Carjacking

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Kleanbore

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I carry a gun--as a last resort and for self preservation (only). But avoiding surprises, avoiding ambush, and leaving oneself an out are much better than reacting to the event.

Constant awareness whenever one is heading toward, in, or getting out of the car can make the difference. The gas pedal and the steering wheel--and perhaps reverse gear--are probably the most effective defensive tools for this.

I suggest discussing this with drivers in your family.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/carjacking-thefts-nyc-california-law-enforcement
 
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It would be nice if those were the only times it could be beneficial to be aware of what is going on around you.
Yes.

After I completed a good defensive shooting course some years ago, I found myself being particularly careful as I came to alley openings while walking; watching for people on cell phones watching me as I entered parking lots; observing people reflects in windows who were walking near me; looking for feet under parked cars; and on and on.

BUT--once I was behind the wheel and moving, my thoughts turned to avoiding vehicle accidents. I somehow felt relatively safe from violence.

Not so today.
 
The increases are happening as expected where it is expected. Disarmed populations can't put up a fight against these criminals. A off duty cop can't even look at real estate listings with his wife in LA without getting robbed and killed.

Just think how bad these places are going to get when Biden comes out with his executive orders on Police Reform. It's like he has his boot on the neck of the law abiding citizens and he is just putting more pressure every day.
 
Chicago, NYC and DC, all liberal crapholes.

How about move? Avoidance is the first rule yes?

As far as this happening in your run of the mill suburban area sure, it can happen. But these headlines are ridiculous.

Be aware of your surroundings, be prepared to defend yourself and practice/train to do so.
 
Sometimes there is only so much that you can do. Getting to stay alive and go home is the goal. It’s a dynamic situation that will never play out like we think. Planning and being observant is great. But sometimes it’s like watching a tornado coming.
 
I'll say this... if you get some take out on the road and pull into what you think is an ok place to eat, take your gun out and put it on the console or passenger seat close to you. I carry at the 3 most of the time and drive with it there unless I feel the need to take it out. But I have had some amazing fails with some subs where all the vinegar and other oils get all over both my hands... ALL OVER... just an unbelievable mess sometimes. I'm still ready, but when your hands get all messy it can put you at a disadvantage... so anticipate that.
 
My car is a convertible and I drive around with the top down most of the time.
I carry AIWB which would be quicker to access seated than strong side or pocket.
It would be difficult to remove me from the car without putting me in fear of my life.
If one was successful at removing me from the car they better know how to drive a stick shift so they can make it to the hospital.
 
So a question I have is, once a guy points a gun at me and demands my vehicle, am I not "in fear of imminent physical harm" and am I allowed to draw and defend myself?
 
Carjacking is an interesting but still serious topic. Method of carry as well as situational awareness all play a part. Most folks anticipate a carjacking as an event that takes place at a stop sign or a red light. This is usually too public of a scenario for your average ner-do-well though and they know it.

Typically, a carjacking takes place in a parking area. Close observance of your surroundings is important. I find myself doing this whenever I am nearing my vehicle.

One technique I use is to walk fast...everywhere...faster than normal all while observing your surroundings. If anyone is pacing you, they are a potential threat. I always walk fast. Everyone has told me I walk fast. I walk fast at work, in the house, in parking lots, while walking the dog, everywhere.

As has been stated, judicious use of the gas pedal, reverse, and steering wheel can be the difference between being a victim and escaping.

There was a video posted once of a person at a drive up ATM being robbed and abducted. Fortunately, the outcome was OK for the victim but that is not always the case. My thought was, why didnt they just hit the gas. Many dont have the nerve. Learn to have the nerve. Dont take the car out of park at a drive up ATM. IMO, a drive up ATM is safer than a walk up ATM because you are still in your car which is a weapon itself.

Mas Ayoob has a lesson on the subject of parking lot safety. I cannot remember where I last saw it. Basically, keyless entry and automatic transmissions are your friend. When I was a PI, I loathed manual transmission vehicles for a number of reasons but personal security was one of them. I am a car guy and I like the stick shift but they are a tactical liability.
 
So a question I have is, once a guy points a gun at me and demands my vehicle, am I not "in fear of imminent physical harm" and am I allowed to draw and defend myself?
Drawing on a drawn gun might not be the smartest option. You’re betting that the carjacker isn’t ready to shoot. Do you think you can draw from the seated position and fire before the carjacker can fire?
 
I don't know. I've never been in the situation before. First shot wins, so drawing and firing at a guy with a pistol pointed at me, doesn't seem like a winning formula. But my question was more aimed at would that be a justifiable self defense shooting, presuming I could draw and fire.
 
But my question was more aimed at would that be a justifiable self defense shooting, presuming I could draw and fire.
Generally speaking, yes, but opinion varies depending on your particular jurisdiction. Here in South Carolina your car is covered under the "Castle Doctrine" and deadly force may be used against anyone attempting to forcibly remove you from your vehicle or to force their way into same.
 
Generally speaking, yes, but opinion varies depending on your particular jurisdiction. Here in South Carolina your car is covered under the "Castle Doctrine" and deadly force may be used against anyone attempting to forcibly remove you from your vehicle or to force their way into same.

Same here in Mississippi.
 
