Incident at Car Wash

[TallPine]

People actually worsh cars...?????

I just hose the mud accumulation off the underside of the fenders a couple times a year.

I wonder if dirty cars/pickups ever get stolen?

 

[CalamityJane]

DIY carwashes can indeed be dangerous places. A friend of mine's brother was shot and killed at one a few years back; had gone to wash his brand new truck, some other creatures decided they wanted it. They were caught and prosecuted and are in prison but he is dead.

A couple of years ago I was using a carwash in a good part of town in the middle of the day with other people around, and a couple of guys pull up at the front of my bay and roll down the window and ask me if I wanted to buy some perfume. Yeah, right. I (this was before my entry into gun life) stopped right by my driver side door with the wand in my hand and told them to go away. They asked again and I said a little louder, go away and leave me alone. They did, but I was ready to fill that car with soapy water and jump into my car and back out.

Agree with springmom now, it's best to wash at home, or in one of those with a waiting room.

 

[mierda]

I am a troll, ignore me.

 

[B.D. Turner]

This incident was handled just fine. So many would have had a handgun in the seat or on the dash right where the guy could have grabbed it. If it had been me during hunting season he would have had an assortment of rifles and shotguns. The car wash for some reason brings out the good and bad in our society. People you have never seen in your life will be at a car wash.

Open carry could be a solution to head off problems if your state allows. Pepper spray works but is not legal everywhere. The big metal wand is limited on reach but would work if you were already washing the truck.
Being aware of what goes on around you and building a mental safety zone is a good start.

 

[Hemicuda]

Wouldn't that wash-wand make one HECKUVA weapon? (along with the heavy soap spray)

I'm with Biker on this too... if he'd have gotten INTO my truck uninvited, he'd have left needing that diaper (and a few more too)

 

[Snarlingiron]

Did you have a large folding knife with you? A 'tool' for opening boxes and cutting string probably wouldn't be frowned-upon at work and may be useful in any future incidents where a pistol may not be handy.

Cold Steel Recon 1 (plain clip point) is always in my hip pocket. I do not use it for opening boxes or other things. I keep a small pocket knife in my pocket for that stuff. If I ever have to use the Cold Steel, I want it to be at maximum sharpness (and it is wicked sharp).

 

[Jeff White]

mierda said,

you found him in your truck and you didn't beat the hell out of him? dude you are soft!

Where does the law permit you to dish out a beating as punishment for trespassing? No where in the US. Dude I hope you like jail.....

We don't advocate illegal actions on THR. If you can't abide by the rules, you might look for a forum that fits you better.

Jeff

 

[tnieto2004]

Not 100% sure where this could be found but in a law class I took years ago, I remember the professor saying something to the effect that a vehicle is an extension of your private property. This was in TX and I am not aware of laws elsewhere but he VIVIDLY described that if there was someone breaking into your car you had the right to stop him by force if necessary. I believe you acted properly and force should ALWAYS be the last resort. It was a scary situation and could have been a lot worst. At least you have learned a lot from it.

 

[last to know]

ask employer for a favor

My boss didn't let me carry untill i asked to put a pistol safe in the office. now i just lock it up when i get in and pick it up when i leave. other than that i carry at all times

 

[geekWithA.45]

IMO,

Spend the extra $5, and use the drive through car wash.

It beats trying to grow eyes out the back of your head, and it sure beats the lawyer fees if something bad goes down.

 

[SoCalShooter]

I would definetly see if your valet system allows you to lock the doors but not set the alarm. I had a friend with a system like this. Other than that I probably would have armed myself and then disarmed when I reached work again. Never can tell when SHTF. The guy your ran into sounds a little wierd...left a baby unattended? Several blocks away? *** kind of parent is he.

 

[308win]

Guy who cuts my hair was car-jacked from a car wash and forced to drive about half way to Cincinnati before the police got the car pulled over (don't recall now how police got involved). He carries now; even on his charter boat.

