Was threatened last night...what would you do?

[Jwar]

So last night I went to a local firework show, great show by the way. Afterwards, my wife, two kids and I went back to our vehicle. The parking lots (I say lots because the place we went if fucking MASSIVE) were at a stand still for an hour. People were getting tired of waiting. I literally sat in the exact same spot for 1 hour. Pretty shitty. There was a woman in a Dodge Charger trying to bully her way in front of me by constantly pulling forward towards my car. So much so that if she pulled forward another foot, she would have been touching my drivers side door. I had my window down, and ask her "Are you planning on hitting me with your car?" To which she responds "Maybe". This pissed me off. I asked "Can't you just wait?" She then exits her vehicle in and yells "What the fuck did you just say to me?" I repeated myself saying "I said can't you just wait?" She tells me that she's not going to hit my piece of shit car and that she's driving an '09 Charger. She says several other things about my car and all the while is still standing outside of hers. I drive a 2005 Impala btw, not a shitty car. Plus I paid cash for it...so..not really sure why she thought my car was a piece. Anyway, I tell her to just shut the fuck up, and she then tells me she is strapped. She I've got a gun in my trunk and actually starts moving towards her trunk. I at this point don't know what to do. My wife is next to me calling the woman a fucking stupid bitch (which wasn't helping the situation), and I've got my kids with me. I ask her "do I need to call the fucking police or something?" The woman tells me to go ahead and call the fucking police, that she doesn't give a fuck. She is now at the back of her car trying to open her trunk. I could not believe what was happening. Luckily there was an opening in the cars at just the right time, and I was able to pull out of the parking lot. I looked back and she was two or three cars behind me. She was trying to follow me. To do what? Not sure. She could have been bluffing, she could have been armed...I don't know. I informed the police who were helping direct traffic, and they told me they'd take care of it.

So now I'm spooked. I was in the middle of Overland Park, KS, which is a really safe area generally, and I was almost put into a situation in which my family could have been hurt. I am greatly considering getting my conceal and carry license at this point, but don't want to feel like I'm overreacting. How could the situation become so bad from something so fucking stupid? This person was willing to shoot me over nothing! What would you do? Do any of you carry? Has anything like this every happened to you? I'm looking for advice here...

[devnulljp]

And a gun battle over this would have been worth it?

[Jwar]

And a gun battle over this would have been worth it?

Absolutely not. I just don't know what to do. I don't want to be in a situation where I can't defend myself.

[the_necropolitan]

Stupid people like this are the exact reason why conceal & carry is a good idea. Keep in mind that she took it to the next level with a very specific threat. She clearly showed no regard for you or your loved ones. I definitely think a gun battle should have been the last resort, but if you'd been carrying you could've indicated that you also have a weapon, showed it to her, and told her to get back in her car unless she wanted to eat lead. Is that shitty? Sure is...but I'd rather be a shitty living person than a shitty dead one, and as far as my family is concerned, the only way anyone is going to hurt any member of my family is over my dead body. Just my two cents.

[eatyourguitar]

in some states you could have run her over with the car and claimed self defense as soon as she indicated that she was going to kill you and that she had the means to do so. you have more patients than me. I would have got out of my car quick and walked right up to her to tell her that its too bad the gun is in the trunk. be all intimidating and shit then let her hit you or she can get back in her car. she's not going to use both of her hands to open the trunk when your in arms reach of her gun. as soon as this person threatens to kill you and or your family just for asking her a QUESTION, I definitely think you have the right to get out of your car and defend your family before your the one sitting down and getting victimized. this kind of shit happens all the time in new jersey traffic. people have died over it. its best to just not make eye contact and win by not letting people cut you off in the first place. NJ/NY drivers are about 5 inches apart in 5mph traffic. thats just how it is or you would loose your spot %100 of the time. but thats normal and they just want to cut you off. fighting doesnt get you to work on time.

