A story for you all

[DARKSCOPE001]

Hey guys I had a really awkward moment yesterday and thought I might share it with you. Also I want some oppinions on how you might have handled the situation. Its not tool related so mods feel free to delete/ move it. But I just wanted to know what everyone thought.

Ok here goes, yesterday I was spending the one day of the week my GF and I have off together. She needed some fuel, so we stopped at a local UDF, nice daylight hours i always enjoy this particular gas station. She asks me if I will go in and pay for the gas and hands me a 20 I agree.

Walking back outside I hear a long horn blow in the area of the station near my gf and a silver car in front of hers. and i see it flashing its lights. Young lady gets out dressed in her hiphop apparel and a nice new turbo super do everything computer phone. screaming and yelling. "YEA I TOLD THIS b#$& TO MOVE HER F#*% CAR" lady starts walking towards the back of my gfs car and has my full attention and my fist is clenched hard because im not sure whats going on.

She walks around to the back of my GF's car and procedes to spout out "F%&@ING B&*#! NEED TO MOVE YOU CAR!" I give her a stare and say excuse me? she says "YEA IM TALKIN TO HER" lady starts walking back over to her car. still yelling and screaming. The fuel nozzle is in her tank. not strained at the end of its limit she had plenty of room to get out. i dont see the problem.

(ok guys this is where your going to have to just take my word k?)
Lady walks over to her car screaming yelling looking over at us cussing and just being nasty. So I decide to do something. I said in a raised (not yelling not screaming) calm voice "Mam you need to calm down" lady replys back "I DONT NEED TO CALM S#!* DOWN SHE NEEDS TO MOVE HER CAR" again i tell her "mam you really need to calm down."

At this point the lady said something that really woried me. im not much of a fighter either so i really wasnt sure what to do. the lady then replied "IMA GET MY GUN" I wasnt sure what to say. I didnt think a little misunderstanding at a fuel station justified a shooting. So i stood there and watched her. didnt yell any smart remarks or say anything just watched her as she opened her door and started rummaging though her car. after standing up she still had no weapon so she opened her trunk and i got in the car with my gf and we took off.

Lady went flying for her door started her car up and slammed it into drive. was right behind us all the way thought the gas station blowing her horn screaming yelling reving her engine.

Thank god she didnt follow us we turned right she went left but if she followed us we agreed it was best to go right for the police station. So here is my Q&A section. What would you have done? I was thinking about calling the cops. and looking back on it i wish i had. Someone like that doesent need to be walking to street. My gf and I agreed it was better to just leave and not further add fuel to this fire. and im glad she didnt actually pull a gun on me.

Thanks guys
Sean Scott

 

[Bronson]

You did the right thing by leaving and not escalating the situation. There are too many crazies running around. A call to 911 would have been a good idea too. Personally, if You pull a gun on Me, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED TO USE IT. Glad Y'all got away from Her.

 

[SubaruGreg]

IMO you did the right thing. When people dont respond to reason the best thing to do is remove yourself from the situation. You never know what people will do these days. It might be an empty threat but you never know. It would more than likely take the cops so long to respond that the lady would have just left, and leave you twiddling your thumbs waiting for the cops to write a report that wouldnt lead to anything anyway.

 

[893cv]

911, the police need to know about this. In Ohio gun threats are reckless endangering.

 

[Drisco Z71]

sounds like she was bluffing on the whole gun thing, but I certainly wouldn't have left it to chance.

 

[hammergodthor]

I would have called the cops, she's probably strung out on drugs, and she'll do the same thing again, but maybe not with the same harmless results. (She might actually have a gun next time)

I would have called after I left.

 

[HarleyArley]

After threatening to get a gun you stood there and watched her get into her car and then trunk looking for it?

You are lucky to still be among us.

When those words came out of her mouth, you had two choices that leave your continued existence in your hands... either flee with the gf if you thought there was time to do so, or tackle and restrain her before she can get to the gun.

