Approached by a panhandler in a mall parking lot

I was at a Starbucks having one of my 1,000,000 Starbucks first dates. At the end of the date, it was dark and she asked me to escort her to her car. Not a problem. Then I found out, before the date, she did some shopping and parked on the other side of the mall. So I suggested we drive over to her vehicle in my car. She agreed.

As we get into my car, we get approached by a panhandler. He approaches my car on the driver side. She is already in and her door closed. My door is still open as he approached me just as I am sitting down in the car. He explains that he and his 3 month pregnant wife just need a few bucks to get something to eat. I politely said that I couldn't help him, close my door, lock it and drive away.

I have been reading a lot of threads about being approached in a mall parking lot. It seems that I have been approached more in the last few months than I have in my entire life.

But the question I have is, as he is approaching me, with my door open, would it have been prudent to quickly put the key in the ignition and my hand on my firearm?

In this particular case, they seemed harmless enough and he kept his distance, but I could see how a situation like that could turn quickly. My date did not know I was carrying, and I don't think she would have realized where I was keeping my hand.

If this guy had bad intentions you were toast. Yes, I have my hand on my gun when I see these guys. I also have been aproached by a bunch lately.

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Originally Posted by threefeathers

If this guy had bad intentions you were toast. Yes, I have my hand on my gun when I see these guys. I also have been aproached by a bunch lately.

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Good point.
I have not been approached in quite some time. I usually visit such places in mid afternoon, tho.

Hand on weapon (still concealed). He'll recognize the gesture.

When I've allowed someone to get that close to me without me first seeing them 'approaching' (has happened on rare occasions), I know that I have not stayed alert enough.

One cannot afford to let BG's get that close without being aware of their approach...had he had a gun or knife with bad intentions, you would have been caught short.

We all learn from these episodes and luckily you are able to learn from this one...no harm done this time.

Stay armed...stay alert...stay safe!

I think that you are darned fortunate that your date didn't turn out to be in cahoots with the panhandler and that when you hopped into your car, you found yourself facing HER gun. You did say that this was a FIRST date, didn't you?

Well, I think everyone at some point is going to get approached by someone who at least catches them more off guard than they would like.

All that should do is encourage you to try and be more watchful in the future.

Like the poster stated... the panhandler did somewhat keep his distance, and in this case... that was good.

In situations like this, even I have to play it as I see it develop.

Whether I put my hand on my gun or not, is dependent on several subtle indicators and how I assess the situation at the time.

nuparadigm has a good statement... Hand on gun (still concealed), He'll recognize the gesture!

Work on awareness and be glad you were packin your "heater."

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One cannot afford to let BG's get that close without being aware of their approach...had he had a gun or knife with bad intentions, you would have been caught short.

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Yup.

Know the enemy ... and see it first.

It should be said that most of these pan handlers walk a very fine societal line and they know it. They typically tend to be well versed in exactly what they can/can't do and will only rarely overstep those boundaries. I can almost guarantee you that they know the law better than you do.

With that said, always be vigilant though, because you never know.

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Originally Posted by Emahevul

I can almost guarantee you that they know the law better than you do.

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No "guarantees" guard against a weapon being drawn against you, though. The ones who do that are banking on that fact, that we're already behind the curve. All the more reason do disallow close approach.

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Originally Posted by ccw9mm

No "guarantees" guard against a weapon being drawn against you, though. The ones who do that are banking on that fact, that we're already behind the curve. All the more reason do disallow close approach.

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Which is why I said "With that said, always be vigilant though, because you never know."

:duh:

There are times or situations where someone can get close to you without you knowing they're coming, it just happens.

Unfortunately, these street people are becoming increasingly more aggressive and even violent in their approach so I see nothing wrong with gripping your weapon and announcing "I can't help you... go away" in a commanding voice. You'll probably get cussed out but so what, as long as the person leaves.

In Albuquerque, NM we are cursed with a mayor that thinks pan handlers and border jumpers have more "rights" than the rest of us. In recent years this has led to a spate of violent assaults, stabbings and even a police officer being shot by these good citizens, when they are refused funding. I have used the strongest language possible in telling perrenial beggers to back off or else. I would urge others to do the same.

Has she called to thank you?

AFS

I was at Lowe's the other day and a girl walked up to me and signaled that she was deaf. I scanned around to see if there was another person maybe working with her but didn't see anyone around. She held up her sign which I glanced at. It had a sad story and a family picture of her, her husband, and a child. Here is the kicker, her letter was laminated, full of crease marks from folding it up pocket size and was worn out. Pretty ovious that she used that every day and probably making a living by panhandling.