Bystanders 'makes' me, saves me trouble with drunk, police

[Agave]

This weekend, I drive a friend to a club. When we get there, in my truck I take off my 1911, C-TAC, wrap it in a shirt, put it in my toolbox and lock it.

A few minutes before last call, I decide to leave the club and sit and watch people in the parking lot and wait on my friend. I go to my truck, unlock the box, pull out the wrapped up pistol, get in my truck, rearm at 2:30, and tuck in my shirt over the gun. I drive a few rows over, closer to the door. Then I get out and sit on the front bumper of my truck.

Shortly, a stumbler and his girlfriend walk out and as they get to me, he starts yelling at me, telling me to get of the truck because he knows its not my truck. I calmly tell him that it is my truck. Then he claims the truck and threatens bodily harm. I begin to ignore him, but keep an eye on him, which he does not appreciate, keeps yelling obscenities, threats. His girlfriend finally coaxes him out of sight.

I keep 'situationally aware' and notice that he is coming back towards my 8:00. He notes that I am looking at him again and restarts his cussing and threatening. He gets 50 feet from me and a guy on the drunk's other side rolls down his window and nonchalantly says "He's got a weapon."

The drunk turns around, pauses, and announces that he has two weapons, lifts his shirt to expose his waistband, does a spin apparently to show that he is unarmed, then holds up his fists. He continues his approach and I stand, assume blading, defensive posture and prepare for Tomoe Nage (yes, I've successfully used it in the street against a drunk before).

He stops just out of reach of me and keeps yelling. The guy that called me out pipes up "I'm telling you, he's got a weapon." The drunk stops yelling, looks over his shoulder at the guy, sticks out his hand and says he doesn't want any trouble. Naturally, I don't trust him and I lie "Nothing personal, but I don't shake hands." He yells another obscenity, turns and walks away, not to be seen again.

The guy that told the drunk that I had a weapon seemed to have saved me the trouble of having to physically deal with this guy, risk getting hurt, cuffed, or losing/having to use my weapon. I don't know how he knew I had a gun, but for once, I'm glad somebody did.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[goldshellback]

Sounds like he was doing much the same thing you were doing, waiting fora buddy to come out. I'll also wager he was bored enough to watch you as you unlocked and retrieved your sidearm out of your toolbox......probley not too covertly......OR he reconginized what you were doing 'cause he did the same thing too?

[starshooter231]

Congrats and glad to hear it worked out for you.

[TN_Mike]

Being "made" worked out for you. Consider this the exception to the rule.

This type of thing is EXACTLY why I do not go to bars, for any reason. Bars are where drunks congregate, and drunks are stupid, loud mouthed and always looking for trouble.

[KenInColo]

Sounds like you were in condition ORANGE w/the Tomoe Nage the condition RED response. Way to stay cool.

A long time ago, when I learned that maneuver it was called a monkey rip.

[ppkheat]

The fact that it didn't escalate is great.

I hate dealing with drunks, usually they're full of "bravery fluid" and "get insulted" easily. Putting distance between me and them I think is a good way to de-escalate also.

Of course I wasn't there but after the first encounter with him, I may have considered getting into MY truck. That way you're more out of sight, you're less vulnerable, you can easily leave. If he comes to your truck.....you've got options that he doesnt have.

It's a lot easier to explain to the police that you were peaceably sitting inside your truck and attempting to leave; rather than explain to the police about wrestling a guy in the parking lot of a bar while armed.

YMMV, and I'm not saying you did anything wrong, I'm just saying consider all available options if you have any.

[rocky]

ave.

It's a lot easier to explain to the police that you were peaceably sitting inside your truck and attempting to leave; rather than explain to the police about wrestling a guy in the parking lot of a bar while armed.

YMMV, and I'm not saying you did anything wrong, I'm just saying consider all available options if you have any.

Yup, going out of you way to avoid/ disengage a obvious drunk would be the most prudent action. Juries tend to be more understanding if you do this too.

[kohburn]

I think thats the theory behind virginia law requiring CCW carrier to unconceile when in a facility that serves alchohal (as well as the general consensus about open carry) is that a visible firearm will deter all but the most determined bad guys.

[Deanimator]

The fact that it didn't escalate is great.

I hate dealing with drunks, usually they're full of "bravery fluid" and "get insulted" easily. Putting distance between me and them I think is a good way to de-escalate also.

Of course I wasn't there but after the first encounter with him, I may have considered getting into MY truck. That way you're more out of sight, you're less vulnerable, you can easily leave. If he comes to your truck.....you've got options that he doesnt have.

It's a lot easier to explain to the police that you were peaceably sitting inside your truck and attempting to leave; rather than explain to the police about wrestling a guy in the parking lot of a bar while armed.

YMMV, and I'm not saying you did anything wrong, I'm just saying consider all available options if you have any.

I hate drunks.

In college, it seemed like a drunken German exchange student could somehow see me across a smoke filled room with 300 people in it and decide he wanted to pick a fight with ME.

I don't go to bars anymore, so most of my "opportunities" to interact with drunken ignoramuses have been sharply curtailed.

[carver]

Being "made" worked out for you. Consider this the exception to the rule.

This type of thing is EXACTLY why I do not go to bars, for any reason. Bars are where drunks congregate, and drunks are stupid, loud mouthed and always looking for trouble.

A wise man, you are! Not only do I not go to bars, I don't even go to that part of town! My philosophy is that if you are anywhere near where trouble might be, trouble just might find you! I don't need any more troubles than the ones I already have!

[Thumper]

A wise man, you are! Not only do I not go to bars, I don't even go to that part of town! My philosophy is that if you are anywhere near where trouble might be, trouble just might find you! I don't need any more troubles than the ones I already have!

+1!

[dukalmighty]

Only problem I see with getting back in your truck is the fact if the guy had retrieved a weapon you are now at a disadvantage,You have blind spots sitting in a truck that the guy can use and be at your window before you might know it or shoot you through the back window.I would have called 911 and reported the drunk as being loud and confrontational

[Agave]

I would have called 911 and reported the drunk as being loud and confrontational

I don't tie up 911 for non emergencies. I do keep the PD and SO in my phone, but it would have just been easier to walk over and tell one of the six officers that standby in that parking lot. Heck, the head bouncer is off-duty.

That's part of the reason that I'm willing to visit this establishment. They used to have enough problems that the police started to hang out there too. While still know that there is a risk, I do trust them to deter the riffraff for the most part. Considering that I'm well behaved and sober while 'out,' I'm very much other than riffraff.

[Rusty Bouquett]

This type of thing is EXACTLY why I do not go to bars, for any reason. Bars are where drunks congregate, and drunks are stupid, loud mouthed and always looking for trouble.

Amen to that!!

[ppkheat]

Only problem I see with getting back in your truck is the fact if the guy had retrieved a weapon you are now at a disadvantage,You have blind spots sitting in a truck that the guy can use and be at your window before you might know it or shoot you through the back window.

Similar blind spots exist while sitting on the bumper.

After the initial contact, whether in or out of the truck, SA comes into play = head-on-a-swivel. Personally I like having some mobile cover.