I'm glad she was only bluffing and you and yoiur gf are OK, but I have to say it was only because the crazy lady decided to let you live, not because you did the appropriate thing.

You really need to think through what happened and how you reacted.

 

[ptschram]

I would not have hesitated to call the cops while backing out of the situation so I could escape.

Follow from safe distance, get license plate number.

You did absolutely the right thing by backing away, no shame in it.

 

[magnetnerd]

You did the right thing.

911 would have been a good thing, but realistically, getting her tag while still getting out of there as fast as possible would have been nearly impossible, especially when you're under stress like that.

 

[ptschram]

You did the right thing.

911 would have been a good thing, but realistically, getting her tag while still getting out of there as fast as possible would have been nearly impossible, especially when you're under stress like that.

Ohio has plates front and rear.

I suspect the gas station had cameras and perhaps even a credit card number/name.

 

[woody 73]

Wow and I thought I had it tough only 15 miles away from your location,sean what are they puting in the drinking water in Pickerington? sounds like the women lost it ; I am thinking maybe she was stressed over the X-mas season. We get a few nuts over in Cow-town but I am convinced they are from Michigan!

 

[boostedgt]

I wouldnt have acknowledged her existence until she mentioned gun then I would have left and called the police

 

[Jagmandave]

Don't ever tell someone who's upset that they need to calm down, it just pisses them off worse.

I was pretty upset with my bank when they charged me a fee they shouldn't have, so when I went to see the MGR I was an unhappy camper and I'm sure it showed on my face. So what's the first thing this pasty faced pillsbury dough boy say - " you need to calm down" - I hadn't even said anything yet!

Wrong thing to say - a better choice would have been, "here sit down, let me see what's going on here and I'll try to help you."

In your situation I'm not sure there's anything you could have said that would have helped, but like the others have said, just leave. I definitely would have reported her behavior and the gun threat tho - who knows who else she's gonna get upset with over nothing, and this time maybe she finds her gun?

 

[slowz32]

I would have drenched her in gas and killed it with fire.

 

[BHH]

Seems like you were pretty reasonable. I would call the cops and the gas station to let them know to save the tapes.

 

[ericedelman]

The holiday season brings out some of the best behavior in people, and makes marginally sane people suddenly insane. Before I tell you what I would have done, I will tell you that I am a permit holder and carry all the time.

So I would have moved the car when she asked.

Sure, you can stand up for yourself, but the woman already proved to be nuts when you got back to the car. Why risk getting you or your girlfriend hurt? Not worth it at all. Move the car, let the crazy lady win one.

 

[ptschram]

The holiday season brings out some of the best behavior in people, and makes marginally sane people suddenly insane. Before I tell you what I would have done, I will tell you that I am a permit holder and carry all the time.

So I would have moved the car when she asked.

Sure, you can stand up for yourself, but the woman already proved to be nuts when you got back to the car. Why risk getting you or your girlfriend hurt? Not worth it at all. Move the car, let the crazy lady win one.

The gunfight you avoid is the best kind.

 

[mdbeck1]

Giving in to someone DEMANDING something stupid just goes against my grain. However I'd probably just leave. There's no reason to escalate the situation. I think you did the right thing. People are stupid. Some should not possess firearms or even be driving.

In my younger days I would have stood right next to her until she found her gun. Then I would have taken it away, separated the gun from the bullets (remove clip and heave), and left. ...of course I'd probably also be facing assault charges, but like I said... in my younger days....

 

[JSBriggs]

The gunfight you avoid is the best kind.

Especially over something so trivial. You cant argue against crazy.

-Jeff

 

[ptschram]

Especially over something so trivial. You cant argue against crazy.

-Jeff

I may have a perpetually bad attitude and pack heat most of the time, but I will go way out of my way to avoid confrontation that may result in someone getting killed and ruining the life of the survivor.

 

[slob]

Maybe I'm a crazy person with a death wish, but if your description of the woman and her behavior is at all accurate I would have been unable to control my laughter in that situation.