 

[thexrayboy]

Self serve car washes can be bad juju. In So. Cal. where I lived for a while
they were frequently viewed by the local bangers as the equivalent of the Hertz rent a car company. Need a car? Just head to the nearest coin op wash and jack one. If the dude don't cooperate just bust a cap in his A** and be on your merry way. Also a favorite haunt for the low lifes that can't get a date legitimately. Just find some poor girl washing her car when nobody is looking and grab her and the car. One of the big problems with self serves is the lack of focus. You can either do a good job of washing your car or you can keep an eye out for the local goblins. You just can't do both well at the same time.

 

[Desk Jockey]

you found him in your truck and you didn't beat the hell out of him? dude you are soft!

So you pull him out of the truck and start punching on him. You are now the agressor. If he pulls a gun and shoots you, you can't legally shoot back as he is defending his life from your attack.

Even if he doesn't defend himself, you're still facing an assault charge.

Better to be viewed by some as "soft" than to be a hardass sitting behind bars.

 

[Geno]

Errors

If you're out of the house:

1) be armed

2) lock your automobile's doors, even while you pump gas.

Doc2005

 

[gyp_c2]

yup...

Only problem is, if a BG really really wanted your vehicle, they just smash the window and take off in it. Granted you are in CO so that may not happen in the dead of winter, but how about in cooler times like summer?

...point is, locks are for honest people ...If ANYONE wants something bad enough, they'll try to take it...
For those, you'll have to use your own judgement about what's important to you ...

 

[joab]

Where does the law permit you to dish out a beating as punishment for trespassing?

Florida allows force except for deadly force, we just had a big debate on that.

Could this also be construed as a carjacking? if so you can move it up a notch.

but then as others have said lawyers get involved.
The guy got out of your truck and went away what more could you accomplish?


Car washes are very dangerous places, I had to use them for years and was always on full alert anytime of day that I was there.

When that guy drives up in front to sell you a CD or perfume don't spend to much time concentrating on him. The guy slipping up behind you is the real threat

 

[tepin]

this is the second carwash story i have heard. it seems to be the place to screw with people.

 

[gunsmith]

I know that guy!

From the Reno Gazette Journal, 26 Oct 2005:

He had just got off work as a pizza delivery guy, technically the company he worked for does not permit it's drivers to carry at work.

wink wink nudge nudge

All he had on his permit was a .32 kel tec and thats all he was carrying, the cops took it from him and kept it untill the guys were convicted.

Moral of the story, bigger caliber and back up guns on your permit
and extra handguns to protect yourself when the cops
confiscate it for evidence.

oh yeah, it was a nice neighborhood too

 

[evan price]

"Locks are for honest people"


Back when I was (legally) stealing cars for a living, I usually never even had keys, sure they would sometimes flash and honk or squeal or something but people ignore car alarms nowadays. With fast hydraulics and a good truck you can be in and out in thirty seconds.

 

[mierda]

hey moderator jeff

Ignore me please. I am a recidivist that can't stay away . . .

 

[tnieto2004]

He asked him to get out and he did.. The tough guy routine is over rated .. I agree that if push came to shove DEFEND yourself .. but come on .. where is the line that divides punks from upstanding citizens.. If you feel it is “soft” for keeping a cool head while defusing a situation then this is the wrong place to be IMHO..

 

[ArfinGreebly]

gunsmith

Guy had only the one gun permitted?

Oops.

Oh, those of you in Arizona may not get this reference, I imagine.

In Nevada, each make & model of handgun with which you qualify is listed on your CCW. So, if you own three of the same weapon (e.g. 3x Beretta Tomcat), then you're covered if one is in the shop -- or in custody.

The other solution (in Nevada) is to qualify with multiple weapons (multiple makes/models) so you always have a carry option.
​

 

[tinygnat219]

Mierda,

Tone down the language, it's not in the spirit of this forum at all. The moderators here have a hard enough time without being berated. Show some respect.

 

[Lonestar]

I never understood some people. You get a weird situation and you think something is not right, then you walk away from your truck and leave it unlocked with the keys in it???

If you came back to your truck, or home and notice some stranger sitting in it, I would just call 911. Going in and trying to get into a fistfight with some nut that you don't know is armed (the original poster did not have his weapon), or looking to set up a robbery, might get your butt killed.