Posted: 3/10/2005 3:23:26 PM EDT
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Today my brother asked me if I could pick up my niece at school and I never turn down a chance to spend time with her so I did. I have a 2 door car and when I take my niece to the Mc Donald’s playground or anyplace she sits in the back seat. When we got the Mc Donald’s I parked the car, for some reason she never seems to get the seat belt off or on and I always have to help her get in and out, she always gets in and out from my side. Well when she was finished playing at the play ground she asked me to get her a happy meal, so I get her the meal and as I paid for it she wanted me to give me a hug and a kiss, like an uncle passes that up. Well as she hugged me she would not let go and said carry me, this is not easy with my back but I love her so much what is extra pain, besides I love holding her. Well I did not have a chance to put my money in my pocket or could reach them with a happy meal and her in my arms, when we reached the car I said ok go in the back and sit and lets get your seatbelt on so you can have your meal. Well when she got in the car I got in the car and put the meal and change on the passenger seat, I did not close the door right away. I turned around to help my niece and to give her meal, when I was done I put the change in the cup holder and when she was in the seat I gave her the meal, when I turn around I see this man standing in the door, I could not close the door with him in the was or move the car with out taking him with me, now I was startled and instantly start to reach for my gun because I have no idea what going on or what this man is going to try or do to me, I did not like the strange man standing in my door preventing me for leaving. My gun is in my holster on my hip, so I unsnap it put my hand on it, the man says can you spare some change, I said man come on get away from my car and please leave me alone. He said I would appreciate anything you can spare and said he’s just really down on his luck, so like an idiot I gave him the lose change from the happy meal, it was like $0.35 or so, he looks at it and said what the F--- can I do with this. Now I am really feeling uneasy and thinking he not leaving or going to leave and he’s probably going to do something stupid, so now I take my gun out of the holster and I put it aside my right leg and I look the guy dead in his face and said, look I am going to tell you this once, you are making feel uncomfortable and you are scaring my daughter and if you do not back away from the car you are going to get hurt. Luckily for him he backed away, if he did not leave I would have shot him. If I pulled out my gun and said that would I gotten in trouble? If I shot him would I gotten in trouble? What would you have done? Has anyone had anything similar happen to then with panhandler getting over aggressive? homas"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve to encourage rather than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." |
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Yeah, I went to school in Berkeley, and they've got some real pushy panhandlers there. Here's my worst experience with them: I was eating at a southside restaurant with my gf, like we did nearly every class day for dinner. It was a small chinese place, run by an elderly Taiwanese couple. It was the two of us, one other customer (white female student), and the owners, near closing time (8pm). Raggedy-ass looking bum ambles in, asks the girl for some change, which she gives him. This gets a comment (in chinese) from my gf, about the nerve the guy has COMING INTO an establishment to panhandle. I keep a wary eye on him. Dirtbag then goes to the counter, and asks the owners for some change, the response to which is that they "no speak english." Alarm bells are going off in my head, since I know we're next. I shoot a glance at my GF, who gives me a wink. Dirtbag comes over to our table, which is next to a large open window. "Got some change?" My GF chimes in "Sorry.... no change." Dirtbag eyeballs me, and I just stare straight back, saying nothing. He starts yelling. "You f*cking chinks are all the same! F*ckin cheapskates!" But instead of turning and walking out, he stands there, cursing at me. I just ignored him, took another bite of food, but kept him in the corner of my field of view. Then, he spit on me. I doubt it was deliberate, since he was still cursing, just starting to foam at the mouth, but it got on me. I stood up, and in a very firm but even tone of voice, asked him to leave. "Fuck you, you fucking chink!" And with that, he tried taking a swing at me. I ended up throwing him (yes, THROWING him) out the open window onto the sidewalk. |
"That's the thing, he wasn't just standing there officer. He was yelling and cussing at me and just before I shot him he pull that knife on me. That one right there that I didn't put in his hand." |
WoW you really are a a ninja 
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So, Mauser101, you would kill a man just for standing in the way of your car door? |
I'd kill a man for disagreeing with me on the interweb. 
