How'd I do?

[collateral]

The other day, I went to a surplus store in toledo to buy a second yugo sks. While examining the rifle, 2 guys who looked like they were in their 20s approached the counter, right next to me. They were both decked out in a ton of blue, shirts, shoes, shoelaces, et cetera. I assume they were crips.

They start eyeing me up and down, as well as the rifle. One of them made a comment about wanting it, but not having the money. They asked the lady at the counter for the cheapest box of .38 special that the store had. It happened to be a box of lead soft points. I dont know what brand. Regardless, they asked if these bullets would kill somebody in one shot, the woman said that depended on a lot of factors. The two thugs then proceeded to eye me up and down one last time, bought the .38s and browsed the store. I was there with my girlfriend and 2 other friends, but the fact that these guys now had a box of 38s and probably a gun scared me.

The guys left the store, and I stalled a for long time (a little over an hour). I was afraid that upon leaving the store, I would be deprived of my newly purchased rifle and possibly shot in the parking lot.

Before I walked out of the store, I looked out the window and saw the two guys pulling out of the parking lot, in a really beat up lincoln. It was obvious to me that they were waiting for me.

I am 18, so I cant carry. Obviously I didnt get shot or robbed, so I came out okay, but is there anything you can suggest for me to do differently or better?

 

[Tokugawa]

You could have called the cops and said you thought you were being set up to be robbed.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

If you were worried and afraid enough to stall for an hour then perhaps a call to the police would have been in order. If the two guys weren't "legit" (whatever that means) or even if they were it would have solved your problem. The police roll up, you leave at your leisure.

If I was real worried I'd buy a box of over-priced 7.62X39 before I walked out the door.

Sitting tight and trusting your instincts was pretty smart though.

 

[Lonestar49]

Double post

 

[Lonestar49]

SA works

...

Ya did great.. your SA (situational awarness) and good common sense, showed that you live up to the standard of the saying:

~ Your very best thinking got you where you are today ~

Just keep-on sucking up the knowledge by reading, listening, asking questions, and using the best pair of sights one can have, right behind your eyes.. your brain.


LS

 

[collateral]

If I was real worried I'd buy a box of over-priced 7.62X39 before I walked out the door.

Thought about it, but the gun was packed in cosmoline. it either wouldnt have fired or the barrel would have blown up in my face.
They had a shotgun for sale for 99, I considered buying it and a box of shells for that very reason... which raises another question...I dont know what situation (legally) I would be in right now if they attempted to rob me and I managed to load the gun/fire on them. For some reason, I think I would have gotten stuck with some charges for using an SKS "assault rifle" to defend myself and my friends.

You could have called the cops and said you thought you were being set up to be robbed.

Again, thought about it, but in every experiance with the toledo police that I have had, unless a confrontation has already happened, they wont bother showing up.


Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Can't carry?.....

That depends on you...

 

[collateral]

thats very true, but if I were to carry illegally and get caught, I would be slapped with a felony, and in the laws eyes, I would be no better than the bgs who use their guns for less...honorable purposes as the rest of us. As a felon, I wouldnt be able to "legally" own a firearm.

I do carry some sort of a weapon on me at all times, just not a firearm. I have a slapjack that I'm sure will be worth its weight in gold if I ever have to use it, and a "utility" knife.

 

[Joe Demko]

You won. If you had called the police, other than for an outstanding warrant, what could they have detained/arrested the two men for? Intent to commit mopery? If they were planning to rob you, they failed. You were not robbed. You were not injured. You are not caught up in the legal system. Enjoy being smarter than they were.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

You did good, I'd at least have tried the police though. This would have set up a timeline and a paper trail should you have had to defend yourself. I also might have tried to talk to the shop owner, tell them about the situation and how you think you might be being set up. A call from a gun shop owner about two possible gang members loitering around outside the store might have the desired effect.

 

[Outlaw Man]

You can't do much better than making it out alive, in good health, and not in court.

You might have called the cops, but you're right. Unless they thought they could pick them up for a warrant they might not have even showed up, and if they did they wouldn't have arrested them (unless they had warrants). They probably would have made the guys leave, though.

