Unpleasant encounter at a gas station

[VeganTaxidermist]

The other day, I stopped at high noon at a gas station. I had foolishly let my car run down to about 1 - 2 gallons of fuel left.

I don't live in a great area, but it's not terrible either. I picked a gas station on the route to where I was going that's also not great, but not terrible. As usual I looked around, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, picked a bay, got out of my car and started to gas up.

Now I'm not hyper-vigilant about being situationally aware, but I did notice two things as soon as the pump was running: a Brinks truck pulled in, armed driver walks into the store, and then a fellow whom I profiled as possibly being a beggar about 50 feet away seemed like he might be walking towards me, and was definitely walking towards the gas station.

By the time I can react, he's standing right in front of me (with the pump handle behind me) and starts off with some story. I quickly respond "Sir, I am sorry but I cannot help you." He gets closer (maybe 2 feet from my face) and asks if he can just have a dollar or something. I shot back with a sharp "Sir, you need to step back immediately!"

Turns out he was indeed just a beggar who proceeded to walk around the area and do the same thing. His next target was a woman who'd just pulled in and hadn't even gotten out of her car yet--stands right in front of her as she's opening her door.

I was unarmed at the time; EDCs were in a box in my trunk, as I was on my way to park somewhere where I couldn't legally be armed.

My conclusions? I would love to hear yours as well.

(1) Trust your gut--I could tell the beggar was looking at me and should have ceased fueling and hopped in my car and driven off sooner.

(2) Keep trusting your gut--my instincts told me he was a harmless beggar (although he should work on his personal-space skills if he wants to improve his earnings). I have done a fair bit of volunteer work and am familiar with the spectrum of mental illness, homelessness, and panhandling.

(3) Never be armed if you don't have to be. Next time I'll leave 5 minutes earlier so I can disarm a lot closer to my destination.

(4) Don't let your car run past half full. I created the situation where I had to find a gas station less than 20 miles away.

(5) Go the safest gas station you can imagine to fill up. They seem to be magnets for begging, violence, and criminal behaviour, which are things I wish to avoid.

(6) Be prepared to hop in your car at a moment's notice and run. Next time, I won't be waiting around for someone to be 2 feet from me, even if they are harmless.

 

[Bovice]

Half full?

I thought stopping at 1/4 was pretty conservative. 1/4 for me is approximately 90 miles. Anybody worth their salt in a car should be able to use that to get away. I don't see a car chase exceeding 90 miles and going well for anybody.

Given all the fuel vapor around you when you were pumping gas, I don't think a gun is a great option. Think creatively. If the guy had gotten aggressive at that distance, spray him with the fuel nozzle. Gasoline burns the eyes/causes blindnesa and is known to cause cancer by the state of California .

 

[rtroha]

Why not just disarm when you reach your destination?

For us locals, tell us where the gas station was?

 

[Collector0311]

Just seems like a guy without an understanding of personal space. Never got violent, or belligerent.
And never be armed if you don't have to be? I'm confused by that. I don't get to decide when I need to be armed, that's why I'm armed.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posed by Bovice: If the guy had gotten aggressive at that distance, spray him with the fuel nozzle.

Deadly force because someone has "gotten aggressive"?

And how about the risk of a judgment of gross negligence in the event of fire?

 

[Fred Fuller]

When I was growing up my dad ran a little country store that sold gas among other things. This was in the $.39/gallon full service days...

One day when I was pumping gas a regular customer came in for some fuel. He had his grandson along, who was still in single digits - 6, 7 years old. The kid wanted to pump the gas. Gramps wanted him to do it for whatever reason, I suspect since gramps used to run a service station in the past himself. So gramps took over.

Long story short, the kid squeezed the nozzle handle before the nozzle was in the filler neck. It shot a 3/4" solid stream of gasoline the length of the car, and soaked it.

I helped gramps wash his car...

 

[Torian]

Lived in an area of Pittsburgh, PA where this was a frequent occurrence for me. Even worse, I would have people come to my house and pull the same nonsense.

Eventually I learned that if I engaged them in any type of conversation whatsoever, it never ended well. Somehow, they poured all their talent in life into selling a story about why they needed a handout.