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OC spray is your friend. At worst, it is considered on the level of throwing a punch at someone, at least in the State of Arizona. Check your local listings. I've had a couple run ins with these fuckers until I learned how to dress. Now they won't even look me in the eyes. I had one piece of shit come up to me and ask me if I had any cash or credit cards as I was walking into a book store. I instantly got irate and yelled, "Motherfucker, get the fuck out of my face." I threw my shirt back and put my hand on my gun. His tune changed instantly. "Be cool man, I just need some money to eat with." This guy was attempting to strong arm me into handing over my wallet to prevent injury to me. He then took off. I called the police and they located the bum down the road. They ran his record and found he had warrants for assault. Never back down from these bastards. The bitches are the worst. This whore probably weighed in at about 165 lbs, and she comes up to me and tells me some sob story about how she hasn't eaten in weeks, and needs some money. I'm trying to eat some taco smell in the park with my g/f at the time. They don't take the hint to take a fucking hike. Then get pissed off at you when you don't want to deal with their bullshit. Every church on earth hands out food and clothing to these bums. They probably eat better then you do. All they want is money for alcohol, drugs and cigarettes. Around X-mas time a few years ago there was a certain bum that looked like your typical convict. He'd hit up people as they entered and departed a Wallgreens store. I'd seen him a few days in a row, and for some reason the police hadn't been called to have him removed for soliciting. This SOB wouldn't even look me in the eyes when my wife and I entered and left. Come to find out a few days later, this guy assaulted some woman loading x-mas presents into her car. These people are scum. I would say about 80% of them are on the run from the law. The rest are just lazy motherfuckers or retarded. Mostly they're people who skipped out on child support and owe 60 grand. Be very careful of the ones that show up around your neighborhood and try to paint your street address on your curb. They're simply scouting your neighborhood. I can't imagine one spitting on me or a member of my family. You just can't cause enough pain to get even with something like that.  -Steve |
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I have never pulled a gun on a pan handler, but I did pull my benchmade once. They got a little too close for my comfort...and I flicked out my blade (nice one handed operation) Didnt threaten the guy with it.....just casually started cleaning my finger nails with it....when the guy watched this he backed off and said "never mind, I can see you're busy" He walked away....I laughed. |
Ohh, scary. With those glowing eye-thingys I will be able to pick you off from a long ways away. |
good story  you should have went outside and finished the fight |
at that point I would have tryed to push him back and got out and pointed it at him and told him to leave. keep in my i have 4 disc out in my back and 2 in my neck. All I did was prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I felt if I did not get the gun out and free it and he pulled a knife or said he had a gun or pointed one at me and said I am taking the car I would have been able to react as I was getting out or before I allowed him to my niece, and that is unacceptable. The problem was I was Distracted and did not pay attention to my surroundings because of her loving mood and if she was not in that mood that would never had happened. I guess he just freaked me out, I had no idea what he wanted or was capable of. |
To answer your questions in order: 1. Yes 2. Yes 3. Called the po-po on my cell phone 4. No Welcome  Enjoy AR15.com
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I am glad we both have a decent grasp of sarcasm and dry humor. Incidentally, I used to get hit up by panhandlers every time I went to the grocery store where I used to live. It wasn't the best of neighborhoods. The first time I went there a bum asked for a buck so he could get something to eat in the store. I foolishly gave a guy a buck and as I left the store with my groceries 20min or so later I saw him across the street at the liquor store drinking a Mickey's. From then on if they actually had a story "Haven't eaten in days" "Need some food for my kids" I would tell them to hang on for a few minutes as I didn't have any change on me. I'd go shop for my groceries and pick up one of those premade club sandwiches you get in the deli section of the store. As I left I'd give them the sandwich. Sometimes they were very thankful and tore into the sandwich. More often than not they looked unhappy with my charity. Sometimes I got lucky and they had already got a few bucks together and went to the liquor store to buy their malted beverage, as such I was up a sammich. It was kindof a game I played with myself to see if they would stick around or not. I have never met a homeless person/beggar who looked poorly fed. When I go down town, one of my buddies prefers to ask the panhanlders for change before they ask him. 