A cool head and situational awareness almost always prevail.

 

[justashooter]

maybe you should have told the sales-person you would pick it up in an hour or so, and gone to lunch?

 

[Aaryq]

You did very well, chum. Before I left for boot camp, my father told me a few stories about Vietnam. In order to save you time, I'll give you the moral of the story. If you feel like something's wrong, it probably is. Situational Awareness and intuition are your best friends. I've been in the Corps for nearly 3 years and have yet to deploy, but I've had a few experiences stateside where I believe that my gut feelings and situational awareness saved my life. Good job.

 

[Trope]

Good situational awareness. Sounds to me like you did well.

I might have asked the store to hold the gun for me instead of leaving with it at that time.

 

[SniperStraz]

Gun shop employees are usually packing. If there was more than one of them you could have explained your situation and asked if one of them would mind escorting you to your car. Its not uncommon for store employees to escort customers at night in empty parking garages and such. Why should this be any different. I can understand that it might be a bit of a blow to your pride to do such a thing in front of your girlfriend though. Under the circumstances I think you did very well in keeping a sharp eye out and not letting yourself become a victim. Not many 18 year olds would even give the situation a second thought. Good job. Stay safe.

 

[whited]

.

They start eyeing me up and down...

The two thugs then proceeded to eye me up and down one last time...

Maybe they wanted something besides your rifle.

Just kidding. But seriously, I don't like it when people eyeball me.

 

[Run&Shoot]

You did good. Number one priority is awareness which you had. Then you need to act with the resources you have control over. You used time in your favor and staying in a known safe place until the threat was removed.

I like the idea of talking it over with the gun shop clerk or owner though. You can't think of everything so you did good with what you had. But having them escort you to your car or them calling the police might have been better. the only problem with the escort is that they then can deduce you are not armed yourself, and just follow you home.

Others ideas might have helped, but they may have their own limitations or risks. Your choice pretty much eliminated the risk so it may have been the safest of all. Only other options might be to call a relative or friend that carries and have them meet you at the store to escort you to the car and follow you home.

I like the idea to "go have lunch" and come back later. Might as well ejoy yourself while fighting crime.

 

[Eyesac]

Man, that stuff creeps me out... You did a good job. Nothing wrong with waiting out the storm to avoid conflict or bloodshed.

 

[whitetiger7654]

You guys make killing an hour at the gun store sound like a bad thing. Man I'd love to sit around looking at guns for an hour.

 

[collateral]

You guys make killing an hour at the gun store sound like a bad thing.

I couldnt really focus on browsing or anything else, I was a little worried about getting shot in the parking lot haha...on any other occasion it would have been wonderful.

Maybe they wanted something besides your rifle.

"next time I see you...im gonna want some cocktail....FRUIT!"

 

[target1911]

One thing the cops may have arrested them for is UCW (unlawfull carrying weapon) which they would have had if they planed on robbing you.

glad everyone is ok
and i agree with above....at you age most dont think about things like that or notice them. GOOD JOB

 

[thexrayboy]

The little hairs on the back of your neck are there for a reason, you listened to them and quite rightly. If a situation smells it's probalby rotten. You will never know for sure if the two in question had evil designs and thats a good thing. I'd rather wonder about what they planned than learn first hand they were up to no good.

 

[1911 guy]

Good Job.

Situational awareness kept you from a Bad Place. Keep your spider senses in shape, they'll keep you out of trouble (almost) every time.

 

[Quoheleth]

I think you were right in staying and not leaving right away. What if they would have followed you, even if you didn't have the rifle? At least with the gun (albeit full of goo) you could have bluffed. Say you left the gun and went to lunch. You round the corner and suddenly the bgs are on your tail. Now what? On the road, against a bunch of bgs, in cars is NOT a great place to be. Esp when your sweetie is sitting next to you.

If you don't play poker, with that kind of head on your shoulders maybe you should start!

Attaboy.

 

[Byron Quick]

Good moves. You might want to consider moving somewhere in the future, though. Somewhere where people don't know how different gang members dress. Somewhere where the police respond to calls.