Did I make myself more vulnerable?

[Warhawk83]

First off, this turned out to be nothing.

Last night I had just started up my car and I go to back out. Well headlights

start flying up the driveway towards me. Now, I am not expecting anyone and

everyone who visits my house knows not to just show up. Alarm bells are going

off in my head at this point. I grab the G27 out of the console,slowly get out of

the car and hold the gun down by my side where whoever it is can't see it. This

car looks like it would be right at home at Fred Sanford's house. It took a few

seconds and I realized it was my wife's friend's ditzy ass daughter who drives

like a bat out of Hell.

We have established that this particular situation turned out to be nothing,

but what if it had been? I'm second guessing myself here and I need you

guys to critique my actions.

I couldn't go forward in the car and I didn't feel comfortable backing up

and stopping beside the people who are still at that point unknown. I'm

worried that by getting out and walking towards the car I may have

(without thinking) put myself in harm's way.

What should I have done here?

 

[Nausea]

I assume since your in Louisiana you have a longer driveway than in the 'burbs? I personally would have gotten out of my vehicle, and then gone around to the front of it (so that if they are "out for no good" you have something between yourself and said crazie), (glock in hand as you did) and wait for them to come to you/and to a stop and then approach them. Just my two cents.

 

[Warhawk83]

Yeah,the driveway is around 150 feet or so. That's why they could haul ass down it without hitting something.

 

[ILikeLead]

I assume since your in Louisiana you have a longer driveway than in the 'burbs?

That's funny!

As for the OP question. A good idea would be to possibly "pop the hood" and do as Nausea says and head to the front where you can better assess the situation.

 

[Eagles6]

Having your weapon accessible and handy was good. A good flashlight such as a Surefire or such, shine it in their eyes and move to cover.

 

[Quoheleth]

A good idea would be to possibly "pop the hood" and do as Nausea says and head to the front where you can better assess the situation.

Respectfully disagree.

You're now messing with a large piece of steel which will take up both hands to elevate and time to set in position with the prop-rod. In addition, the hood will not stop anything larger than a .177 pellet (and that may be debatable with the right gun). In addition, you now have a large piece of steel blocking your view.

Gun in hand, get in front, and watch. Grab a flashlight or cellphone in the other hand and get ready for what might happen.

Q

 

[mcdonl]

Blocking is something we do with firetrucks all the time... if you were backing out, assuming the driveway was wide enough you could have cut the wheels to the left while backing up... providing protection for you to exit your car and take cover while also blocking your driveway. If you were to just get out, and you were facing someone up to no good you would have gotten out where they could shoot you.

 

[uspJ]

i have to agree with mcdonl, if time and distance permitted block the driveway with the passenger side of the car facing the oncoming one. this approach seems safer to me than having yourself fully exposed while you relocate to the front of the car. you also have the engine and both wheels on each end to help provide cover should you need it.

 

[Jon_Snow]

And if the person flying down your driveway is drunk and slams into your parked car? Much better for your car to be sideways than pointed straight at your.

 

[Warhawk83]

I like the advice about blocking (it never even crossed my mind). This was the first time I

felt that I may need a weapon and actually had one. Plenty of times I felt I needed one,

I did feel much more secure this time. The reason I was so taken back is because other

than UPS or something, I have only had one unexpected vehicle in my driveway in the

past year. The guy wanted to look at the Chevelle in the driveway and ask me if I knew

the Lord.

 

[shockwave]

Agree with mcdonl. Angling the car is a smart move. A problem is that the car pulling in has its headlights on, which lights you up but makes it hard to see the occupants. Ideally, you'd like to have your headlights shining at theirs to lessen the disadvantage.

However, what you did wasn't all that objectionable, as when you're on your own property, one is inclined to confront strangers directly and not hide from them.

 

[mbt2001]

You assessed the situation, it was nothing, there was nothing more to do.

Had it been something you had your piece at the ready... Also being blocked in in the civilized world, and blocked in in the tactical world, ain't the same thing. You could have jumped in to your ride thrown into reverse and stood on the gas, then popped into drive, gone forward and done the reverse thing again at an angle...

That tends do create holes....