his pants he held it down. Never moved it which, by the way, is why he's alive today. My eyes never left his hands. I'm sure my yells (demands) could be heard across the street. I too believe he was very aware he'd just stepped into a world of (pardon my expression) of shit, and if he moved he was a dead man. I'm fairly certain you would have fired because it is often instinctive to men, like us, of certain character. My reaction to his aggressive move was based on the fact he froze in place. So yes, it's abstract. There are always variables.
Delete