What would you do if restaurant you are dining in is being held up

[DRYHUMOR]

This has crossed my mind before through the years.

Typically between 3 and 5 am in a Waffle House, especially if I can't get that one booth where you can sit with your back against the wall and look over everything.

I'd probably just keep eating...

 

[ilbob]

being as i live in illinois, my options are limited to handing over my valuables and trusting in the good will of the thugs for my life.

having said that, it may turn out that is the best option anyway.

a crowded place is not a good spot for a shootout.

if things go bad, you may have no real options other than to try and shoot it out.

 

[WalkAbout]

It would totally depend on the situation. I would definitly try to discreetly unholster, move to cover, and monitor the situation, but like someone else said, waiting to be frisked and having my gun taken and potentially used against me is unacceptable. In the fire service, we have a saying that says "Everyone goes home". I try to live by that in just about everything I do, and I don't know that I could continue to live being proud of who I am if someone's wife/mother/brother/father/sister was murdered in front of me and I could have prevented it.

My two cents.

bdub

 

[skeet king]

Whip a fork at them

 

[Bubba613]

Start shooting until they were dead, I was dead, or I was out of ammo.

 

[polekitty]

What would I do?

What to do? HIDE!! No, seriously, I would not initiate a shoot out. I'm not a policeman. I'm not obligated to protect "the public." In my state I can only shoot when I perceive my own life (or family) is threatened by deadly force. BUT...if he shoots, I shoot. I won't give up my gun. so if he comes my way (as to rob me) I'll shoot before he gets that close. And, in the words of Mike Hammer (famous PI!!) "If there is a shoot out they (police) know who shot who, because I carry a 45."

 

[drjoker]

Have y'all forgotten Suzanna Hupp?

A man came into a Luby's cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, and killed 23 people. As a result, one of the survivors became a Texas congresswoman and helped pass one of the first shall issue concealed carry license laws in Texas. Folks, it is because of such an event that we even have conceal carry laws. As long as I'm sure that the shooter is not an undercover police officer or someone defending himself/herself, I'd shoot the SOB in a heartbeat. In other words, if the BG yells, "This is a stick up," shoots at my family, or start shooting at children, I'll shoot him. Otherwise, I'd start looking for the exit so that I could safely call the cops.

 

[Byron Quick]

I live in Georgia. Here I may justifiably use lethal force to defend my own life, the life of another, or to protect myself or another from grave bodily injury. I can also use lethal force legally to stop or to prevent a forcible felony. A forcible felony is defined by statute as any felony where force, or even the threat of force, is used.

Now, I would still be liable for wounding innocent bystander by mischance.

Therefore, my actions are contingent upon many factors. Are there multiple robbers with guns? Are there innocents in my line of fire or behind my targets? Are they shooting?

More than two robbers or two robbers who seem to be tactically aware would probably have me decide to hold fire. Innocent people in my line of fire would probably have me decide to hold fire. Shooting would definitely have me shooting in turn. I say probably because this scenario in reality would be fraught with so many variables that it is hard to state categorically that I would do thus and so. I would endeavor for my personal survival and the survival of the others present. I would endeavor to cause the deaths of the robbers if it appears to congruent with my first two goals. If it begins to appear that the first two goals are not attainable then it's time to go for the third goal. Full bore, as it were.

 

[turbohardtop]

What if there are up to 10 BG. Are you concerned that your carried piece will be found and may be used against you when they come and ask for everyone's possessions.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Ten guys hitting a restaurant isn't a holdup. It's a raid of some sort, or a group execution like the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The same as I would with an armed robbery anywhere else. If they just take money from the cash register I will do nothing except try to be a good witness. If they prone people out and start searching them, exhibit wanton violence, try to herd people into a back room or tie people up, I and others are certain to be killed and I have nothing to lose by "going to war."

 

[DCortez]

How many people would also hand over their firearm along with their money and other possesions?

Afterall, guns are only possessions.


The Lone Haranguer also has a good point. However, I'm not sure what I would do. When it comes to protecting my family, I don't think I could live with myself knowing I let someone harm them because I was afraid of the legal mess and possibility of going to jail.

 

[Cannonball888]

"Or call out General Tso from the kitchen."

That wouldn't do any good. Haven't you heard? General Tsao's chicken.

 

[Mainsail]

Man Foiled During Attempted Robbery At Tacoma Restaurant
Posted: 11:05 am PDT July 22, 2008
Updated: 6:20 pm PDT July 23, 2008

TACOMA, Wash. -- A man who entered an upscale Tacoma restaurant and attempted to rob a group of people dining in a private seating area was foiled when a member of the group pulled a handgun on him, police told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Police said 36-year-old John Meys entered the Pacific Grill at about 8 p.m. on Monday, ordered a drink and put it on the tab of a group of doctors and representatives from pharmaceutical companies who were having a business meeting in a private room.

The man then entered the room and announced that he was robbing the group, who told police that at first they thought it was a joke until the man grabbed a diner's collar and tie, threatened him and demanded his money, police said.

"We all thought, this can't be real. Somebody out there is playing a joke on us, you know," said Dr. Charles Weatherby, who was present during the robbery.

After the victim handed Meys his wallet, restaurant surveillance video showed Meys, who was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, walk back into the main restaurant, briefly sit, and then walk back into the private room where he allegedly demanded more money.

Witnesses said when Meys re-entered the room, one of the doctors in the group, who asked to not be identified, pulled a handgun and ordered the robber to leave the restaurant.

"Before we knew it, (the doctor) pulls his gun out and told the guy, 'Get away, get out of this restaurant now.' The guy looked back and (the doctor) said, 'If you look back again, I'm going to shoot you,'" said Weatherby.