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Good job then, I would have done the same thing! You done good. |
You are right, you take a good approach on the issue. A few months ago I was at an Arby's on Colfax(unfriendly street) in Denver. and there was this big bum standing in the door when you walk in, obviously on something, and is in my face asking for some food. I was ok with getting him grub, but his body language was not the 'please help me' but 'im gonna cut you!' That was when I said no to his requests. My buddy offered to get him some fries in exchange for letting us through the door, and Arby's then called the cops and he left. I agree with your food not cash approach to the issue mauser101. |
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First I never want to shoot anyone nor was trying to condone shooting anyone, but my reaction was one out of fear. Let me say this, I fell some people think ok this is nothing and then it turns in to a fight for your life and that can get you killed because you thought its nothing. I believe people either over react to a situation or under react. Let me ask this, how fast does it take to change a situation from a friendly one to life and death situation? I bet we all can agree in a blink on and eye. I live in Georgia the second most dangerous state in the US. Car Violent crimes are big in Georgia. Here’s the blink, A person walks over to and says; can you tell me the time and you feel ok they just want the time and as you look down to seethe time, next thing you know it’s give me the watch and your wallet. Another Blink, Do you have a dollar sir I am (whatever you want) and you feel bad and pull out some money and let’s say its tow dollars and they think its more, now its give me your money. Another Blink, You pull up in a gas station, as you fill up your car a person says can you tell me where this is and you feel that all they want and you let them closer, now its give me the keys to your car and your money. This is not uncommon it Georgia. I am not saying I think like that all the time but it’s in my mind, when my niece or nephew are with me I get very protective, I never usually let my guard down when I am around them, but she was in such a loving mood giving me hugs and kisses and what person is not or would not be distracted by that, I guess I am a total sucker for her kisses and hugs. I am positive any parent or grand parent or aunt or uncle would not be distracted by their kids or grandkids or nieces and nephews kisses and hugs or is it just me? Don’t think that means I pull a gun on hundreds of people or afraid of everyone because this is the first time in 12 years of carrying a gun I hade pulled it out like that or felt the need to. I am a firm believer in better to be judged by 12 then carried buy 6. If it was just me and the bum, well that’s one thing and like I said before I have 4 disc out in my back and 2 in my neck, so for me to get in a fight can be worse for me than most. Also keep in mind this person had my niece and I blocked in my car and in a position where I had no way to move, I could not close the door he was in the way, I could not start the car and leave because he was in my way. In my opinion I had no other options than to do be ready for some bad crap and get my gun out and ready. If the car moved in any way I would have hurt him anyway and I bet the door would have got take off because their was a car next to me. I was thinking well this is going to be bad no matter what, if I do have to shot him she’s going too be freaked out by the gun shot and traumatizes by seeing a dead person, If I move the car and she hears metal crunching and sees a man screaming and go flying, she might be traumatized by that. Tell you the truth, I had no idea what would have happened next and was thing how am I going to get out of this. The next thing I bet would have been defiantly aiming the gun at his head (by the way I cheat I have a laser on my glock) hoping that would have scared him off and worked. If I pointed it as his head and put the dot between his eyes and he continued towards me, well he would have missed Christmas. See you are not talking about just me and my car, whatever I got insurance take it crash it set it on fire for all I care. We are talking about my niece’s life or allowing him being able to hurt her and there is nothing that could reverse that or replace a child’s innocents and I can not allow or except that. How would you ever forgive yourself for allowing it to happen, I know I could not. I know my brother or sister in law would not forgive me. I know if they let me take her anyplace and I did not return with their daughter alive, well let’s just I would have to move in with bin laden. I think I would call from the road when I was like 500 miles away. I love my niece and nephew so much I would do anything in this world for them and if it ever meant me or them, well it’s my time to go. I could not allow my niece or nephew to be at the mercy of my attacker. Now this is Georgia law. I did some research on this. Georgia law states; A person doesn't have to have a weapon for it to be a robbery: 16-8-40. (a) A person commits the offense of robbery when, with intent to commit theft, he takes property of another from the person or the immediate presence of another: (1) By use of force; (2) By intimidation, by the use of threat or coercion, or by placing such person in fear of immediate serious bodily injury to himself or to another; or (3) By sudden snatching. (Armed robbery is another offense (16-8-41)). As far as brandishing a gun towards the perp: 16-3-21. (a) A person is justified in threatening or using force against another when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes that such threat or force is necessary to defend himself or herself or a third person against such others imminent use of unlawful force; however, except as provided in Code Section 16-3-23, a person is justified in using force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury to himself or herself or a third person or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony. |
Actually you can, at least in Texas for arson, burglary, robbery, theft or criminal mischief during the night time. Not that I would advise such actions unless threatened with bodily harm, but those reasons are listed in the Texas Penal Code. |