I eventually developed a number of steps to follow when interacting with them:

1. Ignore, do not make eye contact, but stand your ground / do not move out of the way
2. Give them the evil eye, put your hand up, shake your head no, again do not retreat
3. In a strong, somewhat pissed off voice, simple say "No" or "Not interested"

I quickly learned when I moved into the ghetto that being nice will get you nowhere, and will just make you a target for all the panhandlers (they all talk about what they score together). If none of the above works, you definitely have a problem on your hands.

Contrary to the advice given above, you should absolutely NOT disarm yourself while you are pumping gas. It is a prime opportunity for you to be accosted by a criminal since you are out in the open but focused on a particular task.

 

[Certaindeaf]

That freak show only got one clown on the freaky scale. Next time just be more aware.. in case it gets really freaky.

 

[Hawk@]

I'm on the road a lot and I frequently find myself refueling in the middle of night, and sometimes at the seediest of gas stations.
1. I'm always armed
2. I survey the immediate area prior to getting out
3. I never let anyone approach me, usually by calling out 'Stop right there'
4. If they fail to do this, I then display my concealed carry (I do not draw the weapon)
This has worked a number of times for me. They either apologize and turn, or just turn away not saying anything.
The best defense is well lighted, busy stations, and not waiting for the low level fuel light to come on.

 

[JustinJ]

I get approached by a single beggar almost once a week it seems. 99.9% are harmless. Be polite but firm and as soon as they launch into the sob story cut them off. It's really nothing to be concerned about. Now if two or more approach you, especially after dark, that to me is cause for alarm. Otherwise just maintain a normal degree of vigilance.

(6) Be prepared to hop in your car at a moment's notice and run. Next time, I won't be waiting around for someone to be 2 feet from me, even if they are harmless.

I think jumping in your car and fleeing just because a single bum is approaching you is a little much.

 

[dirtykid]

1. Ignore, do not make eye contact, but stand your ground / do not move out of the way
2. Give them the evil eye, put your hand up, shake your head no, again do not retreat
3. In a strong, somewhat pissed off voice, simple say "No" or "Not interested"

This EXCEPT for #1

I always will give them the stink-eye from the moment I see them,
If they approach me, I rest my hand on top of my holster, and treat them like an aggressive dog that I want to leave me alone..

Other than that I always pick a pump that does not put me in a "corner" or surrounded by the pump-island and hoses, Just like when your driving, ALWAYS leave yourself a way out..

 

[col.lemat]

going about it all wrong

This is the method that I have been using for the last 25 years, laugh if you want but it works. Try it some time if your not a coward. Next time when approached tell them in a firm voice that "I'm now working this side of the street now, and on the other side of it." I've had them back up so quickly they stumble over their feet getting out of the way. Works every time and the looks you get are great.

 

[Bovice]

Deadly force because someone has "gotten aggressive"?

And how about the risk of a judgment of gross negligence in the event of fire?

Depends on your definition of aggressive I suppose. To me, it doesn't mean them asking for 50 cents when you decline to give them a dollar. Sure, there's a risk of fire, but we're talking about a case where your hands are occupied while pumping gas, the person is already too close and about to harm you, and you left your gun in a box in the trunk.

 

[JustinJ]

I always will give them the stink-eye from the moment I see them,
If they approach me, I rest my hand on top of my holster, and treat them like an aggressive dog that I want to leave me alone..

Do you open carry? Gripping a gun because somebody walks up to you to ask for change seems incredibly excessive and could possibly bring legal troubles.

Every now and again people who approach me, who i assume are beggars, simply want directions.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by Bovice, in response to "Deadly force because someone has "gotten aggressive"?": Depends on your definition of aggressive I suppose.

Not on mine. On the law, and on the evidence.

 

[stumpers]

I walk past panhandlers every day on the way to and from the office. Some are more aggressive than others. In the beginning, I would say "sorry" or a firm "no" and keep walking. That's actually led to two separate verbally abusive conversations on the part of the panhandlers.

Now, I literally don't say a word when engaged by strangers with whom I am not comfortable. I wear sunglasses as often as possible, and when not wearing glasses, I avoid all eye contact.