Surveillance video showed the armed doctor leading Meys through the restaurant at gunpoint.

Restaurant staff, who said they were suspicious about Meys' behavior, called authorities earlier and once Meys was outside, he was arrested by officers.

"Once he sat down and asked for some Mad Dog, that was a pretty good sign that something wasn't quite right with him," said Chip Venzone, general manager of the Pacific Grill.

Meys was arraigned Tuesday on seven counts of first-degree robbery and pleaded not guilty. During the hearing, Meys tore up paperwork handed to him by his attorney and said they had no meaning or basis in reality to him.

Meys is being taken to Western State Hospital for a mental competency hearing before his trial.

Police said Meys has a long history of domestic violence.

 

[propex]

Order dessert!

 

[CoRoMo]

If you can't beat 'em... join 'em??

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

There is a lot to be said for smashing a window and diving out, too.

 

[Apachedriver]

When it comes to protecting my family, I don't think I could live with myself knowing I let someone harm them because I was afraid of the legal mess and possibility of going to jail.

When it comes to protecting my family, I'll spend an eternity in hell before I let someone harm them. That decision was made long ago.

I'm no hero and I haven't any illusions of such things. My family is where I draw the line in the sand and I will use whatever means necessary in any situation to stop harm from coming to them. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Does that mean going off half-cocked? No.
It means I'm always looking to better the pool of options and skills available for my use in avoiding such situations in the first place, and in preparing to act when no other choice remains.

Any and all property is simply window-dressing in my life. Any actions for the protection of others get assessed as a situation evolves. My family is what is dearest to me and any real threat to their well-being will be dealt with in kind.

ETA: Based on personal experiences in the last 19 years. No bravado here as it leaves nothing but ruins in its wake.

 

[buck00]

Anyone see Pulp Fiction? A diner honestly isn't the place most people expect a robbery:

Tim Roth: Correct. Just like banks, these places are insured. The managers don't give a ----, they're just tryin' to get ya out the door before you start pluggin' diners. Waitresses, forget it, they ain't takin' a bullet for the register. Busboys, some ---- gettin' paid a dollar fifty a hour gonna really give a ---- you're stealin' from the owner?! Customers are sittin' there with food in their mouths, they don't know what's goin' on. One minute they're havin' a Denver omelette, next minute somebody's stickin' a gun in their face!!

 

[pbearperry]

I would try to get the Hell out of the place if possible.If not I would get my gun in my hane and when the BG came to me I would be the last thing he would ever gaze upon.One of the folks here asked about 10 bad guys scenerio.I really doubt that would ever happen in a restraunt unless it was a huge place with mucho dinero on hand.Ten bad guys would be thinking more of hitting a casino or a big bank.

 

[mljdeckard]

Just because you can legally get away with shooting someone doesn't make it ethical or moral.

There is a growing trend in America, mostly in banks and pharmacies, of robberies that are drug-related, where the robber has no actual intention of hurting someone. they may be armed, armed with a toy gun, or unarmed using a verbal threat of force. If I found myself in a place that was being robbed, I would have to make a judgement call as to whether this guy really meant to hurt someone. Again, just because I might get away with it doesn't make it right. If all this guy is looking for is $40 for his next fix, I'm not going to kill him. If they are being very aggressive, showing a lot of anger, pushing and slapping people around, and making unreasonable demands, I would reconsider.

 

[jeepmor]

There is a growing trend in America, mostly in banks and pharmacies, of robberies that are drug-related, where the robber has no actual intention of hurting someone.

This sounds like we're making excuses for armed robbers here. Some BG brings out a gun and uses it for leverage against someone. When the victim brings out his CCW as their own leverage is a chance the robber took.

You go waving a gun around in public and you can expect some guns to be pointed back at you eventually. Be it the police or the common citizen with a CCW. It's the risk the robber takes. However, as the previous poster stated, the demeanor of the gun wielding BG would determine the outcome more than the gun itself.

 

[mljdeckard]

I also said they may or may not be armed, and that I would make the decision in the situation. And I'll say for the third time, just because you can get away with killing someone legally doesn't make it right.

If I find myself in the middle of an armed robbery, pulling my gun and killing people is NOT the only option.

 

[Apachedriver]

Not nitpicking, just thinking through...

You're right, taking a life is not the only option. It's a very serious thing, morally and legally. That's why it's a given that if we engage a subject, it's with the intent to stop and not kill.

Of course, we have to gauge the situation we're in so as to not increase undue risk to others. Another victim getting hurt or killed because we stupidly or selfishly went JW is worse than the criminal doing it to them.

BUT, I tend to disagree with trying to mind read if the criminal is just trying to score while holding a weapon.

Citizens and criminals need to realize that some things in life are black and white. You do something that is, or is perceived as, threatening to someone else's life and well-being, regardless of you're inner intentions, well that's pretty black and white and you just upped the ante in your gamble.

As an openly armed criminal, the fact that he/she was stopped or killed due to his/her choices or actions is no one's fault but their own. What their personal intentions were no longer matter once they bring the weapon into the equation.

One could be the most law abiding citizen in the country, the most civic minded, well-respected in the community, but you decide to commit a crime, you're now a criminal. If you used a weapon in the crime even just to threaten, you upped the ante and it's no one's fault but you're own if you got stopped and ended up dying.

I'll be sad for the loss of what you were before but I won't be sad that you're no more.

It was your choice.

 

[ScareyH22A]

Two possible sentences out of my mouth. "Check please!" and "Can I get a doggy bag?"

I think as a lot of people have said already, I'd try to fade into the background and don't stick out. But if they were gonna get violent to anyone, and I had a remote chance of killing them before they could harm us, I'd not only feel obligated as an armed citizen but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do something.

"With great power comes great responsibility." - Uncle Ben