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This Saturday I am taking my niece to see the Harlem globetrotters at Phillips arena, I can not wait to go. I got two tickets on the globetrotter’s side is right at the end of the team bench, I guess right about the free throw line area. Well anyhow we are in the front row or court side I guess, I don’t know anything about basketball or even like it but this is not real basketball and the seats are located right behind them. I hope one of these jokers during warm ups take her and show her a trick or tow and then during the game throw something to my niece or at her, I bet she would love it and go wild and make her day, mine to. I think she will go wild for all the tricks and funny things they do, if she gets picked I bet she will go wild and drive my brother and sister-in-law nuts for a few day and break a few lamps around the house, then that will make me really happy and be the best money spent. Revenge is best when I don’t even do it, my brother drive me nuts and did so when we grew up, so making his kid go nuts and then leaving him to deal with it is revenge. They usually do a great job entertaining and love kids, so I hope this works out well. I wish my nephew was only enough to sit in on spot and understand it, he’s only two. But have the next time or in a few years when they return maybe I can take them both and get the same seats again. I would not mind meeting the globetrotters myself and think I would have a blast by myself, however that’s never really any fun and beside that I am looking forward to spending time with her. This is either going to be well spent money or a disaster. My brother has offered to take the ticks off my hands for three times what I paid for it, I think he wants to go with her because he knows she’s going to love it and have the time of her life. Giving her a time of her life will be fun for uncle. |
This might be considered an over-reaction: I was in a bank parking lot (it was only a bank - not a mini-mall and there were no other shops) and I had just hit the ATM one afternoon for some cash. I walked over to my truck and got in, and only looked down for a few seconds as I fumbled with my wallet and keys. I hadn't even gotten the key into the ignition when all of a sudden there's a face poking in through my driver-side window! My 4" S&W 686 came out of the center console with a speed that even surpised me, and the muzzle ended up literally touching this guy's nose. His eyes got REAL WIDE and he starts crying and babbling about how he just was asking for some change. I couldn't see his hands, so I held my .357 up to his face and screamed "GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME, ASSHOLE!!!" He back-pedaled (and I think he actually pissed his pants), crying and screaming the whole time. I covered him until he turned and ran down the street. Now, I 've run into panhandlers many times in the past. But as far as I'm concerened, the one place where you DO NOT approach strangers and start asking them for money is at the ATM. |
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I had pretty much the same thing happen. And yes QS it was my own fault for not being more aware. I am guilty of that a little to much. I had gone into the 7-11 to get a diet pepsi, had the change in my coat pocket, climbed into the tahoe (Yes climbed as it sits higher) and when I reached to get my door there stands a woman inbetween the door and me. This wasn't much room since there was a car beside me. MrGH had his hand on his weapon and I was none to happy. The lady asked for some spare change. I reached into my pocket without thinking and pulled a buck from the change I had, she took it and walked off. MrGH watched her as I drove off and he said she started to get pretty beligerent with another customer walking into the store because they wouldn't give her any change. I will learn eventually not to zone like I did. Hopefully not before it is to late. |
It is VERY easy to let someone get close to you while getting a child into a car, or especially into a carseat. If the child does not want to get in, it makes it much worse. I've started to make a point of looking around well before getting my girls into their carseats, and take breaks to look around while I am doing so. Getting a child into a carseat is just somethng that is a pain to do, distracting, and leaves you in a vulnerable position. I had an experience a little less confrontational than ighils' that really got my attention. |
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Here is my take on bums and I have known a lot of them. When they come up to you they are sizing you up to see how much they think they can get from you. They are streetwise and will not get aggressive with people they think will kick their ass. The only way to handle them is to be aggressive to them right off. Never say "Please", "Sir", or anything like that to them. I like "Get the fuck away from me". Remember, the street guy counts on your middle class upbringing to work in his favor. Your politeness, fear of getting in trouble, unaccustomness to physical confrontations, etc is what he counts on. Pepper spray is great, but the fact is it is hard to carry without some kind of special holder unless you are a woman and have it in your purse. In my experience the best thing is either brass knuckles or a blackjack. These just go in your pocket. I know they are illegal, but grow up. If you stick around til the cops come just make sure you have gotten rid of whatever. Personally, it is my policy to always leave before the cops come. I will say you can really hurt somebody with a blackjack or knuckles if you don't watch out. Just hit them enough to knock them down. Then go. I have never had to really whip a bums ass since I quit working at a liquor store in a bad part of town and that was many years ago. Now, I see bums before they see me and they won't say a word to me. Just make it clear to them all they are going to get from you is a hard time or an ass whooping. It's just jailhouse bullshit. |
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I almost shot a tard at the supermarket. This ~20ish guy was staring at us like he was going to jump us or was psyching up in the checkout area (looking back it was a tard stare, but how can you tell the difference). When we got outside he was coming up behind us fast and my friend Mr Taurus was about to do his thing when his dad called the tard off. You can't tell, and that is too bad. |