 

[85camaro]

You were calm, and that's good. I probably would have done something stupid, like tell her to shut her effin mouth and escalated it even more, and then possibly be trying to duck from bulletts

 

[JSBriggs]

I may have a perpetually bad attitude and pack heat most of the time, but I will go way out of my way to avoid confrontation that may result in someone getting killed and ruining the life of the survivor.

Well,to clarify, your bad attitude is in the 'grouchy old guy' category, not the 'young punk bravado' category.

The other difference is that you take the responsibility of carrying seriously.

-Jeff

 

[ptschram]

Well,to clarify, your bad attitude is in the 'grouchy old guy' category, not the 'young punk bravado' category.

The other difference is that you take the responsibility of carrying seriously.

-Jeff

LOL-I've had a license for 28 years now. Haven't shot anyone yet.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

After threatening to get a gun you stood there and watched her get into her car and then trunk looking for it?

You are lucky to still be among us.

When those words came out of her mouth, you had two choices that leave your continued existence in your hands... either flee with the gf if you thought there was time to do so, or tackle and restrain her before she can get to the gun.

I'm glad she was only bluffing and you and yoiur gf are OK, but I have to say it was only because the crazy lady decided to let you live, not because you did the appropriate thing.

You really need to think through what happened and how you reacted.

Sorry let me clarify, when she said that I was more frozen in shock. I had never had someone tell me they were going to shoot me before. Especially over a gas pump. I dont realize what the problem was. She was able to get her gas and get out of her car. No idea what the problem was.

 

[geologist]

Im an Ohioan myself and I got a concealed carry permit because of nut jobs like the freak you had to deal witb. I live just outside of Portsmouth (pain pill capital of Ohio according to A&E). As per Ohio CCW / Castle Law, you're not required to retreat if a credible threat of bodily harm presents itself. Had she brandished a firearm, you would have been free and clear to facilitate her disarmament by whatever means nessicary. While I would hate to be forced to ever have to use my firearm, I have a daughter with special needs, and she means the world to me. There are too many punks that place zero value on anyone or anything other than themselves, thus I got my concealed carry permit.

 

[WR250F]

I would have give her some of the pimp hand and brought her to a little reality.

Knock her *** out before she gets to a gun.

Cops would agree with that.

In Texas, she would have gotten her *** kicked or worse.

Mouthing off no matter how much thug you are will get you as much trouble as you serve up

 

[srmofo]

I would have tried to get out of there as quickly as possible also, but I would have been on high alert, safety off once that ***** spouted off about a gun and started heading towards her car.

 

[Toolman12]

Glad you and your gf are ok live in that situation i would have got the tag and called cops and made sure gas station cams were running.

 

[HarleyArley]

Sorry let me clarify, when she said that I was more frozen in shock. I had never had someone tell me they were going to shoot me before. Especially over a gas pump. I dont realize what the problem was. She was able to get her gas and get out of her car. No idea what the problem was.

I understand the shock completely. Its because you've never run this scenario through in your head and had a plan for what to do. The problem was that the b@#$tch was crazy! There's nothing more to understand.

Think for a moment what would have happened if while you stood there in shock she's pulled a pistol and started shooting. Its happened to others over lesser things and could have easily happened to you. I think you are in denial about what just happend to you and your gf and what could have happened.

Those saying you did the right thing baffle me. Standing there waiting to be shot is not a sound decision. In such a scenario, fight or flight are your only options. Afterwards, the call to the police is a given.

Again, I'm very glad you and your gf are alright, but I would suggest you take this as an opportunity to learn from and have a plan for how you would deal with this or other likely encounters in the future.

 

[HarleyArley]

Im an Ohioan myself and I got a concealed carry permit because of nut jobs like the freak you had to deal witb. I live just outside of Portsmouth (pain pill capital of Ohio according to A&E). As per Ohio CCW / Castle Law, you're not required to retreat if a credible threat of bodily harm presents itself. Had she brandished a firearm, you would have been free and clear to facilitate her disarmament by whatever means nessicary. While I would hate to be forced to ever have to use my firearm, I have a daughter with special needs, and she means the world to me. There are too many punks that place zero value on anyone or anything other than themselves, thus I got my concealed carry permit.