I don't know. I've never been in the situation before. First shot wins, so drawing and firing at a guy with a pistol pointed at me, doesn't seem like a winning formula. But my question was more aimed at would that be a justifiable self defense shooting, presuming I could draw and fire.
As long as he has that gun in his hand and you are the target inside your vehicle, he is a deadly threat. If he is alert enough to not let his guard down and gets to where he drives off, I wouldn't shoot. I'd just call geico.
 
Would seem that if someone has the drop on you, whether car-jacking or straight robbery, the smart thing would be cooperating, at least in the short term. There was an incident in a nearby city a couple of years ago where a carjacking was attempted and the driver sped away. His vehicle was fired upon by the criminals and his wife was subsequently killed after a round penetrated the rear glass, the seat back, and her.

You'd be justified in taking whatever measures at your disposal to defend yourself. Giving someone already not thinking rationally a reason to be even more on edge while they have a gun in hand and you don't doesn't seem sensible. If the opportunity to draw presents itself and you feel that's your best chance, I get it...but not while you're seated behind the wheel with a gun in your face. And certainly not if it's putting your family at more risk.

Here's to hoping we can all find the ability to act sensibly if we find our life in peril.
 
Would seem that if someone has the drop on you, whether car-jacking or straight robbery, the smart thing would be cooperating, at least in the short term. There was an incident in a nearby city a couple of years ago where a carjacking was attempted and the driver sped away. His vehicle was fired upon by the criminals and his wife was subsequently killed after a round penetrated the rear glass, the seat back, and her.

You'd be justified in taking whatever measures at your disposal to defend yourself. Giving someone already not thinking rationally a reason to be even more on edge while they have a gun in hand and you don't doesn't seem sensible. If the opportunity to draw presents itself and you feel that's your best chance, I get it...but not while you're seated behind the wheel with a gun in your face. And certainly not if it's putting your family at more risk.

Here's to hoping we can all find the ability to act sensibly if we find our life in peril.
Totally with you - no intent to get in a gunfight over a car or anything else.
 
One technique I use is to walk fast...everywhere...faster than normal all while observing your surroundings. If anyone is pacing you, they are a potential threat. I always walk fast. Everyone has told me I walk fast. I walk fast at work, in the house, in parking lots, while walking the dog, everywhere.

Be glad you are still able to do that. Some of us have mobility problems and, because so many of the places we have to go (Dr., hospital, etc.) that are posted, we can't carry either.
 
Typically, a carjacking takes place in a parking area. Close observance of your surroundings is important. I find myself doing this whenever I am nearing my vehicle.

One technique I use is to walk fast...everywhere...faster than normal all while observing your surroundings. If anyone is pacing you, they are a potential threat. I always walk fast. Everyone has told me I walk fast. I walk fast at work, in the house, in parking lots, while walking the dog, everywhere.
I do the opposite. When I step outdoors and first enter a parking lot, I think to myself "head on a swivel-scan the sector for threats and anomalies". I will literally stand there and scan the parking lot for about 10-15 seconds like I'm looking for my car or something. I'm not looking for my car. I know where it is. I'm looking to see what's between me and the car. What's around the car. What's beyond the car. The guy with his kids? probably not a threat. the little old lady? Not a threat. The 20 year old girl with her face buried in her cell phone? not a threat to anyone but herself. The lone individual walking between the cars not in a direct path to anywhere he should be going? He's someone to watch. The lone individual walking into the parking lot from across the street. he's someone to watch. It's literally just a game. I'm trying to recognize the guy that's going to approach me and and ask me for money. They don't always ask nice, especially when it's dark. When you spot them, you can better avoid them. Mind you, I'm not a jerk and I occasionally give the older ones money if they look legit but most of them are young junkies and junkies can get pretty desperate and agitated. Then when proceeding through the parking lot, my head is basically a tank turret scanning it's sector and I move slow enough that I won't rush into an ambush. Mind you, I know these people are more than likely not going to become violent but it's still a game I play to keep my Situational Awareness skills sharp. I have recently upped my game by scanning for people that have their faces buried in their phones. I'm looking for people with zero situational awareness. It's kind of fun.

On the road, I'm always watching my rearview mirror. I saw a car full of guys that seemed like they were going to get out of their car and come at me one time at a stop sign but I immediately removed my seat belt and got my firearm accessible and pulled the car out a bit so I could maneuver past the cars in front of me if necessary. They seemed to change their mind though but I saw them.
 
Always leave a decent amount of room between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you at a stop as well.
This is a good idea for giving yourself a chance to evade a confrontation. I've had it save my bacon a couple of times, but instead of evading possible bad guys, it was bad drivers who weren't paying attention. Never put a motorcycle in neutral at a stop light.
 
Recurring advice from John Corriea on Active Self Protection, based on thousands of videos of actual incidents:
1. Do not draw from the drop; that is, if the bad guy is already pointing a gun at you, do not try to beat his trigger pull with your draw to first shot.
2. When the bad guy has the drop on you, best choice is most often purposeful compliance; clearly comply with the demands (while watching for an opportunity to counter-attack).

On Active Self Protection Extra he has some demonstration lessons on planning and practicing for draw and fire when seated in a vehicle:

Getting A Good Shot Out Your Driver Side Door
Drawing Right-Handed Strong Side In The Car Ain't Easy!
Shooting Across Your Partner In a Vehicle (Difficult Stuff!)
Reholstering After Shooting From A Vehicle

and for a related discussion,
Car Theft vs. Carjacking (John’s Briefs)
 
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