I would guess that I don't speak to 75% of the people that randomly approach me. I'll engage other professional people, the elderly, and typically a military veteran wearing a hat or shirt or something, even if he is panhandling, but I don't engage or acknowledge others.

Side note: being dismissive of "bums" has worked. Being dismissive of Type A personalities from other segments of society (redneck/thug/gothic/emo/punk/you-name-it) with whom I didn't want conversation has led to threats of violence and one physical assault.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by Hawk@: I never let anyone approach me, usually by calling out 'Stop right there'
If they fail to do this, I then display my concealed carry (I do not draw the weapon)

Good way to end up in jail.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Contrary to the advice given above, you should absolutely NOT disarm yourself while you are pumping gas. It is a prime opportunity for you to be accosted by a criminal since you are out in the open but focused on a particular task.

Absolutely agree. I keep my truck generally more then half-full, but there are times I need to fill up at not-so-pleasant places or at a not-so-convenient time. When this happens, I am NEVER unarmed.

 

[Orion8472]

I had a begger [with his dog] approach me in the relatively dark parking lot of a Braum's and I have to tell you . . . that was an erie situation to be in. I had my ccw and ran the situation in my head, but basically told him that I had nothing to give him and he walked away.

The scary thing to consider is [especially in my situation], . . . what if he had a friend who, while I was distracted by the odd meeting, struck me from behind? It may never happen, but very well could. I just don't like when people I don't know approach me . . . because, as sad as it is, . . . it is hard to trust people these days.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Orion is right, always check your six, because that's the only way I see a panhandler and his partner being an aggressive threat.
I think the entire thinking on this thread is a little over-reactive.
He's a vagrant looking for a handout; no different than a barker at a carnival or a salesman at the mall.
I think we can all learn how to politely and firmly keep a distance without resorting to "should I draw now?"

 

[Certaindeaf]

Not so long ago some guy stopped to get gas at a big truck style station. I think there was a video of it. Trucks were parked on either side of him, fueling up. At least four men accosted him, I forget how many came from the front and from the back but they killed and robbed him. It happened pretty fast.
things happen and try to be careful, I guess

 

[sixgunner455]

(3) Never be armed if you don't have to be. Next time I'll leave 5 minutes earlier so I can disarm a lot closer to my destination.

I think the OP had a typo here. I think he meant to say "never be DIS-armed if you don't have to be."

I agree with that.

 

[Kleanbore]

One should always have his or her head on a swivel at a gas station. The hose and/or the car door limit(s) one's movement; the pumps and cars provide cover for one or more assailants; closing distances are short; and the station is, to borrow a phrase from Tom Givens, a veritable water hole in the Serengeti for car jackers, robbers, and kidnappers.

One should have his or her firearm readily accessible if at all possible.

Avoiding the pitfall of having one's attention focussed on the pump or the car is important, but it is equally important to look around before pulling up to the pump and getting out of the car. I have on more than one occasion decided to go to a different station after surveying the scene.

On the other side of the coin, a peaceful environment should not lull one into a false sense of security. A couple of years ago, a tall man with an enraged expression pulled into a big rural station after I had done so and glared at me in a very menacing manner. I had elected to not strap on my IWB holster for reasons that made little sense after the fact. My Blackthorn walking stick proved a sufficient deterrent, but it was a scary moment.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Excellent goodness.

One thing I heard here is "avoid eye contact". No. You want to look at and acknowledge a fluttering butterfly a block away, let alone a potential predator.
You don't do that.. acknowledge them with your body language immediately and be on guard, even if it is a "butterfly".
right

 

[stumpers]

One thing I heard here is "avoid eye contact". No. You want to look at and acknowledge a fluttering butterfly a block away, let alone a potential predator.
You don't do that.. acknowledge them with your body language immediately and be on guard, even if it is a "butterfly".
right

This is a serious question, not snark. Just trying to be direct:

Why is it important to acknowledge someone I don't wish to...acknowledge? I'm certainly aware of the other person, perhaps even looking right at them, but without the personal nature of eye contact. I'm talking about panhandlers here, not someone intent on violent confrontation.

If I think someone is going to attack me, I don't think at THAT point I'd even want to let them that I know what's coming.

Someone can know that I know they're there without making eye contact that may or may not be communicative of my wishes.