A New York City "what would you do?" question

[MK11]

"Not my fault, they asked for it."


That'll win over the judge.

 

[B36]

Simple

Walk.

 

[Model520Fan]

Sounds a little disconcerting, but considering that your freiend wasn't hurt, I think the guy did your friend a favor. I would be asking myself what I was missing, that I let him land one. From a point of view of using your smarts in a sh**hole like NYC, maybe your friend WAS too close.

Some of the suggestions on retaliation sounded OK, but I like to think that I would be happy with the lesson learned. And any idea of furthering the problem while carrying is simply ridiculous from a practical point of view. Want to make a statement? Move to Idaho. What do you expect in NYC?

 

[TonyB]

I've been in a couple of fights.....nobody wins......only draw if you intend to kill.....only start punching to DEFEND yourself....this a-hole was walking away.it was over,sure your man-hood was questioned...big deal...if you're not sercure eough to let some jack off THINK he's a tough guy,maybe you should think twice about why you carry......just one man's opinion....not to say that I wouldn't FEEL like smacking the taste out of the guys mouth....but my freedom(as in not in prison)and my gun rights mean more to me than pride....now if he hit my wife or kids...all bets are off.....

 

[iamhistory]

I'm with other posters here and an idiot like that wouldn't have had a chance to lay a hand on me. But, if my poor reaction would have allowed something like that, I too would have kept my wits about me, stayed calm as usual, not brandished my firearm, and smacked him down. He's talking about your friend getting into his space so he PUNCHES the guy??????????? What a hypocrite. Anyway.....with this happening in a place as big as NYC???? I'd have smacked him in the mouth and disappeared into the crowd.

Had it happened in my hometown, I'd have smacked him in the mouth and then waited for the law.

Carrying or not, "situational awareness" or not, not wanting to escalate a situation or not...............nobody puts their hands on me like that. There will be an immediate and calculated response.

 

[gunsmith]

I am from nyc,glad I don't live there anymore.

I was packing on my way to work one day (armed security) my snubbie .357 was kinda obscured by my jacket and I looked like a regular security guard (most are unarmed in Frisco) A thug bumped hard me as he was walking past me obviously looking for a fight,I said "my bad" and he kept on walking he turned his head to glare at me and I just smiled.

I wouldn't even visit NY or NJ now they make SF seem like a bastion of freedom and common sense

 

[PATH]

Your friend should live calm in the knowledge that "tough" guys in New York often end up with a 95 tag on their toe. Should this person who punched your friend run up against some less than stable personages in NYC he will end up a statistic.

I was born and raised there and the city is no where as dangerous as it used to be in the 70's. Your friend though did the right thing. Let it go unless you need to protect your life. Just my .02 cents.

 

[C. H. Luke]

"Even then, sometimes it is just better to call 911 and be a good witness."

Be a good Witness. Great Line!

 

[m60a3]

Any of you who would even consider initiating physical contact with any one while armed with a deadly weapon should seriously reconsider carrying. Any of you who would trade blows with this guy in this situation is risking his life to no purpose. You cannot tell a mans fighting ability or mental state by a cursory examination. Your first duty as a ccw is stay as far away from trouble as you possibly can. Any experienced LEO can tell you just how fast a situation like this can turn lethal.

 

[CGofMP]

If I had a ccw firearm and this situation happened to me, I think I'd simply tighten my grip on the pepper spray in the other pocket, keep an eye on him and his hands, and let it go.

Putting myself in a position to deprive someone of their life over a shoulder bump and a slug if they are walking away just aint good sense.

That all would change if he decided the shoulder bump was worth stabbing me over.

 

[Highpower1]

I had a similar incident occur with me about 3 years ago. I was out shopping for Christmas present (all in the christmas spirit, BAH!) Anyhow, I going to the restroom before I start the next round of shopping. I open the door (actually push the door in as that is how it operated), when smash right into this guy. I immediately say, Sorry about that, didn't see you. His reply was something I'd rather not say here. I proceed to go on into the restroom, as I'm walking past the mirrows to the stall, I notice this knucklehead and his punk friend coming back in. The one knucklehead tells the other one, I'm gonna teach that dude a lesson. As I turn around i'm thinking (I bumped this guy by accident & said I was sorry, now I gotta fight both these 2 guys in a nasty Mall restroom, Fantastic Merry Christmas to ME!). I immeidately tell the guy to let it go, that I said I was sorry and that I didn't want trouble. This only made the situation worse, as the other guy starts laughing and calling me unfavorible names and saying this guy is a _ _ _ _ _. Enough was enough, I started to walk past them, but as I did, I was grabbed by the 1st knucklehead. Fights on. Anyhow, I had to leave that mall rather quickly as I was blooded up when I left (I'm in the personal protection business and have studied 4 martial arts for several years now). Needless to the say, the said knuckleheads got to taste what a nasty bathroom floor tasted like and well as for me, I ruined a perfectly good t-shirt and didn't get that special present from Victoria Secrets for then girlfriend.

Ho Ho Ho, merry christmas.

 

[Mornard]

Nothing. Ignore him (but keep your guard up) Walk away. De-escalate. I carry - this is not worth even opening your mouth about. (My older brother used to do worse than this just to say "hi")

 

[twoblink]

Walk away.. They aren't worth it. If they are walking away, don't escalate. Never fight against someone who has nothing to lose, because you already know the score when you do...

 

[TheEgg]

If someone punched me in the shoulder I would punch them in the face. Not my fault, they asked for it.

And several other comments along the lines of "I would wup him good, 'cause no one puts hands on me like that!"

You have no idea what kind of hell you may be letting yourself in for. If you are willing to gamble the rest of your life (which may be measured in seconds) over such a trivial incident, you need to seriously reconsider.

And, if after thinking about this for a while, you still feel this way? Please, Please, Please, sell all your guns, and turn in your CCW. I don't want you on my side.