Gas station awareness?

[p35]

The other night about 1:45 AM, I was on the way back from taking the dog to the vet ER (long story) and stopped for gas. As I was pumping, I heard someone say "hey, man". Turned around and there was some gang banger type (loose basketball style clothes, etc) 4 feet from me. I suddenly realize that the P35 is on the front seat on the other side of the car. The guy just asked for directions to an all night diner where he was meeting someone and left.

I guess the point is that trouble happens when you're not expecting it, and my mind was definitely elsewhere at the time. Also, some people just like to dress like dangerous types, even when they aren't looking for trouble, and even real gang bangers aren't necessarily looking for hassles with strangers. Just bothers me that I was caught spacing off.

 

[JamisJockey]

Always expect trouble. However, there are times when you should really be more aware. Gas stations and other such establishments late at night are actually dangerous places. A gas station in particular, is chosen as a business for its access to well traveled roads. This gives the criminal alot of options for escape. Your freshly fueled vehicle is a great opportunity for the carjacker. That time of the morning, not alot of people, especially those without ill intentions, are out and about.
I'm not into all the color coded conditions. There are times when I'm more aware and catuious, and 145am is certainly one of them!

 

[Car Knocker]

That's one of the main limitations of off-body carry.

 

[Mannlicher]

situational awarness has to be a way of life, or all of this stuff about self defense and CCW is just rhetoric.

 

[Waitone]

4 feets is entirely to close for me to accept the goblin was only interested in directions.

I never pump gas without it.

 

[El Tejon]

Two extremely vaulable lessons here:

1. The first principle of self-defense is AWARENESS.

2. Pistols belong in holsters on our bodies.

Glad you are O.K. and hope your dog is on the way to recovery.

 

[4570Rick]

Being armed is only half of the solution. Thinking on your feet is important also. You were pumping gas? Think for just a moment....What have you got at hand? I worked at a service station for several years. I started out working the graveyard shift and yes, I have been robed. It's no fricken fun. So I started thinking. After the robbery, any time anyone walked up to me while I was pumping gas, I'd stop pumping, pull out the handle, turn and face the the the person with a smile on my face and an air of nonchalonce, fully prepared to hose him/her down...one spark from becoming a roman candle. One night a coustomer drove in and struck up a conversation. Soon we were talking about guns, and he wanted to show me his shotgun. After 60 seconds and violating every safe gun handling rule in the book, I said with a smile on my face, "Just a second." I turned around, grabed the pump nozzle, turned the pump on, and turned back to see the idiot loading the shotgun. I leaned into the pasenger side window, cleared my throat, and when he looked up at me, I gave him about $.20 worth of free gas and told him if he pulled the trigger, the muzzle blast would turn his car into a blazing inferno. He threw the gun in the back seat and drove out of the station like the gas in his lap was giving him a rash.

Remember, no mater how well armed you are, your best weapon is the one between your ears.

 

[cratz2]

I just don't leave guns in my car as opposed to on my person. Perhaps if I carried a 686 or a full sized 1911 all the time, I'd be more inclined to remove it for longer trips but I always keep my (two defensive) guns on my person.

I agree that gas stations and generally anywhere after 9pm are elevated danger situations (Orange, perhaps? ) and one should always be on top alert. At a gas station, I'd be more worried about sparking an explosion than with shooting an agressor. One situation I'd definately be more inclined to run several feet away before shooting.

 

[Bob F.]

Rick: EXCELLENT!
Gun in the car, out of reach---more useless than a paperweight. At least you could bash him w/ a paperweight. On the other hand, happens to most (all) of us whether we admit it or not. Glad you're OK, learn from it!
Stay safe!
Bob

 

[Logistar]

I always remove the keys from my car anytime I exit it. I will have weapon on me (somewhere) when I get out of my car.

Anytime you leave your car, you are going somewhere... I mean... whether to pump gas.... enter your house... etc. These are places that BGs might just strike.

Of course there was the one time where I placed a coat rack near the entrance to the garage and hung some jackets on it. When I returned to my empty dark house late that night I put my car in the garage as usual (attached garage). But when I opened to door to go inside I saw this "figure" standing right there! Naturally, I went for the weapon and the light... only to find my heart beating at about 200 BPM while aiming at an innocent coat rack.

While the "coat rack" might have gotten the drop on me , at least I felt good that I had a good, quick, presentation and I properly identified the target while keeping my finger out of the triggerguard.

"But officer, I THOUGHT the coat rack had a weapon when I pulled the trigger!"

 

[P95Carry]

A useful and probably salutary lesson maybe. On body - on body - on body ....... no where else quite works!

Per my sig - added from dave3006 mentioning ... ''people don't make appointments for emergencies!!''

Plus .... ''expext the unexpected'', and ''don't assume''.