Carjacking?

[Deanimator]

am a bit concerned, seeing mention of handguns under the thigh, on the seat, and on the lap. If anyone needs a real-world example, two of the FBI agents trying to corral Platt and Mattix in South Florida in 1986 LOST their unsecured duty handguns in the collisions that ended the chase. One agent, therefore, was unarmed during the shootout, and the other had to use a 5-shot snubby instead of his primary handgun, and did subsequently run out of ammo and get himself shot.

Not to mention that it's illegal in Ohio. In Ohio, when in a vehicle your firearm must be:

• In a holster on your body (including a pocket holster).
• In a closed (doesn't have to be locked) glove box or center console.
• In a closed container (gun box, purse, briefcase, etc.) in plain sight with some sort of closing mechanism, like snaps or Velcro.
• In a locked container in or out of plain sight.

 

[bindingposts]

How about a Crown Victoria with the police package? That certainly isn't a target vehicle.

 

[THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR]

There is one important rule everyone has seemed to overlook...

Rule #31. Check the back seat.

 

[Averageman]

Pedators look for the weakest in the pack.
They wont attack until the odds are in their favor, so this kind of thing is most important for your wives, girlfriends, daughters and elderly to know.
The mindset here is the same as squashing a bug, it's nasty and dirty and in my way.
360 all the way to your car, Get in the car, lock it, start it. Secure your weapon of choice and 360, then move the car.
Anything looks bad, take it for granted that it is, return to wherever you came from and call for help.

Most of us are too nice for this, but you certainly have the option of rubbing them up and down any car/mailbox/streetlamp next to you. If they attatch themselves in any manner to your car. Throw it in gear and turn sharply then reverse and turn sharply rubbing them against any obstruction in the vicinity.
Rub it in there like Speed Stick.
Apply like deodorant until the smell goes away.

 

[jbkebert]

Several years ago I pulled into Best Buy with my son who was just a few weeks old at the time. Keigan was strapped in the front bench seat of my little Ford ranger pickup. Anyway I parked my truck opened the door slightly and truned my body to the right and was trying to get the car seat/craddle un-buckled to go inside the store. I heard footsteps but paid no attention thinking it was just the guy parked next me wanting to get into their vehicle. So with my full attention being paid to the task at hand my truck door was opened fully and something pressed into my left shoulder. A mans voice saying get out of the bleeping truck. Oh dear god what am I going to do. I don't give a darn about the pickup but no way no how is someone leaving with my kid inside. I quickly raised my hands while still looking away and towards my son. The keys to the truck were in my hand and I dropped them on the floor of the truck. I stated i am just getting the keys and slowly reached down to the floorboard. I had a shiney new Berreta 96fs under the drivers seat. I grabbed the gun and turned to my supposed car jacker. I grabed his shirt burried the barrel of my Beretta into his abdomen. Flipped the safety off and was wrapping the trigger when the BG screamed my name. For some reason not known to me I realxed the trigger and looked up. It was a guy I had known and had been friends with for years. Dumb sob was just trying to pull some twisted prank on me. I got out of the car and smacked his as hard as I think I have ever hit anyone. I started my truck and left with him saying what did you do that for. He has called the house a couple times over the years and I just hangup. Some stupid little prank almost cost him his life.

Lessons learned.
#1. If I would have been more familiar with the gun (it was pretty new to me) or if I had been carrying a Glock or even my Colt Double Eagle. He would of been dead. The split second it took me to fumble the safety saved his life.
So if you decide to carry a gun be absolutly familiar with its function.
#2 Be very aware of whats going on around you. I have four kids now and getting in the vehichle and just taking off is not a option. It takes time get in lock the doors have the kids buckle in.
#3 I do not park in the gaggle of people wanting to be right up front crammed in like sardines. I park well away from the store so I have a clear view of everything around my car. (So it takes me a extra 45 seconds to walk in or walk back out.
#4 If I am shopping I always take the cart out to my vehicle. Just a nice metal barricade to put between me and a would be attacker. Also makes a pretty good ram if needed.
#5 When approaching anyone in a parking lot nothing is in my strong hand.
#6 I acknowledge everyone. I might not say anything but I look them directly in the eye and may nod my head or something to let them know. Hey I see you.

 

[uspJ]

Most of us are too nice for this, but you certainly have the option of rubbing them up and down any car/mailbox/streetlamp next to you. If they attatch themselves in any manner to your car. Throw it in gear and turn sharply then reverse and turn sharply rubbing them against any obstruction in the vicinity.
Rub it in there like Speed Stick.
Apply like deodorant until the smell goes away.

I remember my mom did something similar when I was in my teens.

She had my little sister who was 6 at the time in the car with her. She stopped at a stop sign when a guy grabbed my sister by the shirt and told my mom to give up the car. My mom hit the gas and the guy's arm got tangled in the seatbelt. She drug the guy about 20 yards or so before he popped loose. She called the cops and reported it. The cops picked him up at the hospital with a shoulder out of socket and his shin busted up. He tried to claim it was a hit and run but the cops didn't buy his story.

My mom said she didn't intentionally drag the guy, she just panicked and tried to get her and my sister away from the guy. It worked well and no one was injured that didn't have it coming.

Keep in mind that a vehicle has more stopping power than any jhp of any caliber.

 

[lamebums]

As far as being able to get away, that's the most obvious option, especially considering your car is probably going to outrun any bad guy on foot. I've been trained as a delivery driver to leave at least four feet of road between the car's tire in front of you and the top of your hood. It's a good rule of thumb for their cube vans, and it's carried over into driving my regular car.

I've had to go around dead cars before and thanked that I didn't have to back up first - and luckily I've never had to get away from a bad guy.



I'm here to voice a slightly different concern, though - road rage. I don't know if it's just me or the fact that I drive a compact 4-cylinder, but I seem to be the target of more than my share of anger from other drivers - in these cases, my car certainly wouldn't be able to get away from theirs.

I'm delving off topic here, but what is the viability of shooting out of your own car at the bad guy (or through the door)?

 

[Ryder]

what is the viability of shooting out of your own car at the bad guy (or through the door)?

Bullets go through car doors like a hot knife through butter.

I never had any difficulty shooting out of a car. Problem with a target that shoots back is you are a stationary target. They know exactly where to send the bullets even if they can't see you. Meanwhile they can move and use cover. That makes for very poor odds and it's why I stated in my previous post that I would exit the vehicle if forced to fight with a gun.

 

[30mag]

Changing the car you drive in order to prevent carjacking isn't a very practical strategy; regardless of its effectiveness.

 

[uspJ]

I'm here to voice a slightly different concern, though - road rage. I don't know if it's just me or the fact that I drive a compact 4-cylinder, but I seem to be the target of more than my share of anger from other drivers - in these cases, my car certainly wouldn't be able to get away from theirs.

Agree completely. I had to go to Atlanta yesterday. I drove my civic up there to save gas. I was amazed at how much more aggressive the other drivers where towards me while driving that car than when I drive my truck. It seems that they know your car is lacking horsepower and acceleration (compared to V8's) and take advantge of the fact and act as if you should stay out of their way. The next time I go to Atlanta (especially I-285) I'll take the truck.

 

[basicblur]

I don't know if it's just me or the fact that I drive a compact 4-cylinder, but I seem to be the target of more than my share of anger from other drivers

Yup...I thought smaller cars (which I've often owned) were viewed by some as easy targets, until I started riding motorcycles-now I'm really a target I thought, until I started bicycling.
I dread to think what would happen should I break out ye olde skateboard!

 

[Kleanbore]

Seems like this one has outlived its usefulness.