Steve,

You might want to do some more research on castle doctrine. It removes your requirement to retreat while in your home or car. It has no applicability to this scenario. He was standing in the middle of a UDF parking lot.

 

[Iknfixit]

In hindsight I'd have popped my phone into video mode and shot the scene including her licence plate. Cops love video confessions.

 

[stephen4785]

If anyone ever says "Im going to get my gun" Im going to grab mine out of my car as fast as I can. My wife was a police officer for 8 years. I think if any chick started with that **** my wife would've had her an an arm lock on the ground or something. I dont care if your a guy, girl, or a teenager. People have been shot by people of all ages and for extremely stupid reasons.

 

[redwrench60]

Who wants to get shot over a gas pump? Not me.
Who wants to shoot someone over a gas pump? Not me.

Just leave......but if you can't', better have a "plan B".

 

[e-tek]

sounds like she was bluffing on the whole gun thing, but I certainly wouldn't have left it to chance.

Ya - I woulda jumped on the ***** and yelled "GUN - call 911!!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Wacked Christmas shopper is what it sounds like. I'd probably pulling my wife off of her. Cell phones can be the handiest thing and other times the biggest PITA.
Something I'd advise everybody with a cell phone to do is get familiar with the camera button on the phone and be able to snap a picture and save it quickly and without having to think about the action.

Snap a picture of the license plate, save and call 911. Report a threatening woman with a gun at United Dairy Farmers. LEOs will haul *** when guns are involved.

 

[geologist]

Steve,

You might want to do some more research on castle doctrine. It removes your requirement to retreat while in your home or car. It has no applicability to this scenario. He was standing in the middle of a UDF parking lot.

Im quite familiar with the doctrine. It also covers public places where eminent harm may occur to innocent public bystanders. If she had brandished a weapon, even only showing it present in a waistband, he would be well within his legal rights to draw a firearm (if he had one) and detain her until police arrive. This type of case has been well covered in the supreme court, especially in Ohio.

One case in particular involved an elderly gentleman (Joe Horn) that came across two illegal immigrants robbing his neighbors home. One brandished a firearm, the old man asked him to drop the weapon, and when he took a step toward him, the old man shot him dead. When his partner in crime made a dash, the old timer shot him dead as well. Mr. Horn was later exhonorated of any wrongdoing.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Horn_shooting_controversy

 

[ZRX61]

the lady then replied "IMA GET MY GUN"

I'd have got mine while she was still fumbling in the car looking for hers.

 

[imagine44]

Wow...

"IMA GET MY GUN" .... would have probably got her tackled...

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

he would be well within his legal rights to draw a firearm (if he had one) and detain her until police arrive. This type of case has been well covered in the supreme court, especially in Ohio.

I want to get my CCW but my GF said im not allowed till i get my attitude under control, and probably with good reason I had a nasty temper but im getting better about it especially since I got out of retail. When I worked retail I had a bad temper and would go off alot. Never did anything crazy but would get mad over the dumbest things. I try to just let things go now but I just felt that saying "calm down" might help and i didnt want her to hurt my girl. Didnt know it was going to result in this.

But yes I think after when I have some cash saved up im going to take the proper classes and buy a CCW, I think im prepared to have one now.

I did ask my stepdad what i should have done last night (ex cop, ex detective, currently fraud investigation/ security management for a bank)
He told me that if I had my ccw I would have been allowed to draw it, (not fire) but draw it say something in a calm cool voice like "I wouldn't do that" Get away. and call the police letting them know what happened and that you drew your firearm but shots were not fired.

Question tho, I dont want to shoot anyone if I dont have to I was thinking about getting a revolver with some big rounds but I was thinking about adding a flashlight, here is my logic If I felt threatened and needed to draw it I could turn on the flashlight (would get a very bright one) telling them to back down and allowing me to get away without having to shoot. Or would that just aggravate the situation?