Scenario-What Would You Do???

[mwpslp]

With Halloween approaching I am reminded of an incident that happened about this time 2 years ago. As I think about it I wonder what the proper response would be/should be had I been there. Just looking for opinions as this situation could apply in numerous variations to many people at one time or another.

I live in TX but at the time was working for a company with offices in various states. I have my CHL and during this time 2 years ago I was in FL for 2 weeks for work. I brought and carried my gun as FL has reciprocity with TX. The very next day after my 2 weeks was up and I had left to come home the office there was robbed. It is a stand alone type building and there were 2 female employees present at the time. Here is the scenario (true story)....

Two guys came in wearing Halloween masks. One of the girls thought it was a couple of the guys that worked for the company just messing around. She said " Take those masks off and quit playing around". One of the robbers pulled out a pistol and said "We ain't playin bitch" and hit her on the head with the gun. After the ordeal she had to get six stitches to close the wound. Then the two robbers locked the two female employees in a closet and stole money, cell phones, and whatever else it was they took and left.

My dilema is what if I had stayed over one more day? If someone with a gun takes you by surprise do you follow along and hope for the best? Do you look for an opportunity to draw your own gun and try to turn things around? Do you immediately draw your gun and hope to catch them off guard? I know there are a lot of what if's, but just was wondering how others thought in a crisis mode. Maybe just trying to get some thoughts for the future.

 

[Pax Jordana]

Every scenario is different. You have to decide the rules for yourself.

One guy, with a gun? wait til he turns his back

Two guys, both armed, get what they want, until it's time to go into the back room. From there you're either getting locked up or shot, and it's not a very nice proposition either way.

Also: Being safe is more important than being fun. This halloween, unless you plan on entertaining trick-or-treaters, lock your freakin doors! and if you are, have a nice dry party with some friends that CCW. Then you're safe until you get jumped by a gang of armed midgets in masks.

 

[Apachedriver]

From my perspective, I'd say finding the answer to your 3 questions lies in doing an honest self-assessment of yourself.
The level of your self-defense skills, with and without a weapon, and your ingrained mindset regarding your willingness to survive. Weapons handling skills are important but so are hand to hand skills because you may not be in a position(at least initially) to draw and stop an assault or attack upon you.
Training is a key thing but it is also affected by the mindset you have regarding your survival. I'm not going to tell stories but I will say that I have been in real life situations in which a friendly player has frozen up and folded at critical and pivotal points even after having received the same level of training as myself and the other players involved at those points.
I think all the what-ifs of your situation can be addressed through training and will help you learn to assess what is a valid response throughout any real life situations you may hopefully never have to face.
Last words on assessments. Re-assess yourself periodically, say every 6 months. Your skills, your physical fitness, and your physical abilities.
Also, if you should ever be drawn into a situation, ASSESS IT AS IT PLAYS OUT. You don't necessarily have to draw in the first 3 seconds of it to survive. I know I'd want to, but the what-ifs of the situation will dictate your courses of action. The key thing is to instantly accept the situation and be prepared to act if you haven't acted already. All you HAVE to do is go home safe and alive.
JMHO.

 

[jungleroy]

I Don't know your level of awareness, or your current training. I would suggest with caution to what I have to say because everyone is different. That if they have the drop on you, do not escalate the event until you have no choice.
.
I do not know what I would do if I was in your shoes, I am no Thell Reed.
Stay safe.