A bit of an "encounter" this evening... (long)

[Andrew Rothman]

Rezin,

First, I'd work with the landlord to find a way for you to park in a separate area than the drunk and rowdy bar patrons. You're a pretty good customer -- he'll probably work with you.

Second, I'd look into a defensive device called a "tell-a-fone." You could have used this amazing device to contact the bar from the safety and comfort of your armchair, and let the bar owner deal with his jackass customers himself. Your name and face never get involved.

Third, think of your gun like the old American Express ads: "Don't leave home without it."

Fourth, you can have a male ego, or a gun, but not both. De-escalation and tactical retreat are not wussy, just prudent.

 

[bachman1961]

Great story !! The carry issue where the primary business is serving alcohol could have been a problem for you. You may find out from the bar owner w/o you revealing your bluff. Ask yourself if you went in thinking your car would be blocked in by morning or were you looking for some potential action ?? You going for the missing gun could have telegraphed a 'lethal threat' and put another party in the self defense frame of mind. Glad you got out of there and don't feel foolish for backing out of that scenerio. You showed some restraint and presence of mind that was a better descision for all involved. (Even if you decide that going in the first place was not a great idea). You were THE MAN. I sure hope the bar owner appreciates the end result and it may give you a chance to verbalize some of the issues there with parking and traffic to resolve future problems. He may need a reminder that they won't want to invite trouble ie; fights, towing , Police responding etc...

 

[thorazine]

Did a few things right, did a few things wrong.

I live in the last apt in a small building. RIGHT next door is my motorcycle shop, and 2 doors down is a bar...

Wrong - renting there in the first place.

Didn't you notice the bar before you signed the lease?

 

[Rezin]

Wrong - renting there in the first place.

Didn't you notice the bar before you signed the lease?

It is usually an "old man bar" Very quiet.... Once in a while we get the rowdys out back, but generally it's not bad at all. We are in a neighborhood, not a strip mall or anything. Heck we often get luch there (good little grille) and know most of the folks. I don't go in there to hang out, as I usually don't drink, but the food is good. Heck, I grew up in the house across the street!

Like I said, MOST of the folks there are plain friendly, and this guy is the only one who felt the need to be an ass.

He is banned from the bar, the LL gave me the guys name and such if he decides to retailiate, but says he is mostly hot air.

He did post up some sign in the back regarding parking (Park in designated spaces only) and gave me his cell number if there are any more probs....Lets see if any of that helps....

 

[depicts]

Action/reaction

I thought we all had a responsability NOT to escelate a situation when we are armed? How would you feel if you HAD shot someone for blocking in your car, even if he was a jerk? I'm new here, but some of the answers I see on this thread scare me. Are you all Rambo? Want to go to jail for killing someone because you didn't like the way he parked? Give yourselves a break, call the police or shut up. Having the right to carry doesn't mean you have to solve all your problems with a gun. Someone once said, When all you have is a hammer, all your problems look like nails.

 

[avpro]

...He looks at his friend and laughs, and says "Yeah, I'll move it at 1 or 2 when we leave the bar."

Sorry, but I think you handled it way wrong.

I think it was a mistake to go outside to ask him to move his car. You already know that the bar closes at 2am and the car will not be there in the morning. Did you need to use your car at 2am? I would have just gone back and watched my movie. In the morning I would have inspected my car for damage. If the car was damaged, call the police and get a report. Then call my insurance company and report it to them.

I would also get on the landlord. He is the one you should be mad at and he is the one that can remedy the situation.