Suddenly cornered by unarmed person?

[Stevie-Ray]

Go Robert DiNiro on them. Are you talkin to me!? Good way to find their intentions, while putting them on the defensive or at least making them think you're ready for them. Again giving you more time.

 

[lwhespel]

I'd promptly place two rounds as close together in the 10 ring as possible!

 

[wheelgunslinger]

+1.

I am a pretty big guy, and probably look like I shouldn't be messed with. However, in 2003 I underwent 2 brain surgeries for subdural hematomas (due to a fall on the ice and resulting spinal cord injury, long story). I'm healed, but every now and then feel the odd twinge of pain in my head that makes me pretty solid in my opinion that NO one is ever going to hit me in the head. If I am confronted by an individual or group (something I of course do my damndest to avoid, as everyone should), I am not going to wait until I am being pounded on to draw my weapon. One blow from an assailant puts me in fear for my life. I will not give an attacker the benefit of my doubt. If I raise a fist, there will be something in it.

+1 Birddog.

Having been in situations like this before, and knowing people who've had stuff like this happen to them (3 guys pull up in a car with the brights on and kick my friend nearly to death while he was changing a tire on the side of the road at night. Now, he'll never wake up from a coma he's in), and training in SD, I pretty well know how quick someone can get hurt. I don't want it to be me.

 

[Texas Tass]

uncomfortable situation

Christmas night I was returning home after visiting with friends and I stopped for gas at a well lit/used station. Two other cars gassing up and two cars parked in front of store. I was at the pump farthest from the store glancing around at the other folks out on a Christmas night and noticed one car near the store with a 2' swastika emblem on the back. Driver was leaning against car for several minutes. As I was finishing up with fuel, the driver stood up (all 6'6" and shaved head) and started walking towards me. I did a quick glance in the reflection on the car window and noted the other people fueling up had left and the 2nd car in front of the store obviously getting ready to leave. Remembering what a friend at the shooting range told me, I stood up straight (all 5') and stepped in toward him slightly asking if I could help him. He drew up short when I stepped toward him and stopped about 20 feet away. He then asked about a sticker I had on the car. I explained the meaning ("Have ewe herd?"---I herd sheep with my dogs for fun) and he turned and went back to lean on his car.

Very unsettling, to say the least. I don't think anyone watching this unfold would have thought it was particularly threatening, etc. but I got a creepy feeling (even without the swastika) about him and was thankful it ended there. I do have my CHL and was carrying. The only thing I think I could have done differently was be on the phone talking to someone (or pretending to) and announce loudly "hang on, someone wants to ask me something"....I did get on the phone as soon as I was in the car and left out of a driveway allowing me the opportunity to see if he got in his car to leave (follow?).

Don't discount intuition...

Hope this year is better than last!
Tass