well, blew THAT exercise...

[LWYM425]

I was walking back from the grocery store (total of 4ish blocks). .40 cal right hip (strong side) under a pull over fleece; you know the kind with the draw string at the bottom? cinch that just a little and it keeps the cloth from holding too close to your body and printing.

I cross the street at a busy intersection and see that I'm approaching another pedestrian who looked to be waiting to cross the street perpendicular to mine. As I get closer all I was really thinking was whether or not the gun barrel was showing. without looking or feeling for it I remembered that when I put my keys in my pocket I did a quick check, so no worries there. He made a comment about the truck passing by, absent mindedly said something about 'why am I waiting to cross here,' and started to walk with me away from the intersection

What I should have been thinking was 'what do I do about the incoming bogie.' To which, if I had been thinking, I would have made sure to:
-keep my bag in my left hand
-keep this guy on my left and slightly (one foot, maybe) ahead of me

(my question is, after reading this, is that what you would have decided was the right course of action? given the circumstance)

The guy was kind of dirty (but I've seen welders get off the job looking crustier), had a small back pack on, late 40's, white, 6'4", looked strong enough to maybe ruin my day.

We walked for one block when I turned and told him to take care. I would have been highly suspicious if he had followed me at that point because the street I turned down was all residential. The meaningless chitchat was about him missing his truck and some comments about the bus that lead me to believe he was going to ask for change at some point.

The part I screwed up was giving up my right side. Half way down the block he introduced himself and held out his hand. By shaking his hand while standing on his left I briefly gave up all control of the situation I had. At least thats how I feel.

So there is the scenario. would you do what I would have done in hindsight, or did I miss even more.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Chalk it up to "good lessons" learned. You made mistakes, but you are aware of them and hopefully won't make them again.

No matter what others may say, we can't all be on Alert 1 at all times.

 

[Tacbandit]

I'm not gonna nit-pic on you...I think you learned something here... You covered most of it...If it's lesson learned, you're good to go...point is, awareness is key...Be careful,
Tac

 

[LWYM425]

Thanks for the encouragement guys

 

[Sniper X]

Personally I never make mistakes so have no idea what you are talking about.....

 

[lions]

Maybe a little jaywalking would have been in order as soon as you became concerned. Or maybe start walking very slowly when he started walking close to you.

Sounds like you did pretty good. At least you were aware of the situation and had some kind of plan, even if it was imperfect that is always a good start.

 

[kingpin008]

Ditto. All things considered you did fine. I wouldn't have shaken his hand though. That's a great set-up for a suckerpunch. (Reach out to shake guy's hand, he grabs your hand & pulls you forward into the punch. Lights out)

 

[rbohm]

you can be friendly while still making it clear that you are willing to end any fight he might start. attitude and mindset is the most important thing, along with a true awareness of your surroundings. i think you did fine by setting a boundary that you didnt want him to cross.

 

[leadcounsel]

As soon as you're in that situation but change directions or stop to increase distance. You will IMMEDIATELY know the other's intentions and force their hand.

I was living in Philly and walking a girl home at 2am. Stupid I know, but I was 21 and dumb. On the way home I was followed by a quickly approaching (double/triple my pace) suspicous looking guy carrying his hands under the front of his jacket (which I saw as he passed me on the left. It happened quite fast. He jotted into the alley about 10 yards in front of me. He was absolutely about to rob me, or worse. I am not ashamed to say that I crossed the street and absolutely hauled butt. I looked back to see him standing there and he was yelling curse words at me. I shutter to think about what was in store for me. That was probably one of the wisest moves I've ever made in my life to save my own life, or at least prevent a terrible situation.

Lessons we learn we will never forget.

 

[navyretired 1]

The only thing to add is When approched to shake hands in unkown situation I tell them I just had broken hand and can't shake. It's never caused anything but sorry. Just 2 words situational awareness.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

When he offered his hand you should have dove to his left, done a tuck and front barrel roll into a crouched shooting position with pistol drawn. All while holding your groceries.

Hehehe. You did fine. And Navy, the "broken hand" is a great idea. I'm going to use that from now on when I'm uncomfortable greeting a sketchy person.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The logisitcs aside, I've read through the post 3 times now, trying to figure out why you had any concern with access to your weapon. It doesn't seem, from your description, that there was any reason to be alarmed. Did he make some kind of ominous gesture?

 

[LWYM425]

MachIVShooter, my biggest concern was whether or not I was unwittingly showing my gun. It wasn't until after the fact that I felt I could have acted differently.

The only thing I felt was suspicious was that he was clearly waiting to cross the street, then when I approached he just happened to change his mind and walk along side me. Clearly there was no warrant for concern, but there is no way to have known that at the time.

I just think my right arm could have been controlled too easily if I decided I needed to draw.

+1 Rusty Shackleford!!! Had to laugh at that. And my "groceries"... a 22oz Diamond Knot Industrial IPA and a 22 Diamond Knot Brown Ale

 

[shockwave]

The logisitcs aside, I've read through the post 3 times now, trying to figure out why you had any concern with access to your weapon.

Same here. Y'know, when you're out and about, it is not out of the question for another citizen to exchange a few remarks with you. Since I wasn't there it's unknown how I would have read the situation, but as described it sounds like there was an over-defensive reaction. This is probably where some fingers are already copying text in preparation for a reply: "You don't understand - all people are to be regarded as potentially lethal threats and I'm in Condition Orange at all times," etc.

 

[uspJ]

This is probably where some fingers are already copying text in preparation for a reply: "You don't understand - all people are to be regarded as potentially lethal threats and I'm in Condition Orange at all times," etc.

give it time, it's coming

 

[lions]

The logisitcs aside, I've read through the post 3 times now, trying to figure out why you had any concern with access to your weapon.

His actions definitely would have caught my interest. I don't think it was unreasonable for LWYM425 to be thinking about the potential for danger the other guy's actions may have represented. There is a lot of body language and gut feeling type issues that weren't in the OP though so it is hard to know anything for sure. I just assumed since he posted the situation here, it had the OPs hairs on end.

However, I wouldn't have to be concerned with accessing my weapon because I'm always ready, all people are to be regarded as potentially lethal threats and I'm in Condition Orange at all times," etc. (Sorry, had to do it.)

 

[NMGonzo]

I feel you, OP.

In crowded places, I carry left side.

Won't miss if someone is pulling my right arm for some reason.

 

[BeerSleeper]

Does no one get the point, that part of identifying which people are a threat, is also determining which ones are not?

Someone sharing a crosswalk with you is what gets you alarmed?

 

[uspJ]

The only thing I felt was suspicious was that he was clearly waiting to cross the street, then when I approached he just happened to change his mind and walk along side me. Clearly there was no warrant for concern, but there is no way to have known that at the time.

if that was the case why did you continue to walk along side of him? were there no other businesses on the 4 block walk that you could not have entered? if so you could have walked up to the entrance of one of the businesses tell him to have a nice day and went inside and waited for him to go on his way. if he decided to go in with you or you spotted him when you continued your trip home then you should have escalated your awareness to orange and tried to maintain some distance.

 

[wishin]

The only thing I picked up on is that you had the fleece pullover cinched to begin with. It probably occurred to you that had it gone bad, a quick draw would have been impeded. If there's any question in your mind about a possible threat, loosen or unzip your garment in preparation. I agree with the advice about not shaking hands.