[Derelict78]

When I am in a state that allows me to I carry because of shit like this. I don't want to kill anyone but if my family or my life is threatened I will. Just be careful with great power comes great responsibility.

[Haki]

Go have a chat with the police. They're the experts in this and best qualified to help you deal. Go in person and don't settle for a desk cop, bigger station the better. Explain what happened, how it has spooked you and ask them about your options. Especially what happens when you carry the gun and find yourself in a situation where you're no longer concealing it.

[eatyourguitar]

some cops will answer that question like they want you to do what they do. carry all the time on or off duty. others will say the textbook answer that is designed to minimize civilian on civilian violence-------->they will tell you that if you ever have a problem, call the police.<----------- most cops are paranoid that people are generally scumbag idiots. thats why they dont want everyone flashing guns and taking horrible shots they cant make. especially when they are assuming that people with new guns are too quick to escalate situations into violence where it would not normally escalate at all. the cop would much rather you get robbed or punched in the face than have you shoot someone. they are always looking out for public safety. good cops anyway. if you want to carry, just talk to a gun expert and get professional training and all the required permits. just cause you have a state permit, does not always mean your clear with the fed or the town. check first.

[jfrey]

Carrying for situations like this is not a great idea in my opinion. In general I am in favour of gun ownership - and I own a gun, although I don't keep it in Boston with me. But I think you need to have steady nerves, good reason, and training. You probably could have resolved the situation with ease if you smiled and made some defusing remarks. I have been in this type of situation before several times, and that's all it took. Next to that you could have used intimidation. People in general - men and women - are terrified of just about everything.

Yelling back - and your wife yelling as well - is the exact opposite of what you should have done. The last thing you want is for the other person to become hysterical.

[kbit]

The "Can't you just wait?" comment was probably unnecessary and led to setting off someone who clearly wasn't in a good mood or state of mind. & honestly the framing of your first question was a bit confrontational. If the lady was going to hit your car in a situation like that, you easily could have gotten insurance information or plate number orwhatever, and the cops were on the way out so you could have talked to them about it, as well.

Really, it just seemed like wrong place, wrong words, wrong time on everyone's part. I wouldn't find this type of situation as justification for a carry and conceal permit. Plus you can defend yourself without a gun. Thumbs in the eyes work well from my experience.

You probably could have resolved the situation with ease if you smiled and made some defusing remarks. I have been in this type of situation before several times, and that's all it took.

^Yep.
Although I wouldn't encourage intimidation with a person who was acting like this lady was.

[D.o.S.]

Punch a biddy in the titty.


Alternatively, you can eat something the way a turtle would. Conflict defused.

[univalve]

This Why i'm happy to live in Europe. Sorry, not a help but this case is just impossible here.

[eatyourguitar]

Carrying for situations like this is not a great idea in my opinion. In general I am in favour of gun ownership - and I own a gun, although I don't keep it in Boston with me. But I think you need to have steady nerves, good reason, and training. You probably could have resolved the situation with ease if you smiled and made some defusing remarks. I have been in this type of situation before several times, and that's all it took. Next to that you could have used intimidation. People in general - men and women - are terrified of just about everything.

Yelling back - and your wife yelling as well - is the exact opposite of what you should have done. The last thing you want is for the other person to become hysterical.

totally agree that it is better to be nice and talk your way out. you can usually ask people enough questions to confuse them and then they realize that your not challenging them for a fight you just have a valid concern in your eyes. you just have to sound sympathetic and concerned but in an honest and non-confrontational way. I have talked my way out of getting into knife fights, gun fights, muggings etc. sometimes you gotta intimidate or demonstrate your state of mind. if your from NYC its just in your blood what to do and when. sometimes you gotta run. you just learn it.

[unownunown]

how do you talk your way out of a mugging? i've totally never heard of that.

[tuffteef]

the issue is more why do u bitches have guns in ur trunk anyway
ive been nearly arrested over a flip comb that cops thought was a knife LOL
u can get arrested for a butter knife in ur backpack here
let alone a gat son dayumm